Winter Tires
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 405
Likes: 48
From: Loudoun County VA
Winter Tires
Thanks in advance for responses;
I've gone through this with TireRack a couple times now, read though what threads I could find, could still use some help. TireRack both times said they'd do their best and get back to me, both times did not.
My '12 Grand Sport has 320/30/19's on the rear, 275/35/18's on the front. I have no problem getting an extra set of wheels for the application.
The application is "NON INCLEMENT" winter driving, no ice, sleet, snow, freezing rain, slush, anything whatever. Dry pavement, cold conditions. I'm happy to surf through all the options myself. The problem is I don't understand enough about the wheels to do my own homework yet. I need a set of rear wheels that will accommodate a slimmer tire, provide clearance for the calipers, offset?
Any help getting enough specifics to understand is appreciated. If I just understood how to shop the wheels, I could match the tires.
Again, thanks in advance.
I've gone through this with TireRack a couple times now, read though what threads I could find, could still use some help. TireRack both times said they'd do their best and get back to me, both times did not.
My '12 Grand Sport has 320/30/19's on the rear, 275/35/18's on the front. I have no problem getting an extra set of wheels for the application.
The application is "NON INCLEMENT" winter driving, no ice, sleet, snow, freezing rain, slush, anything whatever. Dry pavement, cold conditions. I'm happy to surf through all the options myself. The problem is I don't understand enough about the wheels to do my own homework yet. I need a set of rear wheels that will accommodate a slimmer tire, provide clearance for the calipers, offset?
Any help getting enough specifics to understand is appreciated. If I just understood how to shop the wheels, I could match the tires.
Again, thanks in advance.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Thanks in advance for responses;
I've gone through this with TireRack a couple times now, read though what threads I could find, could still use some help. TireRack both times said they'd do their best and get back to me, both times did not.
My '12 Grand Sport has 320/30/19's on the rear, 275/35/18's on the front. I have no problem getting an extra set of wheels for the application.
The application is "NON INCLEMENT" winter driving, no ice, sleet, snow, freezing rain, slush, anything whatever. Dry pavement, cold conditions. I'm happy to surf through all the options myself. The problem is I don't understand enough about the wheels to do my own homework yet. I need a set of rear wheels that will accommodate a slimmer tire, provide clearance for the calipers, offset?
Any help getting enough specifics to understand is appreciated. If I just understood how to shop the wheels, I could match the tires.
Again, thanks in advance.
I've gone through this with TireRack a couple times now, read though what threads I could find, could still use some help. TireRack both times said they'd do their best and get back to me, both times did not.
My '12 Grand Sport has 320/30/19's on the rear, 275/35/18's on the front. I have no problem getting an extra set of wheels for the application.
The application is "NON INCLEMENT" winter driving, no ice, sleet, snow, freezing rain, slush, anything whatever. Dry pavement, cold conditions. I'm happy to surf through all the options myself. The problem is I don't understand enough about the wheels to do my own homework yet. I need a set of rear wheels that will accommodate a slimmer tire, provide clearance for the calipers, offset?
Any help getting enough specifics to understand is appreciated. If I just understood how to shop the wheels, I could match the tires.
Again, thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 405
Likes: 48
From: Loudoun County VA
Im going to save you some time, and give you your only options. I have spent the past 2 weeks on this. The rear tire size on the GS allows only for a very few options. For dry pavement in cold weather, even with rain, your best options are A) Michelin PS2 ZP Run Flats B) Michelin Super Sport Non Run Flat C) Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position Run Flats D) Nitti Invos ....... Those are really the top 4 to pick from, and what every single forum member on here is running on their GS! The rest is up to you to research and find what is best for your needs. The Michelin Pilot Super Sports a non runflat and offer the best tread wear, and are also the most pliable making them contour the road in cold weather better than a run flat. The Bridgestones are very noisy. The Michelin PS2 ZP are expensive and the Nitto Invo are a great bang for your buck! Hope this helps a little. Personally, I am narrowed down to the Michelin Pilot Super Sports and the Bridgestone Potenza (the Bridgestone only because I will be driving in a lot of rain and I hear they are the closest to a all season I can get)
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Changing the width/height etc of the rear wheel will throw off the handling of the the car; not just physically, but also all the electronics in the vehicle that are there to aid the driver (i.e.. traction controls and your different driver modes through your Information Centre)...... Basically, you need to stay with the OEM tire size and run the same tire brand/model all the way around the car.... anything different and you risk losing the integrity of the vehicle and its handling. The 4 tires I listed are all excellent tires and will give you exactly what you need in terms of the environment you have mentioned you will drive the car in!
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Changing the width/height etc of the rear wheel will throw off the handling of the the car; not just physically, but also all the electronics in the vehicle that are there to aid the driver (i.e.. traction controls and your different driver modes through your Information Centre)...... Basically, you need to stay with the OEM tire size and run the same tire brand/model all the way around the car.... anything different and you risk losing the integrity of the vehicle and its handling. The 4 tires I listed are all excellent tires and will give you exactly what you need in terms of the environment you have mentioned you will drive the car in!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 18
From: Dayton Ohio
Let me help here......
Get the Michelin super sports, drive the car and be happy. You are really over thinking this.
I have the super sports on my Grand Sport and they are very good. We are just starting to get into cold weather here in Ohio and they are fine. My car is a daily driving warrior and will see winter weather because I feel these tires will be fine and I have confidence in my car.
You will just have to understand how to drive the car in the less than ideal conditions.
Matt
Get the Michelin super sports, drive the car and be happy. You are really over thinking this.
I have the super sports on my Grand Sport and they are very good. We are just starting to get into cold weather here in Ohio and they are fine. My car is a daily driving warrior and will see winter weather because I feel these tires will be fine and I have confidence in my car.
You will just have to understand how to drive the car in the less than ideal conditions.
Matt
Last edited by quickcat; Oct 7, 2012 at 11:45 PM. Reason: More gooder grammar
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Let me help here......
Get the Michelin super sports, drive the car and be happy. You are really over thinking this.
I have the super sports on my Grand Sport and they are very good. We are just starting to get into cold weather here in Ohio and they are fine. My car is a daily driving warrior and will see winter weather because I feel these tires will be fine and I have confidence in my car.
You will just have to understand how to drive the car in the less than ideal conditions.
Matt
Get the Michelin super sports, drive the car and be happy. You are really over thinking this.
I have the super sports on my Grand Sport and they are very good. We are just starting to get into cold weather here in Ohio and they are fine. My car is a daily driving warrior and will see winter weather because I feel these tires will be fine and I have confidence in my car.
You will just have to understand how to drive the car in the less than ideal conditions.
Matt
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 0
From: La Quinta CA
Continental ExtremeContact DWS
Tire Rack Link: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....emeContact+DWS
Tire Rack Link: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....emeContact+DWS
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Continental ExtremeContact DWS
Tire Rack Link: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....emeContact+DWS
Tire Rack Link: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....emeContact+DWS
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 405
Likes: 48
From: Loudoun County VA
Let me help here......
Get the Michelin super sports, drive the car and be happy. You are really over thinking this.
I have the super sports on my Grand Sport and they are very good. We are just starting to get into cold weather here in Ohio and they are fine. My car is a daily driving warrior and will see winter weather because I feel these tires will be fine and I have confidence in my car.
You will just have to understand how to drive the car in the less than ideal conditions.
Matt
Get the Michelin super sports, drive the car and be happy. You are really over thinking this.
I have the super sports on my Grand Sport and they are very good. We are just starting to get into cold weather here in Ohio and they are fine. My car is a daily driving warrior and will see winter weather because I feel these tires will be fine and I have confidence in my car.
You will just have to understand how to drive the car in the less than ideal conditions.
Matt
Since the super sports are good summer tires as well, I may just take it easy, easier than planned even, and just stay on the Goodyear's until they're toast and go with the Michelins year round once it's time for a change. Doesn't seem to be much of a case to make for an entirely different set of wheels/tires and all the space they'll take. I'll either do this or sell the goodyears on craigslist.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,503
Likes: 1,818
From: Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '17,'22 thru '26
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 405
Likes: 48
From: Loudoun County VA
Thanks, man. I not going with a run flat when the OEM tires go. Really unnecessary around Northern Virginia. I've had one flat in 30 years and it was near a boat dock in Annapolis.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
I'm running the Bridgestone RE050A run flats. Haven't driven them at under freezing temps but they are so much better then the OE Goodyears at 40 degrees(coldest that I have driven them) while driving 80 MPH in a pretty heavy rain.
Check the prices of the Bridgestone run flats compared to other brands of non run flat tires. In the GS/Z06 sizes, there is only one other brand(Michelin)that offers a non run flat tire(Super Sport) that I would consider driving in cold weather, and it costs more then the Bridgestone run flat.
Check the prices of the Bridgestone run flats compared to other brands of non run flat tires. In the GS/Z06 sizes, there is only one other brand(Michelin)that offers a non run flat tire(Super Sport) that I would consider driving in cold weather, and it costs more then the Bridgestone run flat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,726
Likes: 46
From: Waukesha WI
St. Jude Donor '15
I ran my Invos in stock Z06 sizes last winter here in southern WI. I avoided days with snow/ice but saw plenty of sub-freezing temps. They did fine but traction limits were obviously reduced so some extra care with the throttle was needed. I also ran the original GYs in similar conditions with similar results.
As long as snow and ice are out of the picture, I wouldn't worry about it.
As long as snow and ice are out of the picture, I wouldn't worry about it.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 26,745
Likes: 694
From: PA
Changing the width/height etc of the rear wheel will throw off the handling of the the car; not just physically, but also all the electronics in the vehicle that are there to aid the driver (i.e.. traction controls and your different driver modes through your Information Centre)...... Basically, you need to stay with the OEM tire size and run the same tire brand/model all the way around the car.... anything different and you risk losing the integrity of the vehicle and its handling. The 4 tires I listed are all excellent tires and will give you exactly what you need in terms of the environment you have mentioned you will drive the car in!
The car will not be off at all though as far as the nannies or the speedo is concerned if you go with a tire similar to the stock tire height. You can be off a little and it wont matter. The same size tire from one manufacturer to another can have some pretty decent swings. However, measure a tire that is new vs. one that is shot. There is a lot of difference between the tire height at new old junk and that doesnt throw off the speedo.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
Yes, it will throw off the handling but in winter with cold conditions with possible snow and freezing rain I highly doubt he gives a hoot about how many G's he can get in a corner.
The car will not be off at all though as far as the nannies or the speedo is concerned if you go with a tire similar to the stock tire height. You can be off a little and it wont matter. The same size tire from one manufacturer to another can have some pretty decent swings. However, measure a tire that is new vs. one that is shot. There is a lot of difference between the tire height at new old junk and that doesnt throw off the speedo.
The car will not be off at all though as far as the nannies or the speedo is concerned if you go with a tire similar to the stock tire height. You can be off a little and it wont matter. The same size tire from one manufacturer to another can have some pretty decent swings. However, measure a tire that is new vs. one that is shot. There is a lot of difference between the tire height at new old junk and that doesnt throw off the speedo.
If you read the original post, you would know he is never going to drive in snow, sleet, hail, slush or any thing else like that.... Dry pavement with cooler conditions will be the worst of it. Also, he was asking about buying new WHEELS in a smaller size to allow for smaller tires and increase his options for better all season tires.... Mounting smaller wheels on a GS is a no no, and most definitely will change the integrity of the car, its handling and onboard systems.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 26,745
Likes: 694
From: PA
If you read the original post, you would know he is never going to drive in snow, sleet, hail, slush or any thing else like that.... Dry pavement with cooler conditions will be the worst of it. Also, he was asking about buying new WHEELS in a smaller size to allow for smaller tires and increase his options for better all season tires.... Mounting smaller wheels on a GS is a no no, and most definitely will change the integrity of the car, its handling and onboard systems.
Will handling be changed? Absolutely. But would you worry about it? No, because you wont be taking many corners above the posted speed limits anyway because of the temperature of the road and the tires.
For everyday driving a slimmer tire with the same diameter wont hurt anything unless he tries to take some corners at a high rate of speed. Which I am doubting he would do in the same conditions with the stock tires. So where is the difference?
If thinner ones cause that so will wider ones yet we see people going up multiple sizes without complaining or having the nannies go all over hell under normal driving conditions.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
If you read the original post, you would know he is never going to drive in snow, sleet, hail, slush or any thing else like that.... Dry pavement with cooler conditions will be the worst of it. Also, he was asking about buying new WHEELS in a smaller size to allow for smaller tires and increase his options for better all season tires.... Mounting smaller wheels on a GS is a no no, and most definitely will change the integrity of the car, its handling and onboard systems.