samyv2

Hey Gang!!! I'm just wondering when people in the GTA, that drive in winter of course and putting on thier winter tires? I'm thinking about Novemeber the 1st.

heidi

The date may depend on the tire you are currently riding on. I have Bridgestone Potenza REO4O which become like hockey pucks at about 5 degrees centigrade, so I might change in about 10 days. I also live in the GTA.

DarkBrew

What are you using for winters?
I need to order some wheels and tires for winter but today the wet grip from the RE040s was excellent.

TLovr

i will drive it through winter, and am looking for winter tires and wheels

tlovr out:D

samyv2

I'm currently using Toyo Garit HT's for winter. They work great. However they suck in warm weather. So I will wait until the last minute to put them on.

Shamblerock

I would even wait till mid Nov or Dec1. I have Michelin Pilot Winters and they are great but I worry about the quick melting of the tire in dry/warm conditions.

Shamblerock

Here's a link to show you what I got. I am pretty sure they would honour the same deal again. Thisd might be a good reference for you. Be smart, shop early before they run out of rims like they did last year by late Oct.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...9&page=6&pp=15

heidi

I use Blizzak WS50's, which are excellent in the snow, but will dissolve quickly in the warm weather if driven hard.

Danielson

I do too, and heidi, you are 100% right, I love my tires in the snow and on ice too
but they melt very fast, I need 2 for the rear once again... :D
Not for this winter, I am putting my baby in storage this time around because
I am leaving the 25 Nov for 6 months tour again.

tee_rx8

Do we actually have to get new rims too? Or just change the winter tire? Wat brand of tire u think work well on icy road? Is it necessary to get 17" wheel? Can i just change winter tire for my rear wheels? Sorry for posting a lot of question but this is my first winter with the 8.

Shamblerock

1) Get new rims because a) they will wrought in the winter with the slt b) for the difference in price between 18" snow tires and 17", you might as well get 17" + rims for the same money

2) Top winter tires from Michelin, Blizack, etc... are all good it seems. Several threads on this issue. The main point between them is the speed rating. Blizzacks are very soft, grip well, but are not rated for high speed. Michelin Pilots are hi - speed rated and Pirelli are also so if you do go over 160KM's or so, you may want to lean toward a speed rated tire - Minimum H rated. Some are better than others so check in the research @ www.tirerack.com

3) 17" are better suited in the snow because there is more height between the rime and the roud which is gives you a bit moree grace in case you hit one of several pot holes in the city which may crack a rim.

4) NEVER PUT JUST REAR WINTER TIRES UNLESS YOU DON'T WANT TO LIVE LONG!!!! THAT IS THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO. GET 4 WINTERS ALL AROUND AND YOU ARE ASSURED OF BETTER GRIP IN STEERING AND BRAKING. tHE SUMMERS YOU HAVE NOW WILL BECOME HARD RUBBER AND HAVE ZERO TRACTION!!!!!

5) Take the $1500-2000 hit and buy a good quality snow tire and cheap metal/aluminum rims now and be safe, secure for about 4-5 years of winter driving. Or don't buy them or just 2 winters in the rear and throw out $40,000 when you total the 8 with you in it!!!!!!

Sorry about the abrupt response, but driving with 2 snows or no snows is suicide, no joke!!! Ask anyone who drove last winter, like myself.

Bite the bullet, and get a decent winter set up, you will realize that that was the best $1,750 you ever spent.

Shamblerock

Hey Dan, we'll miss ya at our meets. Let us know where you will be and regularly keep in touch with us here. Yes, seriously check out Athens and some of the greek islands as a vacation spot when you are in that part of the world during your 6 months.

The Chad

I also got the WS-50's last year....they were great. :D
I didn't know at first that they only had a Q-speed rating (up to 160 km).
I soon realized once I hit the 404 though!
Blizzak also has the LM-22 which has a higher speed rating.

I got a package at Dave Wood Mazda in Newmarket....the rims look pretty sweet :D

Lawyer's Spirit

One of our RX Club Committee guys puts together winter tire packages, I'll tell him to post something here or on our website.

gtarx8

can someone set up a group buy on winter tires with rims. i will go to green lane tires to get a quote.

Bio

I have the Blizzak LM25's on stock 18's (Bought aftermarket 19's for the summer so the 18's are relegated) and they have a V speed rating.... I don't think I'll have much of a chance to go over 240kph in the winter anyways so this should work fine

Considering these puppies are a little stickier in the snow and ice than the 22's they do tend to melt more in warm weather so I'll be waiting till last minute as well (Dec).

Found a pretty good deal for $1350 taxes-in if anyone's looking for rubber for the stock rims, PM me and I'll let you know where.

daddyg

I went with the same package that Shamblerock has last year, no complaints. They ride smooth and had good grip.

spd frk

I run Dunlop WinterSport M3's on some aftermarket 17's. This will be the first winter for them so I hope they hold up well.

RX4life

ahhhh.. the joys of driving all year round with the same rollers ....you gots to love Vancouver!!! :p