Got my Snow Tire & Wheel Pkg. finished up today ...
Thread Starter
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: September 20, 2004
Posts: 883
Likes: 4
From: N.E. Wisconsin
Got my Snow Tire & Wheel Pkg. finished up today ...
I'm officially ready for winter.
Michelin X-ICE XI2 in 215/65R-17 99T size ($496 delivered from DTD less $70 mail in rebate)
MB "FIVE X" 17x7" wheels & Gorilla Lug Nut Set ($387 delivered from DTD)
Used OE 2010 Mustang TPMS Sensors & New Ford Stems ($124.99 delivered from e-bay)
Ford 8C2Z-1A203-A TPMS Reset Tool ($34.99 delivered from American Muscle)
Mount & Balance at my local service station ($63).
TOTAL COST ... $1,035.98
Could have found cheaper snow tires and would have gone that route if it were not for the $70 Michelin rebate. Tire Rack had Blizzak WS60's in this same size on clearance for $86 each, but they are "R" speed rated (106 MPH), and I wanted "T" or "H" (118 or 130 MPH). The X-ICE are also the top rated studless snow tire per Tire Rack surveys, and every reviewer on DTD raved about them too.
Went with the base V6 A/T "215/65R-17" size instead of the M/T 225/60R-17 to save a few bucks and I thought the 7.3" tread width of the 225's was a bit wide for snows. My old 225/60-15 Dunlop Wintersports on my '98 & '04 were 6.9" wide and these X-ICE 215/65R-17's are close maybe an 1/8" narrower (no actual spec listed, but they measure ~6.8").
Other benefit of the 215/65 size is they are 0.8" taller than the stk 235/50-18's and theoretically half of this should end up being extra ground clearance. The lower front air dam on the '11 is 1-3/4" lower up front than the one on my '04 which was also removable ... and remove it I did every winter for an extra 7/8" clearance. Main reason I removed it though was that the 4 plastic tree rivets that held it on were no match for snow drifts ... almost lost the darn thing a coule of times !! The '11 air dam is an integral part of the lower splash shield which can't really be removed as it supports the bottom edge of the bumper cover.
However going with this 215 wide tire screwed me out of being able to get a used set of '05-10 GT 17" wheels that are cheap and plentiful ... maximum wheel width for these tires is 7.5" and all these GT wheels are 8" !! Ideal rim width for the 215's is 6.5~7", so my only O.E. Mustang choice was 2010-11 base V6 wheels ... not real cheap and plentiful at the moment.
The MB wheels I got were the cheapest 7" wide wheel I could find ... much simpler and easier to clean than the O.E. V6 wheels would have been. Don't really care for the 2nd set of open lug nut holes, but I'll try and find some black or silver plugs to put in them. They are just winter rims and DO look much better than the O.E. '94 V6 wheels I had on my '98 & '04 !!
After doing a couple of wheel & tire packages back in February before ordering the car I planned on spending around $1200 ... so at under $1040, I think I did alright.
Doug
Michelin X-ICE XI2 in 215/65R-17 99T size ($496 delivered from DTD less $70 mail in rebate)
MB "FIVE X" 17x7" wheels & Gorilla Lug Nut Set ($387 delivered from DTD)
Used OE 2010 Mustang TPMS Sensors & New Ford Stems ($124.99 delivered from e-bay)
Ford 8C2Z-1A203-A TPMS Reset Tool ($34.99 delivered from American Muscle)
Mount & Balance at my local service station ($63).
TOTAL COST ... $1,035.98
Could have found cheaper snow tires and would have gone that route if it were not for the $70 Michelin rebate. Tire Rack had Blizzak WS60's in this same size on clearance for $86 each, but they are "R" speed rated (106 MPH), and I wanted "T" or "H" (118 or 130 MPH). The X-ICE are also the top rated studless snow tire per Tire Rack surveys, and every reviewer on DTD raved about them too.
Went with the base V6 A/T "215/65R-17" size instead of the M/T 225/60R-17 to save a few bucks and I thought the 7.3" tread width of the 225's was a bit wide for snows. My old 225/60-15 Dunlop Wintersports on my '98 & '04 were 6.9" wide and these X-ICE 215/65R-17's are close maybe an 1/8" narrower (no actual spec listed, but they measure ~6.8").
Other benefit of the 215/65 size is they are 0.8" taller than the stk 235/50-18's and theoretically half of this should end up being extra ground clearance. The lower front air dam on the '11 is 1-3/4" lower up front than the one on my '04 which was also removable ... and remove it I did every winter for an extra 7/8" clearance. Main reason I removed it though was that the 4 plastic tree rivets that held it on were no match for snow drifts ... almost lost the darn thing a coule of times !! The '11 air dam is an integral part of the lower splash shield which can't really be removed as it supports the bottom edge of the bumper cover.
However going with this 215 wide tire screwed me out of being able to get a used set of '05-10 GT 17" wheels that are cheap and plentiful ... maximum wheel width for these tires is 7.5" and all these GT wheels are 8" !! Ideal rim width for the 215's is 6.5~7", so my only O.E. Mustang choice was 2010-11 base V6 wheels ... not real cheap and plentiful at the moment.
The MB wheels I got were the cheapest 7" wide wheel I could find ... much simpler and easier to clean than the O.E. V6 wheels would have been. Don't really care for the 2nd set of open lug nut holes, but I'll try and find some black or silver plugs to put in them. They are just winter rims and DO look much better than the O.E. '94 V6 wheels I had on my '98 & '04 !!
After doing a couple of wheel & tire packages back in February before ordering the car I planned on spending around $1200 ... so at under $1040, I think I did alright.
Doug
Last edited by orange3.9stang; Aug 19, 2010 at 02:02 PM.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: May 24, 2010
Posts: 873
Likes: 1
From: MA
Is already winter time in Wisconsin? 
And I complain about New England weather.
How are the Xi2 on dry pavement? One complain about the Blizzak WS60 is that they are extremely soft and wear quickly.
And I complain about New England weather.How are the Xi2 on dry pavement? One complain about the Blizzak WS60 is that they are extremely soft and wear quickly.
Cobra Member
Joined: February 12, 2010
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 0
From: MA (north shore)
Can someone explain to me what i need to do with the TPMS? ive never had a car with them before. what are my options?
Cobra R Member
Joined: September 11, 2009
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 0
Not to hijak. 
The brand is called Elbrus the wheels are the 'I06'. They make some good looking wheels for not a whole lot of money... Those were on clearance at the time for 110/each. And no I think they only make up to 18".
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/elbrus-wheels.jsp
The brand is called Elbrus the wheels are the 'I06'. They make some good looking wheels for not a whole lot of money... Those were on clearance at the time for 110/each. And no I think they only make up to 18".
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/elbrus-wheels.jsp
Last edited by 2010MustangGT; Aug 19, 2010 at 02:50 PM.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: May 24, 2010
Posts: 873
Likes: 1
From: MA
TireRack is suppose to have a review of the WS70 very soon. They are testing it against Xi2, Continental ExtremeWinterContact and Dunlop Graspic DS-3. I can't wait for the results. The WS70 have a stiffer sidewall that should improve dry handling a little bit.
Mach 1 Member
Joined: May 24, 2010
Posts: 873
Likes: 1
From: MA
Not to hijak.
The brand is called Elbrus the wheels are the 'I06'. They make some good looking wheels for not a whole lot of money... Those were on clearance at the time for 110/each. And no I think they only make up to 18".
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/elbrus-wheels.jsp
The brand is called Elbrus the wheels are the 'I06'. They make some good looking wheels for not a whole lot of money... Those were on clearance at the time for 110/each. And no I think they only make up to 18".
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/elbrus-wheels.jsp
Cobra R Member
Joined: September 11, 2009
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 0
I actually didn't get the TPMS in mine cuz I didn't want to spend another $150-200. If you mount a tire without it all that will happen is the warning light in the dash will stay on. Which I was able to live with for 4.5 months or so.
Cobra R Member
Joined: September 11, 2009
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 0
No they make them. if you set it up to be a v6 it'll show them as a 17" option. 
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/resul...upe&sort=Brand
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/resul...upe&sort=Brand
Team Mustang Source
Joined: August 12, 2005
Posts: 2,126
Likes: 1
From: CT
I had always wondered what the elibrius would look like on a Mustang. It's one of the best low cost winter wheels. Looks good tho, I ended up getting summer wheels for my 07, so the 18" polished chrome will be my winters.
Really glad I moved to AZ...
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: January 25, 2010
Posts: 3,971
Likes: 1,663
From: Massachusetts
Excellent info, thanks for posting . . . I think I will do something very similar for my 2010 GT.
Jumping the gun a bit aren't you? Or does it really snow in September up there in the big woods?
Jumping the gun a bit aren't you? Or does it really snow in September up there in the big woods?
, am i glad i have the chance to store the 'Stang indoor during winter.
GT Member
Joined: June 13, 2010
Posts: 137
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Thread Starter
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: September 20, 2004
Posts: 883
Likes: 4
From: N.E. Wisconsin
Thanks for all the replies everyone.
No driving on them yet as I just put them on the one side to make sure they fit ok both F & R and to take a couple of pics. I hold off as long as possible, usually snows go on sometime between Thanksgiving & Christmas.
As far as buying, I was going to wait until Sept-Oct but then some guy on AFM asked if I was interested in his stk. '11 V6 wheels. I then started researching tires and found these XI2's ... they were stock at T-R & D-T-D and both offered this $70 rebate BUT it expired the following day. Tires were cheaper at T-R, but D-T-D offered FREE SHIPPING, so D-T-D had the lower out-the-door price. Then contacted the guy from AFM that YES I was interested in his wheels, but he had just sold them locally ... now I needed to find a different set of rims !!
Searched E-bay & Craigslist and found nothing reasonably priced in 7" width ... plenty of used '05-10 8" wide GT wheel sets on Craigslist for my desired "under $400/set" though !!
Cheapest wheels at T-R were $108 each plus shipping ... but these D-T-D M-B's I got were $98 each less a $50/set of 4 on-line rebate (that expired 8/31), plus $45 for the "Installation Kit" (Gorrila Lock Lug Nut Set), and of course FREE SHIPPING. Was hesitant to pay $45 for the "Installation Kit", but glad I did as the stock lug nuts will NOT fit in the the lug nut bores on these particular wheels. All 20 nuts are a small o.d. external spline type that use a special socket included in the kit.
I had the original WS-50 Blizzaks as my 1st set of snows on my '98 Mustang. Boy were they FUN in the snow ... the grip was unreal. However on dry pavement (typically 80% of my winter driving) they could be pretty scarry if you needed to do any evasive manuvers or stop quickly in traffic. The "Q" speed rating (99 MPH) was wishfull thinking on Bridgstone's part as they were scarry at half that speed. I had gotten almost 26k miles out of them when I ran something over and trashed one of them. I then searched for a snow tire that was better on dry pavement and the "H" speed rated (130 MPH) Dunlop SP Wintersport M2's ended up being the answer. Definitely lost some "deep snow" confidence, but gained the dry pavement ability. Surprisingly I felt they were as good on ICE as the the WS-50's, and on dry pavement or rain they were as good if not better than a decent set of UHPA/S tires. Was down to about 1/2 tread depth on the M2's at 31k miles and decided to replace them with the then new SP Wintersport M3's and got almost 36k miles out of them.
Wanted a set of "H" speed rated "Performance Snows" again, but no one makes them in either 215/65-17 or 225/60-17. Get up into the 235/55-17 size and there are choices, but they have 8"+ of tread width and are $160 or more a tire ... no thanks !!
The new Blizzak WS-70's are now "T" speed rated just like the Michelin's so I considered these too. But being brand new, they have no rating yet and they did not have a $70 rebate attached to them as the currently #1 rated XI2's did !!
I think I'll be happy with these Michelins.
Doug
No driving on them yet as I just put them on the one side to make sure they fit ok both F & R and to take a couple of pics. I hold off as long as possible, usually snows go on sometime between Thanksgiving & Christmas.
As far as buying, I was going to wait until Sept-Oct but then some guy on AFM asked if I was interested in his stk. '11 V6 wheels. I then started researching tires and found these XI2's ... they were stock at T-R & D-T-D and both offered this $70 rebate BUT it expired the following day. Tires were cheaper at T-R, but D-T-D offered FREE SHIPPING, so D-T-D had the lower out-the-door price. Then contacted the guy from AFM that YES I was interested in his wheels, but he had just sold them locally ... now I needed to find a different set of rims !!
Searched E-bay & Craigslist and found nothing reasonably priced in 7" width ... plenty of used '05-10 8" wide GT wheel sets on Craigslist for my desired "under $400/set" though !!
Cheapest wheels at T-R were $108 each plus shipping ... but these D-T-D M-B's I got were $98 each less a $50/set of 4 on-line rebate (that expired 8/31), plus $45 for the "Installation Kit" (Gorrila Lock Lug Nut Set), and of course FREE SHIPPING. Was hesitant to pay $45 for the "Installation Kit", but glad I did as the stock lug nuts will NOT fit in the the lug nut bores on these particular wheels. All 20 nuts are a small o.d. external spline type that use a special socket included in the kit.
I had the original WS-50 Blizzaks as my 1st set of snows on my '98 Mustang. Boy were they FUN in the snow ... the grip was unreal. However on dry pavement (typically 80% of my winter driving) they could be pretty scarry if you needed to do any evasive manuvers or stop quickly in traffic. The "Q" speed rating (99 MPH) was wishfull thinking on Bridgstone's part as they were scarry at half that speed. I had gotten almost 26k miles out of them when I ran something over and trashed one of them. I then searched for a snow tire that was better on dry pavement and the "H" speed rated (130 MPH) Dunlop SP Wintersport M2's ended up being the answer. Definitely lost some "deep snow" confidence, but gained the dry pavement ability. Surprisingly I felt they were as good on ICE as the the WS-50's, and on dry pavement or rain they were as good if not better than a decent set of UHPA/S tires. Was down to about 1/2 tread depth on the M2's at 31k miles and decided to replace them with the then new SP Wintersport M3's and got almost 36k miles out of them.
Wanted a set of "H" speed rated "Performance Snows" again, but no one makes them in either 215/65-17 or 225/60-17. Get up into the 235/55-17 size and there are choices, but they have 8"+ of tread width and are $160 or more a tire ... no thanks !!
The new Blizzak WS-70's are now "T" speed rated just like the Michelin's so I considered these too. But being brand new, they have no rating yet and they did not have a $70 rebate attached to them as the currently #1 rated XI2's did !!
I think I'll be happy with these Michelins.
Doug
