The Winter Tire thread- all winter tire questions go here !!!

[Randall_DZM]

Luke couldn't figure out the referral thing but here's my order #: H132873

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[WRXinpa]

Originally Posted by SenorDucK

Mounted my winters(Altimax Arctic 205/60/16) on some used steel rims I got from a guy(craigslist) who had used them on his Saab. I called up tire vendors trying to find if these wheels would fit 100 percent by the number inside of the rim, I managed to find two different offsets for steel wheels that would fit the wrx. This wheel was said to be +41 offset, fwiw.

A few pictures, just for kicks. Sadly just a point and shoot Canon

How are you liking those General tires? How do they feel when accelerating?

[SubLGT]

Originally Posted by intense98rt

Yes, dry pavement traction is top priority. How does the dunlop 3d compare to the hankook i*cept evo?

The only direct comparison of the two that I remember seeing is a 2010 test in CR, where they tested 225/40-18 V rated tires. They were rated equals in dry braking, wet braking, and hydroplaning resistance. The Evo was slightly better on ice, the 3D slightly better on snow. In handling (wet and dry skid pad, steering feel, avoidance maneuver) the Evo was rated slightly better. And also rated slightly better in ride. They were rated equal in noise and and rolling resistance.

[Breezio]

Got my first winter tires mounted up.

Michelin X-Ice Xi2, 225/45R17
I was going back and forth between these and some performance ones like the LM-60's. But in the end they just cost too much more and the X-Ice's have great reviews for dry/wet conditions. Part of the reason I went with the 225/45 instead of like a 205/50 was to have the shorter (and stiffer) sidewall to hopefully make up for them not being a 'performance snow'. And so far, I'm very pleased, they have handled and felt great on the dry and wet roads I've been cruising around on so far. I noticed in a tire shop that the taller sidewall versions only have a 1-ply sidewall and it's very flimsy, but the 225/45's I got have a 2-ply sidewall and it seems a lot stiffer. My summer tires are Conti Extreme DW's 235/40R18 and these snows still feel good comming from those.

Dirty car, ehh it's winter.

[krzyss]

225/45 and 205/50 have almost identical sidewall, AFAIK.

Krzys

[sc00by4life]

Softer sidewalls are preferable for winters/snows.

[PlasticFoamMan]

Got a new one that I can't quite find the answer to (mainly because I don't have my car here to take measurements).

This fall/winter I'm looking to ditch my puny 205/60/15 Winterforces for 215/75/15 General AT2s. I'll be sipeing, etc blah blah, but on to the interesting part:

To my knowledge I will have enough strut clearance (lifted 3" with SG forester struts), but I'm trying to figure out if its possible that I will clear the fore/aft of the fenders. I know foresters can do it.. but a 2002 WRX? I don't know if there is any disparity between the physical width of the wheel arches. I assume they will since a 27" width DOES clear.

Any experience/measurements/guesstimates appreciated!

[sc00by4life]

Originally Posted by PlasticFoamMan

Got a new one that I can't quite find the answer to (mainly because I don't have my car here to take measurements).

This fall/winter I'm looking to ditch my puny 205/60/15 Winterforces for 215/75/15 General AT2s. I'll be sipeing, etc blah blah, but on to the interesting part:

To my knowledge I will have enough strut clearance (lifted 3" with SG forester struts), but I'm trying to figure out if its possible that I will clear the fore/aft of the fenders. I know foresters can do it.. but a 2002 WRX? I don't know if there is any disparity between the physical width of the wheel arches. I assume they will since a 27" width DOES clear.

Any experience/measurements/guesstimates appreciated!

the problem is mostly the rear. You'll need to remove the sideskirts and the rear end "cap" underneath them. You'll definitely have vertical clearance with the spring perch if you are using forester struts.

I'm running a similar size (225/70/15), with a hair shorter OD. I had to use spacers in the rear to clear the struts with 15x7 +43 Braid TA Safaris.

[SenorDucK]

Originally Posted by WRXinpa

How are you liking those General tires? How do they feel when accelerating?

They feel pretty normal when accelerating. Honestly for normal easy driving they're just fine, once you get to higher speeds and give some moderate steering input you can really feel the difference. They definitely feel less responsive or tight... but not very bad at all. This is only obvious at higher speeds and say making a lane change, etc. I didn't buy them for road racing

So far, I like. Haven't tested them in adverse weather yet though.

[Ghostwhite]

I also have General Altimax artic 225/45/17 on my 12 Sti and they have been awesome here in North Dakota. First full season with the car so no direct comparison to other brands but I am almost a little disappointed that they don't slide a little more as I like to get loose in certain situations in the winter.

[PlasticFoamMan]

Originally Posted by sc00by4life

the problem is mostly the rear. You'll need to remove the sideskirts and the rear end "cap" underneath them. You'll definitely have vertical clearance with the spring perch if you are using forester struts.

I'm running a similar size (225/70/15), with a hair shorter OD. I had to use spacers in the rear to clear the struts with 15x7 +43 Braid TA Safaris.

I actually haven't put the stock skirts back on since I removed my summer gear, so that's a plus. It "looks" like they'll fit based on pictures I've poured over. I'd really rather not go smaller if possible so I can do some rock crawling on the wussy NE jeep trails around here.

I guess I'll just loose the rear bumper for the season too if I have to

[Breezio]

Originally Posted by krzyss

225/45 and 205/50 have almost identical sidewall, AFAIK.

Krzys

Yep, sorry, minor brain fart. Negligable difference, though I did notice that the narrower tires with a higher 'series' did have the softer sidewalls and only 1-ply. But that was on 16" tires, I didn't get a chance to handle any of the other 17"s.

Originally Posted by sc00by4life

Softer sidewalls are preferable for winters/snows.

For snow and ice traction, you betcha! Not so much for dry/wet.
The reason I'm talking about it and was cautious about the whole thing is that some vehicles that come with Z-rated tires don't behave well when you put a very soft sidewalled tire on them.

Anyway, so far these Michelins feel great.

[Ronen91]

So I got sick of looking for a good price for a winter set for my '13 STi base Sedan.

I finally came to terms with having a UHP all-season, and my stock dunlop 500's (don't know why the didn't come with 600's)

I've narrowed it down to two choices

-General G-MAX AS-03 $121.00 per tire @ 235/45-17
-Kumho Ecsta 4X $117.00 per tire @ 235/45-17

I am soon to be purchasing a set of '05-'07 Gold BBS 17x8 5x114.3 Offset: +53 (OEM-equipped tire size: 225/45R17) for these tires.

What I want to know is what is the smallest yet reasonable size tire I can get away with? Also, I live in Chicago. We get some nasty slush. Which tire would I benefit more from?

-Ronen91

[xluben]

Originally Posted by SenorDucK

They feel pretty normal when accelerating. Honestly for normal easy driving they're just fine, once you get to higher speeds and give some moderate steering input you can really feel the difference. They definitely feel less responsive or tight... but not very bad at all. This is only obvious at higher speeds and say making a lane change, etc. I didn't buy them for road racing

So far, I like. Haven't tested them in adverse weather yet though.

I agree. They feel fine for normal driving, but they're a bit soft for any spirited. I can get the traction control to light up when rolling into 3rd gear on dry pavement, but I have close to 500WTQ. FFS'ing into 4th feels a little iffy due to the slippage (but you really shouldn't be taking them up into those speeds anyways). As long as you're just driving around, then they feel fine. They're not a performance tire though. They do great in the snow.

[adcecil]

I slapped on a set of motegi mr118 18x8 45mm offset 5-114 with blizzac lm60's 245/40r18 on my 2013 sti this weekend.
Looking forward to some snow. But now in NE Indiana it is in the 50's...Figures....

[von Wachtstain]

I switched back to all seasons ha I will feel sorry if we get surprise snow

[dcorn]

Picked up a set of Hankook Icebear W300s for $220 on craigslist. They look brand new. Saved me a few hundo from buying new tires. Now I'm debating putting them on my stock wheels or paying $400 for a set of '04 STI wheels and selling the stockers...

[Buzz545]

year: 2010
make: Subaru
model: Impreza WRX STi Limited Edition
location: Central Kentucky
tires only or winter package: Winter Package

Please respond asap!!

[Digital Dillon]

Originally Posted by dcorn

Picked up a set of Hankook Icebear W300s for $220 on craigslist. They look brand new. Saved me a few hundo from buying new tires. Now I'm debating putting them on my stock wheels or paying $400 for a set of '04 STI wheels and selling the stockers...

$400 for 2004 BBS wheels? Where?!

[PlasticFoamMan]

^ I'd say if those wheels aren't broken, go on your car, and roll you are debating way too much about purchasing them. That's like paying 100 dollars for 200 dollars

[glepko]

Originally Posted by Breezio

Anyway, so far these Michelins feel great.

great tire, just wait until you get to drive in some ice - you'll appreciate why the word is a part of the name >

[newbie62]

What tire would you suggest for me, I live in West side of Washington, I don't wanna have to have 2 sets of tires so what's a good all year round tire with good performance all around for me?

[LL247]

Originally Posted by PlasticFoamMan

That's like paying 100 dollars for 200 dollars

Never heard that before I love it

I'm a 1 week noob to my '13 WRX and have realized winter tires are a must. I found a decent set of General Altimax Artic 235/45/17 tires for a good price, only 1000 miles on them for $300. I thought that was a good deal, any other opinions on it?

I appreciate any info from anyone that chimes in.

[Breezio]

Originally Posted by newbie62

What tire would you suggest for me, I live in West side of Washington, I don't wanna have to have 2 sets of tires so what's a good all year round tire with good performance all around for me?

I was running a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus' before my current summer/winter combo. They seemed pretty decent to me, but they didn't last the 45K miles they are supposed to, I wore out the inside and outside shoulders in around 35K miles. Perhaps I drive a little too 'spirited'

[newbie62]

What are your new ones, and are they better then the others, because I may also drive pretty spirited. Ha.