irish44j

iTrader: (38)

Mods - I know this should be in the wheels/tires section, but would appreciate it if you could leave it here for a couple of days before you move it, since it is 5th-gen specific and might be of some use to people with the winter coming up. Thanks.

So...I recently test-fit my winter wheel/tire setup on the maxima to make sure everything would fit. As you may not know, snow/winter tires tend to have a taller profile and wider tread than a same-size all-season or summer tire, so fitament can get a bit tricky.

I got a great deal on some almost-new Blizzak LM-22 performance winter tires (V-rated) from a guy who took them off his 350Z after 4 snow days. Since they were on a 350, they are a staggered setup, 225/50/17 front and 235/50/17 rear. I was a bit worried about rubbing in the back wheels since they are a *beefy* tire and larger than stock.

I'm using my 17" g35 wheels for the winter, which are 17x7.5 (front) and 17x8 in the back, so they are a perfect fit for the tires, obviously. With a 30/33mm offset though I was a bit worried about rubbing.

Long story short: They BARELY fit with no rubbing. I think this is definitely the LARGEST size snow/winter tire that could fit on a maxima (even with a subtle Maxspeed drop)....they stick a bit farther out than the 225 summer Hankooks I had on there before and are definitely taller. But, no rubbing that i could tell, so we'll see.

So: largest winter size (with a 30mm offset wheel) is 235/50/17 in the back. Go larger at your own risk.

So, here's some pics - you can see how "snugly" they fit

Champ2433

iTrader: (9)

Thanks for the info man. They definately fill out the fender well.

Ideally you would go with about a 215/50/17 on the stock 17's for the max. As a general rule you should go one down on the width and one up on the aspect ratio, however on the max this does not work well. The 55's are a little tall, especially if you have a drop of any kind. They would be a little too narrow for those rims you have though.

Champ2433

iTrader: (9)

By the way Irish, this was not directed at you. I figured I'd just add to the general knowledge aspect of this thread.

irish44j

iTrader: (38)

heh, yeah I know...
I would have rather put 16's with 215 width on there for pure "snow" driving. I got these to leave on the car Dec thru Feb, since they're V-rated and good for all-around driving in addition to snow..Unfortunately, 16's don't clear my front brakes. I got a GREAT deal on the tires (about 1/2 what they'd be new), so I'll take what I can get.

Park2670

I just got the stock tire size for my snow tires. Dunlop Winter Sport M3s here. They dont rub, and fit the car perfectly

03on18s

iTrader: (10)

i run 235/45/R17 Continental Winter Contact's for the winter...no fitment issues (obviously)

irish44j

iTrader: (38)

yeah, I wish I could have just kept my SE rims for winter, but they wouldn't clear my front brakes

deftpunk

Hey Irish,

If you put the bigger tires on the front you think it would rub on turns? Reason I'm asking is I saw a good deal on used 215/55/17 winter tires........think they would rub up front? (I don't have a drop) They have about the same diameter as your 235/50/17's.

irish44j

iTrader: (38)

215/55/17 would be fine, even if you are dropped. Plus, you don't have the 30mm offset wheels that I do. The 235/50/17 WOULD rub on mine in the front, but only because I'm lowered and they come out an extra 2.5cm compared to your 215's....yours will definitely be OK.

ICELANDIC MAX

iTrader: (1)

i got 225/50/17 blizzaks on mine. no problem.

rbrown81

iTrader: (3)

Nice Setup Irish

I just got a set of the ContiWinterContact TS790 v's for mine. I was thinking about putting the 235/45/17's on my SE Rims, but I decided to go with the stock 225/50/17 size. With my suspension going on this weekend and what looks to be a rough jersey winter coming up, I could use the extra few milimetres of clearance.

Curious how the handling is with the staggered setup though, keep us updated.

doublea

iTrader: (7)

The tire I had last year on my max were 215-60-16 and those where fitting very well. I no longer drive my max in winter, the Murano is much more fun for that matter.

sammyols

I'm fairly new, was wondering two things. Will a 235/55 fit a stock AE? The diameter is about .6 inches more then the stock tires. Second, do the Pirelli zero nero all season tires seem to have a good reputation here? I ask because I found a great deal on a set. Just looking for a good all around tire. Thanks

rbrown81

iTrader: (3)

The PZero Nero M+S are great all seasons. Make sure you get M+S and not the summer variants.

My other question is, why are you going up a profile size? You will get some nasty sidewall flex.

sammyols

That's the size I can get a deal on.

Curt

iTrader: (27)

Real pretty, but is your objective lookin' good - or maximum traction and control on snow/ice. The Blizzaks are probably as good a tire as you can get, but bottom-line, maximum traction and control are inversely related to tire patch area. In other words, wide is bad!
I have a separate set of 15x6.5 steel wheels with Blizzaks just for winter driving. Saving me from one accident is the goal. And although I have many years of driving experience in showy climates (and feel completely confident in my own driving abilities under these conditions), I realize that the greatest risk is going to come from another driver who does not control his vehicle.

irish44j

iTrader: (38)

well, if you're talking to me...pretty wasn't really the point. I'm limited by my big brakes up front, so I can't go smaller than a 17" wheel....the tire width was because the wheels I am using are 17x8, so a 215 is too narrow. The third point was that I got the tires for about $200...If I had searched out new LM-22's, I would have paid around $800 for a set.

My goal was to have a winter tire that was good in dry and highway, and handled well...since realistically the tires will only drive on actual snow maybe 15 days this winter, and the rest of the time they will be on dry or rainy roads..Sure, I would have liked a little narrower, but money and wheels limited my choices