Winter Tire setup

[DVNARC]

Hey so Living in Boston I def want winter tires for my frs and was thinking getting 225 in rear and keeping front 215.

Some questions:

1. I def want blizzaks but which blizzaks should I get?

2. Will I be okay lowering my car by an inch or would it be better to get meatier tires? Cuz my car is low enough I already scrape occasionally can't imagine going lower would be like��

3. Would it be a good idea to keep rear also thicker than front tires? Like the tire trim height? Whatever it's called not sure still learning

4. Also I notice looking at the car from the back the stock tires are in quit a bit I would like some meat to stick out a little if that makes any sense?
Thanks

[CB390248]

I would recommend skinnier or same size tires not wider for winter. I used blizzack lm 60 my first winter and Michelin xice3 (seem more like lm60) but I would recommend ws-70 which I have now for better "lots if snow" preparation as the lm 60 are more for cold light snow conditions while ws70/ws80 are more for deep packed snow/ice. I also went down from oem wheels to 16 inchers. Good luck. Also check out the numerous threads on this.

[go_a_way1]

Yeah I second what CB390238 said. I ran Blizzak WS70's my first year, burn the rears out in 10k km's lol!! I put X-ice in the rear and blizzak on the front last year, worked very well for me. X-ice seem to last longer with my driving habits lol!

[Shark_Bait88]

WS80s are the way to go. Stock size will be fine, that's what I have. However, getting a set of 16" steelies with some 205/55/16s would work slightly better. But definitely stick with a square setup, and don't go more than the stock width.

Winter is very very fun in these cars.

[D_Thissen]

I have 205/55/16 General Altimax Arctics on steelies and never had a problem plowing through snow.

[DVNARC]

Originally Posted by D_Thissen

I have 205/55/16 General Altimax Arctics on steelies and never had a problem plowing through snow.

Can I see some pics? And what are "steelies" exactly?

[DVNARC]

My logic is that the blizzaks will be so good that I can get wider back tires cuz to
Be honest I don't like how thin they are stock :/

[DustinS]

Skinnier is better in winter if you expect a lot of snow. Non-staggered as previous mentioned. 16" steelies with a 195/55/16 or 205/55/16 are a good decision. That way you don't have to keep getting tires mounted and dismounted a bunch. Tires are also a bit cheaper.

Lows isn't too big a deal...


Though I will say. It's getting lifted an inch from stock height for this winter.

[DVNARC]

Originally Posted by DustinS

Skinnier is better in winter if you expect a lot of snow. Non-staggered as previous mentioned. 16" steelies with a 195/55/16 or 205/55/16 are a good decision. That way you don't have to keep getting tires mounted and dismounted a bunch. Tires are also a bit cheaper.

Lows isn't too big a deal...

Sexy!! So thats 16 rims with 55 hight and stock 205 with? And how much did you lower the car from stock? Can I get it lowered with the stock coilovers? Or do I need to get aftermarket don't know anything about lowering.

[DVNARC]

And don't smaller rims allow you to accelerate faster if larger lowers acceleration?

[DustinS]

Originally Posted by DVNARC

Sexy!! So thats 16 rims with 55 hight and stock 205 with? And how much did you lower the car from stock? Can I get it lowered with the stock coilovers? Or do I need to get aftermarket don't know anything about lowering.

Stock tires are a 215. but yes, this is a 205/55/16 on 16" WRX wheels. I am lowered a lot, not quite sure how much. You would need a set of springs or coilovers. I would suggest leaving it stock height until after winter if you don't have something ready to go on.

Edit: not really. Tire size will effect the acceleration but the 195/55-205/55 is pretty much the same as stock. Nothing will change

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by DVNARC

My logic is that the blizzaks will be so good that I can get wider back tires cuz to
Be honest I don't like how thin they are stock :/

If you're basing the sizing of your snow tires on visual desires, you're doing it wrong. Not trying to be harsh, but tires are about function; especially in the snow.

[DVNARC]

And would it be ok if they stick out more like this http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41083

Looking at my Stock Tires From The rear at An angle I see they are in the car

[DVNARC]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

If you're basing the sizing of your snow tires on visual desires, you're doing it wrong. Not trying to be harsh, but tires are about function; especially in the snow.

Yea I know but I'm looking for both looks and function