Winter Wheels and Tires

[ChiTown]

Hi,
I am hoping to buy a marauder soon, but unfortunately the car will be driven in the Chicago winter. What set up are people running for the winter? Just trying to plan ahead so I don't get caught off guard. I drove my lightning in the winter before and did not have snow tires and it was horrible. How do these cars handle the snow? I am guessing with a good snow tire and the weight of the car it should do okay.
Thanks in advance

[EMAS]

It depends on which car you have. 300a cars do not have traction control so I'd go with some Mustang 17" wheels and 235/55's all around and of course use your tuner to correct for the different tire size.

300b and 04 cars have traction control so you'll need to keep the proper front to rear size difference to keep the traction control happy.

[ChiTown]

Okay thanks. I did not know that some of the cars do not have traction control.

[Odinson]

The Marauder is the very best rear wheel drive muscle car in the snow. Very well behaved... for what it is. Go slow and take it easy and you'll be OK. No traction control here.

Once I managed to go up about a 20 degree grade of sheer ice at about 3mph. 40 degress incline of 7" of snow proved to be too much, but I got off lucky and gave up early. Nobody got up that hill and many crashed.

Oh you must coat or replace the stock wheels. Salt will destroy the finish. I've been fine with s100 motorcycle protectant polished on monthly during the winter.

[capt512]

Here is my winter tire and wheel setup - its a picture thread but shows them. If you go a few posts down I list the size and tire. Have yet to actually have snow to use them in, but they were rated very high for a winter tire.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=77995

[MAC'n89blckstng]

I always daily'ed 5.0 mustangs and with a set of Firestone Winterforces I never ever had a problem getting around in the snow. I would pass SUV's no problem. I'm getting a set of snowies for my Marauder in a little while and arent worried about driving in the snow at all! Good luck with her!

[seabreeze]

5th winter on Pirelli Scorpions on 16 inch aluminum wheels from the Tire Rack. I have a 15 degree driveway. With 200lb of sand in the trunk, no worries. Only seen max 6 inch snow since 2007.
Results may vary!

[ChiTown]

What size tires are you running with the 16's?

[capt512]

235/70/16 & 255/70/16 with my 16" wheels.

[crouse]

I have a 2nd set of Marauder wheels and I run Bridgestone Blizzaks. 235/55-18 on the front and 255/55-18 on the rear.

Here is a link to Tire Rack.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+DM-V1&frontTire=355R8DMV1&rearTire=555R8DMV1XL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&wtpackage=true

Excellent snow and ice traction. But, you have to be very careful when driving aggressive on dry roads. The thread feels like it's 6" deep.

[HiHoSilver]

Here is my winter tire and wheel setup - its a picture thread but shows them. If you go a few posts down I list the size and tire. Have yet to actually have snow to use them in, but they were rated very high for a winter tire.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=77995


Damn that looks good! :beer: I think i need a set just in case my mm needs to leave the garage this winter.

[capt512]

Thanks, it surely fills the wheel wells, and nothing rubs, the ratio is still correct for tc if you have it. Speedo is off a few MPH at 70 but not bad.

[MAC'n89blckstng]

Would anybody be interested in a set of refurbished P71 wheels? I just re did a set for my Marauder and am currently bidding on an extra set of Center caps. I'm going back to the place where I got my wheels and if they have an extra set I may scoop em up and refurbish them and sell them with a set of caps. I shoot them in a paint called Hot Rod Black. Its a single stage acrylic eurethane paint that dries out to a nice satin finish. I can also do them in Gloss black but the satin gives them more of a stealthy look.

[ctrlraven]

I have a 2nd set of Marauder wheels and I run Bridgestone Blizzaks. 235/55-18 on the front and 255/55-18 on the rear.

Here is a link to Tire Rack.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+DM-V1&frontTire=355R8DMV1&rearTire=555R8DMV1XL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&wtpackage=true

Excellent snow and ice traction. But, you have to be very careful when driving aggressive on dry roads. The thread feels like it's 6" deep.
I wonder how this would work on my 04 with traction control.

[NXSBOB]

See http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=82568