Hey guys, I'd like to source a second set of rims for my 2011 Mustang GT (on order) for winter tires up here in Canada. My Mustang will come with 18" stock rims. I heard they made the brakes bigger for 2011 and was wondering if anyone's had any experience putting 17" rims (such as from older Mustang GTs) on the 2011 GT... Could I even go down to 16? Will those clear the brakes? Thanks guys! I'm also looking and choosing between the Blizzaks and X-ice.. looking for something that can handle a small amount of ice (any melted snow that's frozen over basically)... also not looking to break the bank hence going for 17" instead of 18"... or smaller if i can. Thanks guys.

 

16's will definitely not clear the 13.2" standard GT front brakes.

I kind of doubt that 17's will clear either.

You can get a set of 4 - 18" 07-09 GT wheels from www.buyfordracing.com for $379 to use for your snows.

 

Wow, good thing I checked in with you guys. Thanks! That's crazy.. guess I'll have to fork out for 18" winter tires :P Edit: I've been playing around with Tirerack's website. They seem to think I can pull of 17"s... but there's a message at the top "*** Unless a TPMS triggering tool is purchased, new TPMS sensors must be registered to the vehicle at the manufacturer's dealership." - what does that mean?

 

The new TPMS sensors for the snow tire setup may need to be set to the car.

 

Where are you located? I'm selling the 18" rims that came with my 2011 GT but I've kept the sensors for my new rims.

 

Here is the experience from someone who has compared the 2011 Brembos and regular brakes. The overall diameter clearance from the Brembos or 2011 GT regular brakes are the same; only the Brembos will require more offset clearance.

I do not think any Ford 17" will clear either brakes but I have some 5Zigen mags (use for track) that clear both brake setups (by about 1 mm)

Here is the other option with the 2011 regular brakes (and it will be my setup for winter also). The calipers on the 2011 are the same as the 2005-2010 brakes; only the caliper brakets and rotors are different. I already had a complete set (new take off) so I will put the 05-10 rotors and brakets and my old 17" Ford mags will clear. You can get a full front brake setup from Saleen Canada (take-offs) for about $125 CDN (well that what they sold them a couple of years ago); this will also include front pads when yours wear out

Hope this helps. It is a much cheaper option than 18" mags and 18" winter tires.

 

See… I’m gonna go ahead and say maybe.
The front brakes are increased to a 13.2 (as compared to a 12.4). +0.8 of an Inch.
Circumference wise, it sits at 41.5” vs 38.9” +2.6”.
(and the rears are the same…)

Now I know on my 2010 I had a bunch of clearance left over from my 17” rims… The spot that it will make or break you is the caliper.
It’ll no doubt be close. But in my mind it’s more of a 50/50 than a dead set no. You may want to go to a wheel shop and try something out.

The pic is my winter wheel- 17” Elbrus I06.

 

Thanks for the advice guys. Not sure about the 1mm clearance or swapping out brake brackets. Guess I'm likely going with 18" rims just to be safe. If it's only between 17 and 18 the tire costs are pretty much the same right? Can't really save anything unless I go down to 16.. @magnatic: I'm in BC.

 

I'm pretty uninformed when it comes to buying tires. What should I be keying in (other than R17 or R18) for the first two parameters if say I wanted to get winter tires for the stock OEM wheels, or those $379 GT wheels from buyfordracing?

Also, what are the tires that come stock (the all seasons) 2011 GTs?

 

The all season tires are Pirelli PZero All Seasons.

For winte tire, I'd recommend the Michellin X-ice xi2's. Great performance in snow, slush, wet conditions. ANd when the roads are plowed and there's not a lot of snow- good performance in the dry.

Also, if you don't install the TPMS in them the warning light in the dash will stay on. It wasn't a big deal to me as I didn't want to shell out the extra $100-200... But for some, it might be.

http://www.buyfordracing.com/shop/pr...=699cPath=2_24
those there are a pretty good deal...

 

Cool. Thanks. What is the reading on the sidewall (width, aspect etc)? I'm looking at the Michelin XI2's as well. How do they compare to the old X-ice? I guess I'm just a little worried about icy parts because here in BC they don't always plow the roads perfectly, and slush can freeze over easily.

Another question: If my OEM wheels are 18" and I'm getting 18" winter tires, is there any point to getting a 2nd pair of rims? Or can I get by just by swapping the tires every season?

 

You'll be paying for mounting and balancing the tires as they are swapped every spring and fall, if you have connections somewhere and can get it done cheaply, it may be the way to go, but most places around here charge $50-80 for that, and in a couple of years you would have paid for the new 18" wheels, and you can swap those on yourself at home. Since 18" wheels are so inexpensive, I'd just get the extra set of wheels, and skip the sensors.

 

Ahh good point.. if I get those $379 18" rims they'll fit the 2011 Mustang GT then? I mean the bolt pattern appears to be the same, but just checking! The Xice-XI2's I'm looking at are 235/50/R18... this will fit them too right?

 

X-ice xi2's have noticeably improved deep snow and ice traction without the trade-off of sub par performance in clear, dry, road handling or tread wear. So for your case since you do deal with ice. The Xi2's would be the way to go.

On the stock tires of 235/50/18 your sidewall height is 4.62 inches. it's width is 9.25 inches. The michellin's are offered in in the same pattern. If you wanted to go narrower and a taller sidewall (It's always a bit better). you can try 225/55/18 which will offer 8.85 inches in width and 4.87 inches for sidewall height- it'll have more of a 'bite' into snow. It's limited tho and Blizzaks are offered in that size (that's the one I would pick if i wanted to go that route: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

As far as the rim decision... you could very well use the stock ones, it's all about how comfortable you are with that and having them hold up and look good.

Also, through tirerack.com- they have a 2011 Mustang GT Coupe with standard brakes showing there are choices available in 17". Not sure if it's a fluke or not- but try emailing them to find out.

 

Thanks for the info guys! Really helps..

I'm interested to learn more about going 225/55/18 (so the stock all seasons are 235/50/18 then eh?) - especially if it means the tires will be cheaper Would a 225/55/18 still fit on the stock wheels, or the $379 buyfordracing wheels?

 

The Blizzak tire listed on tire rack in the 225/55/18 is a WS70. It's a new tire and I'm not familar with it. But it does sound very promising. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....omCompare1=yes

The 225's will be different in terms of rotation as compared to the 235's and will therefore effect your speedometer reading. So when you're doing 60mph you'll really be doing 59. It's trivial but just something to take note of.

A narrower tire will be better for traction in snow and a taller sidewall offers the tire to be able to get through a deeper amount of snow.

Rim width it's listed to fit 6-8 inch rim. The stock is listed as a 6.5-8.5inch. I'm unfamilar if that difference will make or break you. Maybe someone else can chime in?

 

Dang too late the $379 wheels sold out. Any other cheap 18" wheel suggestions? The 2010 GT500 wheels look really nice too.. cheapest I can find is $599 shipped on buyfordracing - I'd then use those for my all seasons haha...

 

That sucks.

The GT500 wheels are 9.5" wide, would work but not for the 225 section width tires that were posted.

Sometimes you can pick up some standard 18" 2010-2011 GT wheels on ebay for around $400 plus shipping.

 

You can get these 18x9 wheels for $99 each.

http://www.cruizinconceptswholesale....ARDEEPDISH30MM

 

Sorry for messing with the plan, but for snow you really want narrower tires . . . like a 205 or 215 or something like that, with a correspondingly higher sidewall . . . so I think those 18x9 wheels are too wide