So this winter is going to be my first winter with my G and I since I am roughly new at this, Im not quite sure what is involved. So far, going through these threads, I know that winter tires are a necessity to drive safely in the snow/slush and since Im in NYC, I think we'll be looking at some snow. The threads have been most helpful, but some of my questions I'm still unsure about.

I have a stock 07 G35C AT, so I am assuming I have stock 17" or 18" summer tires? My package is not the performance tires nor sports suspension. Correct me if I am wrong.

Do you guys normally install the tires yourself or do you bring them to someone? What do you guys do with your summer tires in the meantime? Also, I went on tirerack.com and I see a set of Blizzaks for ~$700, but I also have to get wheels for it??? That's another $500!! Can I use just the ones my stock tires came with? Looking for advice! Thanks.

 

My G is not my daily driver but I did have to put winter tires on my 2004 GTO when I had it. I just had the tires shipped to me from The Tire Rack and had them installed on the factory wheels. It would be much more convenient to buy the winter tires already installed on a set of rims as a package but obviously that is much more expensive. My local Infiniti dealer will store summer tires for customers so you might want to ask if your dealer will do the the same. I used the Dunlop WinterSport M3 tires and was very happy with them. I don't have experience with any other snow tires but they made driving a relatively high horsepower car through snow fairly easy. If you are not for sure what you have on your car, go out and look at the exact tire size before you order. I just went on tirerack.com and they say there are different sizes possible for your car so just double-check.

 

i am pretty much in the same place as you, but from what i have got from looking around and emailing i found in the long run it was cheaper to get new rims.

Please correct me if i am wrong though, however i have the 19's and it was only costing me about $200ish more to get 17s/tires because i was told it would be about $100 each time (200ish a year) to have the tires taken off and put the others back on.

However since you have a $500 difference i dont know if it would be as good of an idea for you, but it is something to think about.

 

just use common sense when it comes to driving in snow and etc...dont drive unless you have to..and when you do, drive as if your driving a lambo that you dont want to **** up!.....and as far as tires..im not expert on what you need but ive been on my goodyear eagles all season with stock 17's (17's ftw!! ) and im going to find out for myself how they are in winter conditions...but im sure if i drive smart it wont be bad.

 

If you are plan on using the G as your daily driver, then by all means look into buying Snow Tires.

I went with 17" aftermarket rims w/Dunlop Winter Sport M3 tires. Cost me around $1,200 from TireRack, Mounted/balanced and all the necessary hardware.
They give me plenty of traction in the bad weather, and they are quiet on dry roads and loss of handling is minimal.

Its soo much easier to just change out the rims/tires at the end of each season.

Good luck with your decision

 

I've been through 3 winters with an 05 auto coupe with stock 18s and have found winter tires to be a must. I had an IS300 before the G Coupe and used winter tires as well. They make a world of difference in the snow.

People have used the analogy that you wouldn't wear sandals in the snow and the same applies to tires. Using summer tires in the winter and in snow does not provide you with the proper traction.

I had two sets of rims, the stock 18s that come on the performance wheel and tires package as well as the stock 19s from Rays. I had winter tires mounted to the 18s and swapped the rims off every 6 months and I was a happy camper.

As far as winter tires are concerned, I went with the Blizzaks for both my IS and the G and couldn't be happier.

Hope this helps!

 

I'm shopping around for winter tires and one place told me that I could buy 235-50-18 Hankook W300 for my car. The guy told me that for winter tires I don't have to have different sizes between front/back.

I have a 2004 G35 coupe (stock 18" non-brembo).

My concern is if the guy is right and I can put 4 235-50-18's on my car.

 

Due to the VDC on these cars being very sensitive to tire size you might want to stick to the stock size. I found the following for you so you can decide if the specs are close enough to stock.

225/45-18 = 25.9" diameter, 803 revolutions per mile
245/45-18 = 26.7" diameter, 780 revolutions per mile

235/50-18 = 27.1" diameter, 765 revolutions per mile

I am certainly not a tire expert so I don't know if the specs on the 235's are close enough to stock to not cause a problem. Also, the numbers I put up are just what I found on tirerack.com and other tires in those sizes are +/- a few tenths in diameter and within a few revolutions per mile but nowhere near as far off as the 235's. Hope that helps.

 

Thanks for the info. I had completely forgotten about the VDC.

Here are some of the options I'm contemplating for winter tires:

235-50-18 Hankook W300 $790.00

225/45/18 (front) and 245/45/18 (rear)
Dunlop Winter Sport M3 $1250/set
Michelin Xice XI2 $1080/set

I like in the Toronto area. I'm leaning towards getting the Michelin X-ice XI2 and having them placed on my current stock rims. My plan is that in the spring I'm going to buy cool new rims & summer tires.

 

I think either tire would be fine. I had the Dunlop tires and thought they were great but the Michelin's have gotten great reviews as well. At any rate, either will be much better and safer than what you have on there now.

 

If you do have summer tires, do not EVER drive below freezing tempratures with them. The compound on the tire freezes solid, so basically you have no traction at all.

If you have the 17 or 18" rims, then I would put winter tires on those, and buy nice new rims for summer.

 

I put 4 225/55/17 Dunlop Winter Sport M3's on my coupe and had no problem with the VDC/ABS systems. The tire diameter is almost exact to the Michelin Pilot sport 245/18.

I believe it was within 1% of the rear Factory tires.

This allows me to rotate the snows each season, and found no negative effects as a result.

If you want to stick with the stagger set up, then you will need

225/50/17 front
235/50/17 rear

 

I have an '05 G35 and live in long island so I'm right around the corner from you. Most people are fans of Blizzaks or Dunlops. Blizzaks are better for deep snow, but wear a little quicker on dry roads even in the cold. Dunlops are better for wear and have excellent qualities throughout the weather ranges. However, in deep snow its a little more sensitive and you need to be more careful in them.

I got the Dunlop's for durability and snowfall is not too extreme here. The Dunlop M3's are definitely the way to go.

 

I just went through this same saga. I had a long talk with the tire rack guys and VDC. With my car having factory 19"s I ended up going staggered with 225/50 17" front and 225/55 17" rears...

 

I'm in the same boat. This will be my first winter with my G (03 auto), and I just got a set of factory 18's that I need tires for.

I was looking at winter tires, but I think I'm going to go with all season tires. Only reason is, I plan on buying factory 19's next spring along with summer tires to use for the summer.

Problem is, I don't know how money will be next spring, and don't want to be stuck with winter tires on the 18's and have to buy another set of tires to use for the spring/summer.

Do you guys think I'll be OK with a good set of all season tires for the winter? I live in Philly and our snow seasons are unpredictable for the most part. I do expect some snow/ice/slush.