Winter Tire Recommendations (GTA)

[VQ30GTR]

Just got a set of Hankook Ipike W409 mounted/Balanced/Shipped on Steelies for $625 and another $100 off with their credit card @ Discount TireDirect. I just put them on to break them in before the snow starts. So far in wet better than stock. I just was talking with one of my service reps who lives in Minnesota. I asked about what he does for tires, turns out he has a car modding business on the side (Mostly old Audis). Told me he has the Ipikes on (3) of his cars, (1) w/studs for ice racing. Showed me a video on his laptop, and going through the course @60 on the studded ones on ice! He said they are cheaper than the Nokians, and same tread design, and you will be extremely happy with them when winter comes.

Another tire to consider, and free shipping from DTD! Tires were $89 each.

[twotonetommy]

For those thinking of buying X-Ice Xi2's from Costco. I bought a set of these tire in the US from Costco for basically half the cost ($432 US including taxes) and then I went to Coscto Canada to have them installed. They told me the load rating was not high enough and they would not install them on the car (oem was 93T, X-Ice 92T). I phoned my local acura and they are recommending the X-Ice in the same size which they tell me was recommended by Acura Canada.

Any other opinions?

[CalgaryTSX]

You didn't include any technical details in your post.
Tire sizes?, which wheels you are using?, etc..



Costco is not really a tire shop. For example they will not mount nor repair tires they do not sell.

In your case, just take your tires to another tire shop to get them mounted.


I just had a heck of a time purchasing larger than stock BF Goodrich tires at Costco in Calgary.

I went slightly larger than stock with a slightly larger than stock wheel & wanted 1 tire mounted on 1 wheel which I wanted to bring home to test fit in my own garage.
At 1st they had no clue why anyone would want to go larger than stock & they had never heard of anyone ever doing a test fit.
The discussion about wheel offset & backspacing was frustrating also.

The young guys in the Costco tire shop are very narrowly trained. They just follow process & go by their what their on-line system tells them.

For example if you wanted to plus or minus size tires & wheels they wouldn't have a clue what your talking about. Nor would they know about other non-stock or performance applications.
Nor did they know the difference btwn static & dynamic balancing.

Costco tire prices are very good for Michelin & BF Goodrich tires but their shop is all about high volume, quick in & out layman folks.
Not for performance minded folks. I spent some frustrating time there to save a few bucks...

...Joe

[twotonetommy]

Hey Joe

Sorry about that. I minus sized the wheel package for winters. Bought 16" steel rims from Costco Canada and bought four 205 60X16 92T Michelin X-Ice Xi2 from Costco US. Costco mounted the tires on the rims but would not put them on my car due to the load rating.

They also said I would need new lug nuts since the Honda lug nuts were tapered differently for a Honda rim unlike the generic 16 Steel rims Costco sells.

[CalgaryTSX]

Originally Posted by twotonetommy

Hey Joe

Sorry about that. I minus sized the wheel package for winters. Bought 16" steel rims from Costco Canada and bought four 205 60X16 92T Michelin X-Ice Xi2 from Costco US. Costco mounted the tires on the rims but would not put them on my car due to the load rating.

They also said I would need new lug nuts since the Honda lug nuts were tapered differently for a Honda rim unlike the generic 16 Steel rims Costco sells.

No problem...

Those tires & wheels are a perfect package for the TSX in the Winnipeg winter.
Find another shop to get them installed on your car.

Btw, the OEM Honda lug nuts are fine to use on the steel wheels.
It's not critical to have conical seat lug nuts versus the rounded seat lug nuts on steel wheels.

...Joe

[steventsx]

sorry i don't drive my car on the winter

[blackout5599]

Wondering if Size: 16x6.5JJ Offset: 55 JDM DC2 rims will fit for winter.

[HoRRo]

Originally Posted by blackout5599

Wondering if Size: 16x6.5JJ Offset: 55 JDM DC2 rims will fit for winter.

Originally Posted by evertp1

16inch is the smallest that will fit. And even that barely clears the front calipers. Basically what HoRRo said LOL
I was running the JDM DC2 Type R rims for a couple days last summer and they are tiny on the car. With the High off set and they are 16x6.5 or something, they are way too small.

evertp1 ran something close (if not the same as what you said).

[CalgaryTSX]

Originally Posted by blackout5599

Wondering if Size: 16x6.5JJ Offset: 55 JDM DC2 rims will fit for winter.

Those wheels should be fine. See my sig for what I am running for winter wheels.

The only issue is front brake clearance. Test fit one of those wheels on the car before you buy the wheels & before mounting any tires.

While the 195/65R16 is a great size for those wheels, the more common 205/60R16 tire size is fine and cheaper.

[johnnymarin]

Hi guys,

New to this thread and have a question regarding a winter tire/rim package that I'm considering.

The rim is a Sacchi universal 16X7 with 40mm offset and correct lug spacing. You can buy these at Canadian Tire and are a cheap alternative to regular black steelies. I am going to mount 205/60/16 snows on these and need to know if the offset or tire size will be a problem. I think everything should OK but I am a little worried about the offset. I will also probably need hub rings to fit the 64.1mm centre bore size.

Thanks, John

[CalgaryTSX]

Those wheels are not ideal but will be fine.

- 205/60R16's will fit fine on a 7 inch wide wheel.

- 16x7 with 40mm offset will mean the wheels will stick out 15mm more (1/2inch) more than the stock wheels. Not ideal but ok.

...Joe

[johnnymarin]

Thanks Joe for the reply. I can get the rims for about the same price as steel rims and they look much better. I was concerned about the offset but your answer put me at ease.

Thanks,

[whitetsx2007]

Im also planning to purchase a set of winter tires. I live in Canada where there's always heavy snow. Anyone know if the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 is any good? (Size:205/60R16 92R) Also will they fit on 16" steel rim from cosco/canadian tire without problem?

Thanks!