Winter is coming

"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
08/08/2014 at 13:11 • Filed to: None

I felt it this morning. I got out to my car. I think today was the coldest morning since spring. This got me thinking about snow tires. My ideal plan is to get a set of cheap steel and some winter rubber. Stopping in the snow with the summer tires that came with the came was more like sledding. I don't want to do that again. On lunch I did a quick search on Tire Rack and Town Fair Tire but got frustrated with not being able to filter out the Winter Tires and called Town Fair to see whats up. The guy said he didn't think steel rims came in 17 and I'd have to get 16's but they might not fit over the rotors. He said if he was in my position, he'd get DWS (dry wet and snow, alll seasons?) and sell the summer tires on craiglist. I really wanted steels and plasti-dip them white. Also budget is 1st so buying the all seasons and selling the old ones would be the best choice financially. advice?

DISCUSSION (18)

Party-vi > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/08/2014 at 13:15

What car? Tirerack should have tire & wheel packages available. I know there are 17" steelies for my 330Ci.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Party-vi
08/08/2014 at 13:18

'14 WRX. It only gives me 16's.

CalzoneGolem > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/08/2014 at 13:20

Bring on the snow muthafuckahs! I'm sick of summer!

OPPOsaurus WRX > CalzoneGolem
08/08/2014 at 13:22

maybe if u didnt fall off a ladder and get ur ass laid out in a bed all summer you'd be enjoying it.... j/k how ya doing?

CalzoneGolem > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/08/2014 at 13:24

I would probably be hating summer less. I'm good I'm back to work part time for the next week then hopefully the dr will take me out of this brace the monday after next.

macanamera > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/08/2014 at 13:24

Do not get all seasons. Have a summer set and a dedicated winter set. It is 100 times better. All seasons suck. You can probably get 4 great snow tires for 300 something.

OPPOsaurus WRX > macanamera
08/08/2014 at 13:27

this guy said i could get either continentals or coopers for $158 each. ($632) That was my first effort at looking into the subject so i imagine I could do better. Would you get steel rims or swap the tires out each season?

Party-vi > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/08/2014 at 13:28

Well, shit. Assuming steel wheels would be around $100 each, can you find some cheap OE wheels on Craigslist for winter use?

vorspringing > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/08/2014 at 13:33

It's way easier to have two sets of wheels if you have space to store them. Also, have a look at Tire Rack's recommended winter packages - they might have a deal on the tire/wheel combos.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Party-vi
08/08/2014 at 13:38

that site sucks. If i do a regular search it won;t show me 17 steels. If I go into the winter section which i couldn't find at first, it will give me 17's

macanamera > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/08/2014 at 13:50

If you can get steelies, it's definitely the way to go. Otherwise, swapping them isn't a terrible option, it's not just as good as having a steelie set you can throw on easily and whenever needed.

Here's a 17 inch steelie package with conti extreme winter contacts (a cheap but good snow tire) for less than 800 all around. The tires are only 130 each, the wheels 65.

They should last you a long time.

OPPOsaurus WRX > macanamera
08/08/2014 at 13:52

it looked like i'd have to add tire pressure to that too right?

macanamera > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/08/2014 at 13:57

Hm. Don't know. Those tires will do you just fine, though. There are even cheaper ones for like 100 bucks that will be fine. Dedicated winter tires make such an incredible difference.

Party-vi > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/08/2014 at 14:03

It's a wee bit buggy.

OPPOsaurus WRX > macanamera
08/08/2014 at 14:31

will certainly save me from doing extra laundry. Stopping was scary as hell. The guy I talked to said with the AWD i shouldn;t have any trouble with all seasons. It wasn;t the going I had a problem with, it was stopping. and turning.

jariten1781 > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/08/2014 at 14:48

Whenever I'm getting winter wheels I go on tire rack and find closeout wheels in my size. They're typically ~10$s per wheel more expensive than new steelies with a couple to choose from.

macanamera > OPPOsaurus WRX
08/08/2014 at 14:56

Then he has absolutely no idea what he was talking about. AWD helps you go in the snow, regardless of tire type. Winter tires help you stop and turn in the snow, regardless of drive wheels. In the winter, on summer tires, AWD just gets you to your accident sooner.

OPPOsaurus WRX > macanamera
08/08/2014 at 15:08

yea thats what i was thinking as he was saying it.