Tire Options for a 35d

[Edge647]

I've started to "think ahead" for tire needs...I'm going to need winter tires (since I'm in Canada)

So when I place the order, I understand can get the standard 18's or 19's (need to get the sport package).

My questions are:

1. Are the all-season 18's good enough for winter? Can I just get summers?
2. If I get my own 19's or 20's...do I need the sport suspension (in the Sport Package)? What would the ride be like on a softer suspension if anyone has tried it? Recommendations?
3. Should I just get the Sport Package and get real winters?

Thanks in advance.

[JCL]

All seasons are good enough for winter as long as it isn't cold, or snowing.

You don't note where you are in Canada. Vancouver isn't the same as Edmonton, for example. In Vancouver it is possible to just not venture out on the few days when it snows. Not so in Edmonton. And if you are in Quebec, I understand that you now need real winter tires by law.

Best bet is to have two sets of wheels, 18" for winter and whatever your favourite is for summer. Nothing beats real winter tires, and once you have them you won't go back. The vehicle has great performance designed in, so why compromise it with non-performance tires?

[Edge647]

Thanks JCL - that's the way I'm leaning...I was thinking about keepin' the 18's for Winter and get some 19s or 20s for summer. Just wasn't sure if I "need" to get the sport susp.

Any thoughts about this? Just had a thought - can I use the 19's that come with the Sports PKG for Winter - are they an all-season or a summer tire?

FYI - I'm in a snowbelt near Toronto, Ontario...so there is enough snow to drive in here.

[JCL]

Getting the sports suspension is a personal decision based on how the vehicle handles in your own opinion. It isn't linked to which size wheels you get (you can get wheels changed separately). Thus, you don't need to get the sport package. Are you saying you want the sport package, or you see it as a prerequisite for the 19" wheels?

The 19" tires that come with the sport package are not for winter. The wheels would be fine, just buy appropriate tires.

[Edge647]

Thanks for the info regarding the 19s. What I see from the website is if you select 19s, the Sports Package automatically gets selected. I think we are on the same page here - I think the question that is outstanding from my initial post is:

Originally Posted by Edge647

2. If I get my own 19's or 20's...do I need the sport suspension (in the Sport Package)? What would the ride be like on a softer suspension if anyone has tried it? Recommendations?

Has anyone tried putting on 19s or 20s on an 3.0 or 35d without the sport susp? Since the dealership probably wouldn't set it up like that for me for a test-drive

I would think that if I go 19's or 20's on the E70, probably should "have/need" the stiffer suspension....but I'd like the info from the experts.

Cheers.

[JCL]

The vehicle doesn't need the sport suspension for the 19" or 20" wheels. You may need it (based on your perceptions of the handling), but the larger wheels work just fine on the standard suspension.

The web site includes a factory configurator. Changing just the wheels is usually done by the dealer prior to delivery, if the option for a specific wheel is not available from the factory.

[motordavid]

Edge, JCL is spot on as usual...
My only other advice is to go drive an E70 with and without "sport"
to at least get the feel of the difference in suspension response,
handling, etc. Most of us love/like the "sport suspension"; some find
it to be too stiff/rough after they have bought the car. So, grab a
couple of E70s, (gas version is fine), for a test spin, back to back.

And, regardless of your pick, cop a set of 17s or 18s with dedicated
snows for your YYZ Winters. You will love them and, much easier than
locating winter tires in bigger sizes, mounting/remounting on your summer
rims, etc., imo.
GL,mD

[Edge647]

Originally Posted by JCL

The vehicle doesn't need the sport suspension for the 19" or 20" wheels. You may need it (based on your perceptions of the handling), but the larger wheels work just fine on the standard suspension.

The web site includes a factory configurator. Changing just the wheels is usually done by the dealer prior to delivery, if the option for a specific wheel is not available from the factory.

Thanks JCL! I thought the 19's and Sport Package were tied together - glad to know decouple them!

So I could get the Sport Package with 18's and keep them for winter and go buy some "cool" 19's or 20's with rims (I like those Vredestein treads!)

Originally Posted by motordavid

Edge, JCL is spot on as usual...
My only other advice is to go drive an E70 with and without "sport"
to at least get the feel of the difference in suspension response,
handling, etc. Most of us love/like the "sport suspension"; some find
it to be too stiff/rough after they have bought the car. So, grab a
couple of E70s, (gas version is fine), for a test spin, back to back.

And, regardless of your pick, cop a set of 17s or 18s with dedicated
snows for your YYZ Winters. You will love them and, much easier than
locating winter tires in bigger sizes, mounting/remounting on your summer
rims, etc., imo.
GL,mD

mD - thanks for the advice. I've only tried out the stiffer one and loved it...but I'll go back to do both together. Thanks again.

[Full Speed]

So, 17's will fit on an E70? Did they make an OEM set smaller than 18" or would I need aftermarket for my snows? Will E53 wheels work on the E70?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Edge647

Thanks JCL! I thought the 19's and Sport Package were tied together - glad to know decouple them!

So I could get the Sport Package with 18's and keep them for winter and go buy some "cool" 19's or 20's with rims (I like those Vredestein treads!)

They are tied together from the factory, you just need a cooperative dealer. Given their hunger for sales these days, I would think that they would bend over backwards to accomodate your wheel preference.