Snow Tires

[Strider]

Greetings. I need to get winter tires and rims for my new S2000. The folks at Tire Rack recommend that I get the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 tires in the 16" size. Right now I have the stock 17" low profile tires. I know nothing about tires. Do you agree with the recommendation to go to 16" tires/rims? TIA.

[Java Junky]

Strider;
What year Stewie do you have? When I contacted TireRack about my '04 with the stock 17" rims, they set me up with a set of 17" Dunlop WinterSport M3s.
N' I've bored everybody enough with my happiness with the M3s in the snow, so lemme jus' say that I really think you'd be hard pressed to find a better snow hoop for Stewie.
Be well.
Java

[Strider]

I have a 2007 S2000. Just three weeks old.

I wish I could keep it in the garage all winter--but I don't have a garage and I can't afford a second car. So I must drive my "dream car" through snow and sleet and slush ... But at least I have my dream car.

[Java Junky]

What kind'a winter we talkin' Strider?
Once-in-a-great-while-a-chance'a-snow?
A good chance of small amounts?
Normal snow in varyin' degrees?
Or, our Northern friends "godda-have-a-2nd-story-so-I-can-climb-out-a-window" kind'a snow.
I'm still not gettin' the 16" recommendation though.

[Strider]

JJ, I live outside Newark, NJ. Your guess about winter is as good as mine. All I know is that I have to drive the Stewie to get to work, but I'll drive my wife's if a real snowstorm hits.

[Java Junky]

Ah! Kin Petro-Chemical Stater!
Yeah Strider, we've got no idea what's comin' our way until we look out the window.
Somethin' that worked for me when I was bikin' 99.9% of the time was a weather radio n' 4 separate weather agencies on line. After a while you'll start figurin' which is the most, least n' average reliable. Usually an average of all of 'em gives a pretty good idea of what might happen.
'Havin' the wife's whatever as a back-up is a definite back-way out if needed.
With the Dunlops I've had it out in maybe an inch n' a half, but only if it's done n' ain't gettin' r' threatenin' to get worse. If there's a doubt I'm puttin' my macho in my back pocket n' breakin' out the beast.
I like Stewie too much to risk leavin' it stranded in some roadside snowbank waitin' to be plowed like so much abandoned transportation.
Be well. Oh! What's the story with that 16" recommendation?
Java

[Strider]

I spoke to Track Rack again, and they explained that the 16" rim allows them to use narrower tires, which is supposed to be better in the snow.

[Java Junky]

Pluses n' minuses. While a narrow tire digs down to the pavement easier, dependin' on the depth of the snow, it could wind up leavin' you with your Stewie's low belly on a snowpile while the thinner tires/rims dig down n' wind up danglin' in the wind, fully extended, with nothin' to bite for traction.
The wider tires/rims might (keyword) be less inclined to dig down n' could possibly help you off the snow mound by stayin' on top of the mound with the rest of the car.
Snow bein' the variable that it is, I think it would be a situation by situation call as to which would serve you better.
But, while I'm sittin' here supposin', TireRack's got the testin' n' specialists in it's corner. If they'd'a told me to go to 16s I'd've gone with what they suggested.
Good luck Strider.
Java

[Java Junky]

Strider, as I'm currently in the process of orderin' a set of wheels from TireRack for my car, it occurs that in orderin' a set of winter-specific 16" rims n' tires you do exactly that: relagate those rims n' tires for winter use with no chance of usin' 'em with your 17's at any point in time.
Keepin' the same size rims allows you to swap a tire should the need arise.
So, personally, I find that 17s (or at least the same size for both sets) r' my way to go.
This has alot to do with the fact that I don't really care for the stock crab road-kill wheels on the '04s n' later, so What I'll be doin' is findin' somethin' a little easier on the eyes n' puttin' my 'Stone 050s on 'em n' givin' my stock rims winter duty.
Lots'a choices, but bottom line is make every effort to keep Stewie from becomin' a roadster version of some Ice Capades ballerina. The slides may be graceful to watch but they've godda take years off yer life. Even without impact.
Be well.
Java

[chemical]

what type of tires do you guys think i should get for racing ive bin threw bg goodrich,toyo,perales,and falcons what next???