Is this a decent winter tire solution for sedan?

[dholly]

Man, screw this. Can't find a decent hard compound winter tire in 215/55-17 or 225/55-17 online. Plus, by the time you ship and then mount + balance at home, it isn't worth it. And, putting 215/55-17 Nokian WRs on the stock 17" is gonna run $810, best price locally. No doubt about it, I can get (4) 16" alloys with good, but less expensive, tires (read, not so quiet) for that price. At least then I can keep the OEM 17" for dedicated autoX. Jezuss, THREE sets of wheels/tires! Where the hell do you put them all? She's gonna kill me.

Posting this around in search of constructive criticism. I'm leaning towards these S-rated Winterforce M+S 215/60-16 for $52 each online, plus some Dynomat for the trunk with the savings.

[image]http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/firestone/fs_winterforce_ci2_l.jpg[/image]

These are the cheapo alloy wheel options from the same place for a pre-mounted/balanced tire/wheel pkg. Got a preference, or a better idea? I have to pull the trigger this week.

ASA LS5 (Bright Satin Silver) $139 [image]http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheels/asa/swap/asa_ls5_ci3_s.jpg[/image]

Kazera KZ-V (Silver w/ Machined lip) $119 [image]http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheels/kazera/swap/kazera_kzv_ci3_s.jpg[/image]

Kazera KZ-V (Light Grey Painted) $124 [image]http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheels/kazera/swap/kazera_kz_v_cg_ci3_s.jpg[/image]

Sport Edition Fox 2 (Silver Painted) $119 [image]http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheels/sportedition/swap/se_fox_2_ci3_s.jpg[/image]

Sport Edition Fox 2 (Light Grey Painted) $119 [image]http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheels/sportedition/swap/se_fox_2_grey_ci3_s.jpg[/image]

Sport Edition Fox 5 (Silver Painted) $110 [image]http://www.tirerack.com/images/wheels/sportedition/swap/se_fox_5_ci3_s.jpg[/image]


So, what do you think? TIA for input.


2004 | 6MTs | Diamond Graphite/Graphite
Upstate NY

[Boston6MT]

That's some cheap tires/wheels!

Do you drive a sedan or Coupe? Of the wheels listed, tire rack only considers the Fox 5 17" wheel to be one that will clear the brembos on the 6MT Coupe.

Can you let me know the website you went to for wheels/tires, as I have the same wheels backordered from tirerack for $25 more each, as well as ludicrous priced Pirelli snowsport tires. Are the tires you mentioned all seasons, winter only,...?

Good luck!

...Bruce

[dholly]

Sedan here. Those were Tire Rack prices in Oct. '03 for 16x7 size wheels. I ultimately did not go with wheels or tires from TireRack. The Winterforce M+S were a little too soft and only 80mph rated. And I heard from Fox Sport Edition ownters that the finish was only good for a couple of years, best.

Instead, I bot (4) Konig Passport Opal 16x7 and (4) Hankook W401 winter tires from www.DiscountTireDirect.com. They are hard compound and 90mph rated. The whole setup, including RoadForce Balancing, chrome valve stems and lugs, was under US$700 shipped. They have proved themselves worthy. See this thread

2004 | 6MTs | Diamond Graphite/Graphite
Upstate NY