winter driving adventure, new Blizzaks FTW!

[chufa]

My new set of Blizzaks mounted on 17" Kazera black wheels arrived yesterday from Tirerack for my '08 MS3 GT, just in time for a big winter storm (snow/ice/sleet) here in Iowa. I drove to the dealership to have them put on in the middle of the storm with my stock tires. It was scary and horrible. I could barely get out of stop lights, drove 25 MPH max in 3rd gear on a 55 MPH road, everyone passing me. Rear end wanting to come loose in turns, even at a crawling speed.

When I got out with the Blizzaks on, I could not believe it! My wife couldn't keep up with me with her 4x4 Ford Explorer. I was comfortably getting out of stoplights while 4x4 SUVS were slipping and sliding. I was stopping nicely, easing through turns, feeling more like rally-car-fun than scary. What an amazing difference! My previous car was an AWD Audi S4 before, with Dunlop Winter Sport tires in the winter, and these Blizzaks, even on a FWD car, gave me a lot more confidence and performed better in the snow/ice.

One thing I noticed is that I purchased this package without the TPS sensors, and I was expecting the dashboard TPS light to be on, but it wasn't. Maybe the dealer swapped the sensors for me?

I will attach some pics, with the inclement weather, I could not get good shots outside of my small garage, so I apologize. Also, I chose those black wheels as my previous silver winter wheel package got regularly "blackened" with all the dirt in the winter roads, so I thought it would be more dirt-friendly (we'll see...)

 

[6262MS3]

Nice! What width did you go with? With proper winter tires this is one of the best FWD cars I've driven in the snow. I'm actually glad that the boost doesn't come in until 2500rpm or so, the engine has the perfect amount of torque off-boost for icy roads and it's perfectly happy chugging along at 1000rpm. The lsd makes a huge difference (I was able to get up a steep, snow-covered gravel driveway from a dead stop in the middle of it) and the steering has so much feedback that I can feel exactly when the tires are about to break loose before they actually do.

 

[happy and angry]

I'm actually glad that the boost doesn't come in until 2500rpm or so, the engine has the perfect amount of torque off-boost for icy roads and it's perfectly happy chugging along at 1000rpm. The lsd makes a huge difference (I was able to get up a steep, snow-covered gravel driveway from a dead stop in the middle of it) and the steering has so much feedback that I can feel exactly when the tires are about to break loose before they actually do.

This is one of the reasons I bought the car. If you don't flog it, it can be a regular, sedate daily driver. I live up in the great white north, and we get some serious snow some winters. Having 280 lb/ft of torque on tap isn't always a good thing in that sort of weather, but so far in two storms this car has been very predictable.

I got Blizzak WS60's as well, 215/50R17 mounted on a set of the Mazda snowflake alloys from the '07 Mazda3. Prettiest winter rims I've ever had, and so far the tires have been incredible.

 

[ottawaP5]

Nice! What width did you go with? With proper winter tires this is one of the best FWD cars I've driven in the snow. I'm actually glad that the boost doesn't come in until 2500rpm or so, the engine has the perfect amount of torque off-boost for icy roads and it's perfectly happy chugging along at 1000rpm. The lsd makes a huge difference (I was able to get up a steep, snow-covered gravel driveway from a dead stop in the middle of it) and the steering has so much feedback that I can feel exactly when the tires are about to break loose before they actually do.

You're right about the LSD making a difference...you can actually feel the 2 wheels pulling through the snow/slush. I'm really happy with how this car performs in winter.

 

[Hirudin]

That first pic looks bad-ass!

 

[Falconx84]

One thing I noticed is that I purchased this package without the TPS sensors, and I was expecting the dashboard TPS light to be on, but it wasn't. Maybe the dealer swapped the sensors for me?

were your factory rims in the car?

 

[Foolish]

were your factory rims in the car?

Ah, yeah. If the wheels/tires with the TPS system were in your MS3 on the drive home, you're going to have an unpleasant surprise (the TPS light) when you go for your first drive after dropping them off. (rofl)

It was 63* and sunny here today. I'm so glad I moved South from D.C.

 

[Falconx84]

^^ or you can carry them around all winter.... just in case your have a bright, sunny 70deg day this winter

 

[chufa]

the rims were in my wife's explorer, which was following me. Interesting, are they wireless, and can they reach that far?

 

[Falconx84]

never tried.... in that case, see if a buddy with a mazda can drive next to you all winter!

 

[Capt Crunch]

When I had my STI it started to snow so I tried to get back home to my winter tires.

Let me tell you, Azenis 615s and snow don't mix. There was like a 0.5% grade and I was just sliding down backwards at 1 mph. Some guy with a truck took me to my house to pick up my wheels and I changed them on the side of the road.

I drove 45 mph on the way home.

 

[Hirudin]

LOL: AWD too!

 

[Young Roids]

YEa blizzacks are pretty cool aren't they. I have had similar experiences with them. What kind of blizzacks are those one pictured?

 

[Foolish]

Let me tell you, Azenis 615s and snow don't mix. There was like a 0.5% grade and I was just sliding down backwards at 1 mph. Some guy with a truck took me to my house to pick up my wheels and I changed them on the side of the road.

I drove 45 mph on the way home.

When I had my Miata and lived outside of D.C. I ran the old Azenis spring-summer-fall, and Michelin Arctic Alpins in the winter. One of those winters, I didn't get the Alpins on before the first snow. It was less than 1/2 an inch, and the Miata wouldn't move! Pop on the Alpins, and it was good to go!

Snow tires kick ass, but I'm glad I don't need them anymore!

 

[chufa]

YEa blizzacks are pretty cool aren't they. I have had similar experiences with them. What kind of blizzacks are those one pictured?

These are 215/50QR17 Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50. $109 a piece from closeout sale. Bridgestone is coming out with a new Blizzak model, I think it is the WS-60. The wheels are 17x7.5 Flat Black w/Mach Lip Kazera KZ-A Dual PCD.

 

[chufa]

On a strange update note, like I said before, the TPMS light had stayed off even though I had not purchased new sensors. I even made several trips (supermarket, work, etc) away from my stock tires with the sensors, and no light came on. But today I hit a pothole, then the light came on and stayed on.

 

[Falconx84]

Actually.... I just switched my tires today.... I've put about 50 miles and 3-4 starts on it and the light still isn't on. My TCS light was on, but thats beside the point, lol. Gotta get a feel for the new tires somehow, right?

And I know for a fact that my TPMS is on my factory rims... I watched them mount the tires

 

[blacksheepms3]

I got the blizzacks too from tirerack. it's amazing. i got it one 3 days before it snowed and boy was i glad. my stock tires were balding, even when they were new i couldnt get out of a parking space one time when it snowed 6 inches. It cost a lot but it's worth it.

 

[Falconx84]

I got the blizzacks too from tirerack. it's amazing. i got it one 3 days before it snowed and boy was i glad. my stock tires were balding, even when they were new i couldnt get out of a parking space one time when it snowed 6 inches. It cost a lot but it's worth it.

still less than your deductible and subsequent increase in premiums I'll bet

 

[Hirudin]

Gee, I hope my sensors are working! I put on new rims, but I did transfer over the TPMSes. The light hasn't come on, but so far as I know there hasn't been a reason for it to. Maybe I'll let a bunch of air out of one of the tires and see what happens.

If you're not sure if they're on your wheel or not just look at the valve stem. If it's a black rubber jobbie then you do NOT have the TPMSes installed.