Hi,

I have a Max GXE with performace package (16inches wheels). I'm looking for good winter tires. (Don't forget I'm up north with lots of snow ...

How about smaller tires, with steel rims? Instead of 215/55/16 how about the 205/65/15 recommended by my dealer? Anyone?

Thanx

 

I put 205/65R15's on my SE. (needless to say just a small difference in handling!) Blizzak WS-50's to be exact. The dealer and Nissan NA will tell you that you can't run any other size than stock, which we all know is BS. If I had to do it again I would go for a 195/65 or 70. I find the 205 still a bit wide and the car still slides around , though given the fact I have RE92's that is not much of a difference!

You will be fine with 205's but you will probably be better with 195's. better snow handling and ice stopping, probably poorer acceleration.

watch how you drive, if you get blizzaks you can go through a front tire in a season! Last year I rotated about half (milage wise) way through the year. The first half I watched out and babied the tires. The second half I got fed up of winter and the tires. I burned twice the rubber in the second half of the winter than the first!

That's just my 2 cents.

 

Ditto on watching how you drive with Blizzaks, they are very soft. I knew this ahead of time, and I'm now on my fourth winter season on the same set. I put the Blizzaks on from November through April, and my performance tires the rest of the time. I'm just real careful about my starts and turns, and they have lasted a lot longer than most people's Blizzaks do. I'm actually driving on dry pavement most of the winter, the tires are really only put to the test about 10-14 days out of the winter season when we have snow on the roads, but I can go up hills where 4x4s are stuck, without even slipping my wheels.

 

Does anyone tried Toyo Observe G-02 or Michelin Pilot Alpin or Goodyear UltraGrip ICE or Pirelli Wintersport 210 ?