Interesting video. The other consideration is stopping on dry pavement with studs.

 

WHAT?! I went to my crappy tire and they told me S2 rims do not fit our cars... I actually liked those rims too. Maybe its because I have an 08 g35xs??? Or are they just ****ing retarded?

 

They have no idea what they're talking about. For example, when I was there, the teenager behind the counter asked me what vehicle they were for, and when I said "Infiniti G35x", he asked me who made Infiniti! This wasn't about Nissan owning / manufacturing Infiniti - the little weasel thought Infiniti was a model, not a brand.

Yeesh - don't they teach their staff anything? Oh, wait, I already know the answer to that question...

Anyway, here are the specifications for those wheels:
Bolt pattern: 5x100 - 5x4.5/114.3
Offset: 40mm

No problem with the 5x114.3 bolt pattern - that's perfect.

Now, for the offset. While Infiniti OEM wheels on the G35x are 45mm offset (at least on my 2005), the 40mm offset on the Sacchi S2 will work just fine - just moves them 5mm further out - which a lot of people like.

I looked at those wheels and actually took a set home. They look like a decent wheel but, IMHO, the gunmetal colour didn't really go too well with my Serengeti Sand G35x. I'm actually using the OEM 17" 7 spoke wheels for winter, and bought a set of Sport Edition SE-14 wheels from Tire Rack for my summer tires.

 

Good info, guys. Oh, and nice to see Gordgee back on the board.

EDIT: I bit the bullet and put my Blizzaks on today. Calling for small amounts of snow this week, but no sense holding out til the last minute.

 

I think I'm gonna pick up a set of blizzaks as well. Can't beat the $75/tire price. Although I'm thinking I may want a studdable tire...any advice on that? We get a lot--i mean A LOT--of ice hear in MO. It will snow in the afternoon, freeze overnight, melt in the next morning/afternoon, and freeze again by that evening. So it's slushy/icy almost all winter here.

Advice?

 

I'm actually almost always on, at least every 2 days or so. Just don't always post.

 

Where are you finding them for $75 a pop? what size?

 

Take a look at the video. Ice Traction: Studded vs Studless

Not sure how a tire like the Hakkapeliitta 4 or 5s would compare as the treads look much like some other studless tires. So they might actually do much better than as shown in the video.

 

Would 235/55/R18 work on an 18" rim?

This is for an 03 g35c w/ brembos. Would this trip the VDC or will it be okay?

 

lol! They asked me exactly the same thing! "Who makes Infiniti?"

I'll grab a set of S2 gunmetals and install them myself then since crappy tire guys are special.

What does everyone do for TPMS? None for winter?

 

Hey guys, that video was awesome. Great to learn the difference between studless and studded tires.

In all honesty I think very few people need the advantage of studs. The only reason I went to the Haka 5's was they are same compound and very similar tread pattern to the non studded R's. Otherwise I would have just gone with the Haka R's.

I really wish Tire Rack had the Nokian product line in their catalogue as I would like to see how they really compare. Sadly the video seemed a little bias towards non-studded tires in the fashion that it was comparing 1960's compounds with studs to modern compounds. I really would like to see a modern compound with modern studs; that is to say not ones that you have to drill in but ones that are made by the manufacture in the process and are an integral part on the tire as they are on the HAKA 5's.

I really don't think most people need studs, but even scarier than that is the number of people whom buy chains for passenger cars. If you really need chains somewhere, I think Im looking for a truck. Im certainly not looking at my "G" if I need chains, no clearance.

One_Hertz... I just changed out my Cabin and Engine air filters and went to old Crappy_Tire for filters, they guy asked me three times for whom made "Infiniti". Finaly I went and got the book they put over by the filters and had to show him the numbers, they had an engine filter in stock but not a cabin filter and stated they couldn't get the cabin filter at all (I have purchased them there before). Blew my mind!!

Im not running TPMS on my car for winters. Not because of the cost of the sensors but rather because It would cost around $50 to get the car reprogrammed every time the tires switched that adds up to a ridiculous amount of money when totaled with the costs of the sensors. If I could just switch them myself and avoid the reprogramming I would be willing to put out the cost, but not for bi-yearly fee on top of it!

Ill post pictures soon. Just got to get some wheel sealant on them prior to the white stuff commin!

S.DUNN

 

Lucky-G,

Sorry kinda missed your post in there. I think for us to make an informed decision we need to know more about the type of driving you do as well as where you do it.

If your thinking of going to a studded tire your going to have to be ready to shell out the big money. As the tire rack video showed old tread compounds with studs dont preform up to the new tread compounds alone. Therefore, I think most people would recommend that if you are considering studded tires, be sure your going with a modern compound. Most manufactures that Im aware of don't make such a combination and those that do charge top dollar for it as it is the best of both worlds.

If your just doing city driving with constant road conditions and short distances of travel I think consideration should be given to three tires. In no particular order the Michillen X-Ice Xi2 the Bridgestone WS-60 and the Nokian Hakkapaletia R. All are excellent tires and will do wonders if you have never dealt with a pure winter tire before. The Bridgestone's tend not to last as long as their treads tend to harden as they tread depth wears. I have not had experience with the X-Ice personally, but have heard they stay pliable longer through the tread duration. I have used the Nokian tires before and they stay very soft right down to well bare for all intensive purposes.

Take your time and read as much as you can. Be aware, even the best resources out there have bias so read as many articles as you can as they tend to average out what each one is trying to sell you. I think if you research you will find that all three of the above tires will give you what your looking for on ice.

Let us know if you need more info, check back on some of the links that have been posted!

S.DUNN

 

I was actually looking at grabbing a set of WS50's as they are $75/each on TireRack right now. What's the difference between the 50 and the 60, other than age?

The studded tires I was looking at are the Firestone Winterforce. Reviews seem good...

 

I'm running TPMS sensors in both sets of wheels but, so far, haven't had to have the system recalibrated - though that will come in the Spring.

Check out the Ateq VT10 - list price is USD$99 (http://www.tpms-tool.com/TPMS_tool_ATEQVT10.html) - so once you've used it twice it's paid for. I've written Ateq Canada to find out who their dealers are, but no answer yet.

 

I've driven my car with the WS50s and my friends car with WS60s and they seemed to perform equally as well on ice and snow. Great tires.