I have summer tires on a new 15 WRX and I've been cruising Craigslist looking for something to keep me out of a ditch. I found a set of blizzaks 225 50 17 for 75 each. Will these fit the stock wheel? From what I have found they will fit, I just wanted to get some second opinions before buying them.
Before you purchase, spend $3.00 and get yourself a tire depth gauge. Measure all 4 tires at multiple points to get an average tread depth. If it is below 7/32's do yourself a favor and pass. You will be better off spending a little more and buying new than running tires that are nearing end of good life. Most winter performance tires use multiple compounds. Once below this threshold, they start to perform more like an all season than a good winter tire.
Most new tires start out with 10/32 of tread. I think most people would consider a snow tire to be at the end of its life at 4/32 (even though the legal limit for tire tread is 2/32 in Minnesota). With a new car, I would just buy new snows. IF you do decide to go the used route, having a tread depth gauge will allow you to tell if there is even wear across the face of the tread of each tire and tell you if all four tires have similar tread depth with affects the rolling circumference of the tires which is very important on an all wheel drive vehicle. The penny as a measuring tool leaves a lot to be desired. I was under the impression that Blizzaks were the only one using a multi (two, I believe) compound tread...I could be wrong, but I have seen no other manufacturers touting this design. I wouldn't agonize a lot trying to decide on THE best snow tire as anything from a major manufacturer will be much better than not having snow tires at all. On our three vehicles we have Dunlop, Michelin and General snow tires. I have no real preference for any of them over the others. Good luck.
Found these - I'm haggling on the price now but seems decent if I can get it down some. I believe these wheels fit as well. Any feedback? http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/pts/4775308851.html
I have the same car. Same color. Picked up 225/50/17 Blizzaks this summer on craigs cheap this summer. Fit is fine. One size shorter and one fatter. I like taller and skinny but scored them really cheap. Guy was pissed said he was going to pull the add and sell closer to winter but seeing the cash in my hand changed his mind. Yep they seem to work just fine. I use a tire gauge also. Like he said 7/32 or less pass on it. Ask what car they came off of. Check for uneven wear like RWD or FWD car would do spinning the tires taking off. I used the stock rims.
They came off a wrx - only used one season and the tread is good. I'm not really concerned with the rims, just needed some decent winter tires ASAP. Got him down on the price so I'll pick them up tonight. I nearly put her in a ditch yesterday, I don't want to screw around haha. I did read that the 06 wrx had a 5/114.3 bolt pattern...not true?
Ok, my bad, these are coming off of an 06 sti - worse case scenario if they don't fit I'll just sell them off for whatever I can. I'll just be happy to have something that keeps me on the road.
Yeah it was an 04 - they won't work but I only paid a few hundred so I'll sell the wheels for whatever I can get. The tread is great I'll get them on tomorrow.
They are 04 Sti wheels. I'm still figuring out the numbers and he took the ad down. Theyre 17s that's all I know atm. I'm going to get th me details from him tomorrow and I'll post.
The wheels are Sport Edition A7s 17x7.5 5/100 with +45 offset. I can get some pictures by tomorrow. They are painted black (a decent job) and one wheel has a small scuff near the rim.
