Blizzak Snow Tires NOW IN OUR STOCK SPORT SIZE!!!
 

I've been waiting for this for a while and thankfully it's here. For anyone else worried about winter driving, TireRack now lists a set of Blizzak snow tires that fit the stock 19" sport rims.

Now I can breathe a sigh of relief.

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25

I've run blizzacks for the past 8 years, they are fantastic snows... but I'm curious to how the 275 wide rear would do in anything over 2-3 inches.

Yeah, it's a real question of balancing pros and cons for me. I'm on a tight budget when it comes to snow tires...I have little desire to drop a fortune on this topic. That being said, the cheapest solution compromises all around. That would be all season high performance tires. They'd be fine for my street driving in the 'good' months and would be decent in most winter weather, but probably miserable on the bad snow days.

Choice two is to swap the blizzaks onto my same rims and then swap back to the summer tires when the weather improves. This saves the cost of new rims and TPMS sensors. The burden is thus swapping tires and perhaps wear on the tires from mounting and pulling them twice a year (perhaps not a big deal...any advice welcome).

Option three is to get a dedicated set of rims for snow tires and put the blizzaks on them. I'd prefer this, but I'd want a different setup. I'd love 18"s but I have yet to see someone say they work over the sport brake calipers. Going this avenue, I'd surely get narrower rims and tires to get more bite in the snow. Anyone know 1) if 18"s will work over the sport brakes (and what specs if they do work) and 2) what a decent set of cheap 19" rims would cost me?

I have a 370Z base. I had the Akebono's installed. The sports brakes fit in the 18 in wheels.

You guys have made my friggin day.

I believe in Australia, all 370Zs get sports brakes but no 19" wheels. They get 18". Which also indicates that 18" clear the Akebono brakes. If you think about it, Nissan would make sure that they clear because it's cost effective for them. I am very interested to see if the OEM 350Z rims would clear the Akebono brakes? :stirthepot:

http://i576.photobucket.com/albums/s...08_350Z_08.jpg

I can confirm that 18's actually clear the diameter of the calipers and rotors. However the offset and spoke design must be just right to clear the sides of the calipers.

Last winter my brother ordered a set of generic wheels & blizzaks for his G37s. The calipers just barely clear the inner barrel of the wheel, maybe 1/2" or so IIRC. The spokes only cleared the calipers by 1mm so we sent them back.

How much clearance do you have between the base 18" wheels and the sport brakes? Where are they closest to interference, on the circumference or the spokes?

Tx!

HJM

tell ur bro to buy some 18" MSW's from tire rack, they fit sport and non sport G37's
some guy bought 18 inchers, the spokes cleared the BBK's but the rim got wedged onto the brakes from the top to bottom..i couldnt beleive it...it was totally stuck......the rims were so thick i guess.....really bizarre.




you need to buy thin spoked rims if you want 18 inchers, look at the stock Z rims, they look like panels from the hub to the rim

18" rims will work because the spare is an 18" rim. What I would like to know is what 18" rim ( off set etc.) can I use with P225's all around for winter. I wouldn't want to go any larger than that for winter use.

What he said ^^^^

Makes a huge diff here in the Northeast! Narrower is BETTER!


HJM

While I'm sure narrower is better, I had to go with the most cost effective solution. Alas, I ordered the blizzaks to fit the 19" sport Rays. Twice a year, I'll have to take the car in to swap the tires (sigh). I just can't spend 2 grand on winter tires AND rims. I'd much rather deal with wide snow tires, rubber swapping, and then buy some bolt-ons with the extra cash :). So, blizzaks are coming via UPS now and maybe some HFCs too!

FYI, TireRack lists the Blizzaks for the 19" rays as 'in stock' but the front wheel size is on 'close out'. While I find it hard to believe Bridgestone won't make that size anymore, TireRack claims once they're gone, they're gone. So, if you want them, get them quick.

left front wheel
 

There should be an attachment.

Looks like there is plenty of space...at least in terms of diameter clearance. How close to the spokes come to the calipers behind the rim?

I'm actually looking to go with the complete separate set of wheels/tires option for my winter setup (my 370 has the stock 19s + sport).

Good to know that the stock 18s would be an option for the wheels but 245 tires is a tad too wide on the rear for my taste... If anybody comes up with a same size all around winter package, 18" and around 215-225, and that won't upset the VDC, I'd be interested...