I'm currently running my Blizzak LM-22 for it's 5th winter on base Z33 wheels. I may retire them after spring arrives. So, I was thinking about shopping for new snow tires and this came up as one of the lower priced models. I would be getting these in 225/55-R17 all around for next season. Does anyone think it's a bad idea?

http://www.federaltire.com/en/html/p...dline=3&ID=35#

 

I would go 215/55-17 all around, same size the G sedan takes

 

Have you tried the "leaving it in the garage for the winter mod"?

 

Quite a few people use 225/55-R17 size all around with no problems. The coupe front tire size is 225/50-R17. That could potentially work all around as well. I just wish they still made 235/50-R17 readily available for the rear tires in snow tire models.

To fairlady: easy for you to say since you're posting from down south where you won't see a lot of adverse weather. This is my only daily driver so I would rather swap to winter tires and still drive it. If the snow gets too terrible I could borrow my sister's Subaru 2.5RS

I will chime in for Federal tires. They're very popular with the drift crowd because of it's affordable cost vs. performance. A lot of the AWD crowd uses them as well. If they made their SS595 tire in my oem 19" summer size I would surely use them, but they don't offer the proper sized front tire. My wife uses the Formoza FD1 (V speed rated) on her Lexus ES330 and they've been great so far. I just thought I'd share this idea for people looking for an alternative to other asian tire makes such as Kumho, Hankook and Falken. They don't advertise in the states so you may never hear from them unless it's from an enthusiast.

 

I live in Northern VA and I'm a newbie to driving this car in the snow and rear wheel at that.

What kind of winter setup do you guys have and should I even bother with winter tires (will it make a difference compared to all seasons)?
Continental ExtremeContact DWS anybody?

I just need some ideas since times is running out D:

Thanks ahead of time guys

 

If your driving it in the snow thru the winter, you need winter tires. Unless you want to get stuck or crash.

 

Winter tires faaaaa sure

 

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

that video says it all :P

 

Blizzaks or Michelin X-Ice and you shouldn't have a problem. Call me and we'll talk options.

 

two best tires imo

Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 and Michelin X-Ice Xi2

 

Thank you for the responses guys

looks like its worth having a summer set and a winter set as opposed to all season all year yeah?

Also.. This guy is selling two of his Continental ContiWinterContact TS 810S off his porsche for 200 with decent amount of tread. Is it wiser to have those sitting in the front and the blizzaks or whatever I decide on getting in the back or vice versa??

I'm just not looking forward to spending 550 to 800 on tires and have this winter be mild you know?

 

I daily drove my Z for 3 years including winters in southeast PA. I spent the money on a set of winter wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 winter tires. It was worth the money. Even with the winter tires it was still semi-treacherous at times in the snow, but it was always enough to get me to work and back home. Obviously avoid steep hills in the snow whenever possible....don't expect them to turn the Z into a pathfinder....but they are an economic alternative to buying a winter beater.

 

Depends on the size of the tires first and foremost. A good place like TireRack will advise you on the recommended tire size for the Z based on the wheel diameter (I'm guessing 17" or 18" OEM 350z wheels?) If the tires off the Porsche end up being the right size, why not buy a matching set for the rears?

Something tells me you want a matching set front and rear when it comes to optimum grip in snow, but I have no basis in fact for that sentiment.

 

Well the Porsche tires are discontinued.. that's why I'm hesitant and I keep going back and forth between getting rid of the summers and getting really good all seasons or keeping them and getting winters. I just want this thing to be driveable in an inch or so of snow. I honestly will do this based on impulse but now I know whether its worth it or not to get winter tires. It's just such a burn I'd much rather put that money towards coilovers! haha

 

I hear ya. I definitely did not want to put out the cash for winter wheels+tires either, but ultimately found it was worth it.

Something else to keep in mind is how beat up your wheels may get from driving through crappy winter road conditions. Might be worth finding a set of cheapo wheels to mount the winter tires around, instead of swapping your summer and winter tires on and off the same set of wheels. Not to mention the cost of swapping....at two swaps per year (winter and spring) you've paid for a cheap set of winter beater wheels really quickly.

 

If you drive your 350Z during the winter months in a climate that stays at or below freezing, you need studless snow tires.

I’m in Minnesota where the winter is extreme. I tried driving on all-season tires (Continental Extreme Contact DWS which are by far the best all-season tires money can buy) in the winter, and it wasn’t pretty.

I’ve run Dunlop Graspic DS-2 studless tires for two winter seasons with excellent results. My setup is 225/55-17” all-square to allow rotating the tires and extending their life (but the proper size for a 350Z is actually 225/50-17” front 235/50-17” rear).

I use a dedicated tire/wheel setup to save the expense of swapping tires on/off one set of wheels. Also, you have a better selection of snow tires that cost less if you go with 17” wheels.

17” wheels and 225 tires are not attractive on a Z, but that’s the best size for winter driving.

--Spike

 

I also have Dunlop Graspic DS-2 winter tires on my Z. They are mounted on 17" wheels and don't look all that bad. I guess I'll be putting the winter tires back on in another month or so. Here are some pictures.........

 

+1 on Blizzaks. I have used these during winters in Cleveland. Good traction in salted mush roads of snow.

I am glad to be back in So Cal ;-)

.

 

Haha your car looks like it can do some work! Thank you for the advice! I'm now trying to find some wheels so I don't have to deal with mounting tires. :/ I hate this!

Also needed to ask you. Whats the width on those wheels? and can I run 225/55/17 on 17x8 and 17x8.5 ?

 

My winter wheels are 17x7.5”

You can mount 225/55-17” tires on 17x8” and 17x8.5” wheels.

--Spike