vectorwolf

17" Kazera KZ-s wheels, Dunlop Wintersport M3 tires. Already feels 110% better than the stock Dunlop/Bridgestones. Smoother, quieter ride, snappy handling, great tires. They don't even feel like snow tires; no "mushy" sensation at ALL. If not for the fact that they'd probably wear out in a hearbeat, I'd keep something like this on year round. Piccies:

dmp

I'm sorta glad we don't need snow tires up in this neck of the woods...not that your car doesn't look great - it's just nice to not have to spend extra $ on that sorta thing.

vectorwolf

I'd feel the same way... But, I'm considering moving to the Great Northwest in the next year or two, so I probably won't need them myself before long.

dmp

If ya get out this way, holler! :D

vectorwolf

lol, definitely.

wisconsinben

hey vector...did you buy those as a set...and from where?

Punksux

I got the same exact setup. I ordered them from tirerack and depending on shipping cost ~$1200. I havent had the chance of mounting them, but im glad to hear a good feedback with the same setup.

Also not a bad looking rim for the price.

Punksux

Did you put in those black spacer plugs that the rims came with? Cant really tell if you did in the picture.

vectorwolf

Ben, I did the same as Punksux. Tirerack.com EXCELLENT service, mounting/balancing is free, and shipping is fast. Just a hair under $1,200.00 total. I'm eager to put some more miles on them, but I don't wanna wear them out too fast. lol. So far, though, I'm beyond happy with 'em. We've had some sporadic flurries today, so I'll probably have the chance soon to see if they really live up to they hype (and with that tread pattern, I don't see why they wouldn't...).

If you need any help just let me know, I'll try and dig up some links for ya!

Punksux: I'm not sure about the spacer plugs. The dealer took care of the entire install for me. I do see some black plastic things in the packaging that might be what you're talking about?

wisconsinben

Thanks, vector. I know tirerack is a great source...I'm looking to do it for less $$$ than what they can do. I was just curious.

ECHO1

one of the better looking winter combos

vectorwolf

Thanks, guys!

lol... sounds like you've really had some luck lately, eh? This is the first time I've had a "performance" snow tire (which is leagues ahead of the cheap ones I used to throw on my Miata). If the Blizzaks are anything like these, I'm sure you'll be very happy with them. As for the wheel, it was just the right combination of style and price for me. A few other decent designs were in my price range, but these just really looked the most attractive on the car (to me, anyways). Clearance sales are great.

Astral

The only argument for a different number of spokes is how easy it will be to clean the snow from the rims. Rims with fewer spokes and fewer crevices will be easier to get snow out of. So the fewer spokes the better for winter, IMO (I wouldn't go less than 5 for appearance reasons though).

vectorwolf

^Hmm... good point. Will probably be a pain getting snow and other crud out of the wheels. Guess I'll just have to deal with that as it comes.

And I don't think there as any reason beyond appearance to have more or fewer spokes. Some cars look good with more (Volkswagen Jetta), some with fewer (8's). Width on the other hand, if it's properly made, could affect weight? I just based my wheel purchase, as I did the purchase of the car itself, solely on the fact that they look darn spiffy.

Astral

i don't think you'll have much trouble with your kazeras, partially because your spokes are flat and close together enough that it might as well be a 5-spoke.

my roommate's impreza wrx sti's wheels are probably some of the worst: 10 tightly/evenly spaced spokes that crest in a little in the middle. it's a royal pita to get snow out of.

btw, i got dunlop m3s too. that winter tire tread looks great.

Punksux

vector, yeah those are the black spacers i was talking about. I got them in the package and not exactly sure if i will but them on or not.

vectorwolf

What are the spacers for exactly?

And Astral, have you actually taken these tires through any snow before?

Punksux

I just got my wheels installed today. The installer basically just put the spacers inside the wells that did not have any lugs in them. I will post a pic as soon as I can to show you.

Also, for some odd reason my TPMS light has not come on yet. The reason why its strange is i did not by any sensors for the new rims.

Astral

No, I haven't gone on any snow yet in the M3s (or in the RX8 at all).

However, a friend of mine really liked the M3s on his E-Class Mercedes Benz, and I heard lots of good things about them.

I'm sure they will do great.

vectorwolf

My sensor was the same. Didn't come on until a few hours later... Now, the little $*&%$*$% light keeps flashing. Just put a bit of black electrical tape over it.

Astral

Does the warning beep at you, or just flashes?

vectorwolf

Haven't heard a beep (but then again I'm hearing impaired... usually don't notice high-pitched beeps and such).

downshift

I got a similar setup as well: Kazera KZ-? wheels and M3 tires. The black plugs are for the holes around the center caps. These wheels, I guess, are compatible with different bolt patterns and you'll have extra mounting holes on them that you can fill with those plugs.

I've gone through a winter with these tires and they're quite good. I've only got stuck once, and that was in the middle of a mall parking lot with packed snow up to 1" of the door sill. At that time, there was another Prelude with LM-22s on with the same problem. I find that straightline traction is pretty good, but lateral traction may be weak (especially on off-camber turns), however that might be the same trait as other tires since these are my first winter tires ever.