Depends where are you driving and what winter you are having. Outside the town the narrowest studded tires possible and my choice this year was Bridgestone 86T BLIZZAK SPIKE 01 XL. In town if you do not have lots of ice you can use just winter tires which can be wider a bit cos there will not be so much slush and loose snow.
Studded tires can be used on tarmac and the braking performance will not be so different from just M+S tires. In any case if you want your tires to last longer than one season you should be gentle with them on tarmac.
And good LSD will make your life much more easier than best set of tires. LSD changes the car so much on loose surface that you will love to drive on snow or ice