redfoster

On my fifth try I finally found a place that understood my car has a BBK that aren't Brembos. And on the fifth try I have 18" cheap alloy rims for the winter!!
Goonz showed me that the Sport Edition A7 fits but I couldn't find a place that had more than 2 in stock. (1010tires.com needed 3 weeks to get them in).
So I tried discounttiredirect.com and their MB Wheels (of which I'd never seen or heard of). He realized I needed lots of clearance and at $150 USD each they were a steal. They arrived TODAY and I only ordered them late Friday. Oh yeah... and they fit! No more driving the wife's car to work for me.

These MB Wheels are a little heavy for 18" but seem like a decent rim. I'll find out soon enough once they're on.

Reiki_Rocket

I also bought a set of MB wheels (Weapons) from DTD about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I think they look great for winter wheels and were pretty cheap at $570 shipped w/ lugs.

Did you go with staggered sizes from front to rear? I've got 18 x 8's all the way around (+30 offset), and it looks like my front wheels stick out further than my rears. Also, what are you running for tires? I put a set of 225/50/18's Blizzak LM60's all the way around and the car seems to handle horrible, and almost can't drive it without having the "slip" light flashing at me?

redfoster

I'm running 225/50/R18 Kumho KW-19 which handle great. I also went with the same 18x8 all around and have the slip light when accelerating, even mildly. I've come to the conclusion that most of the time there is no actual slip.

The OEM tires are actually ~1% off, with the rear tires being larger (weird I know). They likely have the computer calibrated for this, so now that you and I have the same size front and back it's reading the rear tires as going a little faster than expected... ergo, slipping. I'm trying to ignore it until I can check with the Infiniti dealer but I doubt they'll have an answer. They told me they've never heard of someone running 18's on these.

So is your car actually handling horrible or is it just the slip light coming on? Try turning the VDC off and see how it handles.

Reiki_Rocket

The handling is Horrible - little sponginess in the front I can live with, but the rears feel like I'm running 20lbs of pressure in them, and the car feels like the back end wants to come around all the time, even on cold dry pavement. For the average 1/2 dozen snow storms and 1 ice storm we get in CT, I'm really consider going to something like the Alpin PA 2 or 3, Wintersport M3, or Conti Extreme Contacts. Basically give up some snow traction for better wet/dry performance.

redfoster

That's really bizarre, the LM60 should be a phenomenal tire. What pressure are you running? Do you have the hub centering rings installed and had the wheels retorqued? Sorry if this all seems obvious.

I find mine a tad spongier than summer, which is to be expected but still rock solid performance and predictability. In fact, except for the tiny roll of the higher sidewall these feel stickier!

If you change I would recommend looking into the Kumho's for price. I'm running the KW19 but hear the KW21 are nice. And I have Toyo Observe G-02 on my other car and LOVE THEM.

Reiki_Rocket

I hated the LM60's so bad that I got them swapped out for a set of 245/45/18 Pilot Alpins over the weekend - WOW! HUGE difference. The handling is completely a night and day difference from the Blizzaks (which I tried running at 32, and then 36psi).

This doesn't even take into account that the Alpins are still green, vs the Blizzaks being broken in now with 600mi's on them. I'll be curious to see how the Alpins do in the snow.

Here's a pic of the MB Weapons on my G. I actually switched the rears to 18x9's so I'm now running 18x8 frt and 18x9 rears with the 245/45's all the way around. The 9" rear was only +5 offset over the 8" (+35 instead of +30), so it pushed it outwards a bit. Looks better and I also think it's contributing tho the improved handling.

Stems

Looks good. Now get some tinting done!!

Reiki_Rocket

Would've already been done if the weather was warmer.

Gee37S

iTrader: (3)

You still have the 18x8 rears?

mishmosh

Doesn't sound like the LM60 is the latest generation of the LM25 then. Blizzak LM25 is a great all-around winter tire.

Vu37

I was looking for a set of winter wheels, this helps a lot. thx

Blackjack

iTrader: (3)

Nice winters!

Reiki_Rocket

Now that I've spent a few weeks on the Alpins and finally got to drive in some snow/slush last night, and then hard pack/ice this morning - I gotta continue to say how impressed I am with them over the LM60's. They had some LM25's at the tire store when I was getting the LM60's swapped for the Pilots. I could actually feel the difference in how much firmer the compound felt compared the LM60's with just my finger.

With the Pilot Alpins I have to push the car pretty damn hard on even cold dry pavement to activate the VDC, and the cornering is great for a winter tire. High speed stability (130+) is great too - I wouldn't have even thought of doing triple digits with the Blizzaks.

I'd imagine the Blizzaks are probably better on the hard pack & ice, but I strongly recommend the Alpins in the 245/45/18 and 18x8 Frt & 18x9 rim combo to anyone who likes to drive their car hard, and doesn't want to give up too much performance going to a dedicated winter tire.

BTW - to the person who asked, the 18x8's went back to Discount Tire Direct and got swapped out for the 18x9's. This is the 3rd time I've bought tires/wheels from them and I strongly reccomend these guys. Their prices and customer service are awesome, and I've always gotten my wheels/tires in under a week.

da mayor

iTrader: (2)

I never issues with the Blizzaks but it's nice to hear a comparison from someone on the Pilots

Gee37S

iTrader: (3)

Very interesting thanks for the info!