winter/snow tire recommendation

[wanta5]

I'd appreciate any insight anyone can offer about winter tires for my 09 GT. So far I've figured out that I definitely want to get separate 16" rims, but I'm totally confused on exact tire size(width?), type(winter performance or studless snow/ice?) and brand (do I really need $150 tires or are $99 ones ok?). I'm in the Washington, DC area, so neither super cold nor super snowy, but I'm still on the stock tires and I'm a total car safety fanatic so I've decided I'd like to make the investment in a winter set. While I live in deepest suburbia, I also drive on a mile-long poorly maintained gravel road a couple times a week, if that makes a difference. I don't want to spend a mint, obviously, but I'd rather be very safe and not penny-wise, pound foolish. I've poked around tirerack.com a bunch but I'm more confused that ever.

thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[MAZDASPEED MX5]

We have a 2010 and ordered from Rudy over at TireRack about $750 picked up over at their CT warehouse:

Wheel:
16" Sport Edition F7

Tires:
General Altimax Artic, 205/55R16s

Easily handled the 16" snow storm a week ago. I've had Michelins, Bridgestones and Dunlop snows, these are great.

 

[m5pa]

I have plain 16 inch steel wheels and Dunlop Graspic snow tires. They work well, might spring for Blizzaks next time. But for the price, the Dunlops do a good job. No TPMS while snows are on, I just cover the warning light with electrical tape. If you want to spring for the sensors, it's up to you.

 

[wanta5]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Rockin03mp5]

We have a 2010 and ordered from Rudy over at TireRack about $750 picked up over at their CT warehouse:

Wheel:
16" Sport Edition F7

Tires:
General Altimax Artic, 205/55R16s

Easily handled the 16" snow storm a week ago. I've had Michelins, Bridgestones and Dunlop snows, these are great.

Also got mine from tire rack.

16'' sport edition f7 wheels
dunlop snow tires (forgot which ones)

worked great for me.

stock wheels are 17x6.5. the sport edition wheels are 16x7. so, 6.5''-7'' width is fine.

 

[MAZDASPEED MX5]

The snows look much beefier than the OEM package. They work great.

 

[twintrbo]

Stepping in late but I got a set of used rims and tires from Craigslist for $375. They were originally for a Lexus IS but they are the same fitment as a 5. They also happened to be Sport Edition wheels with Blizzak WS50's 205/55-16. Last season they were night and day compared to stock and this year I had the TPMS sensors installed and all 4 rebalanced since they probably werent balanced right before I put the sensors in. Sensors cost me $75 from ebay and $60 to install and rebalance them off the car. You may need to do some wheel fitment research but you can find a set of 4 take offs in good shape for way less than new. ~$500 for a set of 4 aluminum winter rims with TPMS sensors is a steal in my book!

 

[lindsayt]

Does anybody know of a source for 16" steelies that can take TPM sensors? I've taken out not one but TWO factory 17" alloy wheels on potholes in Minneapolis; they were both repairable, but at $200 to repair I'd rather have steel wheels for winter use. Nobody seems to have them though...

 

[lindsayt]

*chirp chirp*

Is this thing on?

 

[twintrbo]

Since no one else said it, try the 3 forum. Someone has to have a set of 16's for sale.

 

[Heat]

You could get 16" steel wheels and not use TPMS during the winter, or go with 16" alloy wheels. The 16" alloys will run between $80 and $110, depending on what you get. The 16" alloy wheels will survive better because the tire will be wider, thus it would be that much harder to damage the rims.

Anyway, here are a couple of options:


This is what I put on, they are Drag DR-34 from Discount Tire ($106 each if I remember right).

Daan put these on his Mazda5, they are Sport Edition F-10 from Tire Rack:

 

[lindsayt]

Sweet, so am I to understand that the steel 16" wheels off base-model 2010 Mazda 3s would be a direct fit onto the 5? That would be ideal as they should be relatively cheap and could take the TPM sensors (I'd hate to have the light on for four months of the year). And if those don't work out, the Tire Rack's Sport Edition F10s look pretty good too; I like the inherent indestructibility of steel wheels for winter use, though.

 

[00bluees]

boy am i glad i only have a GS (touring for you US guys) no TPMS for me!! i hate those things.

personally, if anyone still wants an opinion, i run 16" alloy wheels. they are some 8 spoke advanti racing wheels i picked up for $250. i got stock size (for 16") 205/55/16 Nexen Winguard 231 tires from walmart for $400 tax in. i have run these tires on my old neon for 4 winters and my P5 for 3 going on 4 now. they are AWESOME despite being a cheap korean brand. awesome in the snow and even though very aggressive, quiet on the dry pavement which there has been plenty of the last few years. they have 13/32" tread new, and after 4 winters of 60km/day highway commuting with LOTS of dry days they still had 8/32" of tread left.

 

[twintrbo]

The 5 is basically a 3 with a minivan body on it so practically anything mechanical for the 3 should fit right on. Not sure if the steel wheel will accept the TPMS from the alloy wheel though. I think there is enough thread on there to seal it, but I cant say for certain. When I looked for my winter set, I searched craigslist for sizes that would work and then checked to see if the rim would fit. It seems that our fitment is fairly popular so you'll be able to interchange from different vehicles.

Like this: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...16-quot-Winter-Wheels-(or-summer)-for-Mazda-3

 

[was98strat]

The 5 is basically a 3 with a minivan body on it so practically anything mechanical for the 3 should fit right on. Not sure if the steel wheel will accept the TPMS from the alloy wheel though. I think there is enough thread on there to seal it, but I cant say for certain. When I looked for my winter set, I searched craigslist for sizes that would work and then checked to see if the rim would fit. It seems that our fitment is fairly popular so you'll be able to interchange from different vehicles.

Like this: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...16-quot-Winter-Wheels-(or-summer)-for-Mazda-3

this is true, except for the wheels!!! the Base Mazda3 has 15 inch wheels, this will not clear the barke caliper and rotors. If you're picking up Mazda3 wheels, they MUST bet at least 16inch wheels!!

 

[twintrbo]

We were not talking about 15" wheels but good to know. I did say Practically!

 

[DKaz]

this will not clear barke caliper

Will 16" clear these bark calipers?

or perhaps you meant this bark... at least it's got the right calipers.

 

[lindsayt]

So it looks like the base model Mazda 6 comes with 16" steelies, and they're the same bolt pattern. I assume the offset shouldn't be an issue, so I could use those too, right?

 

[Rockin03mp5]

should be just fine.

 

[Minty]

I'd appreciate any insight anyone can offer about winter tires for my 09 GT. So far I've figured out that I definitely want to get separate 16" rims, but I'm totally confused on exact tire size(width?), type(winter performance or studless snow/ice?) and brand (do I really need $150 tires or are $99 ones ok?). I'm in the Washington, DC area, so neither super cold nor super snowy, but I'm still on the stock tires and I'm a total car safety fanatic so I've decided I'd like to make the investment in a winter set. While I live in deepest suburbia, I also drive on a mile-long poorly maintained gravel road a couple times a week, if that makes a difference. I don't want to spend a mint, obviously, but I'd rather be very safe and not penny-wise, pound foolish. I've poked around tirerack.com a bunch but I'm more confused that ever.

thanks in advance for your thoughts!

We use set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-70 205/50/17 on our Mazda5. 6 inches of snow, ice, sleet and freezing rain past winter and it has been great with awesome traction. It was $150 per tire x 4 = $600 plus mounting, balancing and sales tax comes out about $700 at the local Firestone but well worth it IMHO. Driving on the winter road sucks but good set of snow tires sure does make a difference compared to set of regular four season tires.