I have a budget of $2000.00 Cdn (about $1400 US).

I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and I'm buying winter tires and rims soon for my 2001 Anniversary Edition. Too terrified of the prospect of another winter with my impotenzas.

Michelin Pilot Alpins?

Blizzaks?

Goodyear Eagle RSA's?

Possible move up to 18's?

Just wondering if anybody has input/experience they'd like to share to assist me in decision-making.

 

save some money... buy OEM 16" wheels and get some blizzaks... it's what I did and only spent $650US.

 

whoa, a calgarian.....what are the chances

 

For 2 grand you could just buy a beat up peice of s**t to drive around in the winter and keep the Max warm and toasty in the garage!

Seriously though, after much research I bought a set of Nokian Hakapellita's for my 2000 SE and they are excellent. I live in Toronto and last year we had quite alot of snow. The Hakka's, which are made in Finland, gripped like a new-born to a boob.

I have the 15" steel wheels, on the 2001 you'll need to go up to 16" to get the necessary brake caliper clearance.

Hope that helps.

 

for my M3, I got michelin pilot alpin's, and they work beautifully. The best car I've had in the winter and it's RWD. They are a little pricey, but they work well with Calgary weather.

 

Quick Q--do the OEM 16" wheels for the 2000 models have the same total diameter as the 17" SE alloy rims + 225/50R17 Blowtenzas?
(and are the OEM 16"s + tires lighter than 17's+Blowtenzas?...)
Probably in a FAQ somewhere, perhaps I'll go look

 

nm, looks like they are by a tire calculator... 215/55R16 is somewhat close to 225/50R17
, although 225/55R16 is even closer... oh well, maybe I'll just get some Michelins for my heavy-*** 17"ers and think about lighter 17's later on...

 

the reason I bought 16" wheels and tires was because it cost just about the same as 17" winters for the OEM wheels. I couldn't find a winter tire for less than $150 but I found 16" wheels and tires for about $635. Now I don't have to worry about some grease monkey scratching my 17"s, too

 

I put rims on my car that are from a 1990 Nissan Maxima with Blizzaks tires
My car looks like crap...but it also saves me money on tires and possiably getting into a wreck

 

I've run Dunlop Wintersport M2's and Pirelli Snowsport 210's on my max as well as Bridgestone Blizzak WS 50's on my old Celica. The Dunlops and Pirellis are H(130mph) rated,steel belted performance snow tires. The Blizzak WS 50's are bias ply tires,with soft sidewalls that don't handle well,as well as low speed rating ~85mph. Tread on the Blizzaks wears like an eraser, 10,000mi and they're pretty well dead. The M2 and Snowsports wear much better 30K+. All three made a big difference for winter snow traction and handling. I should also mention that Bridgestone makes an H rated steel belted Blizzak now called the LM22. I do long snowboard and ski trips through Montana and Wyoming, to high mountain areas where it snows 500"/yr. The Max handles very well with a good set of performance snow tires. Great traction and stability, I'm always passing the high center of gravity SUV's and pickups on snow. No problems driving 85mph on dry pavement to get to the snow either. As for size, get the cheapest size that'll fit the Max and get some cheap rims,16's usually fit the bill best.

Heres some consumer reviews on snowtires from tirerack.com
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/winter.jsp

 

get 15" stockies to drive around in. save your rims :P

 

Thanks for your input everyone. In case anyone cares, here's what I'm going with: Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 P215/55R16 and FRD-8 alloy wheels. It will cost me about $1800.00Cdn.

 

I would recommend Nokian Hakkapalita. I had these on
my Sentra and I could go anywhere. I live in the white mountains of
New Hampshire. We get alot of snow and ice. I tried the bridgestone's
2 years ago, and they suck compaired to the Hakka's I'm running in the winter now
on the Max. They are a soft rubber, so you don't have the air
plane sound. I got them studded, and that makes very little sound too.
I got a little narrower than stock size because it was all they had
and I have no complaints. Hakka's also last a long time. I put over 60k on a set before
changing to new ones.

My $.02

-Joe