Yeah, me too...I'm holding out for at least one more week. I liked living in Southern California...never rained & I didn't even know there was such a thing as snow tires

 

middle of december for me.

 

I just got fresh snow tires on my winter beater, so I can't wait for it to snow [yeah you can hate on me!]

 

Pushing the switch off as long as possible. It will be winter # 4 for my M3s and the anything more than 3 months is asking too much. So I'll be working from home if we get any snow prior to December. I go to work ~ 9 am so I have the luxury of sun warmed roads. Dec 1 to Mar 1 is the plan.

 

anyone has suggestions on what winter tires i should get for a good cheap price??

 

Firestone Winterforce. I've got them on 17" rims with the studs. My 8 is unstoppable in the winter. It handles like he$$ but I commute 85 miles a day through the NE Ohio snowbelt. Got 'em from Tire Rack of course!

 

I live in Boise Idaho and JUST purchased my 8. It hasn't snowed yet... but when it does, I am anxious to see how it handles. We haven't gotten a TON of snow in the past few years (you could probably count on 1 hand the # of times the snow actually stayed over night in a season), however, this year is suppose to be a heavy year.

I guess I will find out in about one day if it is worth $500 to pick up another set of wheels with snow tires on them!

 

Don't wait to find out. If you have summer performance tires on her, you WILL be stranded when it snows. Take the advice of everyone on this and other forums and, if you want to drive her in the snow, get your wheels and snows NOW!!! If you don't, you WILL pay a price. Hopefully, you'll live to tell us the story.

 

forget snow - OEM tires become hockey pucks when it drops in temperature too. you'll definitely be stranded in snow but you could find yourself on the side of the road b/c you slid around a turn if you take a turn too agressively in cold weather. below 40 and you're starting to push the limits of them.

 

I switched over last weekend, so far there hasnt been any real inclimate weather other than a couple showers, I chose the Continental DWSs(Dry, Wet, Snow) and love them so far, no road noise at all like alot of the previous winter tires I had,,,

 

Ahhh! Guess I'll be looking into it! Lol. Thanks for the advice.

 

Yes!

Just watch this TireRack video. I know it's a Maserati with wider tires, but I kid you not, every single 8 (or other sports car) I've seen with summer tires is THAT BAD in the snow. And that much better with snow tires. Watch that video!

 

just wintered up the wrx...but i am actually looking for ward to driving this winter.

 

Yup, back in full winter mode again. OEM front bumper, winter wheels/tires, and OEM rubber floor mats.

 

That video shows less of a difference than I felt between my W rated summers on stock 18" and 215 wide WS60's on 17"s.

 

somebody wear winter tires on the OEM 18"?.
they will be fit with lowered car?

Im asking this question because my second set is OEM 18"

Maybe someone have used tires in good condition for sale (Hartford area)?

New 18 are expensive...

 

You don't want 18" snow tires, trust me. First the cost is almost twice the amount of 17s, and you will not get as good of traction that 17s will have mainly due to the wider tire.

 

I paid about $800 2 years ago for 17" rims plus WS-60's. I got the cheapest 17" alloys that the local place had available. It might not cost much more to get 17" rims + tires than getting 18" tires.

 

mounting 18" tires onto the rims you already have could be upwards of 150-200 dollars so factor that into cost.

 

sadly, thats all I got.... whoever owned this car before apparently put them on and drove all year round on them.

can't afford 1000+ to get another set of rim + summer tires. (but I want to sooo badly)

 

Bought some stock sized Michelin X-Ice Xi2. I've heard some good things about it and can't wait for winter.

 

Having extra rims for your winter tires also includes buying 4 extra TPMS. That has to factor into the overall cost. For me it makes more sense to use the same rims and pay for the change over. I pay $ 50.00 for mounting and balancing. That works out to $100.00 per year.

 

So you just store the tires..I never thought of that.

 

Nope, I don't have TPMS in any of my wheels. I just keep an eye on them like the "old days". In fact my sensors are in the garage.

I bought my winter wheels/tires used from a friend. $300 and in excellent condition. This is my 3rd winter with them. You can find many deals online. Like I said, 18s are not as safe and will cost more. Avg. $130 difference. Just my 10 years of experience talking.

 

You pay for remounting? Most places here will do the swaps for free if you bought the tires there.
The other problem with swapping the tires on the same rims is the bead of the tires can get damaged/worn and cause a slow leak. With a second set of rims, I change my tires myself, takes about an hour, rather than having to load up the car with tires, drive to the tire place, wait to have it done, etc.
Plus, narrow 17's are better than 18's for snow traction. I look forward to driving in the snow now.