I heard that narrower snow tires will perform better on the snow.
Is it true? Why is that?

 

Yes, this means theres a smaller surface area for the tire to drive on, meaning the tires will make better contact with the road through the snow.

 

Its an Evo. I'm running 265s. My M3 ran 255s and it was like an SUV in the snow. No reason to look goofy all winter.

 

Like BlackSE said the narrower tires will make more contact with the road through the snow. I used to always run all season 235 year round and the Evo drove great in the snow. I now run 245's in the summer and 225 winters in the winter. I notice a difference for sure. Depends on what kind of driving you like to do in the winter. I wouldn't run 265's in the winter... unless thats all you had and you couldn't afford a winter replacement. The evo is great in the snow with any non summer tire. It just gets better with snow tires.

 

http://www.tirerack.com/winter/index.jsp

 

I'm not sure what you mean by couldn't afford? I'm running 265 Dunlop Wintersports on Rota Torques bought just for this purpose. My M3 ran 255 Dunlop Wintersports, RWD of course, and like I said it ran amazing in the snow. Are you saying you think the extra 10mm and AWD will net me a poor performer?

I think putting 235's on is just plain silly conservative and all it nets you is a gay looking evo.

 

That's great that it works for you but that doesn't change the fact that its not recommended to run such wide tires in snow. End of the day I rather run at the very least stock width or lower and look funny then risk running wider tires and end up curbing my evo or worse.

 

What I'm suggesting is that the 'conventional wisdom' being implied here is more appropriate for old school heavy RWD cars rather than a perfectly capable AWD car.

I doesn't just work for me. Ever see a C4S in the snow? Just saying.

 

When I said couldnt afford I was saying I understand if you can afford to have two sets of tires at once. A dedicated summer and dedicated winter, usually you end up buying them at the same time if your even on your millage during winter and summer months. I dont think the 265's would be much more if at all more then 235's

Im sure the 265 Dunlop winter sports work great for you! Its a great tire. I run the Winter sport 3d's but in 225's. It might not be necessary but you cant argue that the 265's would perform better in snow then the 225's same car/conditions. Its science and proven...Although dont ask me to cite my source as im have not idea where its proven. Im just sure its been done somewhere.

Side not I run the newer Dunlop direzza star tac's in the summer time 245's and they are awesome! I didnt realize you could squeeze a 265 on. Although im driving an VIII not an X so Im unsure of the differences in acceptable tires sizes. I bet she looks mean though

 

Good point. Ill buy that.

 

Sure I'm not arguing that 265's run better in the snow than 235's, as you say science says otherwise. I'm just arguing the Evo is not really handicapped and I do believe folks make too much of the thin tire argument in general.

I understand what you are saying and yeah I'm running dedicated 9.5 et20 rotas. There is a downside that has nothing to do with snow - and that is the low offset wheels kick up lots of crap all over the car that you won't get in the fairer months.

And yeah go buy a C4S as your winter beater LOL. Snow proven

 

"A wide, low profile or large tire has to "plow" a wide path through snow which causes more resistance. The narrower the tire, the easier you can get through snow." Tirerack.com

For most driving you will be fine with whatever size you get as long as they are a decent snow tire. But why waiste the money on a wider snow tire just to try and look "cool".

 

I'm not going to apologize for striking a balance between form and function, and it doesn't snow everyday and I can still corner with tons of grip. To each his own though.

 

Narrower is better. LOTS of snow here and 235 is even too much...

 

that size difference will not make any real difference. Narrower is better but only in snow. so if you do not have a lots of snow stay with a oem size and get a great snow tires.

You will feel a great difference as soon as you drop down to 225 or even narrower, but then you need to make the rim size smaller and the tire wall higher . And you will run into a brake disk clearence issue...

So my suggestion is , since you will not race in the snow stay oem size , but get some stellar snow - ice tires for a winter. You will see more benefit from that.

Rob