Snow tire Purchase

[boreas]

I have my tires from Tirerack... but not my car I plan to ask my dealer to put them on when I pick it up (which should be after the 15th of November, at which date winter tires are mandatory here). I'll let you know about the cost! Apart from that, a local tire shop (that conceded they couldn't match Tirerack) was still nice enough to offer to put them on for the regular fee (50ish, IIRC).

Phil

update: a member of my staff wants to buy my civic ASAP, I'm calling my dealer to pressure him. Wish me luck!

[Embalmer]

Originally Posted by RCLapCar

For the SS you MUST have 20" rims. Tire rack shows only one rim for these tires (and it's $1440 each, ouch).

As for tires according to tire rack your choices are:

Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow 245/45R20 $235USD
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 245/45R20 $260USD

There might be more but this is all tire rack shows.

And of course you need the TPMS sensors for each wheel as well.

OMG WHAT???

$1440 EACH???? FOR ONE RIM!??? Are they made of FRICKEN GOLD?????

God damn...time to go buy a beater....

[RCLapCar]

Originally Posted by tededfred

For those who have bought from tire rack: are you able to install them yourself? From what I understand, the dealership needs to program the computer to read the new sensor... has anyone had that done yet? costs?

You can program the TPMS (sensors) yourself. The directions are in the owners manual (page 9-60). From what I hear it takes about 5 minutes to do.

[RCLapCar]

Originally Posted by Embalmer

OMG WHAT???

$1440 EACH???? FOR ONE RIM!??? Are they made of FRICKEN GOLD?????

God damn...time to go buy a beater....

Crazy I know. HOWEVER, when I looked at the 20" rims they recommended for the LT RS option there was a choice of 15. The lowest priced was just $89. I don't know if the single selection for the SS had anything to do with differences in the brakes (clerance?) or if they simply didn't have a decent list setup. Looking at just rims for the SS they have a choice of 8, cheapest being $209.

[RCLapCar]

Originally Posted by GrimKeeper

To save those interested some time below are 3 different 18" wheel and tire packages I priced on Tirerack.com. I am looking to get something for my 2LT/RS.

All package prices include Tire pressure Sensors, metal valves, mounting/balancing, delivery to Richmond Hill and all taxes/duty.

Package 1: $1,874.31 (USD)
Wheel -18" x 7.5" Sport Tuning Turbing Bright Silver Paint ($99/rim)
Tire - 245/55 R18 Pirelli Scorpion Ict $ Snow ($169/tire)

Package 2: $1,841.48 (USD)
Wheel - 18" x 7.5" Sport Tuning Turbing Bright Silver Paint ($99/rim)
Tire - 225/60 R18 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 ($153/tire)

Package 3: $1,522.22 (USD)
Wheel - 18" x 7.5" Sport Tuning Turbing Bright Silver Paint ($99/rim)
Tire - 225/60 R18 Firestone Winterforce ($92/tire)

As a comparison I called a tire shop in Markham and for 17" rims and 'Continental' Tires they were asking $1,690 ..... NOT INCLUDING TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS!

Anyone with experience/thoughts on the Firestone Winterforce...quite a big savings?

I would also like to know if anyone has any experience with the Firestones. I mean they're cheaper than the rims. Is there a site somewhere that has done a comparison of winter tires yet?

[GrimKeeper]

Originally Posted by RCLapCar

I would also like to know if anyone has any experience with the Firestones. I mean they're cheaper than the rims. Is there a site somewhere that has done a comparison of winter tires yet?

Just used Tirerack.coms 'Compare Tire' Feature to compare the Bridgeston Blizzak LM-25 and the Firestone Winterforce. Basic summary of the results seems to show the Blizzak is a 'Performance Snow' tire while the Firestone is a 'Studdless Ice and Snow'.

The Blizzak rated higher in most performance and noise categories while the Firestone rated higher in the traction categories.

Considering the price difference and thatI don't plan to do a lot of performance driving in the winter I'm leaning towards the Firestone.

[Can't Afford A Vette]

Hey guys,

I ordered the Micheline X-Ice on Tuesday from TireRack and they were at my house by Thursday afternoon (everything to install with). From what I have read (and I think someone else on this thread mentioned) the michelins are supposed to be a really good tire (my dealer recommended them as well). They aren't too expensive either I think they were $149 (more expensive than the firestones but less than the blizzaks).

[wrek]

I'm so confused... can we fit the 18" rims over our brakes on the SS? If so, the
Package 3: $1,522.22 (USD)
Wheel - 18" x 7.5" Sport Tuning Turbing Bright Silver Paint ($99/rim)
Tire - 225/60 R18 Firestone Winterforce ($92/tire)
Looks to be the best deal..

[tededfred]

Originally Posted by wrek

I'm so confused... can we fit the 18" rims over our brakes on the SS? If so, the
Package 3: $1,522.22 (USD)
Wheel - 18" x 7.5" Sport Tuning Turbing Bright Silver Paint ($99/rim)
Tire - 225/60 R18 Firestone Winterforce ($92/tire)
Looks to be the best deal..

18"ers will NOT fit on an SS. Brembos are too big. I don't get where all the confusion comes from on this... Ask GM, or your dealership, they will tell you 18" wheels will not fit on any SS configuration.

As for me, i've decided to go with Heritage 18" steelies (i have a 2LT) with the winterforce tires. Reviews seemed to be good enough to justify going with the cheaper tires, and my dealership was willing to give me a price break on the wheels/sensors.

Bring on the snow!!

[GrimKeeper]

Originally Posted by tededfred

18"ers will NOT fit on an SS. Brembos are too big. I don't get where all the confusion comes from on this... Ask GM, or your dealership, they will tell you 18" wheels will not fit on any SS configuration.

As for me, i've decided to go with Heritage 18" steelies (i have a 2LT) with the winterforce tires. Reviews seemed to be good enough to justify going with the cheaper tires, and my dealership was willing to give me a price break on the wheels/sensors.

Bring on the snow!!

Do you mind telling us what the dealer charged you all in for the Rims/Tires/Sensors and install?

I halso have a 2LT and I'm in the GTA.

[tededfred]

Originally Posted by GrimKeeper

Do you mind telling us what the dealer charged you all in for the Rims/Tires/Sensors and install?

I halso have a 2LT and I'm in the GTA.

I got them to match the prices posted by someone earlier in this thread actually.

so, $137 for the wheels, $42 for the sensors. The Tires are a little pricier than on tirerack though, but that's pretty much par for the course for locally sourced tires. I went with Firestone Winterforce, $195.95 EACH

All in all, i'm looking at roughly $1500 CAD plus taxes. A little cheaper than getting the tirerack package, which i think worked out to $1750 USD... I don't really want to have mags for the winter anyway, one less thing to worry about getting dinged/dirty/corroded. Plus i like the look of the Heritage wheels

[Edge.128]

Originally Posted by Can't Afford A Vette

Hey guys,

I ordered the Micheline X-Ice on Tuesday from TireRack and they were at my house by Thursday afternoon (everything to install with). From what I have read (and I think someone else on this thread mentioned) the michelins are supposed to be a really good tire (my dealer recommended them as well). They aren't too expensive either I think they were $149 (more expensive than the firestones but less than the blizzaks).

Micheline X-Ice are rated very high. Enjoy they are great tires.

[wrek]

Originally Posted by tededfred

18"ers will NOT fit on an SS. Brembos are too big. I don't get where all the confusion comes from on this... Ask GM, or your dealership, they will tell you 18" wheels will not fit on any SS configuration.

I read in more than one place on this forum that 18's will fit but I've been reading so many threads on this now it's all blurring together for me. Maybe they were in reference to the other variations of this car and didn't say it.. I know I could call GM or a dealer but I guess I thought I could ask here without the attitude as we know how some dealers are a little clueless on some things and I don't totally trust my local dealer anyway.

[GrimKeeper]

Originally Posted by tededfred

I got them to match the prices posted by someone earlier in this thread actually.

so, $137 for the wheels, $42 for the sensors. The Tires are a little pricier than on tirerack though, but that's pretty much par for the course for locally sourced tires. I went with Firestone Winterforce, $195.95 EACH

All in all, i'm looking at roughly $1500 CAD plus taxes. A little cheaper than getting the tirerack package, which i think worked out to $1750 USD... I don't really want to have mags for the winter anyway, one less thing to worry about getting dinged/dirty/corroded. Plus i like the look of the Heritage wheels

Thanks for posting the pricing info from the dealer tededfred. Nice to know what that option would cost.

I am going to try and drop in to Simply Tire tonight and see what they can offer. They have been doing a goup buy on RFD's and seem to be the best local price around (GTA). I'll post any info I get.