Dunlop sp wintersport 3D 2010 & 2011 Auto Bild 4×4 winter tyre test winner, here are the basics.

Sizes available: 15″, 16″, 17″, 18″, 19″, 20″

Speed ratings: T (118mph), H (136mph), V (149mph), W (168mph)

Suitable for – a wide range of vehicles from small 15″ car right up to 20″ SUV, and for Mercedes owners Dunlop is one of a few manufacturers to produce the 245/40R17 winter tyre.

Launched in 2009 the wintersport 3D has been a hugely successful winter tyre, although it has now been largely replaced by the new Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D. However the 3D is still relevant as many drivers will still be using these, also it is still produced in many sizes. Many of the slightly more unusual sizes are still only made in the 3D, including some BMW run-flat applications. In some sizes Dunlop make both patterns and if they happen to be sold out of the 4D then the 3D is worth considering still is it a great quality product.

Since 2009 the 3D has been awarded with 10 to 3 places in the independent tyre tests, including the following top spots:
1st: 2011 Auto Bild 4×4 Winter Tyre Test (255/55 R18)
1st: 2010 Auto Bild Winter 4×4 Tyre Test (215/65 r16)
1st: 2010 Auto Bild Winter Tyre Test (195/65 r15)
1st: 2010 European Winter Tyre Test Part 2 (185/65 r15)
1st: 2010 Auto Bild Performance Winter Tyre Test (245/45 r18)

The tyre is praised for offering great all round winter performance and good stability in the snow. The 3D consistently scored great in the wet tests with short breaking distances on the wet track and great resistance to aquaplaning, which is pretty handy for our wet, UK winter weather. The only area that the 3D fell down in was rolling resistance which impacts on fuel economy, an area that appears to have been slightly improved upon in the newer 4D.

What is assuring is the range of sizes that the 3D performs in, the winter tyre test wins above are in a range of sizes which include both large & small SUV/4×4, small car and executive tourer.

Our retail sales of this tyre have often been in more unusual fitments such as those for new BMW 5 series and BMW X5, both in run on flat versions. Feedback has been really positive from customers, although generally they will have reduced wheel size too which really helps when it comes to winter performance. The tyres offer great longevity and customers often praise how many miles they will cover before wearing out, which can be in excess of 20,000 miles.

Dunlop are a well respected manufacturer, this year (2013) they will have been producing tyres for 125 years so they should be pretty good at it by now! Their winter range is very well respected and if the size you need is made in the 3D rather than the newer 4D it’s still a good proposition.

Have you driven on the winterspoprt 3D? If so please please leave your comments below.

Need more info? Talk to the guys at Tyremen

Thanks

The Winter Tyre Reviews Team