Winter Tires

[BouRZ]

I know it's a little early but I looked into what size winter tires might fit the BRZ.
According to Tire Rack; We show you can do a 16" with a 205/55/16 or 215/50/16 tire size.
I am a fan of Nokian snows and will put them on even though my car will see only light use in over the winter months.
I love rear drive winter driving but the car is too low to clear even plowed new england roads - and too low to see and be seen over and around snow piles and drifts at corners.

[onbooSTi]

Gotta check out Bridgestone Blizzaks! I had these on my Subaru's for years in the snow. I would be curious to see a BRZ in the snow, kinda scary to think about.

[raventare]

A BRZ in the snow...would be nice to get the full underbody pan that is available everywhere but here. The 16's might lower it too much more, especially if you already did springs or coil-overs...18" snow tires, do they make those? Blizzack WS70 215/45-17, or 215/55-18...don't mention Nokians though, at the rack Now you can get 18's for all year round!

[Raven42]

I am curious as well. It has been a long time since I owned a rear wheel drive vehicle. I somehow managed to survive a couple of Salt lake winters as a poor teenage kid with a Z28 and nearly bald tires. The BRZ wont be my daily driver in the winters, we have a Forester for that, but I do want to take it out from time to time. Blizzaks have received fairly decent feedback from some friends that drive newer rear drive vehicles.

[BouRZ]

Blizzaks have very loyal fans, that's for sure. I would be interested in learning more aout the full underbody pan. Any thought of who might import it, or sources? Would be huge in the icky weather.

I am orignally from outside of Bufflo, NY and we pretty much only had rear drive cars when I was a kid. My first car was a Beetle, then Triumph Spitfire and then a (German) Mercury Capri. Today my highschool age son drives an outback with all the electronic nannies. I was lucky when the headlights worked on my Triumph!

With snows it can make sense to go to a smaller diameter wheel and taller (softer) sidewall, as well as a narrower tread. The OEM tires have a diameter of 24.6 inches; while 215 50x16s are 24.5 and 205 55x16 are 24.9. For my purposes, (could end up on a frozen lake someswhere - it wouldn't be the first time.) I will go witt the taller 205s as they provide greater psi on lose snow and icy conditions, marginally more clearance and a more sublte side wall. Also the smaller diamter wheel is less likely to get killed in a chuck hole or mild off road excursion.

The underbody pan would be a awesome. Please give me a heads up if you learn any more about it. Thank you!

[brzce]

Here's a pic of my BRZ with some 16x6.5 Subaru Rims and 205/55R16 Blizzak WS-15 tires:



My neighbor had these laying around. Tires have never been used.

Note that the caliper does clear the inside of the rim.

Regards,

Bryce

PS: can anyone tell me how to 'thank' someone on one of these threads??

[BouRZ]

Sorry I cannot help with the 'thank' question, but your car looks great!

[brzce]

Sorry I cannot help with the 'thank' question, but your car looks great!

Maybe its another forum that allows 'thanking.' Not sure.

Here's another pic with 225/50 R 17 Michelin Pilot Alpine PA3s mounted on OEM Subaru 'turbo design' wheels that my neighbor had laying around. Tires are almost new ~600 miles?? on the set.

They should be 45 R 17s. Wheels look a bit clunky. If you had to pick the 17s with higher performance - but oversized tires - or the 16s with with blizzaks - which way would you go?

[BouRZ]

Depends on how often you will be driving in the snow and how severe the conditions. The deeper the snow the more I tend to favor the 16s. That said, if you opt for the 17s let me know as I would be interested in the other set if your neighbor is selling them. I get your comment on the look of the turbo wheels. The more I see them the more the look grows on me though. I think we are to some degree more used to the OE open wheel look.

[brzce]

Depends on how often you will be driving in the snow and how severe the conditions. The deeper the snow the more I tend to favor the 16s. That said, if you opt for the 17s let me know as I would be interested in the other set if your neighbor is selling them. I get your comment on the look of the turbo wheels. The more I see them the more the look grows on me though. I think we are to some degree more used to the OE open wheel look.

I'm in Ann Arbor, MI - so there's no telling exactly how the winter will go. There was basically no winter last year.

If the snow does get deep a few times this winter - I bet I won't be driving till the roads are cleared. My main concern is that the gravel road leading up to the blacktop near my house can get pretty icy. Which tire would be best for a slow speed slippery hill.

I've already purchased the 17s. As soon as I lay eyes on the other 3 16s - I'll buy them if they look ok.

Where are you and how much snow do you typically get?