Winter Wheels - 16s on a 3s

[ILoveMyMazda3GT]

Winter Tire Choices

I was thinking of buying (205/55-16) a set of one of the following:

1) Pirelli Winter Carvers "T" rated
2) Michelin X-Ice "Q" rated
3) Toyo Garit "H" rated.

Any comments? Anybody have the Pirellis on last year? Is the "q" rating pm the Michelins to low?

 

[mtheoro]

I was thinking of buying (205/55-16) a set of one of the following:

1) Pirelli Winter Carvers "T" rated
2) Michelin X-Ice "Q" rated
3) Toyo Garit "H" rated.

Any comments? Anybody have the Pirellis on last year? Is the "q" rating pm the Michelins to low?

I went for the X-Ice (best pricing I could find). If your driving is mostly city I don't think Q-rating should be a problem. They're ok for the highway as well, unless you plan to speed as a maniac. If you want better performance on dry (at the expense of slightly less on snow and ice) go for a H rated, like Blizzak L-25.

 

[ILoveMyMazda3GT]

Anyone try Viking SnowTech?

Hey guys, I've read on Canadian Consumer Reports that the "Viking SnowTech" is rated 2nd overall and it is "H" rated in the Mazda3 sizes!!

Its a mush cheaper tire to buy than the X-ICE (the only tire to beat it) at around $95.

To me, looking at all the ratings, it looks like the Viking (made my Continental) would be a better Tire all around for the GTA area, compared to the X-ICE. We get a lot of dry, just wet and then wet slush.

 

[MightyMouse]

To me, looking at all the ratings, it looks like the Viking (made my Continental) .

Now is it made by Continental, or is it a Continental brand tire? Big difference. All of Canadian Tire's tires are made by Goodyear and Michelin, but I still wouldn't put them on my car. Just becuause one company makes them does not mean it is made to the same standards as their own branded tires.

 

[ILoveMyMazda3GT]

Now is it made by Continental, or is it a Continental brand tire? Big difference. All of Canadian Tire's tires are made by Goodyear and Michelin, but I still wouldn't put them on my car. Just becuause one company makes them does not mean it is made to the same standards as their own branded tires.

But you can't deny the reviews by Canadian Consumer. We dont drive in a lot of snow in the GTA. A few days are bad but mostly a lot of dry or slush. I try to keep an open mind about brands and just look at the performance.

Look around on the web for them and you'll see what I mean.

 

[Mike835]

All of Canadian Tire's tires are made by Goodyear and Michelin, ....

That's interesting because I asked a local CTC tire counter guy who made the Nordic Ice Track tries and he answered that Michelin did - then I called another CTC and was told that a Uniroyal plant near Mexico made them ... So who really does make them? Right now the vote is 2 for Michelin; and one for Uniroyal. My answers came from the counter people. I expect your source may be more reliable.

 

[MightyMouse]

That's interesting because I asked a local CTC tire counter guy who made the Nordic Ice Track tries and he answered that Michelin did - then I called another CTC and was told that a Uniroyal plant near Mexico made them ... So who really does make them? Right now the vote is 2 for Michelin; and one for Uniroyal. My answers came from the counter people. I expect your source may be more reliable.

I used to work there a LONG time ago, and their manufacturers would change every once in a while. Sometimes you would see the exact same tire made by two different companies....it all depends on who bid the lowest price that month I guess.

 

[waltmcgee]

got my michelin pilot alpins on, they're great, got them filled with nitrogen as well for an extra $5/tire...figure its worth it....snow just started falling tonight, cant wait to see the difference!!

 

[MightyMouse]

Just put on the Blizzak REVO1's (205/55/16) Amazing tire. Great at high speed and cornering still too, exactly opposite of the WS-50's, and they are still the multicell compound. I have to keep reminding myself that I am not on the summer tires. Highly recommended, as long as you can get over the sticker shock on the price.....they ain't cheap. I paid about $800 Cdn for just the 4 tires (but I work at a dealer and get them near cost) I think they normally sell for about $230/ea Cdn.

 

[CZ-75]

Just becuause one company makes them does not mean it is made to the same standards as their own branded tires.

You can't get much worse than the OEM Michelins Honda insists on using and they actually say "MICHELIN" on them.

 

[Let_It_Ride]

My wife has the 2004 Mazda 3 Sport GS with the 16 alloy wheels and I am thinking about buying the Nordic Ice Track tires P205/55R16 along with the 16 steel rims In two years we want to buy the Mazda 5 GT model with the 17 alloy wheels, 205/50R17 all-season tires does anybody see an issue with using the Nordic Ice Track tires P205/55R16 along with the 16 steel rims that I am going to get for the Mazda 3.

 

[payne]

Thats the size that the Mazda dealerships are selling here for the M3 GT. So i dont think there will be a problem.

 

[waltmcgee]

My wife has the 2004 Mazda 3 Sport GS with the 16 alloy wheels and I am thinking about buying the Nordic Ice Track tires P205/55R16 along with the 16 steel rims In two years we want to buy the Mazda 5 GT model with the 17 alloy wheels, 205/50R17 all-season tires does anybody see an issue with using the Nordic Ice Track tires P205/55R16 along with the 16 steel rims that I am going to get for the Mazda 3.

You're actually supposed to drop a tire size, I have the 05 GT Sport with 17" rims, and this winter i have P205/55R16's on it right now. You're gonna be good to go my friend! (boom07)

 

[Let_It_Ride]

You're actually supposed to drop a tire size, I have the 05 GT Sport with 17" rims, and this winter i have P205/55R16's on it right now. You're gonna be good to go my friend! (boom07)

Thanks very much for your reply... I'm going to make the purchase this weekend.

 

[mmathias]

this might be a dumb question, but...is there any reason why I wouldn't just buy a set of 2 16" steels with winter tires and throw them on the front?

50% off what would be a $900 package sounds good to me!

 

[FTD]

I would like to get in to the mix too. I have already know which tire size I would like to run, I just need someone to confirm that the stock P5 wheels will not rub on the Mazda 3s 5 door and clear the brakes.
The stock p5 wheels I am interested in are 16x6 5x114.3 +50 offset, as opposed to the stock 3 wheels which are 17x6.5 5x114.3 +52.5 offset. Has anyone run these on the 3s? If so did clear the brakes and/or rub with 205/55-16's?

Thanks!

 

[FTD]

this might be a dumb question, but...is there any reason why I wouldn't just buy a set of 2 16" steels with winter tires and throw them on the front?

50% off what would be a $900 package sounds good to me!

Not a dumb question, but this would NOT be a good idea. The manufactures recommend that you run a complete set of their winter tires for good reason.

If you have ever run good winter tires you would know how much more grip they have on ice and snow. If you were to add that much grip to the front and have a lower grip level in the rear your car would be VERY tail happy. Snap oversteer waiting to happen. I had a friend that put his car into a ditch this way. He was running late for work, needed to swap to his winter tires and tried to get away with the fronts only. He is a very proficient driver and he couldn't keep it out of the ditch even though he was driving very slowly. It wasn't worth the tow truck bill!

It is clear cut if you run winter tires run them at all 4 corners.

 

[MightyMouse]

this might be a dumb question, but...is there any reason why I wouldn't just buy a set of 2 16" steels with winter tires and throw them on the front?

50% off what would be a $900 package sounds good to me!

Really bad idea. Lots of traction on the front, no traction on the rear. If you even think of lifting off the gas, or touch the brakes, and you are not going perfectly straight....see ya later, you are going around and around. You are bettter off (safety wise at least) just sticking with the four all seasons. This is why Costco will NOT install new tires on the front only, even in the summer.

 

[DetroitSP23]

I would like to get in to the mix too. I have already know which tire size I would like to run, I just need someone to confirm that the stock P5 wheels will not rub on the Mazda 3s 5 door and clear the brakes.
The stock p5 wheels I am interested in are 16x6 5x114.3 +50 offset, as opposed to the stock 3 wheels which are 17x6.5 5x114.3 +52.5 offset. Has anyone run these on the 3s? If so did clear the brakes and/or rub with 205/55-16's?

Thanks!

I've heard of others using P5 wheels on the 3. Tsunami says he got a set. I'm looking for a set too. If you look at the calculator on 1010tire.com, you'll see you gain clearance on both sides.

http://www.1010tire.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

 

[FTD]

I've heard of others using P5 wheels on the 3. Tsunami says he got a set. I'm looking for a set too. If you look at the calculator on 1010tire.com, you'll see you gain clearance on both sides.

http://www.1010tire.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

Thanks for the calculator. I am confident that the width and offset will work, but I have no way of knowing if the wheels will clear the larger brakes on the 3s. Does Tsunami have a 3s?

Thanks for the response!