2014-2015 Winter Tire & Wheel Discussion

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by phobos512

Link is NFG

Thanks.

Was talking about the BBS cast series wheels. They're mainly sold as a winter wheel set, somewhat heavy and durable.

http://www.bbs-usa.com/road-wheels-d...m?CLID=89&WF=4

[calidus]

I am indecisive as hell when it comes to what winter wheels I want, for SWP BRZ. I know I want some Blizzak WS-80 tires, because last winter was a terrible.

• $700-gets 17" Blizzaks on my stock rims
• $1000-gets 16" Blizzaks on a cheap set of wheels($100 each) from tire rack
• $1200-gets 16" Blizzaks on a nicer set of wheels($150 each) from tire rack

These are a few that I liked on tirerack

• MOTEGI RACING MR125 $150
• Sparco Assetto Gara $130
• Enkei Performance RSF5 $128
• MSW Type 85 (16x6.5) $97

GirlRepellent kinda makes me want to get a set of white Sparco Terras and just be

[GirlRepellent]

^^^ Do it!

[Idriveft86]

I used Continental extreme contact DWS all season last winter LOL and will again this coming one. Tired did pretty well NJ/NY area. Yes, it's a DD.

[Figo]

Got four XXR527 for winter tires.

Chrome Black .
17x8.25；
+25 .
5X100/5X114

Made four STi center caps. Hope Sti will bring me good luck during snow days.

Tires are Michelin X-Ice Xi3 225/45R17.

These wheels will clear my Brembo BBK.


.

[phobos512]

Originally Posted by Idriveft86

I used Continental extreme contact DWS all season last winter LOL and will again this coming one. Tired did pretty well NJ/NY area. Yes, it's a DD.

I've been looking at the Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 myself for my DD - and given we get snow so infrequently here I think it'll be good. Tire Rack also rates it the highest of all the UHP A/S tires...

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ntus+S1+noble2

And it's very affordable, particularly in stock and near stock sizes (I'm looking at going 205/45-17 as that's a little better suited to our stock 7" wide wheels than a 215).

[Kiske]

Gave in and ordered four 205 45 17 Blizzack's (91V version) for my stock rims which from now on will be my winter wheels. Not sure if I got a good deal but, Tires Plus got them next day to me for $145 each.

Will be first time ever getting anything other than a dry performance tires for the 10+ years I've braved winter in rwd coupes. Should be fun.

[HerrFunf]

Am I going to look like a monster truck with 215/55/17 General Altimax Arctics on my stock wheels? Aesthetics aside, I'm afraid it will feel like driving a buick.. thoughts?

[dtrop]

oem wheels are 17". 7.0. +48
The wheels I just purchased are 17" 8.25 +35

Oem tires are 215/45/17

I'm not sure which wheel I would be using in the winter, but would like to purchase winter tires that could be interchangeable with each set of wheels.

What tire size would compliment both wheels functionally, without stretching. Also, at what milimeter length does the tire actually begin stretching compared to the wheel length? I know my wheel difference in width is quite a lot 1.25"

Stock suspension/height.

[00NissanNinja]

Originally Posted by dtrop

oem wheels are 17". 7.0. +48
The wheels I just purchased are 17" 8.25 +35

Oem tires are 215/45/17

I'm not sure which wheel I would be using in the winter, but would like to purchase winter tires that could be interchangeable with each set of wheels.

What tire size would compliment both wheels functionally, without stretching. Also, at what milimeter length does the tire actually begin stretching compared to the wheel length? I know my wheel difference in width is quite a lot 1.25"

Stock suspension/height.

The stock tires are sized to work between a 7-8in rim. I don't know how it will be on a 8.25 but its definitely going to stretch.

[Superhatch]

Originally Posted by HerrFunf

Am I going to look like a monster truck with 215/55/17 General Altimax Arctics on my stock wheels? Aesthetics aside, I'm afraid it will feel like driving a buick.. thoughts?

I just put 205/50/17's on my oem wheels. Im lowered on Eibach pro kits with B8's. I put on rally armor mud flaps and it makes the nubby tires look a bit more intentional.

You do lose some handling, that's for sure. Im coming from a 245/45 StarSpec II so, yeah... But come the middle of October I don't plan on getting the back end out on pavement, or spirited driving until March so it doesn't bother me too much.

With the Altimax on expect traction control to kick in a bunch in places your stickier tires would have gripped.

[Thrilled]

Originally Posted by Black Tire

Probably old news, but Consumer Reports was using the twins for winter testing in 2013:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/n...-ice/index.htm

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/n...ings/index.htm

The Consumer Reports reviews are usually spot on and it looks like the did it in the correct range of conditions. The top of their list for the twins excludes the popular Michelin Alpin since that model needs 18" wheels (unless you want to buy more rims). Based on their list and this VERY HELPFUL thread (among other threads on this site), it appears that the best choices for all winter conditions are:

1. Nokian WRG3 91V
2. Pireelli Soltozero Winter 240 Series II
3. Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D

Everything else I am reading here and online puts all of the other models discussed squarely in a "good for snow" or "good for ice" category. But, as some have point out, none can be optimized for both snow and ice.

Here in the NE, friends buy light duty "strap on" chains that use nylon cinch straps that pass through the rims. This helps for getting out of deep snow and back onto plowed roads. So, it seems that in the Phila area (me) it's probably a better gamble on "all conditions" or "all season" and get the strap on chains for emergencies.

FWIW, I survived our worst recent winter on record with the stock Primacy's last year. It was a great learning curve. They do OK on plowed surfaces if you are OK driving like a kid learning to ice skate. Otherwise, I found it's worth taking a coffee break and wait for the plows to come by.

Bonus link from Consumer Reports on the stunning results they got on a stock car with upgraded summer sneakers. Broke some of their safety maneuvering records:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/n...ance/index.htm

[bakerr6]

I switched from Goodyear triple treads to altimax arctic this year. I wanted something with a compound designed for snow

[Teclis]

I will be using the original 17" rims wraped in Nokian hakkapeliita 7 tires
http://www.nokiantyres.com/winter-ty...kkapeliitta-7/

And yeah I live in Norway, lots of snow every year and so cold even Hell freezes...