I have a few questions ...

When I bought my MCS it had 17" crown spokes on it, which I replaced with different 17" wheels, but I kept the crown spokes to use as winter wheels. Will they be okay or is a smaller wheel size preferable for snow driving? Since they are unused I could always sell them and buy smaller wheels.

As for the tires, I've used Blizzaks on my Accord and have been happy with them as far as getting through snow is concerned, but they wear out pretty fast and don't handle well on dry pavement. Any suggestions in about the same price range?

I live in CT and we don't get snow the way they do in VT or upstate NY, but I want to be prepared.

Thanks in advance for your help.

dean.

 

I would not be worried with 17 winters, just that the price is higher. 205 will be fine. Thinner is better for heavy snow, but for the conditions you see the winter tires compound with something like a Michelin X ice or similar would be great.

 

Thanks.

The reviews of the X ICE are awesome ...but I can't find them in 205 45 17.

I am a neophyte when it comes to tires and assume I need the same exact size tires that are on the car now?

Try not to laugh too hard.

dean.

 

Lots of people get 15" "take off" wheels for winter use because they are narrower and the tires are cheaper. For my '02 MC, I got a set of 15" take-offs from my dealer that came with M/S tires on them. For my '05 MCS I found a set of 15" MC wheels with Pirelli winter carvers premounted. It's worked pretty well for me.

For some, the main problem with 15" MC wheels on an MCS is that they aren't runflats.

 

I was going to do the same and have winter tires mounted on S-lites. But in the end I got 4 15" steel wheels + Blizzaks from Tirerack for less than 2 17" blizzaks.

 

Generally the narrower the tire ='s better performance in the snow. You'd be better off with 16" wheels and tires.

 

Be aware that most 15" wheels (especially steel wheels) will not fit a 2007 MCS.

 

reelsmith 15 inch wheels will fit your 06 with no problems. As long as you haven't put a big brake kit on it. I run 185/65/15 Hakka 2's on my 06 MCS.

Tire Rack has a sale going on Blizzak Revo 1's for $57 each in 185/65/15.

 

I've been struggling with sort of the same question except I need to buy wheels. Would like something that is good when it's dry as far as traction and handling goes and is great in snow also.
Curious as to what wheels are in your sig picture they look awesome!

 

Thanks. They are the ASA AR1.





Okay, next question ....

If I decide to sell my 17" crown spokes, what should I ask for them? They have about 50 miles on them and are perfect.

And my original question still remains ...which tire? X ICE? Blizzaks? Eagles?

Thanks.

dean.

 

The TireRack has a recent review including some of these tires. (Michelin X-Ice, Dunlop Graspic DS2, Bridgestone Blizzak WS60). The Blizzak WS60 is brand new this year, and the Graspic DS2 has a new compound this year. The X-Ice was considered the best on pavement, driving much like an all-season. But, it was the lowest rated (of the 3) on ice. The brand new Blizzak WS60 was the best on ice, had the most "comfortable" ride on pavement, but was little more squishy than the X-Ice, but not as bad as the Graspic.

I'm not sure which Blizzaks you had last, but the new WS60 not only is better on ice than the old WS50 (which I drove on for years), but it has a higher speed rating. I'm guessing it's much improved over the WS50 on the dry pavement. The WS50 was notorious for being horrible on the dry pavement.

TireRack has a $50 rebate on the X-Ice right now, so that might be a good option. Also, the Graspics are the cheapest, if that's a high priority. I bought the Blizzak WS60 a month ago when there was a $50 rebate. I'm confident it'll be an excellent performer.

 

Thanks for all of the help.

I am going to order a set of 15" alloy wheels and the WS60s. This comes to just a bit over $600 ...not too shabby.

I'll try to recoup some of that by selling my OEM 17" crown spokes. Any opinions on what I should ask for them? They are mint with about 50 miles on them.

I'm looking forward to seeing the difference in ride between the 15" and the 17" I am running now with the awful Goodyear runflats ...they are the scariest rain tire I have ever ridden! I'm going to ditch them in the spring and get non-runflats.

Thanks again.

Dean.

 

oem crown spokes should go pretty well... there aren't that many on sale at the forums yet

since brand new... i'd aim higher and see what YOU want for them

here's a set on sale right now on nam:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t=crown+spokes

 

Thanks.

Mine are the earlier version without the dustcap over the lug nuts, unlike the ones in your link. Below is a picture of my car from the day I picked it up ...it was in April and there was still snow on the ground.

dean.

 

dean, those are S Lites.

 

For real ?

The "sticker" called them crown spokes.

I'll be darned !!!

Thanks !

dean.

 

Dean, as with all things it is possible I am wrong. But I sure do think they look like S Lites.

 

I did a search for S-Lites on the For Sale forum and sure enough, they are S-Lites. That's pretty darn funny. I only had them on the car long enough to get it home and take it to the shop where TireRack had sent my new wheels. Then I put the OEM wheels in the boxes that the ASA wheels came in and never looked at them again or gave them a second thought.

Makes no difference what they are, I don't need them.

Thanks for setting me straight.

dean.

 

Those ASA wheels are beautiful, peddle those S Lites.

 

I use performance winter tires on my Saab and will get them for my MINI when I wear out my existing all seasons. They are totally different than the winter tires that seem to be the focus of this discussion . . . the ones with the ice compount, micro cells and so forth. Performance winter tires are excellent (compared to all season tires) in snow and very competent on cool dry pavement. Three digit competent.

Connecticut, right? Not continuous ice and snow. But if you had continuous ice and snow you wouldn't have been disappointed with the wear of the Bzk.

 

BlueBonnet what brand are your Saab's winter tires?