Winter tires

[Khyron686]

IF I decide to get aftermarket/race wheels, then the stock 17s will be the winter wheels. I checked some tire prices and the cost isn't much more for 205s over the 16s.

I wish we could have gotten the factory 16s then buy new summers.

[s2kdrew]

but the thicker the sidewall of the tire, the better traction you will gain on the snow. Thats why we are considering downsize it to 16".

[Khyron686]

Originally Posted by s2kdrew

but the thicker the sidewall of the tire, the better traction you will gain on the snow. Thats why we are considering downsize it to 16".

Never heard that one before. Generally skinnier (width) tires work better as they bite in instead of turning into skis/snowboards. And you generally can get skinnier tires on smaller rims. But a 205 on a 16 and a 205 on a 17 will have the same grip regardless of the sidewall depth (unless you let a bunch of air out or something which you might do on a sand dune).

[CoryUyede]

I've owned Blizzak, icebears, Yoko W drives, Dunlop winter sport and Pirelli Sottozeros.

Blizzaks are overrated, and wear WAY too fast.

Dunlop Winter sport 3D's are awesome. The W.drives and Pirelli's are almost as good but you can save a little $$ with those choices.

Falken also has a NEW Eurowinter tire out..Crazy agressive pricing, my brother liked em alot. I'd rather spend less on a japanese tire then get price gouged by a korean mfg.

The Hankooks were a letdown.

Also, for winter tires, consider stepping down to a 205/45/17 or something. something narrower than stock would be ideal.

[ubersoph]

Blizzaks for extremes and Ice Racing.

Continentals for the rest

[Future]

which one are made in the usa?

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by CoryUyede

I've owned Blizzak, icebears, Yoko W drives, Dunlop winter sport and Pirelli Sottozeros.

Blizzaks are overrated, and wear WAY too fast.

Dunlop Winter sport 3D's are awesome. The W.drives and Pirelli's are almost as good but you can save a little $$ with those choices.

Falken also has a NEW Eurowinter tire out..Crazy agressive pricing, my brother liked em alot. I'd rather spend less on a japanese tire then get price gouged by a korean mfg.

The Hankooks were a letdown.

Also, for winter tires, consider stepping down to a 205/45/17 or something. something narrower than stock would be ideal.

blizzaks are not overrated

they are improperly used

for heavy snow and ice conditions they are a really good tire

not if you're in the city where you only ever really drive on "snow" 1 day out of the year. Asphalt and mild temperatures destroy them rather quickly, yes.

It's a purpose built tire and most don't use it accordingly.

[pastuch]

Best I've ever had are X-Ice 2s. Terrific durability, performance, noise and handling balance. Great in deep snow. The new X-Ice 3 is out this winter and I'll probably get them.

I also had General Altimax and they were a let down. very very noisy

[Future]

Best one i've had were General Altimax...

[sickmint79]

i'm going to try and burn up the stockers and then get winters for them. i'll check the tirerack tests for value/performance and probably go from there. alternatively i may find some nokians, which unfortunately TR doesn't include nor test - but have popularly been the choice of ice racers so i speculate may be the best. i did have nokian rsi tires on my sti and they were great - paid a pretty penny too though!

might troll around craig's list too, depending on the condition of the oem tires by then. expecting to by a summer set of lighter wheels and stickier tires by spring.

[zootramp]

I have a set of nearly new P205 55R 16 snows that I used on my IS300 that also had 215 45 R17s as summer tires.

They are pretty well identical in diameter so they will fit well.

I will need new 5x100 rims and my question is what will fit on my FRS.

I think the base JDM Subaru uses 205 55R 16s.

Does any one know the rim specs (offset, etc) for 205 55R 16s?

I would like to get something that looks good instead of plain steel rims.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[#87]

Originally Posted by Future

Best one i've had were General Altimax...

I think these are the best value out there but I'm not sure I want to get them with the BRZ. They are SOFT, if you like to corner enthusiastically these tires are definitely not for you.

[pastuch]

Originally Posted by #87

I think these are the best value out there but I'm not sure I want to get them with the BRZ. They are SOFT, if you like to corner enthusiastically these tires are definitely not for you.

So noisy too...

[Klinn]

Originally Posted by zootramp

I have a set of nearly new P205 55R 16 snows that I used on my IS300 that also had 215 45 R17s as summer tires. They are pretty well identical in diameter so they will fit well.

I will need new 5x100 rims and my question is what will fit on my FRS. Does any one know the rim specs (offset, etc) for 205 55R 16s?

I would like to get something that looks good instead of plain steel rims. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

I believe you should be looking for about the same offset as stock (48) but could go for a narrower rim (cheaper). Certainly 6.5" will work and given the 55 aspect ratio, 6" wide rims should be fine too. The tire manufacturer's web site may list the recommended rim width range.

If you find some interesting rims while browsing, you can plug their specs into this site -- http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp -- to compare the results to the FR-S stock wheel & tire package.

Alternatively, see if you can sell the old snows and use the money to get 17" ones for your stock wheels, then put the money you were planning to spend on "something that looks good" towards a spiffy set of summer wheels. We car buffs can rationalize anything.