370Z in the winter

Arnold · 10-13-2012, 09:37 AM

Hi all,

I purchased my 370Z in beginning of the spring this year. I kept until now my previous car, a Volvo C30 with winter tyres when needed.
I'm thinking of selling it because it's stupid to keep it but I'm "scared" of the winter season.

ANyone here is using their Z all year-long? I'm in Belgium, we don't have crazy winters but we do have a few days with snow, ice on the roads etc. Plus, I'm often going to Switzerland. I'm thinking with the Z I'll be completely stuck very easily where the VOlvo, front wheal drive + winter tyres is quite good at moving itself out of slippery situations.

Any advice?
Thanks!

Ubetit · 10-13-2012, 11:19 AM

Cars (in general) don't handle well in the winter because of the tires. Is the 370z and ideal platform for snow... NO. If you can keep the beater i would do that.

However....

A friend has a Z4. On days when it snowed even a half inch, he couldn't get his car back into the garage. I grabbed his credit card and ordered Blizzak WS60s with Steelies for him. $800 later, It now goes better in the snow than his wife's Accord on all-seasons.

Arnold · 10-13-2012, 11:23 AM

Thanks!
Definitely planning on buying a set of 4 winter tyres. I'll see if my usual shop can offer me Blizzak WS60s. Otherwise any other recommendations (they usually sell Michelin & COntinental).

What's steelies?

Other than that I guess in the city with a cleared road it should be OK with good tyres. But going to Switzerland is my main concern

gthausz · 10-13-2012, 12:28 PM

I purchased two winter tires on the rear instead of four of them. It work no problem in winter as well. For RWD, it is enough!

Arnold · 10-13-2012, 12:59 PM

Isn't that a bit weird to have two different sets front and rear?
Do you mind me asking where you live AKA do you have rough winters?

forza370z · 10-13-2012, 01:42 PM

No, get yourself 4 nice winter tires coz you need front tires for making a turn and brake. Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 are the best snow tires out there. It makes day and night different in a snow storm.

But still, the best way to handle harsh winter is to get an awd winter beater if it's possible. Who want to use a nice car as a snow plow crushing the ice and snow during winter. Not to mention the salt damage to your car.

Tazicon · 10-13-2012, 01:47 PM

Z's will get you around in the snow if you have to, but man after driving the Z in the snow I few times I would definately recomend keep a beater around. Not just because of getting through the snow but also because of crap they put on the roads when they are plowing. Things rusted on my Z that shouldn't have.

03g35coupe6mt · 10-13-2012, 02:44 PM

get 4 if your gonna drive your z in winter

your not gonna be able to turn the damn thing without sliding . or keep the other car and not have to worry about some tool sliding into you

MacCool · 10-13-2012, 03:07 PM

Having to drive on icy and snowy streets is exactly the OPPOSITE reason I own a Z car. It's a vehicle with a tricky and torquey clutch, rear wheel drive, and ground clearance that makes some driveway exits difficult. It would completely suck as a winter driver.

Keep the Volvo.

Arnold · 10-13-2012, 05:18 PM

Thanks all for your input. But damn, I would like to sell the Volvo as it's going to be used 1-4 weeks a year :-/
Then again I can't risk being stuck one morning because of 2 centimetres of snow... What a challenge.

Now (and sorry for all these questions :-) ) if I keep only the Z and buy 4 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 tires, the goal would be to keep the stock rims and in the winter change the rubber only, right?
Thanks again!

bigsix · 10-13-2012, 11:04 PM

I think you should use(buy) different wheels to install your Winter tires on. "Steelies" are steel wheels that are all black. Most base model/ small japanese cars come stock with black steelie wheels covered by plastic hub-caps.

m4a1mustang · 10-13-2012, 11:09 PM

RWD + Winter tires + Snow = awesome

cossie1600 · 10-13-2012, 11:26 PM

I am going to be riding in the snow this year too (On the S-tune wheels!). Wife's new car is more expensive than mine, so the Z is going to lose the garage queen status.

forza370z · 10-14-2012, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arnold

Thanks all for your input. But damn, I would like to sell the Volvo as it's going to be used 1-4 weeks a year :-/
Then again I can't risk being stuck one morning because of 2 centimetres of snow... What a challenge.

Now (and sorry for all these questions :-) ) if I keep only the Z and buy 4 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 tires, the goal would be to keep the stock rims and in the winter change the rubber only, right?
Thanks again!

Pretty much... But it would be nice to have a second set of wheels(can be cheap and used ones) for winters. This way you can easily swap them out by yourself anytime you want to and always have a nice set of wheels when weather is good.

m4a1mustang · 10-14-2012, 01:13 AM

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.

10-13-2012, 09:37 AM	#1 (permalink)
Arnold Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: London Posts: 89 Drives: '10 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 14	370Z in the winter Hi all, I purchased my 370Z in beginning of the spring this year. I kept until now my previous car, a Volvo C30 with winter tyres when needed. I'm thinking of selling it because it's stupid to keep it but I'm "scared" of the winter season. ANyone here is using their Z all year-long? I'm in Belgium, we don't have crazy winters but we do have a few days with snow, ice on the roads etc. Plus, I'm often going to Switzerland. I'm thinking with the Z I'll be completely stuck very easily where the VOlvo, front wheal drive + winter tyres is quite good at moving itself out of slippery situations. Any advice? Thanks!

10-13-2012, 01:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tazicon Track Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Vegas Baby! Posts: 773 Drives: German/British cars Rep Power: 14	Z's will get you around in the snow if you have to, but man after driving the Z in the snow I few times I would definately recomend keep a beater around. Not just because of getting through the snow but also because of crap they put on the roads when they are plowing. Things rusted on my Z that shouldn't have. __________________ Porsche, it's a 2 syllable word

10-13-2012, 11:09 PM	#12 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	RWD + Winter tires + Snow = awesome __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

10-14-2012, 01:13 AM	#15 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	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. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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10-13-2012, 11:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ubetit Track Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 527 Drives: the women lazy Rep Power: 14	Cars (in general) don't handle well in the winter because of the tires. Is the 370z and ideal platform for snow... NO. If you can keep the beater i would do that. However.... A friend has a Z4. On days when it snowed even a half inch, he couldn't get his car back into the garage. I grabbed his credit card and ordered Blizzak WS60s with Steelies for him. $800 later, It now goes better in the snow than his wife's Accord on all-seasons.

10-13-2012, 11:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Arnold Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: London Posts: 89 Drives: '10 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 14	Thanks! Definitely planning on buying a set of 4 winter tyres. I'll see if my usual shop can offer me Blizzak WS60s. Otherwise any other recommendations (they usually sell Michelin & COntinental). What's steelies? Other than that I guess in the city with a cleared road it should be OK with good tyres. But going to Switzerland is my main concern

10-13-2012, 12:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
gthausz Base Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: DSM Posts: 95 Drives: 09nissan 370z M6 Rep Power: 13	I purchased two winter tires on the rear instead of four of them. It work no problem in winter as well. For RWD, it is enough!

10-13-2012, 12:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
Arnold Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: London Posts: 89 Drives: '10 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 14	Isn't that a bit weird to have two different sets front and rear? Do you mind me asking where you live AKA do you have rough winters?

10-13-2012, 01:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
forza370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: 403 Forbidden Posts: 2,512 Drives: 2009 NISMO 370Z Rep Power: 19	No, get yourself 4 nice winter tires coz you need front tires for making a turn and brake. Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 are the best snow tires out there. It makes day and night different in a snow storm. But still, the best way to handle harsh winter is to get an awd winter beater if it's possible. Who want to use a nice car as a snow plow crushing the ice and snow during winter. Not to mention the salt damage to your car.

10-13-2012, 02:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
03g35coupe6mt Base Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Stroudsburg Pa Posts: 183 Drives: 2010 Z / 2003 G35cp Rep Power: 15	get 4 if your gonna drive your z in winter your not gonna be able to turn the damn thing without sliding . or keep the other car and not have to worry about some tool sliding into you

10-13-2012, 03:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
MacCool A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Midwest Posts: 1,349 Drives: 370Z PW 2014 Rep Power: 16	Having to drive on icy and snowy streets is exactly the OPPOSITE reason I own a Z car. It's a vehicle with a tricky and torquey clutch, rear wheel drive, and ground clearance that makes some driveway exits difficult. It would completely suck as a winter driver. Keep the Volvo.

10-13-2012, 05:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
Arnold Base Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: London Posts: 89 Drives: '10 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 14	Thanks all for your input. But damn, I would like to sell the Volvo as it's going to be used 1-4 weeks a year :-/ Then again I can't risk being stuck one morning because of 2 centimetres of snow... What a challenge. Now (and sorry for all these questions :-) ) if I keep only the Z and buy 4 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 tires, the goal would be to keep the stock rims and in the winter change the rubber only, right? Thanks again!

10-13-2012, 11:04 PM	#11 (permalink)
bigsix A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Thailand Posts: 2,227 Drives: Honda City/Mazda 2 Rep Power: 19	I think you should use(buy) different wheels to install your Winter tires on. "Steelies" are steel wheels that are all black. Most base model/ small japanese cars come stock with black steelie wheels covered by plastic hub-caps.

10-13-2012, 11:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	I am going to be riding in the snow this year too (On the S-tune wheels!). Wife's new car is more expensive than mine, so the Z is going to lose the garage queen status.