winter wheels & tires... found them, bought them
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Evolving Member
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: St. Louis, MO
winter wheels & tires... found them, bought them
With news of snow arriving Monday here in St. Louis, I finally got off my butt and went seriously looking for tires for the EVO.
High on my list was the highly rated 235/45 Pirelli Nero Zero M+S to be mounted on my stock EVO wheels as sort of a "minimum" winter setup for winter in Missouri that would still allow the EVO to handle decently yet be acceptable on some occasional ice and snow...
St. Louis's big winter obstacles are mostly ice and sleet/freezing rain, plus some light snows (usually just 2 to 4 inches at a time, heavier snows are pretty rare).
I figured the Neros would probably be fine through our average winter based on reports, and should handle pretty well too - better than the Conti Extremes or Pirelli 210s or Pilot Alpines I originally considered at least.
My second choice was to go "whole hog" and buy some 17x7 wheels and mount serious narrow winter tires on them, like Blizzaks or F721s. These would go on now and come off in March, when I could remount the stock wheels since there is still plenty of life left in the stock Yokos for spring time use. The 17x7s would then get stored and always used as winter wheels/tires. It also helps that I have a Mitsu Gallant as well that I could also use these wheels on if I ever get rid of the EVO, or if I simply don't want to inflict winter driving on EVO and mount them on the Gallant instead for snowy/icey commuting.
But Neros weren't in stock anywhere I called or looked. They could get them in a week. I figured I could order them online instead, but if I was going to go through that hassle I decided to go ahead and pursue the 2nd route and get REAL winter tires
Finally found a pretty good combo (I think) for St. Louis winters:
17x7 Enkei RS5 $142 each
The Enkei RS5s are some of the cheapest wheels I've discovered that actually fit the EVO. And they are also pretty nice looking too
I always love 5 spoke wheels, and these are very clean too. I may get them powdercoated black or dark gunmetal for at some point in the future. Dark wheels would be nice for dirty winter use.
Yokohama Guardex F721 215/50r17 $156 each
Since I saved a bit on the wheels I sprung for the somewhat pricey Yoko F721s instead of saving a few bucks and going for cheaper tires... They are apparently very good on slippery roads and ice, and have very aggressive tread and are good in snow too - they sound ideal for St. Louis winters. I know I'll seriously loose handling with these tires over Neros, but I am prepared to give that up due to their reported excellent traction in seriously bad conditions.
So I guess what I'm saying is go buy Enkei RS5s for winter use!
THEY ARE CHEAP and look GOOD!!
I got mine at www.discounttiredirect.com but I'm sure many other places stock them.
I'll post pics when I get them mounted!
High on my list was the highly rated 235/45 Pirelli Nero Zero M+S to be mounted on my stock EVO wheels as sort of a "minimum" winter setup for winter in Missouri that would still allow the EVO to handle decently yet be acceptable on some occasional ice and snow...
St. Louis's big winter obstacles are mostly ice and sleet/freezing rain, plus some light snows (usually just 2 to 4 inches at a time, heavier snows are pretty rare).
I figured the Neros would probably be fine through our average winter based on reports, and should handle pretty well too - better than the Conti Extremes or Pirelli 210s or Pilot Alpines I originally considered at least.
My second choice was to go "whole hog" and buy some 17x7 wheels and mount serious narrow winter tires on them, like Blizzaks or F721s. These would go on now and come off in March, when I could remount the stock wheels since there is still plenty of life left in the stock Yokos for spring time use. The 17x7s would then get stored and always used as winter wheels/tires. It also helps that I have a Mitsu Gallant as well that I could also use these wheels on if I ever get rid of the EVO, or if I simply don't want to inflict winter driving on EVO and mount them on the Gallant instead for snowy/icey commuting.
But Neros weren't in stock anywhere I called or looked. They could get them in a week. I figured I could order them online instead, but if I was going to go through that hassle I decided to go ahead and pursue the 2nd route and get REAL winter tires
Finally found a pretty good combo (I think) for St. Louis winters:
17x7 Enkei RS5 $142 each
The Enkei RS5s are some of the cheapest wheels I've discovered that actually fit the EVO. And they are also pretty nice looking too
I always love 5 spoke wheels, and these are very clean too. I may get them powdercoated black or dark gunmetal for at some point in the future. Dark wheels would be nice for dirty winter use.Yokohama Guardex F721 215/50r17 $156 each
Since I saved a bit on the wheels I sprung for the somewhat pricey Yoko F721s instead of saving a few bucks and going for cheaper tires... They are apparently very good on slippery roads and ice, and have very aggressive tread and are good in snow too - they sound ideal for St. Louis winters. I know I'll seriously loose handling with these tires over Neros, but I am prepared to give that up due to their reported excellent traction in seriously bad conditions.
So I guess what I'm saying is go buy Enkei RS5s for winter use!
THEY ARE CHEAP and look GOOD!!
I got mine at www.discounttiredirect.com but I'm sure many other places stock them.
I'll post pics when I get them mounted!
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Cleveland, OH
I'd be most interested if they REALLY fit; please let us know when you get them on. There are numerous threads indicating cases of wheels that are "suppossed to" fit, don't. Also like to know if you need spacers and if the 40 offset changes the handling at all....
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 216
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From: St. Louis, MO
The good thing is that DiscountTireDirect stands behind their sales, they said they'd pay all costs if the wheels don't fit, plus the guy swore up and down that they removed lots of wheels from their "EVO" capable list last week due to misinformation, and the ones now listed are "confirmed" fitment, whatever that means... 
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5
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From: Rochester, NY
Hey man, did you get those Enkei RS5's yet to find out if they fit? I think they're the best looking wheel in their price range and want to order them.
It's been snowing here in upstate NY and I can't decide between all seasons or snow tires to mount on them. I guess you got the Guardex f721 since you could get them together and mounted from www.discounttiredirect.com ... but I couldn't find any reviews for them other than the apparently bogus one from Discount Tire.
I kind of want all seasons for some fall/late winter beaters, and since there's usually a lot of dry pavement between snow falls here. But I'm not sure how much I'll sacrifice in snow fun & bad luck.
Opinions?
It's been snowing here in upstate NY and I can't decide between all seasons or snow tires to mount on them. I guess you got the Guardex f721 since you could get them together and mounted from www.discounttiredirect.com ... but I couldn't find any reviews for them other than the apparently bogus one from Discount Tire.
I kind of want all seasons for some fall/late winter beaters, and since there's usually a lot of dry pavement between snow falls here. But I'm not sure how much I'll sacrifice in snow fun & bad luck.
Opinions?
Hi,
I have the same Enkei wheels on the way with Falken all season tires from Discount Tire. The pkg was just a little over 1k shipped to my door. They are ~20 lbs, and stock wheels are supposed to be ~24, so that a nice rotational weight loss, even if these Enkeis aren't super light. Great for the price though, as long as they hold up decently well. I had 5Zigen Fn01RC on order, but they may not show up until Feb, lol.
I should get them next week, just in time hopefully.
Anyway, I live in Southeastern MA, and I'm running all seasons. For most of the time, it will be cold, but with paved roads. I've always lived in MA and had FWD cars with all seasons including 4 years at UVM in Burlington, VT. For part of that time I had Dunlop D40 M2s on a 2.2 liter Turbo Probe GT and I survived, although I did get stuck a few times.
My last car was an Audi A4 1.8T quattro, and I drove the stock Dunlop SP 8000 the first winter and then got SP 5000 all seasons after that. All the Audiworld guys really advocate "real" snow tires, and I agree they're better, but I'd rather have a tire that's decent when there's no snow. The EVO has much more power, but I'm hoping it will be ok.
Take care,
FB
I have the same Enkei wheels on the way with Falken all season tires from Discount Tire. The pkg was just a little over 1k shipped to my door. They are ~20 lbs, and stock wheels are supposed to be ~24, so that a nice rotational weight loss, even if these Enkeis aren't super light. Great for the price though, as long as they hold up decently well. I had 5Zigen Fn01RC on order, but they may not show up until Feb, lol.
I should get them next week, just in time hopefully.
Anyway, I live in Southeastern MA, and I'm running all seasons. For most of the time, it will be cold, but with paved roads. I've always lived in MA and had FWD cars with all seasons including 4 years at UVM in Burlington, VT. For part of that time I had Dunlop D40 M2s on a 2.2 liter Turbo Probe GT and I survived, although I did get stuck a few times.
My last car was an Audi A4 1.8T quattro, and I drove the stock Dunlop SP 8000 the first winter and then got SP 5000 all seasons after that. All the Audiworld guys really advocate "real" snow tires, and I agree they're better, but I'd rather have a tire that's decent when there's no snow. The EVO has much more power, but I'm hoping it will be ok.
Take care,
FB
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5
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From: Rochester, NY
Hmm, I have some people telling me to go for all seasons, some people saying snow tires all the way. I have to do something soon... my Evo was like a sled on the Advans yesterday when we got our first snow. I just don't know if I'll take advantage of the snow tires as much as I want to.... I think it would be fun driving around on snow tires with the Evo, but is it worth it for the pavement performance loss and tread wear?
I haven't had all seasons in a long time - I had a '94 Probe GT before the Evo and had three sets of rims.. one set with snow tires.. one pair were Good Year, the second were Dunlop Winter Sports... neither were that great, but the Good Year's were better.
Berkel.. yeah, those Fn01RC's look hot! What size are the Falkens that you got with the Enkei's?
I haven't had all seasons in a long time - I had a '94 Probe GT before the Evo and had three sets of rims.. one set with snow tires.. one pair were Good Year, the second were Dunlop Winter Sports... neither were that great, but the Good Year's were better.
Berkel.. yeah, those Fn01RC's look hot! What size are the Falkens that you got with the Enkei's?
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Thread Starter
Evolving Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 216
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From: St. Louis, MO
I'm planning to have 3 sets of wheels:
17x7 Enkei RS5 with SERIOUS snow tires, like Blizzaks or the 721 Yokos, etc. These tires will go on the car Dec-Feb
stock 17x8 wheels with some serious performance all seasons like Pirelli PZero Nero M+S or something similar... These will go on once the temps start dropping and the rain and leaves start falling in the autumn, and in the spring while there is still cold temps and rain, Oct-Dec and Mar-May
17x8.5 Enkei WRC forged wheels with SERIOUS SUMMER ONLY tires. These may just end up being the 235/45 Advans again... although I am wanting to try some other (wider) tires first. These will only be ont he car in the warm months.
If I was only going to have 2 sets, then I'd go with Enkei RS5 17x7s with all seasons like Falkens or Contis, and 17x8.5 Enkei WRCs with the Advans or better tires. The stock 17x8 wheels I'd sell to buy the 17x7s!!
17x7 Enkei RS5 with SERIOUS snow tires, like Blizzaks or the 721 Yokos, etc. These tires will go on the car Dec-Feb
stock 17x8 wheels with some serious performance all seasons like Pirelli PZero Nero M+S or something similar... These will go on once the temps start dropping and the rain and leaves start falling in the autumn, and in the spring while there is still cold temps and rain, Oct-Dec and Mar-May
17x8.5 Enkei WRC forged wheels with SERIOUS SUMMER ONLY tires. These may just end up being the 235/45 Advans again... although I am wanting to try some other (wider) tires first. These will only be ont he car in the warm months.
If I was only going to have 2 sets, then I'd go with Enkei RS5 17x7s with all seasons like Falkens or Contis, and 17x8.5 Enkei WRCs with the Advans or better tires. The stock 17x8 wheels I'd sell to buy the 17x7s!!
Berkel.. yeah, those Fn01RC's look hot! What size are the Falkens that you got with the Enkei's? [/B]
Per advice from Discount tire, I'm getting stock size tires. I would have thought 17x7 would be too narrow for 235, but he really advised me to go with stock tires vs the 225 that I was planning on. It will provide more rim protection, hopefully it doen't bulge too much or anything.
Has anyone posted pics of these Enkeis yet? I should get mine Tues or Wed.
Take care,
FB
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Rochester, NY
I couldn't find any real reviews on the Guardex's anywhere. I'd bet the Blizzaks are better...
but now I'm kind of leaning towards all seasons since the winters here in Rochester NY are supposed to be getting milder, and I'm thinking perhaps I should have a crappy set of tires just to put miles on. It would be nice to get them from the same place - save a bit on shipping and mounting.
berkel.. the wider tired for better rim protection sounds like a good idea, since I've chewed up some rims myself in the past. I was actually thinking a 215 for better snow performance.
Hmmm... I'm so confused.
but now I'm kind of leaning towards all seasons since the winters here in Rochester NY are supposed to be getting milder, and I'm thinking perhaps I should have a crappy set of tires just to put miles on. It would be nice to get them from the same place - save a bit on shipping and mounting.
berkel.. the wider tired for better rim protection sounds like a good idea, since I've chewed up some rims myself in the past. I was actually thinking a 215 for better snow performance.
Hmmm... I'm so confused.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: The Land of Make Believe
The yoko F721's use the same compound as the Blizzacks so they should be similar. The positive to the Yoko's is that the compound is the whole depth of the tread whereas the Blizzacks is the first 65% only and the rest is an all season compound.
Blizzacks are allright but there are better snow tires out there. Depends on your situation and what you want to give up to be safe in the snow, ice and cold temperatures.
Blizzacks are allright but there are better snow tires out there. Depends on your situation and what you want to give up to be safe in the snow, ice and cold temperatures.
