Winter tires

[Calgarywinger]

Turns out that the 09 G37 Vert requires 2 different size tires, and the only manufacturer Infiniti uses is Bridgestone. I tried to get a set of Blizzaks yesterday but was told none were available any longer. The cost of 2 sets of tires would be C$1600 installed.
As the Calgary dealer can't get the right tires, and neither could Kal-Tire, or Fountain Tire, the dealer suggested an alternative: Buy 4 18" rims and Blizzaks (all the same size). They quoted me C$2900 for the 4 (they have to sell me 4 new TPMS sensors as well). After reviving from my near-coronary, I considered other options:
1) Buy a clunker for the wife (it's her car) to drive in the winter
2) Check US tire dealers (cost of shipping and duty would probably equal quoted price)
3) Do like the city of Calgary and hope we get a lot of Chinooks this winter
4) Increase the life insurance value of my wife's policy and let her drive with the current tires
5) Have her take cabs this winter (probably be cheaper in the long run)
Any ideas?
Dan

[nogoodname]

buy from tirerack, i did for 1400 cdn for 18 inch rims and blizzacks..... shipping/duty/customs included.

[Calgarywinger]

Hi Nogoodname,
Is Tirerack a Canadian outfit (we don't have a Tirerack in Cowtown) or will I need to pay shipping and duty?
Thanks

[nogoodname]

they are in the States, check tirerack.com. tirerack calculates shipping and duties on the checkout cart together. no payment will be made at ur doorstep. the tires come mounted and balanced on the rim for free. . . . lugs nuts are free also.


so when you get them, just change the wheels in ur driveway.

[drjspecv]

Just forget about the TPMs also. The light will go on in your car but after awhile you will learn to ignore it. If you get the TPMs for the new tires you have to re-sync it for the new ones and then again in the spring for the old ones and on and on....not worth it IMO.
Anyways good luck and safe driving.

[xtrema]

Originally Posted by drjspecv

Just forget about the TPMs also. The light will go on in your car but after awhile you will learn to ignore it. If you get the TPMs for the new tires you have to re-sync it for the new ones and then again in the spring for the old ones and on and on....not worth it IMO.
Anyways good luck and safe driving.

Thanks, I was wondering how G37's TPMS would work. I hate these TPMS senors, they are almost $100 each.

BTW Winger, winter is the only reason I didn't jump in to get one of these because it will be my year round car.

If you check Tirerack on a winter package, you should be able to find a 18" rims with blizzaks for around $1700 shipped GST in. With dollar almost par, that's about $1800cdn. You lack support from dealership but you will also save $1K.

Also winger, call Urban Expression to get a quote from Bob. He may be a bit busy now but lots of Calgary guys use him. Good reputation.

Urban Expressions Wheel & Tire Is Open For Business!!! - beyond.ca car forums community for automotive enthusiasts

Won't be as cheap as tirerack but he won't have rip off prices like dealer either. At least he's local and you'll know where to go if you need help.

[heff]

or u could spend 1800 on blizaks for the stockers like i did got em from OK Tire

[xtrema]

I rather spend that and have a seperate set and don't have to worry about damaging the rims twice a year.

Plus the extra 1" of sidewall on 18" probably ride a bit better in winters.

[heff]

^ yup ur right.... lol just an option tho... my plan is to get rims this summer so stockers will be my winter setup

[xtrema]

BTW, how's it holding up in winter? Any cold air come through the roof?

[Blackjack]

PM Neal@Tirerack. He'll get you setup with what you need.

[Calgarywinger]

Thanks for all the advice guys, it's much appreciated. My preference, like Heff, would be to use the stocker rims (everyone of which the wife managed to sidewalk-scratch) and buy the black rims for summer. But if I can't find the 19 inchers I'll order a set of 18's from Tirerack.

[Shane D]

Originally Posted by Calgarywinger

Thanks for all the advice guys, it's much appreciated. My preference, like Heff, would be to use the stocker rims (everyone of which the wife managed to sidewalk-scratch) and buy the black rims for summer. But if I can't find the 19 inchers I'll order a set of 18's from Tirerack.

Just wondering what you ended up doing? I am test driving a vert this week, but wondering about tires. In four years I ended up dropping $3,600.00 on Blizzaks. However my second set is pretty fresh so I might be able to sell them. Or if I go with a g37X, I could use them.

Curious on your plan for a Calgary winter.

Shane D

[Calgarywinger]

Hi Shane,
We decided to leave the summer tires on and keep the car in the garage. The wife and I can share the Tahoe during the few bad days we get here. So far, after the first snow we had in early October, which lasted about 2 weeks, we haven't seen any bad weather (knock on wood). It's been very mild the last month with no precip.
The other reason we're garaging the car is because this city goes gravel-happy (they call it "sanding" ) at the first whiff of a snow flake and you wouldn't beleive the damage we get from rock chips in one lousy season.

[Shane D]

Originally Posted by Calgarywinger

Hi Shane,
We decided to leave the summer tires on and keep the car in the garage. The wife and I can share the Tahoe during the few bad days we get here. So far, after the first snow we had in early October, which lasted about 2 weeks, we haven't seen any bad weather (knock on wood). It's been very mild the last month with no precip.
The other reason we're garaging the car is because this city goes gravel-happy (they call it "sanding" ) at the first whiff of a snow flake and you wouldn't beleive the damage we get from rock chips in one lousy season.

Must be tough to store it! I used to have a Z28 that I stored every winter for years. I wouldn't have the patience anymore.

Testing a G37X and a G37C this week. I wasn't big on the convertibles until I saw/sat in a black on black. Ooooohhhh.... Plus the vert has more headroom.

So, are you driving with summer tires on the clear days? If so, isn't that dangerous? I thought summer tires were unsafe below a certain temp., regardless of conditions?