Winter Tires for R spec

[jkburns]

Any suggestions for a good set of winter tires for my rew R spec?

(And I should know this - what size are they?)

Thanks all.

Kevin

 

[Gambler]

A lot of us run Blizzak tires on our cars during the winter, and have no issues. Check out Tire rack, they will suggest running a smaller tire for the winter. They also have pre-checked what will fit on your car. I got my winter tires/rims there and it was a smooth experience.

 

[Rey]

There are a lot of choices; and probably none of them are bad or are materially better than others. Do read reviews at TireRack, bearing in mind that reviewers have different autos/applications.
As for smaller size, it obviously puts more psi on the pavement, but I wonder if it makes all that much difference given the options realistically available. Perhaps TireRack has tested this concept.
My local tire dealer who deals both in Conti and Blizzard prefers to sell Conti.
Michelin has discontinued the Ice-X for the Ice-X2, which is currently available at Costco and probably at TireRack.

 

[jkburns]

Tire Rack is suggesting either a 17" package or an 18" package. Any thoughts on which to go with?

Kevin

 

[Gurkha]

Tire Rack is suggesting either a 17" package or an 18" package. Any thoughts on which to go with?

Kevin

Depends on how much of a trade off in handling you're willing to put up with.
I have 18's for summer and run 17's in the winter (Yokohama Ice Guard). But I'm at the other end of the Genny spectrum
There will be a more dramatic change for you going from 19's to 17's as well as $ savings vs. 18's, not to mention a softer ride.

 

[Gambler]

I personally went with the 18" winter tires, as if I'm going to be plowing through deep snow, I'll probably be in the Tahoe. However, if I lived in an area where deep snow was common, then I probably would have gone with the 17" tires/wheels.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

Did you decide on which type of tires to purchase yet? I am in the same situation having a hard time deciding. I was originally going to get the Blizzak's but am now leaning towards the Continental or Michelin. I believe that the Continental and Michelin have a longer tread life.

 

[jkburns]

I have not made any decision. I'm struggling with potential the cost of $1,300 for new tires and wheels.

Kevin

 

[jake the snake]

Same thing here with the Equus
I would like to run a smaller diameter but i think that the rotors and calipers are to big to fit anything else but 19"

 

[jkburns]

OK, I called Justin at Tire Rack (Extension 798). He was extremely cool, knowledgable and patient. I knew I was dealing with someone who knew what they were talking about when I told him I drive the 2012 Genesis R spec. He said with a grin noticable through the phone line, "Oh, that's the slow one, right?"

Anyway, we talked through a number of options and I finally bought the Blizzak WS70 and new 17" wheels. No sensors. Total price with shipping: $1,090.

I'm pleased with my purchase and confident I'll survive the winter driving season here in Minnesota.

My new K&N air filter just arrived so I;m going to drop that in. Now all I'm waiting for is the software upgrade so my Surround Sound box remains checked, and I'm good to go.



Kevin

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[newman]

Any suggestions for a good set of winter tires for my rew R spec?

(And I should know this - what size are they?)

Thanks all.

Kevin

I am running Continental Extreme Contact DW summer tires during the winter. Of course I live in San Diego. ... Sorry, could not resist. But before you hate me, realize that my rent here is more than 2X what my mortgage in Michigan was for a much larger home. That might help put the tire cost in perspective.

Cheers
Newman

 

[Gambler]

For those struggling with the cost, yes the wheels will cost you extra (unless you want to do your own mounting, or pay for it). However the tires may be a higher initial cost, but it really isn't more in the long run. You are putting wear on 2 sets of tires instead of one, so your summer tires don't wear out during the winter months, and vice-versa.

 

[jake the snake]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm looking to get a set of wheels and winter tires for my horse.

Right now we have two different sizes of tires on the car. The rears are wider than the front, but all four are the same diameter.

The front tires are 245/45vr19. I find them to wide for winter tires.

The spare tire is a 18"TBD. What ever that means.

I would like to install four 18" wheels with a narrower tire size.

I think that the bolt pattern should be 5-114.

I think the off set should be 35 or 45 mm.

I think the tire pressure sensors should be 315 MHz.

If all tis is right, I could:

Install four 18" x 8" wheels with a 225/55r18 winter tires with TPS's.

I would like to know who could confirm that this set up will fit over the brake disks and calipers, their wont be any rubbing anywhere, and that the TPS's will be functional.

Anny help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a million

 

[jkburns]

UPDATE: bad news from Tire Rack. They sent me the new set of 17" BLIZZAKS (with new wheels), shipped them to their ecommended installer (Tires Plus) and they didn't fit around the calipers. I was not happy.

Called Tire rack, they SWORE they would fit and sent me a new set with different wheels (still 17"). Guess what, they don't fit either.

So $2500 in credit card charges and two wasted trips to the installer and I still am without winter shoes for my R Spec.

Tire Rack Customer Service called me (clearly prepared for the worst) and I was nice, but firm. I told them the ball is squarely in their court. Both sets they sent were recommended on their Web site and by their sales person.

I told them I'm about 1 second from ordering through Discount Tires (which is true) and they asked if they could work with their Tech folks and get back to me next week with a solution.

I agreed to wait to hear from them, but told the Customer Service person that the sales folks "better sharpen their pencils". I'm not happy right now.

Kevin

 

[Rey]

I installed 245/45-19 winter tires on my R-Spec. To my thinking, it did not make much sense to try to buy another set of smaller wheels, etc. I am a geezer who has a lot of mileage in snow. In my day we always installed the largest/widest snow tires (rear only, and yes, they understeered but that was part of the game). Some argued that narrower tires increase per square inch loading, which would be beneficial in penetrating snow. I am not so sure it makes a material difference worth spending $$ for smaller tires/wheels.

The choices are very limited in 245/45-19 tires. Michelin used to produce an X-Ice, which is still listed on TireRack's catalog, but it is not being produced and is no longer available.

 

[Driver]

I installed 245/45-19 winter tires on my R-Spec. To my thinking, it did not make much sense to try to buy another set of smaller wheels, etc. I am a geezer who has a lot of mileage in snow. In my day we always installed the largest/widest snow tires (rear only, and yes, they understeered but that was part of the game). Some argued that narrower tires increase per square inch loading, which would be beneficial in penetrating snow. I am not so sure it makes a material difference worth spending $$ for smaller tires/wheels.

The choices are very limited in 245/45-19 tires. Michelin used to produce an X-Ice, which is still listed on TireRack's catalog, but it is not being produced and is no longer available.

How do you like your winter tires on the oem rims? Have you had chance to try them on snow? How much wider can you go on the oem rims?

I see that tirerack has Blizzak LM-60 in 245/45/19. I assume these would work on oem rims. They had 1 set that were 235/45/19 Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D which seems to have better ratings than the Blizzak.

 

[EXBMWGUY]

UPDATE: bad news from Tire Rack. They sent me the new set of 17" BLIZZAKS (with new wheels), shipped them to their ecommended installer (Tires Plus) and they didn't fit around the calipers. I was not happy.

Called Tire rack, they SWORE they would fit and sent me a new set with different wheels (still 17"). Guess what, they don't fit either.

So $2500 in credit card charges and two wasted trips to the installer and I still am without winter shoes for my R Spec.

Tire Rack Customer Service called me (clearly prepared for the worst) and I was nice, but firm. I told them the ball is squarely in their court. Both sets they sent were recommended on their Web site and by their sales person.

I told them I'm about 1 second from ordering through Discount Tires (which is true) and they asked if they could work with their Tech folks and get back to me next week with a solution.

I agreed to wait to hear from them, but told the Customer Service person that the sales folks "better sharpen their pencils". I'm not happy right now.

Kevin

Kevin - today, Morrie's Hyundai in Golden Valley will install Dunlop Winter Sports 3D tires on my new R-Spec, using the OEM 19" wheels. Tires are about $240 ea. plus tax & mounting. I believe Tirerack sells them also.

 

[VanillaGorilla]

UPDATE: bad news from Tire Rack. They sent me the new set of 17" BLIZZAKS (with new wheels), shipped them to their ecommended installer (Tires Plus) and they didn't fit around the calipers. I was not happy.

Called Tire rack, they SWORE they would fit and sent me a new set with different wheels (still 17"). Guess what, they don't fit either.

So $2500 in credit card charges and two wasted trips to the installer and I still am without winter shoes for my R Spec.

Tire Rack Customer Service called me (clearly prepared for the worst) and I was nice, but firm. I told them the ball is squarely in their court. Both sets they sent were recommended on their Web site and by their sales person.

I told them I'm about 1 second from ordering through Discount Tires (which is true) and they asked if they could work with their Tech folks and get back to me next week with a solution.

I agreed to wait to hear from them, but told the Customer Service person that the sales folks "better sharpen their pencils". I'm not happy right now.

Kevin

Any update on what the resolution was? I am in the same boat and looking to get a set of 17" snow tires.

 

[DeeVa]

There is no 17" inch option from TireRack for the 2012 4.6. I can't imagine that there would be for the RSpec.