Anyoen got any recommedations on tires & rims for my new 2002 SE? I had a set of Michelin pilot alpines with 15" steel rims and tried to get them installed this weekend (Snows acoming!!) and they don't fit!!

Seems the increased disc sizes on the front of the 2002 (19mm more) is too much for the normal steel rims! You guys got any otions that you can think of! Sure could use the help. Thanks

 

I also have a 2002 SE.
I have purchased 16" Motegi Racing MR12 alloys (12 spoke - silver painted) and will be mounting a set of four Blizzak LM-22 225/55 R16.
(I'm going with the painted silver in order to avoid potention corrosion problems that develope on brightly finished alum wheels.)
The MR12's have been dry fitted on the car and clearances are ok.
You might want to check out some winter tire comparisons at www.tirerack.com.

Good luck

 

could I ask you what the 16" rims set you back and from whom? I live in Sudbury so not a great deal of choice here locally. I assume that it was worth while compared to costs of a set of 17" blizzaks or other similar tire?

 

I purchased these through a Firestone Dealer in Burlington (Personal Auto Service 905-634-5515), who I have had service my cars for a couple of yrs.

Cost was $174 ea. plus $104 PST-GST for a total out the door price of $800

I priced these through Can. Tire and they quoted me $192 ea.

In Canada I believe these are sold through American Racing.

The dealer recommended going to 16" in both rims and tires as 16" size opens up more of a choice in tires (availability) and cost is lower for both rims & tires vs. going to 17". (I think in the area of $100 per set).
If interested in seeing what the Motegi rims look like visit:
www.motegiracing.com/wheels.html

On these are going 225/55R16 LM-22 Blizzaks which ran me $186 ea. incl. valve/balance/mounting for a total with taxes of $855.

Hope this helps you

 

Check out my rims with Blizzaks...16" from Tirerack...a little less than $900 for rims and tires delivered.

http://home.columbus.rr.com/ms2k1ae/

I like the way the rims look...and they weren't too expensive. Can't tell you much about winter performance, since we haven't even had a flake of snow yet. I put them on three weeks ago and have driven 3000 miles on dry and rain soaked roads. In the rain, they grab great. On dry pavement, you have to adjust how you drive...don't do anything even remotely aggressive. You can feel the squirm in the treads taking a sharp turn at 25 mph. I am surprised at how well they have help up. After my 3000 miles, I still have about 90% of the tread. I thought I would only get 15,000 miles or so, but it looks like a little more.

 

I've got a 2k2 SE 6spd with 16" steels and Nokian Hak NRW's. I paid $940 taxes and install incl. I've only had them in the snow once this year, but I think they are every bit as good as my Blizzak MZ-01's were last year in the snow. On dry, the NRW's are very similar to the stock 17" Potenza's. Far better in the rain than the Potenza's.

Highly recomended tire. My coworker just got the Hak 1's for his Saab 9-3. He went out and played in the snow the other night as well and said that they were just incredible.

I have some pics of the wheels on my black SE if you want to see them, just PM me.

Albert

 

Hey I happen to have a set of 16" Team Loco 142's for sale with winter tires. Email me with questions.

 

aren't they all-season tires? I think they should handle the winter fine.