370Z in the winter

wilsonp · 10-14-2012, 01:44 AM

Where I live we have a few days with snow or ice at most, so I just go with All Seasons when the temps drop below 40 or so during the day. The roads get plowed eventually so it works out - I've probably had to get a ride in the wife's jeep once in 3 winters.

I just swap the tires - my tire place stores the tires for me. I had two sets of wheels for the NSX and now I still have a winter set of NSX wheels in the carport!

forza370z · 10-14-2012, 03:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Dedicated winter wheels are preferable to switching rubber every season. In the long run you save money as you don't have to pay to mount and balance twice a year.

Additionally with the stock wheels you're stuck running wide winter tires which isn't necessarily what you want when it comes to snow traction.

This...

Narrow tires are good for deep snow. And they are cheaper then wide/low profile tires. The stock wheels seem to be little too wide and big. 17" winter wheels with higher profile narrow winter tires would be nice. Another good reason to have an extra set of wheels for winter.

mayday813 · 10-14-2012, 11:00 AM

I use the car all year around. I have four Michelin X-Ice 245/45R - 18 mounted on cheap alloys for winter use. No problems whatsoever on ice, packed snow, or snow accumulations less than six inches deep. Deep snow is a problem due to plowing with the front air dam on the sports package. The car actually handles very well in snow and ice and with the six speed and viscous limited slip differential. As mentioned, deep snow or windrows on interstate highways are a concern but not insumountalbe.

Arnold · 10-14-2012, 04:52 PM

OK, I have the required information :-) Thanks all!
I'll sell the VOlvo, buy the Bridgestone tyres and find some cool and cheap 18'' rims. Although this is still my hesitation, can I fit 18'' tires+rims on the Sport Package?
It seems I read it was 19'' only.

PS: yes, I'm really lost with all this

6MT · 10-14-2012, 06:19 PM

I wonder if Randy Rodrigres could design an awd 370(?) Heck if you do an awd Mini...

Arnold · 10-15-2012, 11:13 AM

I don't get it, my usual dealer told me the LM-60 is only for SUVs and doesn't exist in 75/35R19/96W
So, with the sport package, can I go down to 18'', buy the LM-60 and a pair of new rims or do I need to be in 19''.
I can take any rim I want as long as it's not ugly, right?

forza370z · 10-15-2012, 12:19 PM

Your dealership probably doesn't know what he is talking about... Here is the search results from Tire Rack.

For 18" rims.
Bridgestone*Blizzak LM-60 Coupe&autoModClar=Without Sport Package&wtpackage=true

For 19" rims.
Bridgestone*Blizzak LM-60 Coupe Touring&autoModClar=Sport Package&wtpackage=true

Notice the price difference? 18"s are much cheaper. And yes get any 18" you like as long as it clears your BBK and not too wide.

Arnold · 10-15-2012, 12:28 PM

Thanks, appreciate the help.
So I'll go with 18'' rims + the LM60

Just, ahum, one last thing: "as long as it clears your BBK and not too wide" =>
- BBK?
- idea of the maximum width?

Thanks again!

gbrettin · 10-15-2012, 03:02 PM

I DD my Z year around. You can absolutely drive your Z in the snow.

My 370Z in the Snow - Blizzak LM-60

forza370z · 10-15-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbrettin

I DD my Z year around. You can absolutely drive your Z in the snow.

My 370Z in the Snow - Blizzak LM-60

Excellent! OP, that thread has everything you need for the winter setup. Thanks gbrettin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arnold

Thanks, appreciate the help.
So I'll go with 18'' rims + the LM60

Just, ahum, one last thing: "as long as it clears your BBK and not too wide" =>
- BBK?
- idea of the maximum width?

Thanks again!

You are very welcome. BBK means big brake kit on your car(Since you have sport package). As long as the wheel spokes don't hit the BBK they are fine. As for the set ups on wheels and tires, please referring to that thread.

Arnold · 10-15-2012, 05:35 PM

Thanks a lot @ gbrettin this is exactly what I wanted to see actually: handling while being reasonable :-)

I loved the 6th gear at 1000RPM and the giggle when you rev'ed and turned on purpose ;-)

I'll definitely get 18'' rims and LM60 tires and drive reasonably... and sell the Volvo.
Thanks all the for the help. Looking forward to follow most actively this forum now that I'm an active Z owner and user!

10-14-2012, 01:44 AM	#16 (permalink)
wilsonp A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,134 Drives: 2009 Touring Sp Nav Rep Power: 17	Where I live we have a few days with snow or ice at most, so I just go with All Seasons when the temps drop below 40 or so during the day. The roads get plowed eventually so it works out - I've probably had to get a ride in the wife's jeep once in 3 winters. I just swap the tires - my tire place stores the tires for me. I had two sets of wheels for the NSX and now I still have a winter set of NSX wheels in the carport! __________________ 2014 Cayman S PDK Sport Chrono White/Black Was 2009 370Z Touring Sport+Nav 7AT Metallic Black/Persimmon Was 1991 NSX Auto Black/Black

10-14-2012, 06:19 PM	#20 (permalink)
6MT A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: ITU Zone 2 Posts: 22,459 Drives: Reliant Robin Rep Power: 1790	I wonder if Randy Rodrigres could design an awd 370(?) Heck if you do an awd Mini... __________________ Andrew 2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold 2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D Last edited by 6MT; 10-14-2012 at 06:22 PM.

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10-14-2012, 11:00 AM	#18 (permalink)
mayday813 Base Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Iowa Posts: 143 Drives: 11 370Z spt tour 6mt Rep Power: 14	I use the car all year around. I have four Michelin X-Ice 245/45R - 18 mounted on cheap alloys for winter use. No problems whatsoever on ice, packed snow, or snow accumulations less than six inches deep. Deep snow is a problem due to plowing with the front air dam on the sports package. The car actually handles very well in snow and ice and with the six speed and viscous limited slip differential. As mentioned, deep snow or windrows on interstate highways are a concern but not insumountalbe.

10-14-2012, 04:52 PM	#19 (permalink)
Arnold Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: London Posts: 89 Drives: '10 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 13	OK, I have the required information :-) Thanks all! I'll sell the VOlvo, buy the Bridgestone tyres and find some cool and cheap 18'' rims. Although this is still my hesitation, can I fit 18'' tires+rims on the Sport Package? It seems I read it was 19'' only. PS: yes, I'm really lost with all this

10-15-2012, 11:13 AM	#21 (permalink)
Arnold Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: London Posts: 89 Drives: '10 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 13	I don't get it, my usual dealer told me the LM-60 is only for SUVs and doesn't exist in 75/35R19/96W So, with the sport package, can I go down to 18'', buy the LM-60 and a pair of new rims or do I need to be in 19''. I can take any rim I want as long as it's not ugly, right?

10-15-2012, 12:19 PM	#22 (permalink)
forza370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: 403 Forbidden Posts: 2,512 Drives: 2009 NISMO 370Z Rep Power: 19	Your dealership probably doesn't know what he is talking about... Here is the search results from Tire Rack. For 18" rims. BridgestoneBlizzak LM-60 Coupe&autoModClar=Without Sport Package&wtpackage=true For 19" rims. BridgestoneBlizzak LM-60 Coupe Touring&autoModClar=Sport Package&wtpackage=true Notice the price difference? 18"s are much cheaper. And yes get any 18" you like as long as it clears your BBK and not too wide.

10-15-2012, 12:28 PM	#23 (permalink)
Arnold Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: London Posts: 89 Drives: '10 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 13	Thanks, appreciate the help. So I'll go with 18'' rims + the LM60 Just, ahum, one last thing: "as long as it clears your BBK and not too wide" => - BBK? - idea of the maximum width? Thanks again!

10-15-2012, 03:02 PM	#24 (permalink)
gbrettin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 2,279 Drives: Tricycle Rep Power: 589151	I DD my Z year around. You can absolutely drive your Z in the snow. My 370Z in the Snow - Blizzak LM-60

10-15-2012, 05:35 PM	#26 (permalink)
Arnold Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: London Posts: 89 Drives: '10 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 13	Thanks a lot @ gbrettin this is exactly what I wanted to see actually: handling while being reasonable :-) I loved the 6th gear at 1000RPM and the giggle when you rev'ed and turned on purpose ;-) I'll definitely get 18'' rims and LM60 tires and drive reasonably... and sell the Volvo. Thanks all the for the help. Looking forward to follow most actively this forum now that I'm an active Z owner and user!