[StRYCH9]

Well, snow finally fell on my midwestern city, so I figured I'd get my winter rubber on. I wanted to go with 16" so that I had some extra sidewall to prevent the wheel damage that my 6 endured last winter. I snagged a nice find on Craigslist. They are a set of Pacer 16x7" wheels that were used on a Ford Fusion. They had one-season old Blizzaks installed, 205/50R16. Not the size I wanted, but for $300 I had to try them. I lost 1/2" ground clearance and 5 mph @ the speedo, but I can live with that for a season.

They actually ride and handle much better than I anticipated, and don't look horrible either. They barely clear the front calipers. In fact, there is literally only 1-2mm clearance from the wheel weight to the caliper bracket. But, no rubbing or clearance issues. $300 well spent.

 

[scoobaseve]

I picked these up at tire rack. 205/60R16 General Altimax Arctic and 16x7 wheels. Fitment is very tight but it works. Total setup ran me ~650 plus shipping. Only took 2 days to receive the order.

 

[MartinK7]

Put on mine yesterday. Went from the OEM 225/40R18 Dunlops to 205/50R17 Gislaved NordFrost 5 on stock Mazda6 GS wheels. Here are the before and after shots.

Before...

After...

 

[svodnik]

scubaseve,

Nice setup! I got the same rims with the X-Ice 2's. I was going to check fitment tomorrow, but I suppose I can wait until I see some snow now. Looks good. Can't wait for a blizzard to try them out!

 

[dano285]

scubaseve,

Nice setup! I got the same rims with the X-Ice 2's. I was going to check fitment tomorrow, but I suppose I can wait until I see some snow now. Looks good. Can't wait for a blizzard to try them out!

Are your tires noisy on highways? Mine are insanely noisy. 215/50/17's.

 

[scoobaseve]

They aren't too noisey. You can hear them but I wouldnt call them loud.

 

[svodnik]

dano,

if you're wondering how the x-ice 2's sound, i haven't put them on yet. I am waiting on my rally armor mud flaps to save some time and make it easier to install when i have the wheels off.

I'm thinking of doing the work this weekend though. Ill let you know how it sounds once i get them mounted.

 

[svodnik]

Put on the winter wheels this weekend and went on a 60 mile road trip. I am running 205-60-R16 Michelin X-Ice Xi-2's mounted on the Sport edition rims from tirerack.

Wow what a difference in the handling/cornering... even softer when starting/stopping. I expected it, but definitely a different feel on the road. I am going to miss the summer tires, but it's just something to look forward to in the Spring.

The noise level is not very noticeable (compared to stock) at lower speed. I can hear them when getting on the accelerator though, kind of a good sound though... sounds like they are really grabbing the road.

At higher speed there is a faint whine. Nothing too bothersome for me. You can hear it over the radio when the volume is at a moderate level. I usually have the music on loud enough that I won't really hear the tires.

Saw a little bit of snow on the ground, but nothing to really test the grip of these tires. Overall I am pleased so far. I'll see how it goes when we get some real snow in western PA and I have to climb some hills on the commute to work.

 

[dano285]

That's exactly how it is for me. Coasting you don't hear them, but when they're taking on torque from the accelerator, you can really hear them whining. It's also evident with the radio on moderate volume.

Everyone says these are supposed to be quiet tires, maybe they mean in deep snow, not on dry roads? I've got no clue, but for the money I figure they'd be on par with the WS70's from Bridgestone as far as operating quietly.

 

[Will_DK]

I have just got Blizzak LM-25 225/40 R18 92V XL VZ from Bridgestone
I put them on the original rims.
I have try them in snow is and dry road.. And the are realy great.
And I have try drive 240 km/t and same noise as the original wheels

 

[burninfire]

I've been driving around on my winter tires for a little over a week now and I've experienced them on dry, wet, and snowy conditions. And I have to say these tires are the shit! If you've never had to buy snow tires before these are the ones to get. I purchased 205/60R-16 Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 and they are simply amazing. I plow through snow on the highway with these tires as if it was nothing. Granted you'll get wheel slip when it comes to ice, I've never felt like I've lost/about to lose control of the car what so ever. I've driven the car going 65-70mph in blizzard conditions without any problem what so ever. No vibrations, no rattling, no issues. The ride height of the car slightly increases but the handling is still pretty decent.

Place of Purchase: TireRack.com

205/60R16 Bridgestone Blizzak WS70

Total Including Shipping $681.51


I ended up just getting steelies due to all the pot holes in my area. I figured it wouldn't have been worth it if I ended up cracking one of my rims and then ended up having to spend more money to replace it down the road.

Before Pictures:

After Pictures:

 

[dano285]

I drove through a freaking blizzard of slush/ice/snowstorm yesterday, it was bad. Wrecks all over the highway. I'm driving on 215/55/16 Michelin X-Ice2's. They were amazing. Never once lost control or got scared of the car. The only thing it had a problem with was changing lanes and driving through that slush/ice mix in between lanes on the highway. It would slow the car down, but never turned the car sideways; any normal car would have issues with this, so I can't complain.

They dominate in snow. I can take off quick, stop quick, turn quick. I drove into about a 6" drift yesterday to help clean my girlfriend's car. It backed out of it just fine without giving me even a bit of trouble.

They are still noisy in the snow/slush unless it's deep snow then you can't even hear them. Not sure if it was purposely designed this way because it gives you an indication of whether or not your tires are truly planted on the pavement which is kinda cool.

 

[dano285]

And FYI for the people with steelies, don't forget that slush and ice can accumulate on the back of your rims on the inside where you can't see it. I had this happen last year with a different car and it was shaking like mad at speeds over 25 MPH. Got under the car and looked around and noticed a giant pile of ice/slush/salt mix on the inside of a rim. Cleaned it off and all was well. So before taking your car in to a shop if it's acting up like that, take a peek for yourself.

 

[wolly6973]

And FYI for the people with steelies, don't forget that slush and ice can accumulate on the back of your rims on the inside where you can't see it. I had this happen last year with a different car and it was shaking like mad at speeds over 25 MPH. Got under the car and looked around and noticed a giant pile of ice/slush/salt mix on the inside of a rim. Cleaned it off and all was well. So before taking your car in to a shop if it's acting up like that, take a peek for yourself.

This happens on all wheels, not just steelies.
Happened on my wife's Jetta last year, and to my MS3 on stock wheels/tires this weekend...

 

[dano285]

This happens on all wheels, not just steelies.
Happened on my wife's Jetta last year, and to my MS3 on stock wheels/tires this weekend...

I know, just reminding them specifically because its so hard to see the inside of the rim.

 

[chromal]

Yeah, it's something I hate about winter, especially on a uphill dirt road in the spring when the snow starts melting during the day, but everything freezes over night. Mud frozen to wheels is even more tenacious than ice/snow, and if the brakes are wet when you pull the parking brake, the pads can freeze to the discs making getting going in the morning an act of abuse as you drag a tire until it unsticks the brake. That was always happening on my ford festiva and honda civic's rear drum brakes, hasn't happened yet with my mz3's rear disc brakes, but I've not driven it through a full winter season yet.

 

[dano285]

I think my parking brake froze the other day. Backed out and the car resisted for a second then made a lovely loud pop and I started moving. It drives fine so I'm assuming that was it.

 

[Zoom-Zoom19]

Just wondering!! im thinking about getting steelies! but do they fit even if u lowered ur car wit H&R spings???

 

[rubenspeed3/2010]

hi im searching for steel rims for my 2010 mz3 and i see that u have some steel rims on ,i would like to have some info about the size spec and what size is the tires i would realy appreciate thank you........

 

[rtanc2564]

I got my 16" steelies on Kijiji. The bolt pattern is 114.3 x 5. I also bought a set of 16" General Altimax Arctic for my 2011 speed3. The size is 205/60/16R.