Winter wheel/tire discussion
12/4/10, 03:47 PM
#61
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Just put these on today that I got from tirerack. Sorry its a crappy cellphone picture 
18x8.5 SVT Bullitt wheels and 235/50R-18 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60s
18x8.5 SVT Bullitt wheels and 235/50R-18 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60s
12/4/10, 09:47 PM
#62
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12/12/10, 09:26 PM
#64
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I just got some 235/45/18 Blizzak LM-22 closeouts on tirerack for $155 a pop. I know the speedometer is going to be off by a bit, but it's still within the +/- 3% of stock threshold so it won't be that big of a deal. Just need to order wheels now.
Ideally I'd run the 18x8 GT Premium replicas from American Muscle, but I don't think those will fit without a spacer (does anyone know what size would be required?) so I'll probably do the GT500 18x9 replicas. It's not going to look fantastic but it's a winter wheel/tire setup so that doesn't really matter.
Ideally I'd run the 18x8 GT Premium replicas from American Muscle, but I don't think those will fit without a spacer (does anyone know what size would be required?) so I'll probably do the GT500 18x9 replicas. It's not going to look fantastic but it's a winter wheel/tire setup so that doesn't really matter.
12/13/10, 11:57 AM
#65
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The 2010-11 V6 17" wheels (base or premium) are all 7" wide ... however all 2005-09 factory GT (or opt. V6) 17" wheels were 8".
How do I know this ?? I bought my 215/65-17 Michilin X-Ice XI2 Snows 1st (call for 7.5" max wheel width) then started looking for a used set of 05-09 GT 17" wheels which I found out are ALL 8" WIDE !!
Ended up getting 17x7" MB FIVE X wheels & gorrilla lug nut set from D-T-D for $387 delivered.
Doug
How do I know this ?? I bought my 215/65-17 Michilin X-Ice XI2 Snows 1st (call for 7.5" max wheel width) then started looking for a used set of 05-09 GT 17" wheels which I found out are ALL 8" WIDE !!
Ended up getting 17x7" MB FIVE X wheels & gorrilla lug nut set from D-T-D for $387 delivered.
Doug
You scored a great deal on your 17x7"s though, looks good!
12/13/10, 01:45 PM
#66
Cobra Member
I just got some 235/45/18 Blizzak LM-22 closeouts on tirerack for $155 a pop. I know the speedometer is going to be off by a bit, but it's still within the +/- 3% of stock threshold so it won't be that big of a deal. Just need to order wheels now.
Ideally I'd run the 18x8 GT Premium replicas from American Muscle, but I don't think those will fit without a spacer (does anyone know what size would be required?) so I'll probably do the GT500 18x9 replicas. It's not going to look fantastic but it's a winter wheel/tire setup so that doesn't really matter.
Ideally I'd run the 18x8 GT Premium replicas from American Muscle, but I don't think those will fit without a spacer (does anyone know what size would be required?) so I'll probably do the GT500 18x9 replicas. It's not going to look fantastic but it's a winter wheel/tire setup so that doesn't really matter.
12/13/10, 02:31 PM
#67
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I either need new winter tires on my brembo rims, or get a combo of wheels and tires for winter. I too live in NOVA which winters aren't too bad. However, I really don't want to spend more than $1000 
12/13/10, 03:07 PM
#68
GTR Member
Thread Starter
In all honesty, the M3's are a bit mushy, and didn't hold up to the way the LM-22s felt (had them on my Speed6). If you're looking for a "performance" winter, the LM series Blizzak's are hard to beat. The Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3s seem like the only ones that might challenge that.
12/13/10, 08:42 PM
#69
Cobra Member
Originally Posted by ssimaniac
I either need new winter tires on my brembo rims, or get a combo of wheels and tires for winter. I too live in NOVA which winters aren't too bad. However, I really don't want to spend more than $1000
12/13/10, 08:47 PM
#70
Cobra Member
Originally Posted by Overboost
In all honesty, the M3's are a bit mushy, and didn't hold up to the way the LM-22s felt (had them on my Speed6). If you're looking for a "performance" winter, the LM series Blizzak's are hard to beat. The Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3s seem like the only ones that might challenge that.
12/13/10, 09:49 PM
#71
GTR Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the insight. I still haven't decided on a tire yet... trying to read every review I can and your thoughts definitely help. I know the Alpins are probably the best dry performers of the winter performance category, but they're also some of the priciest. The Dunlops and Pirellis look like pretty solid alternatives for a few hundred bucks less. I think the LM-60s are a little more expensive than the Pirellis and Dunlops, but I'll have to read up more on them before I make my decision.
1/14/11, 06:27 AM
#72
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So I finally got some winter tires and wheels. Found a set of slightly used wheels and tires on Craig's List for $500, from a guy who had them on his 2006 GT for one season and then decided he didn't want to drive the car in the winter any more (got a pickup for that)
The tires are 235/55-R17 Mastercraft Glacier Grip II; wheels are 17" "Pruven." I know neither of these are top-of-the-line but I figured for $500 I couldn't complain. There is a little bit of corrosion already starting on the wheels (under the clear coat) but hey they're winter wheels, the whole idea is to prevent this from happening on the good summer wheels.
So far the car seems to go great in the snow. I'd say it is as good or better than any FWD car I have owned; the only vehicles I have had that are better are 4x4 pickups with gnarly mud and snow tires . . . and that old VW Beetle, that thing was amazing.
The traction control and stability control seem to work very well. I tried to do some donuts with them turned on and they basically would not let me do it. You have to turn that stuff off to have fun in the snow, but proceed with caution.
I'm happy to be driving RWD in the snow again after all these years! Yes of course you do need to be careful and adjust for the conditions . . . but with RWD you can have some fun in the snow; with FWD you really can't do that (unless you like doing donuts in reverse)
The tires are 235/55-R17 Mastercraft Glacier Grip II; wheels are 17" "Pruven." I know neither of these are top-of-the-line but I figured for $500 I couldn't complain. There is a little bit of corrosion already starting on the wheels (under the clear coat) but hey they're winter wheels, the whole idea is to prevent this from happening on the good summer wheels.
So far the car seems to go great in the snow. I'd say it is as good or better than any FWD car I have owned; the only vehicles I have had that are better are 4x4 pickups with gnarly mud and snow tires . . . and that old VW Beetle, that thing was amazing.
The traction control and stability control seem to work very well. I tried to do some donuts with them turned on and they basically would not let me do it. You have to turn that stuff off to have fun in the snow, but proceed with caution.
I'm happy to be driving RWD in the snow again after all these years! Yes of course you do need to be careful and adjust for the conditions . . . but with RWD you can have some fun in the snow; with FWD you really can't do that (unless you like doing donuts in reverse)
Last edited by Bert; 1/14/11 at 06:34 AM. Reason: added pics
1/14/11, 07:05 AM
#73
Team Mustang Source
So I finally got some winter tires and wheels. Found a set of slightly used wheels and tires on Craig's List for $500, from a guy who had them on his 2006 GT for one season and then decided he didn't want to drive the car in the winter any more (got a pickup for that)
The tires are 235/55-R17 Mastercraft Glacier Grip II; wheels are 17" "Pruven." I know neither of these are top-of-the-line but I figured for $500 I couldn't complain. There is a little bit of corrosion already starting on the wheels (under the clear coat) but hey they're winter wheels, the whole idea is to prevent this from happening on the good summer wheels.
So far the car seems to go great in the snow. I'd say it is as good or better than any FWD car I have owned; the only vehicles I have had that are better are 4x4 pickups with gnarly mud and snow tires . . . and that old VW Beetle, that thing was amazing.
The traction control and stability control seem to work very well. I tried to do some donuts with them turned on and they basically would not let me do it. You have to turn that stuff off to have fun in the snow, but proceed with caution.
I'm happy to be driving RWD in the snow again after all these years! Yes of course you do need to be careful and adjust for the conditions . . . but with RWD you can have some fun in the snow; with FWD you really can't do that (unless you like doing donuts in reverse)
The tires are 235/55-R17 Mastercraft Glacier Grip II; wheels are 17" "Pruven." I know neither of these are top-of-the-line but I figured for $500 I couldn't complain. There is a little bit of corrosion already starting on the wheels (under the clear coat) but hey they're winter wheels, the whole idea is to prevent this from happening on the good summer wheels.
So far the car seems to go great in the snow. I'd say it is as good or better than any FWD car I have owned; the only vehicles I have had that are better are 4x4 pickups with gnarly mud and snow tires . . . and that old VW Beetle, that thing was amazing.
The traction control and stability control seem to work very well. I tried to do some donuts with them turned on and they basically would not let me do it. You have to turn that stuff off to have fun in the snow, but proceed with caution.
I'm happy to be driving RWD in the snow again after all these years! Yes of course you do need to be careful and adjust for the conditions . . . but with RWD you can have some fun in the snow; with FWD you really can't do that (unless you like doing donuts in reverse)
1/14/11, 07:11 AM
#74
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Here is my all year setup.
The michelin Pilot all seasons run great in snow. I have used them on my RWD vehicles for the last 7 years never a problem. A G35, M3, and now the stang even with a 10in rim on the last 2. Plus they are great in the wet and dry. Much better than the stockers and I tend to get about 50k miles on the fronts. The rears not so much.
The michelin Pilot all seasons run great in snow. I have used them on my RWD vehicles for the last 7 years never a problem. A G35, M3, and now the stang even with a 10in rim on the last 2. Plus they are great in the wet and dry. Much better than the stockers and I tend to get about 50k miles on the fronts. The rears not so much.
1/21/11, 10:12 AM
#76
Cobra Member
1/28/11, 08:54 PM
#78
Cobra Member
Received the tires and wheels from Tire Rack on the 26th, installed them that day. It has been in the high 50's, no snow. They fit perfectly. The Wife and I took a ride in the hills, had lunch and came home. Retorqued the wheels. Now, all I need is snow...of course today it was near 60.
1/28/11, 09:30 PM
#80
Cobra Member
That's a good looking winter setup.
One thing I learned after our most recent snow (driving in 4-5" of heavy wet snow) is that we still need to add some weight over the rear axle to assist with traction. Level ground is fine but any starts on hills can get really tricky. Next time it snows I plan to add about 200lbs over the axle to help.
One thing I learned after our most recent snow (driving in 4-5" of heavy wet snow) is that we still need to add some weight over the rear axle to assist with traction. Level ground is fine but any starts on hills can get really tricky. Next time it snows I plan to add about 200lbs over the axle to help.