My first winter approaching, need some winter tires.
 

First winter for me :cry: , and im in the look for some winter tires. I read good review about the Blizzak so im looking for a set for my BRZ. I checked on tire rack and the set for 4 new Blizzak is $665 + the shipping, about $700 maybe?

Also want to make sure that this tire fits my sti wheels (i dont want to have any issues with the tire pressure sensor):

BRIDGESTONE
BLIZZAK LM-32
Performance Winter / Snow
Size: 215/45R17 91V XL
Sidewall Style: Blackwall

If you guys know what other site is offering this tires for a lower price, please hook me up!

Thanks.

I ran blizzaks my first year. Back 2 only lasted 10,000km's before they were dead (was my driving habits) Now I run blizzak in the front and x-ice in the rear very happy with this setup. Blizzaks are better for sure on snow/ice but are soft and wear easy, they also suck on dry roads. X-ice is harder so they wear less and are much better on the dry. I found that the x-ice ride more like an all season tire but with good snow/ice grip. I would go blizzak if I was you.

Our cars are not very good in the snow. I would recommend staying away from any performance snow tire and go with a snow/ice tire. They'll feel softer and less precise, but I believe twins drivers can use all the extra grip they can get in the snow. I'm willing to sacrifice a little performance for the better winter traction. It's not like you're going to be breaking any lap records on performance winter tires, anyway.

yeah im thinking on going with blizzaks, any ideas which site have them on sale?

I agree with what Pat said, if anything go full snow/ice tire. I have not idea I buy my tires at dealers. Just talk them down in price they will discount a little. Also if you want to save money maybe you should look into downsizing and getting smaller skinny tires. I hear thats good for deep snow?

I'm not sure it's very good idea to mix different types of tires on front and rear. Issues similar to staggered setup's can be possible, like wrongly working traction control or ABS.
As for winter tires imho Nokian hakkapelita also is nice choice.

Go with WS-80s over the LM-32s. These cars will perform much better on true snow/ice tire over a performance snow tire.

Especially if this is your first winter in a RWD car. Some people in my local club had LM-32s, and my WS-80s definitely proved to be the best winter tire in the group.

The WS80 looks a lot fatter..

So buying LM-32s would be a bad idea? i read good reviews about it.

The LM-32s are great tires, but they sacrifice some snow grip for performance.
They look wider probably because of the square shoulder blocks. That's typically a good sign that it's a real snow/ice tire. Winter performance tires typically have rounded shoulders.
In short, the LM-32 will be good for you, just not as good as a true snow/ice tire.

thanks, i think im going just with the LM-32. Im not planning on driving my car in heavy snow. If for whatever reason there is a snow storm and im at work, i already told my manager that im out as soon as it starts snowing lol. If the LM-32 are good in light snow and ice and i think i should be ok. I just dont want my car to lose traction and crash into something :S

Pretty much what Pat said.

They're good tires, but anywhere north of the Mason-Dixon, where you get a lot of snow/ice, a dedicated snow/ice tire will be best. The performance winters are more for places that might get a light dusting throughout winter, but never really see heavy snowfall. Being in NJ, the WS-80s will work much better.

It’s NOT a good idea lol! I haven’t had issues with my traction control or ABS yet, but it does change the way the car handles for sure. I have way more front traction then in the rear so it is tail happy for sure. I would not advise a new or non-confident driver or even someone who is not paying attention 100% of the time to run a setup like this, it can snap out and surprise you haha.

Yes, they'll be good in very light snow and cold temperatures. They will not be good on ice or any hard-packed snow.

im going with the ws80 for mine

Was the search button broken today?

Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

I use a set of Michelin X-ice 3 tires for winter. Third year with them and the traction is still amazing. I'd also recommend going down to a 205 width, it'll help if the snow is deeper.

I got a set of the X-ices and some cheap alloys from tire rack for 1100 mounted, balanced and shipped.

After using proper high quality snow tires, I'd honestly rather drive my little rwd than a 4wd SUV with all seasons. I live on a gravel road too, its funny to crawl up the ice slope my street becomes in the winter while my neighbors with 6824712.5 liter diesel trucks have to go the long way around.

Spend the money, do it right and be safe, you won't regret it 😀

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk

I also have the x-ice3. It was $162 per tire at discount tire. I drive this car all year long and it did well last year when there was that storm in Indy. $895 with all the warrantee/free replacement/free tire rotation and rebalance.

I been looking around for a wheel and tire package and found this on tirerack :

http://i60.tinypic.com/novg28.jpg

Questions:
1- Anybody heard or used focal X wheels ? can't find reviews about them, they look nice but would not like to bend on me during middle of winter..

2-I won't be buying new tpms sensors, can use my existing sensors and make it work with this set up?

3- Any other things that need to be consider with this set up?

Thanks guys..

I had to make a move to get this stuff sooner to i just bought some 16x7 MOTEGI RACING wheels and some blizzaks ws80 for my winter set up from tire rack

I'll post some pics when i get them to show you guys what they look like.

any specific reason you chose 17" wheels and tires? The 16's will fit just fine, and the tires will be a tad bit less expensive. For Tire Rack you need to tell it you have an FRS and you can see the 16" wheels and tires. They seem to be having specials on Sparco wheels for $99 a piece in 16x7.

yes i got the 16x7, and yes i saw the sparco wheels but they were green and pink. i got motegi wheels in black and some red touches,

I received the wheels and tires. Wheels are Motegi MR116 16inch x 7, and tires are blizzak s80 16 inch.

I'll be putting them next mid november.

http://i57.tinypic.com/33y6mnk.jpg

So you ordered the tires from tire rack and the wheels from Motegi and brought them to a shop for mounting and balancing? I'm looking to do this too.

Instead of making a new thread, I figure I'd ask here.

I want to put some ws80 on my OEM wheels. I'm considering either just going with the default tire size of 214/45/17.

The reason I'm skipping 205/55/17 is because I think it'll make my tire too tall and it might rub on the fenders during turns since 205 * 0.55 = 112.75 whereas my current setup of 245/40/17 is 245 * 0.40 = 98. The difference is 14.75 which seems to be pretty big hence the worry of rubbing. Car is lowered, by how much I'm not entirely sure... there's maybe a finger width or finger and a half clearance between tire and fender.

215/45/17 will be 96.75
Any other suggestions?

Is there a reason why you were considering 205/55? If you're not having rubbing issues with your current setup I would go with the 215/45 since it's a lower profile than your current setup.

I got my car last year and went with Continental Extreme Winter Contacts.

They have served me well so far. This year seems to be a wash but still glad I got them, the peace of mind goes a long way.

ARTBRZ: reasons? As thread is about winter tires, it's very common to use winter ones of narrower width then summer ones, to increase pressure per contact patch.
+higher diameter will add ground clearance to get over some deeper snow without bumper acting as buldoser or bottom scraping ground/ice, when going over some road with deep iced tracks in road.
Still, if it will rub, especially if on lowered car, then of course too much may be too much.

My point is, if we don't know the actual measurement (how much it's lowered) go with the size that you know will fit. It's better to just adjust the height if he's on coilovers if clearance is an issue during the winter. Thinner tires are better for snow but from experience 215/45 works just fine. I drove when there was a terrible snow storm in Indy last year. Plenty of grip and great control.

@ARTBRZ @churchx
Thanks both of you - what's the best way to figure out fitment? I suppose I can measure from center of the hub to the arch of the fender - would that suffice?

I don't think that adjusting height via coils is really an option I'd like to pursue since doing that would require additional expenses for corner balancing and alignment. Besides, I don't use the car to commute. The snow tires are more for peace of mind in the event I get caught in the snow during a weekend trip.

Is there a noticeable difference between 215 and 205? My gut tells me there isn't really but I've never tried them out.

Thanks again!

I would recommend visiting www.frsproject.com/tire_size.php
All you need to figure out is how much you dropped your car. This will show you if it fits.

Also, another option is getting steel wheels that's 16 inch and use an appropriate size tire.

Damn those wheels actually look pretty damn good

no , i order everything feom tire rack.. they have wrinter packages going. omly paid for the tires and wheels... shipping, mount and balance was free.