Performance winter vs Studless ice/snow tires

[RobW77]

I just got my AWD GT2 Stinger last week. When winter rolls around, I was going to get a tire/wheel combo, as I have with my previous car. I live in the Philadelphia area, which can get a decent amount of snow, but most of the time the roads are pretty clear. I had Blizzak studless ice/snow tires, and they were phenomenal in the snow & ice, but I was wondering if I could get by with performance winter tires. Does anybody have experience with the differences between the two?

 

[Volvowith18psi]

Im also in PA and I have never bought a dedicated set of winters. What would everybody recommend that will fit on a lowered set of 19"s? Id prefer not to break the bank if thats even possible lol.

 

[RobW77]

The Blizzak WS80 I had previously on my WRX were phenomenal, but they were around $160 each for 17" ones. I don't even want to think about 19" ones. I am going to purchase dedicated wheels in 18" size (better to have a bigger sidewall in winter). I figure it will run me about $1700 with the TPMS sensors.

 

[Volvowith18psi]

That tuff man... I just bought a set of Forged wheels for summer, cant even phatom spending 1700 on a winter setup lol.

 

[A Member Who Left]

Consider Nokian WRG3 or WRG4. Considered all weather tires with phenomenal reviews and would be more than adequate in your areas.

 

[RobW77]

I would think you could get by with great all-seasons. Since the temps around here can go from 100 F in the summer to nearly 0 in the winter (and around 40 inches of snow last winter), I much prefer to have dedicated tires for winter. Summer driving is more enjoyable with performance tires as well. I always budget these things in when I get a new car.

 

[MerlintheMad]

All costs and logistics considered, and since my wheels are no longer pristine anyway (and seem to get dinged/scraped just rotating them), I will most likely just get what Michelin winter tires will fit on my 19s. Drive on them for c. three months, then switch back to my summers.

 

[Volvowith18psi]

Yea thats my plan too Merlin, Just seems winters tires cost just as much as summer for the 19's like 200+ a tire :/

Thanks for the tips guys!!

 

[MerlintheMad]

Yea thats my plan too Merlin, Just seems winters tires cost just as much as summer for the 19's like 200+ a tire :/

Thanks for the tips guys!!

Yeah. I'm expecting that. But the winter tires should last a long, long time, if only driven for the winter. Swapping tires doesn't cost that much each time. If/when my rims look scabby enough from the tire swapping, etc., I will dig deep and buy a fresh set of wheels and then use the old ones for winter tires and the new ones for summer; thus minimizing the anticipated wear and tear that swapping tires causes to the wheels.

 

[RobW77]

Yeah. I'm expecting that. But the winter tires should last a long, long time, if only driven for the winter. Swapping tires doesn't cost that much each time. If/when my rims look scabby enough from the tire swapping, etc., I will dig deep and buy a fresh set of wheels and then use the old ones for winter tires and the new ones for summer; thus minimizing the anticipated wear and tear that swapping tires causes to the wheels.

My Blizzaks were still going strong after 3 winters (and about 7000 miles) with my old car.

 

[BlaydeX15]

I don't trust the local shop to swap my tires on the rims. Lol. I'm going to try to find 18's and get snow tires for the 18's, and swap them myself. Probably the more expensive option, but it means I can get them swapped on my own schedule.

I just need to figure out how wheel measurements work so that I can buy some 18's that fit. Haha.

 

[RobW77]

I don't trust the local shop to swap my tires on the rims. Lol. I'm going to try to find 18's and get snow tires for the 18's, and swap them myself. Probably the more expensive option, but it means I can get them swapped on my own schedule.

I just need to figure out how wheel measurements work so that I can buy some 18's that fit. Haha.

Even if you don't buy from there, tirerack.com should give you some wheels with the sizes that fit.

 

[BlaydeX15]

Even if you don't buy from there, tirerack.com should give you some wheels with the sizes that fit.

Does it automatically take into account offsetting for the bigger brakes or making sure that the tires don't majorly offset the speedo?

 

[RobW77]

Does it automatically take into account offsetting for the bigger brakes or making sure that the tires don't majorly offset the speedo?

Yes, I believe they give you the exact sizes that match.

 

[westcoastGT]

For my last 3 cars I've swapped the OEM tires for Ultra High Performance ALL Seasons , I supply the tires to the dealer when the car arrives and take off the new OEM's and sell them on Craigslist , We get snow a few times a winter here and always in Whistler where we ski I have never been in a sketchy situation using these tires and its a much lower cost that using a dedicated winter setup ................something to consider . Research them on TireRack , my sig has my choice for the GT

 

[MerlintheMad]

my sig has my choice for the GT

That's pretty detailed car info in your signature! I see you are missing one important thing that the rest of us will appreciate knowing; your build date.

(edit: maybe Nov 2017 IS your build date? I got my car a month after it was built.)

 

[westcoastGT]

That's pretty detailed car info in your signature! I see you are missing one important thing that the rest of us will appreciate knowing; your build date.

Hahahaha , the sig line is actually maxed out , but if its important for enquiring minds I'll find a way to fit it in . My car was on the first shipment to Canada which was the first North American market so it would be an early build for sure