Really liking my Cheap Winter Tires/Wheels
 

For anyone contemplating winter tires for their 370:

After initially planning to swap rubber on the stock sport rims twice a year, I instead opted for a dedicated set of winter tires and rims. Tirerack recently expanded their list of what will fit the Sport pack on the 370 with many 18" options. They were very nice about taking back my 19" LM-25 Blizzaks (never used, still wrapped) in exchange for a complete setup. This was partly prompted due to the fact the LM-25s were on closeout (see important note below).

I went with the 18" MSW Type 11 wheels and Blizzak LM-60 winter tires. The rims were $143 each and the tires $186. Given that the TPMS sensors cost $360 for a set, I didn't buy any and will just enjoy my warning light all winter. Price with tax out the door was $1406 in comparison to $960 for the 19" LM-25 Blizzak tires alone that I initially bought. No road hazard insurance given the tires are relatively cheap anyway.

All in all, I'm much happier with the convenience of having my own set to swap out rather than scheduling with a shop twice a year. Also, I can switch right before the first snow rather than who knows how many weeks early.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO TIRE BUYERS: Tirerack has a number of winter tires on 'closeout'. While they are a nice deal, the key thing to know is that you can't get new ones if you damage a tire down the line. Road hazard insurance will only reimburse you, but you'll still be stuck with 3 original winter tires and one oddball replacement.


***Edit: After installing the wheels, it's evident that having the same offset for all four wheels makes the rears very sunken inboard. While having four identical rims allows one to rotate front and rear tires to prolong tire life, things look pretty crappy in the rear. The fronts look just fine with regard to flushness. Instead of playing with rims of different offsets, I'm ordering 25mm spacers for the rear. More pics once they are installed.

What size did you go with front and rear?

I like your new wheels as well.

I did the same thing you did (bought a set of 19" LM-25s) about 2 months ago. They're sitting in my attic unopened waiting for the first snowfall. Do you think Tirerack would take them back after that amount of time so I could opt for a tire/wheel deal like what you got? ;)

Look great, take some pics when you have them on the car.

I'll get some pics of them on the car in a couple weeks. I think the look is pretty good especially since I was shopping for dirt cheap rims only. The silver part is machined and unpainted which will be easy to clean. The black portions are painted, so they may need some touchup at the end of the winter. Mainly I was looking for a decent setup that wouldn't look filthy with the winter grime all over them.

I went with the Tirerack online program recommendation of 18x8s all around. They clear the Akebonos and the narrow tires should give better 'bite' in the snow than the wide 19"s. The LM-60s are directional, so I'll only be able to swap front and back tires on the same side when it comes time for rotation. Another thing I noticed is that the 19" LM-25s I returned were V speed rated, while the 18" LM-60s are H rated. Per Tirerack, the LM-60s will be better snow and ice performers though.

On a side note...I took my tires back myself to avoid the extra shipping. I have to say, the main Tirerack facility in South Bend, IN is pretty amazing. All the rims are on the floor to see in person and they even have a test track out front for autocross events and for tire testing.

G35guy84, I bought mine in early June and they took them back without a hitch. I hadn't taken the shipping straps off them, so they were still factory bundled in pairs (not sure if that matters or not). As long as you're buying a new set from them, I can't imagine they'd give you a hard time. Tell them I just did the swap too!

For anyone who has never installed an aftermarket rim before, I learned today that to get these rims to fit one has to remove a locator bolt on each of the car's hubs. Per Tirerack, the assembly line robots use the locator bolt to find and mount the wheels in the factory. The 12mm locator bolt is nestled between two of the 5 bolts on each hub and will prevent an aftermarket rim from fully seating until it's removed. Apparently it's not a big deal and Tirerack said to just take them off and dump them. I was sweating though, thinking my new rims didn't fit after my 180mi round trip drive in the Explorer to pick them up!

exactly the same rims i got for my G..... they look nice for a set of winters

fantastic thread!
 

I am quietly looking for a winter set myself as well. Now, I was testing around some other rims and have some questions

Here's your wheel. I looks okay but I'm not really sure if black outline would look good on blue z. So, look below...
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...com/wheel1.png

Now, it says the weight is 25.5 lbs. Which is not bad but look at this model that's just few bucks more

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...wheel3want.png
ONLY 21.2 lbs. But this one has +38mm offset. Would this offset clear the AKEBONOS? Is there extra benefit of running heavier winter wheels? I always like light rims because of the performance point of view.

Also, I really liked this rim design. almost has the stock rays look to it. what you guys think? But this one is 40mm . When it comes to offsets and bolt patterns, I'm a complete noob :o
http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...com/wheel2.png

Doesnt look bad on blue AK.... looks good to me



http://i422.photobucket.com/albums/p...ntitled-11.jpg

I just went with what the tirerack program said would work. The cheap rims are gravity cast as opposed to vacuum cast or forged. Gravity casting makes weaker rims pound for pound due to air bubbles so they make them heavier to increase strength. Since I'm already compromising performance with winter tires, a few pounds makes no difference to me. I will say they feel a good bit heavier than the forged stock sport rims. I like the last pic you posted. Nice clean look to them.

Agree with nogood. Looks good on blue too. They have a nice rugged look that compliments the aggressive snow treads.

/\ That looks okay IMO. Not too crazy about it. But take a look at these two models. One is really lightweight and other is still pretty light. They look pretty good

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/bluewant.png

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/bluegood.png

Def looks better, don't they? :drool:

thanks for the reply . What do you think about the offsets (35 38 40). Do they play any role clearing AKEBONOS?

+38 and +40, the difference is that the +38 will stick out 2 mm outwards, u're good to go

get the C2's AK, they look like TE-37 that 2theex has.... would be sweet if they have a black finish option




EDIT: i mean the hub will be 2 mm further outwards and looking at the spoke design... it should clear it

Thanks. Yea the c2's does look like TE37s. But I think they will be delayed due to late arrival date. hmmm.. I will do more brainstorming. So , I should be good with any offsett (35-40?).

spearfish25, those rims looks great on your PG. I hope I didn't upset you by saying I didn't like them on Monterey Blue. I do like them but I think they look better on Platinum Graphite. I may get them if the other ones are back ordered :D.

No worries buddy. Given my budget, beggars couldn't be choosers anyway. I'm just glad that one of my viable options actually looks pretty good.

Seriously though...go to Tirerack if you live nearby. The South Bend headquarters is ridiculous. I think I left a puddle of drool around most of the rims they had on display. :drool:

I don't think they have any tirerack center near me :(. I think the closest is the Delaware warehouse but it's just a warehouse.

I have been doing some research on those TR C2s and seems like many BMW/SCCA guys use them for track for their lightweight and good craftmanship( they are made by Enkei).

Front Wheels (Sport Package): 23.2lbs(10.52kg)
Rear Wheels (Sport Package): 23.8lbs (10.8kg)
these C2s (21.2 lbs each wheel) actually lighter than the Rays meaning at some point if I want to use them as track wheel, I can do so too. I haven't called them yet but I hope they still have it when I call by the end of this week.

Thanks for the thread spear!