when are you planning to install winter tires

[Silver Ecstasy]

Mine went on last November on the 28th. That was pushing it because I was trying to find the particular tires I wanted (couldn't make up my mind). I sorta played with fire on a few days where it did snow but all it did was make slush. So the bridgestones did ok. But I wasn't about to get stuck with them. I'm already familiar enough with Bridgestone RE-040's and they SUCK in the winter. I can't imagine RE-050's.

I'll probably do the same thing this year too. End of November, unless that global warming really kicks in and we get our heavy snow around the end of Christmas.

 

[MrJon]

Last year, Seattle got slammed with some heavy snow fall (relatively speaking). My ms3 on stockers sat in the snow all winter. I'm thinkin this year I'm going to put on some nice all seasons and chain up when needed. Leaning towards the bridgestone 960as

 

[GoFast]

Last year, Seattle got slammed with some heavy snow fall (relatively speaking). My ms3 on stockers sat in the snow all winter. I'm thinkin this year I'm going to put on some nice all seasons and chain up when needed. Leaning towards the bridgestone 960as

IIRC quite a few people had issues trying to run chains on these cars due to clearance. You need to get a smaller wheel/tire combo in order to have any luck I believe.

 

[BillTheCat]

WTF is snow?

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Yeah yeah, there's always one southener in the group to post a silly question like that! What's a hurricane?? Lol jk

 

[pcpower]

hey guys,

I might bite the bullet a little early and order my winter tires / wheels this weekend. What do you think of this package? Also, would u recommending going for the steel wheels and saving some $$ or rather splurge a bit for these alloys?

also I'm having trouble uploading any files at work but the alloy wheel looks pretty sweet (it is anthracite i.e. black finish)

thx

205/60R16 Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 Blackwall Green X
Buy a set of four and get $50 reward card.
Buy a set of four and get $70 mail-in rebate.
for 2009 Mazda MazdaSpeed3
In Stock 012345678 $114.00 $456.00

16X7 Borbet LV5 Anthracite Painted
for 2009 Mazda MazdaSpeed3
In Stock 012345678 $137.00 $548.00

total damage: $1,004.00 (before tax and shipping)

 

[noobinacan]

I have some for sale right here..if someone wants any

 

[8.5MS3]

once its consistantly below 50 degrees the snow shoes go on and the car goes back to stock tune. kinda curious how the sways r gonna affect handling in the snow

 

[Wastegate13]

Yeah yeah, there's always one southener in the group to post a silly question like that! What's a hurricane?? Lol jk

They don't sell hurricane tires.

 

[79535]

205/60R16 Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 Blackwall Green X
Buy a set of four and get $50 reward card.
Buy a set of four and get $70 mail-in rebate.
for 2009 Mazda MazdaSpeed3
In Stock 012345678 $114.00 $456.00

16X7 Borbet LV5 Anthracite Painted
for 2009 Mazda MazdaSpeed3
In Stock 012345678 $137.00 $548.00

total damage: $1,004.00 (before tax and shipping)

That seems to be a pretty decent package for the price. I think I paid $1400CA for my winter tires and rims. Steel rims for the MS3 were $130/piece for me. I went 17" because I didn't want the hassle of finding 16" rims that will fit over the brakes.

Personally, I prefer steelies in the winter. I'm too lazy to check your sig to see where you are from, but I find snow builds up in the alloys, melts, then freezes giving you a bad shimmy until you chip it out or park somewhere warm for it to melt and dry.

I should have put my winters on last week. Snow and ice is here already

 

[KZL_99ES]

so how long do snow tires last? i was told two seasons at the most, obviously it depends on how long/much you drive on them...

 

[Retrobmx63]

Related note: I always get my car inspected with winter tires on. I tend to have much more tread with these set of tires (lol2) compared to my summers.

Plus the stock Potenzas have very shallow treads brand new. I can see an inspection garage failing me easily, even if my Potenzas are not that worn down.

 

[79535]

so how long do snow tires last? i was told two seasons at the most, obviously it depends on how long/much you drive on them...

The winter Toyo's I use on the MS3 are going on their third season this year. They still have probably 50% tread left. I commute 120km's a day for work and drive a lot on my spare time.

If you are spinning your tires all the time or don't take them off when you should (ie: snows gone), then you are going to chew them up quickly.

This year, the MS3 is going to be backup vehicle only though. The effectiveness of a winter tire drops quite a bit as tread wears. Some tires (Blizzaks) are worse for this characteristic than others.

 

[Shiroi_ms3]

Today I had the day off and that big snow cloud coming from Nebraska scared me into switching over. My plan was to do it in November but I don't want to be stuck again.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Man this cold and early threat of snow is ridiculous! Then again, we used to have snow by halloween before.

 

[pcpower]

That seems to be a pretty decent package for the price. I think I paid $1400CA for my winter tires and rims. Steel rims for the MS3 were $130/piece for me. I went 17" because I didn't want the hassle of finding 16" rims that will fit over the brakes.

Personally, I prefer steelies in the winter. I'm too lazy to check your sig to see where you are from, but I find snow builds up in the alloys, melts, then freezes giving you a bad shimmy until you chip it out or park somewhere warm for it to melt and dry.

I should have put my winters on last week. Snow and ice is here already

good info on the alloys, thanks!

what do u mean about the 16" steelies though,,, certain ones will fit over the brakes and others won't? I was hoping to get 16's instead of 17's... hmmMMMm

 

[BoostedSpd6]

well i have a truck that i drive in the snow but the winter rims and tires will be going on in the first or second week of november depending on the weather forcast..

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

$130 a wheel for steelies?! I paid $100 a piece for my 17" bronze MB "gear" wheels!

 

[BillTheCat]

They don't sell hurricane tires.

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. Just don't say that too loudly. Because you know if they marketed them, there'd be snowbirds who'd buy 'em.

 

[Wastegate13]

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. Just don't say that too loudly. Because you know if they marketed them, there'd be snowbirds who'd buy 'em.

I'm gonna install my "winter" tires on saturday. Hankook Ventus V12 K110. My Potenzas are looking mighty rough after 22k.