Winter Tires

[GhostMercury]

So where is the cheapest place to get winter tires?

And what are you guys putting on the stockers, as far as winter tires?

 

[mrjoshyman]

I would advise against using the stockers, just b/c 18" winter tires can be pricey. Plus it's kind of a hassle to change your tires twice a season. What a lot of people do (me included) is get a dedicated set of winter wheels and tires, that way the swap is easier. Most people who do this opt for a set of 17" or 16" wheels. I personally found a great deal for a hardly used set of winter wheels/tires on craiglist. I'd recommend searching craigslist or eBay.

 

[GhostMercury]

I have an aftermarket set of wheels, so my stockers sit in my closet doing nothing. Tire rack has a deal going on snow tires+steel wheels for 580 but once shipping is added the price is like 700. So I dont know if its worth it

 

[mrjoshyman]

u should be able to find a set of winter wheels/tires that are lightly used online for around $500 or less -- its just a matter if you can find one thats local enough to you....I hada drive an hr and a half to pick them up, but i scored a deal on aftermarket wheels too, so it was worth it 4 me

 

[jjjxlr8]

Discount Tire has a great deal on the MB Gear 17"x7" alloy wheels. I just bought a set (including Gorilla lug wheel install kit $45) for $372 shipped to my door in 2 days.

 

[GhostMercury]

Yea but I need winter TIRES not winter wheels. Im trying to decide where I can find the cheapest place to buy winter tires to mount on my stock rims. OR, Im also considering whether or not I should just buy the 16 inch steelies, and winter tires from tirerack but pay shipping charges. (Atleast $110)

 

[opt_ms3]

I'm going to be buying a set of Blizzak LM-22s for my other set of stock wheels. My gf's dad has a whole sale account at tirerack so 192/tire x 4= 768 - 153 = 615 + shipping ($53 quoted from their website, yeah sounds cheap, im slightly skeptical) =$688. Sounds like a lot, but quality snow tires that still handle well on the cold street, keeping the sexy stock wheels, which can get me to the mountain safely so I can hit that foot of fresh powder= worth it

 

[mrjoshyman]

so you can get a set of brand new winter tires shipped w/ a discount for $688 -- not cheap. I have a set of 17" blizzaks on my winter wheels, and got the wheels/tires for less than that. Craigslist ftw -- 18" tires are just too damn expensive imo

 

[GhostMercury]

yes 18" winter tires are deff. over priced

 

[robin2660]

Yea but I need winter TIRES not winter wheels. Im trying to decide where I can find the cheapest place to buy winter tires to mount on my stock rims. OR, Im also considering whether or not I should just buy the 16 inch steelies, and winter tires from tirerack but pay shipping charges. (Atleast $110)

Pick out a winter tire you like. Price it in our stock size. Now price it in an alternative 16 or 17" and you'll find you will pay the same or less WITH smaller wheels/tires. It doesn't make sense to buy 18" winters unless you must have the look of the stock wheels.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

Every one keeps mentioning "16 or 17". As far as I have been told, 16" will not fit our MS3.

You can shop for performance winter tires or studless, all-out winter tires. I ran a set of Blizzak WS-50 on my old car for 2 winters and loved the snow and ice performance. You could just drive through icy neighborhood streets like nothing was wrong. Dry performance was not great and whether wet or dry, I could mash the gas and spin like crazy so it killed any straight line power. I'm tempted to try a set of "performance" winter tread this year out of curiosity as to how much handling I can retain through the winter months.

FWIW, these will still be better than just running a set of all-seasons. Even if winters arnt as heavy in your area, its still cold and still unpredictable.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Yea but I need winter TIRES not winter wheels. Im trying to decide where I can find the cheapest place to buy winter tires to mount on my stock rims. OR, Im also considering whether or not I should just buy the 16 inch steelies, and winter tires from tirerack but pay shipping charges. (Atleast $110)

Who is finding 16" that fit over our front brake? I thought Subies were the only ones that could get a 16 to fit. We have to have 17's to fit over that caliper...

 

[Byrnie]

I live in the DC area, do you think I'll be ok using the stock tires when i get my mazdaspeed 3?

 

[GhostMercury]

tirerack says 16s will fit

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Hmm... I have heard they dont. Try them.

Your stock tires are not designed to work in temps below 36 degrees. If the DC area gets that cold then you are not safe. Trust me, these stock tires do not work in snow,ice or cold temps. They will propel you but they will not stop you.

 

[Byrnie]

Hmm... I have heard they dont. Try them.

Your stock tires are not designed to work in temps below 36 degrees. If the DC area gets that cold then you are not safe. Trust me, these stock tires do not work in snow,ice or cold temps. They will propel you but they will not stop you.

Yea i figured as much, but at the same time it doesn't snow that often here and for very small amounts at a time (an inch or two).

 

[GhostMercury]

a flake on the road will send you into a ditch with the stock tires. They are HORRIBLE. But you can do whatever you like. But come on guys where can I pick up snow tires for the cheapest

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

Not exagerating anything. I drove in two storms with the stockers here in Michigan. It wasnt the worst I have had to live with but it wasnt good. Tire rack, Discount tire, Belle... Whatever local shop or even the dealership if you need to price them. Some people are going with all season, some people are going with full winter. I run YK520's on my stockers and love them. I dont sacrafice ALL the performance like a full snow/ice tire would but they do ok in the snow/ice. If you are not going to see but a couple inches here or there of snow/ice if at all then dont worry about it...

 

[jjjxlr8]

a flake on the road will send you into a ditch with the stock tires. They are HORRIBLE. But you can do whatever you like. But come on guys where can I pick up snow tires for the cheapest

Get some inexpensive 17" alloy wheels (see my previous post), and check with your local Cooper Tire dealership for a set of 215/50R17 Weathermaster S/T 2 winter tires.

 

[Olestra]

When condering the worth of getting a winter tire + wheel package vs getting winter tires and mounting on stockers, remember that if you get the 18" tires, you still have to pay someone to put them on the stock wheels.
The tire+wheel package will come all mounted and balanced, ready for use.

I would do the 17" tire+wheel package and save the stockers for a later date. They'll uphold the resale value of your car or you may decide to go back to them.