Insight on winter wheel/tires?

[SenMan]

I am facing similar dilemma in Central Europe... My car is arriving end of November, and winter setup is must (actually its a law).

After lot of thinking, I ended up with 16 inch wheels and 205/55/R16 94V tires (91 V are simply not available).

In the end round are following candidates:



As for tires, I am between these two:

• Continental TS850 205/55 R16 94V
• Pirelli WINTER 240 SOTTOZERO SERIE II 205/55 R16 94V

(I was looking through the forums, but most of the presented brands are simply not easily available here. So I would like to share the local research, which in my opinion is also applicable for Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, etc.)

[whtchocla7e]

So, 205/55/R16 will be as close to stock geometry as possible?

[DanoFA20]

2 words. Bridgestone Blizzak.

[Ingen]

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have a question about tire rack!

If I order a winter package from them with 16" steel wheels, how can I be sure the offset and everything will actually fit on my FR-S? I don't want to end up with wheels that don't actually work Any thoughts guys? I don't know anything about it, and have never bought any aftermarket wheels...

Thank you.

[bakerr6]

there are a couple guys running 16in. winter packages from tire rack on the site. I'd do a search and see if you can find their setups.

I personally am going to run 16x6.5 +55 legacy gt wheels from a 99 legacy as winter wheels, running the same spec tires. I don't care how flush they are, as long as they still fit and there's no rubbing.

[whtchocla7e]

I, too, am interested in the tire rack 16" winter package.

Never had a car with aftermarket wheels so I don't quite understand how a narrower wheel/tire is going to fit on the car..

Starting to think it might be better to just get a set of winter tires in stock size and throw em on the stock wheels...

[dsgerbc]

I'm having my 16" tires mounted today. If I'm not too lazy, I might do a test-fit tonight and see if I can program my TPMS sensors too.

[7thgear]

i'm planning on putting on 15X6 subaru stelies with a 205 tire

65 aspect ratio will put me at same diameter as OEM, a 60 aspect ratio will make my wheels a bit smaller.


if it was snowing more i'd even go down to a 195 but i predict i'll see heavy snow for a small portion of this coming winter.



to the dudes putting on 225s with low aspect ratio for winter, you're crazy and might as well stay with your allseasons.

you'll retain your dry weather stability but for such a light car you'll get less traction starting and stopping if there is snow on the road.

two words: contact patch

[Laika]

Originally Posted by Ingen

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have a question about tire rack!

If I order a winter package from them with 16" steel wheels, how can I be sure the offset and everything will actually fit on my FR-S? I don't want to end up with wheels that don't actually work Any thoughts guys? I don't know anything about it, and have never bought any aftermarket wheels...

Thank you.

Because the tirerack guys are SMART. When I placed my order they said they had a BRZ or two in the shop they were test fitting on and already knew the steelies would work well with the car.

Just followed up with them about torque spec info and the gentleman (Luke) rattled off the torque spec range and stud size and told me all about why our 1.25 thread pitch is sensitive to over tightening. All off the top of his head. Tirerack doesn't hire idiots.


Here's my hurricane/winter rescue vehicle

[whtchocla7e]

So Laika, did you wheels fit without any modifications (as in straight swap)?

Sorry for the questions guys, I'm a colossal noob..

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

i'm planning on putting on 15X6 subaru stelies with a 205 tire

You'd need offset of ~40 for them not to rub on tie-rod ball joint.

[Laika]

Originally Posted by whtchocla7e

So Laika, did you wheels fit without any modifications (as in straight swap)?

Sorry for the questions guys, I'm a colossal noob..

Yup just put them on the way they arrived at my door (1 day shipping time thanks to their multitude of distributors). I replaced my OEM lug nuts with the nickle plated ones tirerack gave me and that was it. If there's a chance things won't fit, tirerack will contact you first. Like I said, they're brilliant with this stuff, it's all they do. The perks of going to a specialist instead of pep boys...

[whtchocla7e]

Originally Posted by Laika

Yup just put them on the way they arrived at my door (1 day shipping time thanks to their multitude of distributors). I replaced my OEM lug nuts with the nickle plated ones tirerack gave me and that was it. If there's a chance things won't fit, tirerack will contact you first. Like I said, they're brilliant with this stuff, it's all they do. The perks of going to a specialist instead of pep boys...

Very nice.
Did you get yours with the sensors?

[Laika]

Originally Posted by whtchocla7e

Very nice.
Did you get yours with the sensors?

Yes of course, must comply to the law.








(Or save ~$300 and yell profanities at the law)