Size Matters

Hi,

I am shopping for steel wheels and winter tires and I came across this post on Craigslist:

4 Studded snow tires mounted on steel wheels. good shape. Used 2 seasons.
Came off an 04 Passat. 195/65R15

OR

4 studded snow tires 185/65 R15 mounted on steel wheels.


Do you guys think they fit on my '03 MCS?

thank you


Stefano


Edited by italianjob - November/21/10 at 2:46pm

UFF!!

They are impossible to find!

Thank you John!

If anybody knows somebody who has it let me know.
Im not looking to spend too much money thou.

Thank you

Stefano

ok, the guy who has the 185/65/15 says that they came off of a toyota corolla..

How does it sounds?

thank you

STefano

wow cool! I hope this guy still has the wheels!!

thank you again John!!

Stefano

did you get a brand  on the tire?

Also watch brake clearance. The MCS is 16" or 17", the 15" may not clear the brakes.

I run standard steel 15s and they clear with no problem. But try one one they front first because that is were you will have clearance problems.

italianjob wrote: well, no one from Craigslist answered my email. I am forced on making another decision. I am oriented towards buying some Autosock... i know that maybe some of you don't approve but I dont know what else to do. Still, there is a problem: guess what? They dont come in my size..... 205 40 17.. but i found that the 195 50 16 has the same overall volume + 5 mm. Let me know what you guys think, please. Thank you, Stefano

Stefano:

The ads for Autosocks all show the car running on deep snow or ice, but not mixed pavement and slush and light snow(6").  They might get torn up with the stuff we get around here, just my opinion but no actual experience.  I really like the idea of carrying them for the odd emergency snow on a road trip but if the DOT does not certify them then the Storm Troopers will not allow you to pass without chains:-(((

Step up and get a complete set of wheels and tires for snow/ice.  I was driving around today with the Blizzaks WS60s and tried a panic stop in 1" snow in a cold(29 degree frozen patch) section of road.  Got a VERY SMALL AMOUNT of ABS action, stopped straight and sort of amazed me as to the grip.  195x55x16's.

S.

Stefano:

Check out this site.  http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html  It will tell you about tire size and how it might relate to what you need.  The 40 profile seem very small for a snow type tire and would ride pretty hard.  The difference between my 55's and my 45's is very noticeable on the same vehicle, the present Non-S with standard suspension  With Sport Suspension it would be a rougher ride.

The 195x55x16's were stock sizes on my Mini.  The205x45x17 is stock size on the new Mini that is coming next week.  I have put the 205x45x17's on my current Mini and they work beautifully since they are still a wee bit smaller in diameter than the 195x55x16's and give me a very slightly lower gear ratio(good for underpowered MCa).  I also have a set of 205x50x16's and they really lower the gear ratio.  I love them for fast acceleration but the engine is turning over faster to obtain the same speed.

Yep, Crater Lake is way up in deep snow.  I am sure the Autosocks would work up there but when the roads get really snowy up there the Storm Troopers close the highway.  I have tried twice to take those passes and could not get through because the road was physically closed with steel bar gates!  Now is the Mini could slip under them....

Good luck with the decision, $$$ is always an issue.  With a new Mini on the way I am making some rather expensive decisions to head off future upgrades.

You and Christina have a safe trip!

Stephen




Edited by SMOG-1 - November/22/10 at 2:09pm

italianjob wrote: Stephen: I look to the website you linked me. Seam that the overall diameter is just the same ( 205/40-17 - 195/50-16----->+5mm

Is that a stock size for your Mini?  I bet it rides a little rough but probably corners like crazy!

Cheers.

S.

And that would be not so comfy on trips.  Great in an autocross but when a cigarette butt is noticeable then it is an issue!  That s one reason I did NOT order the JCW Suspension Package when I was merrily ordering my new Mini, I like a smoother ride.

The difference between riding a BMW motorcycle and a hard tailed Harley.

S.



Edited by SMOG-1 - November/22/10 at 2:57pm

7 HRS TO GET FROM BOEING FIELD TO LYNNWOOD.....

INSANE....

NO WORDS...

Stefano

I made real good time on my Proxy 4s

The roads weren't bad when you could see the, I finally found a use for those dang center road bump. I call it driving by Braille.

italianjob wrote: 7 HRS TO GET FROM BOEING FIELD TO LYNNWOOD..... INSANE.... NO WORDS... Stefano

The Blizzaks got me around real well yesterday but it was the OTHER traffic that was problematic.  People driving in the snow that don't have the tires or the experience all sliding around together.  Looks like a real bumper cars event.

S.

Did you run off and leave that guy that was tailgating you?

I will try that with the 2nd Gen w/fogs.  My current MCa has no factory fogs, which I am mulling around in my head and will probably install some once I get the MCSa and start tinkering with it.

S.