That wasn't aimed at M3s. It's about Firestone Winterforce, which is a sub-par option.
Educate yourself, if you're truly willing.
I'll give you two links.
One is a thread full of links
And another one, highlighting some differences in grip between "winter performance" and true "ice and snow" tires. The rest you'll have to search yourself.

Dunlop wintersport M3 vs 3D
 

I have noticed that the wintersport 3d does not come in a 215/45/17. The wintersport M3 does. In fact the wintersport M3 only comes in four sizes.

Now my understading is that the 3D is a newer tire design. I thought the M3 was discontinued. Why would it only be available in a couple sizes? are the M3's all old stock?

What gives?

They are slowly discontinuing this tire. When I was trying to get a second set for the car I used to own I couldn't find one of the sizes. The tires I purchased for my FRS were manufactured in February 2012

I live in NoVA. When we get snow/slush it's gone in a matter of hours, and on the rare occasions we get dumped on everything shuts down (so I don't need to drive).

Even during winter time, I'm driving on dry pavement most of the time, and during the daytime, it's generally above freezing. It's cold enough to need a winter compound, but not snowy enough to justify true snow tires. Thus a winter performance like the Dunlop Winter Sport is exactly what I need. The Blizzaks (and definitely any studless ice/snow) would just be wasted and would wear prematurely.

The 205/60 R16 I just bought today retailed at $150 a tire. The 205/55 R16 were $177 a tire. The best I can do is 10% over cost for you guys. The 215/45 R17 that comes stock on our cars are $198 a tire.

Subaru rims do fit on our FR-S. I have a set of 04 WRX rims that I got for $150 from a friend. I test fitted the wheel to make sure, but Subaru and Toyota have the same hub bore size if its a 5x100 bolt pattern.

Thanks! In the meanwhile my friend got some old steelies that was on a celica, this will probably work on my car, and save my alot of money :happyanim:

Yeah, it should work. Toyota/Subaru 5x100 hub bore is 56.1mm

IIRC, Celica center bore is 54mm.

In Ontario I've been seeing price quotes in the $190-$200 range per tire for Blizzak WS 70s (205/55/16), $50-$60 ea for steelies, and tire pressure sensors around $50 ea, if you want them.

What are the best bang for the money winter tires? I'm looking for 205or215/55/17 on stock wheels

The best tire for aggressive winter and aggressive driver are whit out a doubt the nokian akkapeliita 7 studded. Now for our car i think 195/55/16 would be the best size for snow and ice but just not sure if I will lose to much grip on dry and wet pavement, maybe 205/55/16 would be the best compromise

Honestly, i have ran several types of winter tires, both on FWD and AWD. I currently have 4 sets of winter tires in my garage. 2 sets of Hankook I Pike w409's and 2 sets of blizzak ws-70's. I dont notice much difference between the two. The blizzaks are a softer compound, therefor should grip ice and snow better, but wear faster. My blizzaks wears like crazy!! I do love my hankook i pikes though. I have only run these on my AWD cars however.

For the price and wear...i would recommend the I pike's they are great, you can add studs if your state allows, the grip great in snow, (ice is another story and havent had any tires really stand out on ice) They wear very well, and have a great price point.

Really though everyone has their opinion and should do a bit of reading and research to compare a few sets.