Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires snow tires / rim size

1999 Contour SVT. Tirerack.com is recommending 195/65/R15 Blizzak tires (and new steel rims) for this vehicle. A local joint is cautioning me against installing this on a performance vehicle that has brakes/suspension tuned for a particular size rim/tire. They are recommending Blizzaks, but more properly sized. What are the braking and handling implications of using the different sizes? Are there significant benefits to using the different size?

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mhellman@uswest.net

don't sweat the performance aspect, you aren't going to have any grip anyway!
The tires that tirerack is recommending will actually give you better snow traction (the other ones have shorter sidewall, less tread depth) besides, the overall wheel/tire diameter will be roughly the same as stock, so very little speedo error, and it clears the brakes.
BTW, I have the Yokahama Guardex tires in the same size on my '00 SVT

I put the Blizzak ws-50 195/65 15's on my 99 SVT last year with no problems. I think they call it 'minus one' sizing. The big thing to make sure is the bolt pattern, offset and if the wheels clear the brake rotors. Tire Rack was closing out some Enkei wheels last year that look great. Also look at the yoko Guardex 600, I put them on my Audi this year and have been very pleased, also about $25 less per tire for the same size. Good luck, I know I will always have snows for my cars.

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99 Black&tan SVT
Borla Catback
K&N
Blaupunkt
91 Audi Coupe Quattro (winter fun
68 Mustang Convertible (summer fun)

Tirerack won't steer you wrong. Make sure to ask for Luke, he is a fellow CEG'er and gets a commision off our sales so let's help each other out all we can. PS I bought mine from him and they work great, I went with the 205/65/15's as the 195's are better for really deep snow but the 205's are better for combo snow and clear but still go through 8-10" of snow with no probs!!

Rick

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Buckshot77
2000 Contour SVT
Silver/ Midnight #1611
Bosch +4's, Fog w/ Head lights, heavily leaded right foot
Des Moines, IA

Like others have said, Tirerack is a reputable company and what they recommend will work.

Don't worry about the less performance characteristics of any snow tire because that's not what its purpose is. All you care about is being able to move in the snow vs. the stock KDW's that will will leave you stuck in 2 inches of snow. People who buy snow tires do so because they have to get to work (and the mall and the grocery store etc). They give up some of the dry grip just because they know they have control in the snow.

This shop sounds like they are giving you a line to not get the sale, but also get you into more expensive, bigger tires. There are no snow tires in the stock 215/50R16 size. So, this store would have to sell you a different sized tire which are "improper" by their own account.

Difference in sizes besides price? a skinnier tire cuts through the snow like an ice skate with control. A wider tire will ride on top of the snow more like snow shoes. This is another reason people buy smaller width tires.

I agree, ask for Luke. However, now snow tires will get an SVT through 8-10 inches of snow unless it is the lightest of flakes. Detroit got 8-15 inches of snow last week and there were too many cars that got hung up on the undercarriage. None that I saw had snow tires, but if the driving wheels weren't touching the ground, snows don't matter. Ground clearance matters more than type of tire sometimes.

I don't mean to flame you, but I didn't want some poeple to get overly confident with snow tires. I have Blizzaks on a lower car than the SVT and still couldn't get the car down my street until enough of the snow was packed down where I wasn't going to hang up. I got down with a lot of scraping, but I blazed the trail several times with an off road equiped 4x4 pickup.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I was concerned that tirerack might be selling me that size because they seem to be out [in Indiana] of the "suggested" replacement size. I'm not concerned about a *small* negative impact on the handling. However, my wife drive's my 9 month old around in this thing so I want to make sure it doesn't suddenly feel like she's driving a Grand AM Seriously though, as long as it's safe I'm OK with the different size.

Both you & your wife will notice a difference in driving on dry roads, but it isn't unsafe. I have had many sprints to 100mph and sustained 80mph for 1-3 hours several times.

I suggest you check out www.tirerack.com. You can pick the style of hubcap you like and tell if there are any tires in stock at any of the three wharehouses.

My friend is ready to order a set of 195/65R15's for his 2000 SVT. $501.60 delivered to your door, mounted & balanced with hubcaps. A lug wrench & jack will take you 30 minutes or less.

Good luck. You will enjoy the Blizzaks. I'm on my 2nd set.

APT, no offense taken at your point. I have however driven this thing in snow as deep as my front bumper without getting stuck. It was pushing the snow rather than riding over the top. When I opened the doors they scraped the top of the snow. I wouldn't recommend playing like a 4 x 4 either, but they will help you in heavier snow than I thought would be possible with this car. Personally I can't wait to get my 4 x 4 out of the shop (broken timing chain) and play, but since I am fixing it, it will be a while yet.

Rick

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Buckshot77
2000 Contour SVT
Silver/ Midnight #1611
Bosch +4's, Fog w/ Head lights, heavily leaded right foot
Des Moines, IA

Hey Rick. I'm in Des Moines too! Did you get your car at Gabus or in Ames?