Earlier this week I ordered some 18x9 gloss black GT500 replicas from American Muscle and 245/45/18 Dunlop Wintersport M3 tires. I had the tires mounted and balanced today and swapped the wheels out.

They look pretty good, but more importantly the tires perform extremely well. We had some snow yesterday so I was able to get out on some roads that still had either hard packed snow, snow/slush, or 2-3" or so of unplowed and lightly traveled snow. The Dunlops perform flawlessly in these conditions. Forward traction is excellent. Even from a stop on a steep hill, you just let the traction control work a bit and the tires easily gain traction and bring you on up the hill.

Braking control is excellent. It takes a lot more effort to lock these tires up than it would a good all season tire. Cornering control is excellent as well. Turn in is sharp and predictable on snow. These tires really make light snow an absolute non-issue.

I haven't tested the tires much on dry pavement yet, but they do ride smoother than the 19" Pirellis, obviously, and also have a good bit more squirm due to the softer, larger sidewall and the softer tread. These are V-rated performance winter tires, though, so you can still have fun with these when you hit up the back roads. They just won't feel as good as a good summer tire on a warm day.

All in all I am VERY pleased with my purchase. Here are some pics:

 

They look awesome!

I drove from work yesterday in that snow and let me tell you, I barely got home alive. I need new wheels/tires ASAP. You're lucky, the 18x9 are sold out according to americanmuscle. Sucks for me. Do you have any weight in the trunk? I think that's the biggest factor in mustangs. Any tire could go in the snow as long as you have weight where the power is. Thats why FWD vehicles don't have that problem.

 

The silver machined ones are sold out but the gloss black ones are still in stock IIRC.

As far as weight goes... it helps to a degree but with a summer tire you really shouldn't be out on the roads at all when it's snowing. That's super dangerous.

I didn't have any weight in my trunk. I think maybe in some heavier snow it could be helpful, but for what I was driving around in today I didn't need it at all.

I've driven RWD cars in snow before with good all-seasons and it's amazing how much more traction and control you have with a dedicated winter tire. I couldn't be more pleased!

 

Steve, looks like you are all ready for Winter. Rims and tires look great.

 

Thanks, Scott! I am so relieved to have these tires on. Last winter I did not buy a winter setup for my 370Z and was constantly worried about getting caught out in the snow, or making sure I borrowed my parent's beater Buick before the snow fell so I'd have a better chance at making it around town... Now I don't need to worry about anything but all of the other idiots I have to share the road with.

 

I've been driving my '10 in the snow for the last week since it dropped on us. I put 200 lbs of sand in the trunk, and that made a big difference on the stock all-seasons. If I still lived in the Northeast, and had to contend with a lot more hills and curves, I'd most definitely install snow tires. But here in MI, where the roads are mostly straight and flat, I don't see much need for dedicated snows. Now for those with the Brembo package wheels/tires, it is an absolute MUST to take off the summer tires and use something better equipped for the snow. Even below 50*F, summer tires get scary because the soft rubber compound hardens up and you lose a lot of grip.

 

Yep, the summers definitely don't like cold weather. I'm glad now that my tires are already "warmed up" once I start the car first thing in the morning! haha.

 

Wow, that's a good looking winter setup. I'd definitely consider something like that for MI, since, like Jason said, I need to remove the Pirelli's for colder weather.

 

Wheels/tires look awesome. Your front plate though, ....

 

What you just said "Any tire could go in the snow as long as you have weight where the power is. Thats why FWD vehicles don't have that problem" is totally wrong and false and please do not believe that yourself. There are many differences in a winter tire. Front wheel drive vehicles struggle also with summer tires. Sorry to be so direct but bad info like that can really mislead people. Some will just load the trunk full of sandbags and just become a big heavy sled just to save money on the proper tires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYEMH10Z4s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drOtBWhGxks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGfvyPtYR0Y

Watch the above videos and make a smarter choice if you have to drive in the winter months.

 

What about it?

 

Just my opinion, but it looks wonky being offset like that.

 

Ah, gotcha. Yeah, some of my friends don't like it offset. I think it looks different and in person it looks pretty good. But mainly when I built my bracket it was easiest to just offset it like that!

Its temporary, too. I've been meaning to make another one and paint it black when I have some free time but I just haven't been able to do it yet. I am going to experiment with a center mounting position and also a possible offset position that mounts the plate lower than where it is now.

I really don't want the front plate at all but being up here in VA I would be getting pulled over on the daily.

 

Yeah, offset is no bueno. It's California law as well but I have been driving with no front plate for 4 years no problems. I specifically told the dealer if you drill into the bumper I'm not buying the car lol.

 

I think offset plates are sexy if you have to have a front plate. You just need to move it WAY over for it to look better...just off center looks weird.

 

Thanks for the honest input guys. When I get around to rebuilding the bracket I will experiment with some other locations.

 

Ultimately, it's your car, man. Whatever floats your boat, ya know?