Request: Snow Tire Advice

"fourvalleys" (fourvalleys) 12/28/2015 at 12:24 • Filed to: None

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I need new snow tires, but I’m not sure the best way to go about it.

(Not my picture)

I’m very familiar with snow tires, and I swear by them. But as today’s freezing rain has turned to solid ice with snow on top, I’ve got a problem. See, I bought a new car on Saturday. It’s not “all-season” tires on it - which is an accurate descriptor, provided you live in a place where there are about two seasons.

I’ve got some 16” Dunlop snow tires on 5x100 steelies from my BRZ. They’re not amazing, but they’re in good shape and they do quite well in the snow. I think they have enough tread to get through this winter and next, and maybe a part of a third before they need replacement.

Unforunately, 5x100 isn’t going to cut it for my Party ST. I need to get snow tires on there sooner rather than later, so I need to find some 4x108 wheels and/or tires.

My original plan was to buy new Blizzaks on 15” steelies from Tirerack, for about $630 shipped. I didn’t want to buy them before I picked up the car, which bit me - now the 15” steel wheels are sold out for the season.

So, I’ve got a few options:

Option 1: Buy a set of 16” steelies and swap my current winter set onto them. This would cost me about $300*. I can probably make a few bucks back from selling my old steel wheels, but seriously probably only a few bucks.

*New steel wheels: $300 shipped from TireRack, $260 shipped from eBay, or $220 shipped for a used OEM set from eBay. Does quality matter as much for winter wheels? Is there even a difference at all? If steelies are going to bend, they’re going to bend.

Option 2: Buy a new set of Blizzaks for the 17” OEM wheels. Cost: about $600.

Option 3: Buy a new set of Blizzaks on new 15” or 16” wheels. Since I can’t get new 15” steelies, this would cost about $750 shipped, at a minimum. I’d rather do this than re-use my stock wheels.

Option 4: $300 for a used set of wheels and snow tires locally. Quality and condition are probably about the same as my existing set. The seller has been planning to trade in his car, but hasn’t done so yet... which means I could be waiting awhile.

I should note that all prices include mounting and balancing, and I’m pretty set on Blizzaks if I’m buying brand new snow tires.

So, what’s my best plan of attack? I’ve got a feeling I’ll end up with steelies again - which is more than fine. I just wanted to get some input.

Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] > fourvalleys 12/28/2015 at 12:35

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From someone going from stock 16s to 15s in the winter, I don’t like going a size down. Made the handling feel less sure of itself. If I could chose to do it again, I would get the same size as my summer tires.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > fourvalleys 12/28/2015 at 12:37

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keep same size wheel as handling can differ with different sizes. Also Blizzaks are the shit! Had a 10 year old set of them on my awd talon tsi and it went through snow like no ones business

jariten1781 > fourvalleys 12/28/2015 at 12:43

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I went with option 3. I’ve got 15x6.5 Sparcos with Blizzak WS60s on the FiST. It’s a good winter setup...I think it was ~850 two years ago when I picked it up. Driving on them is a totally different animal compared to the stock RE50As and the larger sidewalls have fo’ sho’ saved me a cracked wheel or two due to the winter pot holes (in addition to, you know, actually having traction in the slick stuff)...I’d definitely not ride on the stock size for that reason alone.

BREADwagon > fourvalleys 12/28/2015 at 12:44

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On my Focus ST I went to 16” steelies with Michelin Xice. The car is INCREDIBLY floaty and shimmies left and right all the time, but the huge increase in sidewall helps soak up potholes and the inevitable terrible roads after the snow. All my oem rims are bent to hell.... The snow tires actually makes me slow down since the lack of feedback and grip increases stopping distances noticeably. I wouldn’t really want snow tires with less sidewall, though.

I recommend steelies. Might as well buy the already mounted set from the guy if they come with TPMS sensors.

PS9 > fourvalleys 12/28/2015 at 12:57

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Step 1: Acquire a new set of tires.

Step 2: Acquire about 40,000 or so screws. Make sure they’re longer than the tire is thick.

Step 3: Acquire an electric screwdriver.

Steps 4-thru-40,004: Drill screws into the tires.

Steps 40,005-40,008: Duct tape the back of the tires in every single place you’ve put the screws. Seriously, doing this step half assed will probably kill somebody, so be slow, careful, and deliberate. Also, don’t be a cheap-ass and get dollar store tape; that will fail. Use the good stuff.

Steps 40,009-40,012: Have the tires properly placed on the rim (someone will be crazy/stupid enough to do this). Mount the new wheels to the axle and drive. Not on pavement, though. Again, doing that will kill someone. Keep your crazy DIY ice tires on the ice where they belong.

HammerheadFistpunch > fourvalleys 12/28/2015 at 12:59

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Whats the minimum wheel size for the ST, seems like 15 inchers wouldn’t clear the brakes anyway if the stock wheels are 17.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > fourvalleys 12/28/2015 at 13:23

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Check out discounttiredirect.com, they might still have some 15 inch steelies in stock. I know last winter I ran into the same issue with my Miata. Tirerack ran out and then I went to discounttire and found a set for around the same price (shipping is included in the prices though since its “free” shipping). I have been using the General Altimax Arctics and they are great. I have them on now even though we have not seen even a chance of snow. Decent when its just cold and/or wet out but not snowy. And then phenomenal in actual snow and ice. I think there is also 1010tire if you want another option, but they seem to be more expensive usually.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > PS9 12/28/2015 at 13:24

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I wonder if anyone has actually done this successfully without killing themselves or others.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Jarrett - [BRZ Boi] 12/28/2015 at 13:25

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But going down a size should make the car faster at least. I imagine handling sureness might have more to do with section width or sidewall height than diameter.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > HammerheadFistpunch 12/28/2015 at 14:56

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15’s clear the brakes just fine on a Party ST. I run 15” MSW alloys ($95 each) with 195/55-15 Toyo Observe Garit KX’s ($87 ea). Taller sidewall is a bonus on winter destroyed roads and don’t believe anyone who tells you to get Michelin xIce xI3s. worst. snow. tires. evar.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > fourvalleys 12/28/2015 at 14:58

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Get 15s for the FieSTa, put Toyo Observe Garit KXs on it in 195/55-15. The Garits are now my second favorite snow tire behind the Dunlop Wintersport 3D, which is not available in a size to fit the Party... the taller sidewall is a bonus when the spring potholes sprout up and the lower unsprung weight improves ride quality.

HammerheadFistpunch > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 12/28/2015 at 14:59

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I keep hearing about the Xice being the biz, and Car and Driver ranked them above the blizzaks I just bought but...nah.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > HammerheadFistpunch 12/28/2015 at 15:05

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Best feature of the xIce? They wear like iron. Otherwise they are garbage and I honestly don’t understand how on earth they keep garnering such great reviews... I have multiple friends with AWD, FWD and RWD cars who have tried them and we all agree that they suck... I mean, maybe “worst ever” is a bit hyperbolic, but they certainly don’t live up to the hype and we can’t figure out how they are beating our other favorites in testing... maybe Michelin is pulling a Ferrari?

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > fourvalleys 12/28/2015 at 16:24

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My Firestones performed pretty well in the rain last night. I haven’t had any snow to test them in yet though. Tread looks pretty aggressive. My dad used to have them on his Dakota and he said they were good tires. 15’’ wheels on my Versa btw

suba-wagen > fourvalleys 12/28/2015 at 17:32

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For what it’s worth I have a set of Blizzaks on my Jetta and a set of Firestone Winterforces on my Corolla and I much prefer the Firestone. Also check the Ebay store for Discount Tire Direct they have free shipping and you can get wheels as well.

fourvalleys > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 12/29/2015 at 10:45

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They do have them, they’re just not well-priced at all. I can get cheap alloys for the prices they want. Not super appealing.

fourvalleys > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 12/29/2015 at 10:46

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My existing tires are the Dunlop 3Ds. Why do you like them?

I have no problem putting them on the new car (if I get 16” wheels...), I’m just curious what you think sets them above the rest.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > fourvalleys 12/29/2015 at 10:59

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as far as I am aware, the smallest size wintersport 3ds come in is 205/60-16 which will likely have rubbing issues on the FieSTa... Do they make them smaller now??

the Wintersport has a few things going for it:

1) superior hydro- and slush-planing resistance.

2) superior cold dry road performance. Its a tire you can drive hard on a cold dry road.

3) excellent tread and sidewall feel with very limited squirm, even when new.

4) excellent braking performance on all surfaces (xIce xI3s are so highly optimized to provide traction in the forward direction of rotation that thier braking performance is severely compromised)

5) quiet for a winter tire

6) despite all these performance attributes they still provide very good traction in deep snow and slush, and in my experience superior directional stability and lateral grip in ice and hard packed snow compared to every other studless snow tire I’ve ever owned, with the possible exception of the old Nokian NRWs, which fell apart at the belts so badly I had three replaced under warranty.

If you care not a whit for dry road winter performance, and only want to feel secure in a blizzard then then Blizzaks (or even some General Altimax Arctics) might be a better choice, but ONLY when it’s actually blizzarding.

fourvalleys > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 12/29/2015 at 11:12

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Hm, I’ll have to check out what size mine are. They may be 195/60, but I think they’re 205/55 which is probably not great news. I’d have to see how it’d go with steelies.

Really glad you mentioned that. Thanks!

fourvalleys > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t 12/29/2015 at 11:32

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Alright, I haven’t verified what size mine are, but I’m fairly confident they’re 205/55R16 (which has the closest circumference to the stock BRZ tire).

I’ve attached a couple of comparisons to the steelies that TireRack has for sale and the set of wheels available locally. It appears as both of these should fit (width-wise) but may have an issue with it being 6% taller - and 6% increase in circumference. I’m a tad concerned.

Comparing the stock size Fiesta ST wheel and tire to the steelies available from TireRack:

And comparing to the set of used Sparco wheels for sale locally: