I was just thinking about next winter season, and was wondering:

does anyone have a cheap set of snow tires for an 03 MCS? Or just how much they paid? Im trying to scope all of this out. I want CHEAP: steel rims and cheap yet reliable winter tires for the harsh Northeast winters and also to preserve the mileage on the road tires.

Thanks!

 

I'm not quite sure how cheap you're looking at going, but I got a set of Pirelli Winter Carving tires, studded (we get lots of ice here), mounted on a set of cheapie aluminum "Sport Edition F2" wheels from Tirerack for $620 plus shipping.

Tires were something like $59/ea plus the optional studs at $15/tire. A LOT cheaper than the Hakkapeliitas I was originally looking at buying, and seem to work just as well.

Oh, and before I forget- the size is: P185/65R15. Check out my gallery for pics.

 

On my 2005 MSC for the winter I have a Tirerack package
15" steelies - $44 ea
Pirelli Winter Carving 185/65-15 $59 ea

Total was about $485 delivered.

Now that's cheap winter insurance

 

Wow, those prices look great! This is all looking good for me finally getting m'self an MCS! thanks guys!

 

An awful lot of people also use the OEM 175-65-15 Continentals and wheels for snow too. Their thinness allows them to zip thru the snow. I bought a set off eBay for less than $250 shipped.

 

My advice to you is to keep watching the marketplace forum. I've seen quite a few sets of winter tires go for very reasonable prices. I bought a set of WS 50 Blizzak's on steel wheels for $300. The seller used them for less that 2,000 miles. Just about new. Keep looking & be ready to pounce on them when you see them. I'm sure you will be set before next winter.

Living in the Northeast I wouldn't recommend an all season tire. Real snows make a world of difference. A set of used snows is probably less than most folks insurance deductible.

 

This is what I did picking up a set of wheels and tires from the dealer, which they had gotten stuck with when satisfying customers with the wheels and tires they really desired, for under $300. The all season Continentals work well in the snow, far better than the stock 16" Dunlop All Seasons on my Cooper S (which are much larger and perform much better than the Contis do the rest of the year). The Contis are pretty zippy around town and for commuting. If there is a serious driving event, which are infrequent in the winter months, I slap the Dunlops on the weekend, weather allowing.

 

I have a set of S-Lites with Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50s (215/45/17) that I will be selling once I get my car back from the body shop (in 2 weeks or so). If you are interested, ping me. That have maybe 15K on them and still in great shape. Only 2 seasons old, but I only used them for a little more than a month this year because of an accident.

 

Watch the classifieds...

Don't settle for "cheap" tires, it's worth the extra few bucks to get something good. Get steel wheels but good snows. IMHO, YMMV, etc.

 

I wouldn't say the Pirelli Winter Carvings are 'cheap' tires based on their performance. Awesome price for those from tirerack, and performance on par (or better) than the Blizzaks and Hakkapeliitas I've run on other vehicles in the past.

But definitely, if you're going to spring for winter tires, get a dedicated winter set - you'll be happier (and safer?) this way.

 

I'm talking "cheap" like the Winterforces that BJs or Sam's sells - they're noisy and squirmy. Blizzaks have their following, I've found them a little squirmy for me but others love 'em. Do your research on what kind of winter coiditions you encounter most often and go from there, lots of info available on tirerack.com and others. I loved my Semperits, my Dunlop M3's are fantastic, and have had great experiences with Michelin snows (AAs, Pilot Alpins, and the newer version of the AA - forgot the name but it's on our van).

 

I went with a set of Pirelli Snow Control 180s With rims from TIre rack
630 shipped to AK. 2 winters and nothing but acolades.
185/65 15.
I say buy new that away you know exactly what you are getting.
Cheers

 

Not to get too far off-topic...but wow. A Motorer in Fairbanks. I spent 5 years of my life there going to school at UAF. Don't really miss the -40* (or colder) winters.

How does your MINI handle the sub-zero winters? Did you have a hard time getting it winterized? I was looking at mine, and couldn't find any obvious places to install a block heater. Fortunately I don't really need one in Kodiak.

Glad to hear your Pirellis handle Fairbanks winter road conditions...literally driving on a layer of ice all winter long.