Studded winter tires?

[steve1ddd]

I am a car noob...lets get that out of the way firstly.
i just bought a 2009 370Z Touring (only 6k miles, showroom condition). Not the most practical thing since i live in the Mts of Colorado at 9000 ft. But hey, who buys a Z cuz its practal. i bought it cuz its pretty and makes nice VROOM VROOM noises. I looked on the forum but couldnt find any advice on the subject of studded tires. Anyone got any advice on the matter. I basicly drive to and from the airport and leave my baby in long term airport parking all week My concern is getting back up the Mtn. The roads are pretty well plowed so my concern is not clearance rather, it can get icey and i see cars spinning tires all the time in the winter. Also on that note, for SLOW driving in ice, do you recomend turrning off Traction control and accecpting some spin or do you recomend leaving it on. My driveway had a little ice on it this week and after the 5th time trying with TC on, i turned it off and went right up the driveway with just a little slip of the tires is why I ask?

[Lemers]

By a junker that can take the winter better and store the Z for summer fun

[steve1ddd]

You know, with the price of tires, this might be an option. But assuming i dont go that route, any advice? The reason this might not be an option is simple........the wife is already pissed i bought the Z.... if i need to buy another car cuz i cant drive it half the year....well you get the picture.

[m4a1mustang]

If you plan on driving on dry roads at all I would look at the Michelin X-Ice Xi2 studless ice & snow tire. I would mount them on dedicated winter rims so you can run a narrower tire than stock.

[steve1ddd]

Thanks for the advice, i will consider that....what does a new set of "cheap" rims cost that wont look completely horrible?

[m4a1mustang]

Around $150/wheel excluding the cost of tires. Go to TireRack and shop for a winter/snow package. They make it really easy to put one together and do the mounting/balancing for you.

[m4a1mustang]

Steve I put together a package on TireRack for about $1200 excluding shipping. Not too bad for a dedicated winter setup.

4x 18x8" Sport Edition A7 black painted wheels
4x 225/50/18 Michelin X-Ice Xi2 tires

This of course assumes you don't have the sport package brakes.

If you are going to be driving on snow/ice this should be a pretty good setup. Obviously you are going to give up a lot of handling and grip in the dry, but with this setup and some weight in the hatch over the rear wheels you 'ought to be able to negotiate snow-packed and icy roads without too much hassle.

Edit: I forgot to mention, if you do buy from TireRack make sure you go through the TireRack link at the top of the Wheels & Tires section of the forum here: http://www.the370z.com/wheels-tires/ It helps to support the forum.

[steve1ddd]

wow! thanks for going through all of that trouble.....lots to think about now.....this or a junker to go through the snow.............thanks everyone for the help!!!! not regretting my impulsive dissision to buy the Z at all!!

[frost]

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Edit: I forgot to mention, if you do buy from TireRack make sure you go through the TireRack link at the top of the Wheels & Tires section of the forum here: Wheels & Tires - Nissan 370Z Forum It helps to support the forum.

Good man

[m4a1mustang]

Originally Posted by steve1ddd

wow! thanks for going through all of that trouble.....lots to think about now.....this or a junker to go through the snow.............thanks everyone for the help!!!! not regretting my impulsive dissision to buy the Z at all!!

No problem!

Keep in mind that even with a junker you'll want to put some snow tires on it if you really want full control. If you can get a reliable junker + snow tires then that's your best bet since you won't risk damaging the Z (either due to your own loss of traction or someone else's).

That said if you decide to put winter tires on the Z you'll find it does quite well in the snow. It's only real issue is going to be clearance. Above 4" of snow and you run the risk of getting stuck. Anything less or on plowed/packed snow, you'll be fine. I only recommend putting some extra weight over the rear axle to help you get moving from a stop.

I drive my 5.0 in the snow with Dunlop Wintersport M3s (less capable than the XIce Xi2 in snow/ice, but just right for Mid-Atlantic winters) and it does very well. The one thing I learned from last year is that even with the winter tires it still helps to add 100-200 lbs over the rear axle for added traction. So when it snows this winter I am loading the trunk down.

[steve1ddd]

Last 2 years i have been driving my Mini Cooper S with all seasons...roughly the same clearance but front wheel drive. Only had to abandon it once cuz roads were a sheet of ice (i dont think any car was making it that day). I have never owned a rear wheel drive before so im a bit nervous....i think i am leaning toward getting snows and going for it!.....on a side note, im not familliar with tirerack....is this a place like Big-O tires or something that i can just go visit in person? are there denver area chains? if so, how can i make sure that the forum gets its well deserved credit....or is this a place i have to order from online?

[m4a1mustang]

TireRack is all online based but they have great service. For the forum to get a credit you have to start your shopping session by clicking on the TireRack banner in the Wheels & Tires subforum.

[steve1ddd]

Ahhh i see, i can order from them and have the Big-O tires near my house do the install....nice....Thanks again

[m4a1mustang]

No problem! I'd read a few of the reviews in their winter tire section before you order. They have some interesting tests that really show you the pluses and minuses of many of the different tires which will help you finalize your decision.

Here's a cool little video of our forum founder AK370Z driving around in the snow in his Z.