Michelin Primacy 20" in the snow

[warden]

How well will these tires do for New England snow storms? Should I entertain the idea of picking up snow tires? If so I shuld probably get a set of cheap(yeah right) rims for them.
Just curious, we got a lot of snow last year.

 

[way2evil]

They are horrible. I got stuck in a parking lot with an inch of snow. They just kept spinning. Picked up a set of Blizzaks and the SHO rockets through snow like a tank.

 

[Unknown_Driver]

i consider them cheap no season tires and will be happy to get rid of them asap

if you live in a snowy climate you should always have a set of dedicated winter tires

 

[warden]

That was what I was thinking. I loved the Nokian WR's I had on my rear wheel MarkVIII, went through anything.
Opinion; should I get new rims too or just have the tires swapped out every season?

 

[warden]

Well considering I have the 20" rims, looks like i'm looking at 19" rims and tires.

 

[warden]

THe only 19" I see are Michelin and Pirelli. Nokina does not make them in that size. I assume that 18" rims will fit on the car and clear the brakes?

 

[Unknown_Driver]

some guys are using 17's but i can't stand the look of anything smaller than 19

 

[warden]

I agree, I think the 18's would look a bit dorky. Guess it's either the Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II or the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 in 19"

Still not sure about the 18's, definately more options but rim is too small. I will have them on from november - arpil.

 

[Billm0066]

I ran 18" wheels with Blizzaks and it looks fine. You will be using a taller tire so the overall height will be the same. The cost of 18" wheels and tires vs anything bigger is quite a bit. Besides nobody will see how dorky an 18" wheel will look when you are flying by them in 12" of snow Also you can buy a brand new Taurus with 17 or 18" wheels, so it's not like it's going to look that bad. My wheels are flat black, so it kind of blends in with the tire.

 

[warden]

Anyone have pictures of the 17" rims. Looks like a nice cheap option. This is a company car not a personal car.

 

[Billm0066]

Go on Fords site and build an se Taurus. The 17's look terrible, and they will probably cost you a lot more than aftermarket 18" wheels. I got all four Blizzaks and wheels mounted, balanced, with a warranty from Discount Tire for $1,261 with tax. My tires weren't the cheapest either, so you can spend less.

 

[ChuckC]

Thanks I was wondering if the 18" Taurus wheels would fit, over the brakes.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Almost positive they will.

Talked with "Mason Rush" at TireRack yesterday. He says they are already starting into their Snow Tire season. Usually TireRack has inexpensive wheels to go with snow tires of your choice.

Worth contacting Mason. He's a great guy.

 

[SpoolinX2]

What size tires are you guys looking at for 19's? I've looked and found next to nothing in stock size. There's a few...nothing that looks like they'd be worth anything for snow...and they're all like $300+.

I'm definitely wanting a set of winter tires so I can make it out to the resorts even if it's snowing. I've got the Eagle RSA's stock, but have heard bad things about them...how true is this? If they're tolerable, I'm sure I can manage. Last winter I dealt with an '11 GT in 4"+ of snow a few times.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

I have the stock RS-A's on my Flex for the winter trip back to IA from FL. Personally don't like them as I feel they wander, but as for getting around in limited snow, they worked adequately. My personal choice for A/S would be Conti DWS, but not willing to purchase a separate set of tires for a single winter trip.

Because we are mostly in warm climates, I instead purchased different wheels & Conti DW summer tires. Mine are 18"s, but now that TSW makes light weight 20's, I would do what Darreli did and go that route to save the weight that I did.

 

[way2evil]

Thanks I was wondering if the 18" Taurus wheels would fit, over the brakes.

You have the same brakes as a regular Taurus so yes they would. I have a set of 18s on Blizzaks for the winter.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

We don't need NO Pictures of SNOW... Yet!!!! LOL

Hey... wait a minute... I'm heading to FL in OCT!!! SO WHY DO I CARE!!!

LOOKS GOOD.... Both cars & SNOW!

 

[warden]

Tire Rack has a set of (4)17" rim and blizzak for under $1000.00 but wondering if that'll be too small.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

If they fit the current Taurus, they should fit the SHO. Call Mason @ TireRack. He can verify... don't have to purchase at this time. He may have other options that are similarly priced.

 

[SpoolinX2]

That's what I was looking at a bit ago. Blizzak's are great tires. I borrowed my dad's truck during the blizzard 2 years ago. F150 with Blizzak's, in 4wd, I went down an unplowed road with 1.5' of snow...no issues at all.