Good winter tires, and some rim questions

[Pigbearman]

Hello everybody,

 

I'm new to this forum, and new to being part of the Ford Fusion community! I just recently traded in my '94 Ford Ranger (XLT 4x4 with 4.0 V6) for a 2007 Ford Fusion SE V6 with 39,000 (now 44,500) miles on it. And I have some questions about the car.

 

First off, this will be my first winter in Minnesota without a 4x4 type truck to drive (every year with my Ranger, lifted a couple inches with BFG All Terrain TA/KOs) so I am looking for a nice set of winter tires. Also, I am a college student, so cost is a factor (but my safety is bigger). I've been looking on tirerack.com and the Bridgestone Blizzak tires seem to be a very good choice (many reviews also point towards that). Now my intention is to buy new rims and put my snow tires on them, and store the current tires I have on my car until winter is over (some crappy Primewells, 205 60R16, but they were brand new). So, I would say my budget is $500-600 for all new tires and rims.

 

So my first question. Are there any good, cheap alloy rims that will fit my needs? Or should I just stick with the steel rims that are included in the winter tire package tirerack is promoting ($600).

 

My second question is, what kind of rim sizes can I switch too that will be compatabile with my car. Mostly because I see some nice rims on clearance there but they are all 17"+.

 

So do you guys have any suggestions on what I should do?

 

Thanks!

[2010SEL]

The 16" steel wheels and Blizzaks are your cheapest and safest option. Don't buy some cheaper tires. You'll spend well over $1K if you buy 17" alloy rims and tires.

[fusionff]

The only way to get cheaper rims would be finding some used ones on Ebay or craigslist. There are plenty available, just keep looking. Look for takeoffs from a Fusion, Milan, or Mazda6 for a perfect fit. Plenty of owners get new wheels and you can get a set at a good price.

 

And Blizzaks are a great winter tire.

 

As for new wheels, you can get up to a 20" wheel if you'd like, but I wouldn't go any bigger than 18". So if you find a deal on a larger size than 16", that's ok, as long as the specs are good.

 

Bolt Pattern = 5x114.3

Hub centerbore size is 67.1mm. A larger size and you'll need centering rings, which a reputable place like tirerack will provide for you.

Offset need to be good, depends on the width of the wheel. Stock offset on the Fusion is 44mm, so close to that would be ideal, a little less (lower #) is ok.

[NHFocus]

Firestone Winterforce tires are the best snow tires I have EVER used. I paid like $52/tire for them too, super cheap. Ran them all summer in my DD Taurus as I didn't care enough to buy allseasons or summers, they took 10k miles on dry pavement and still show no treadwear.

[P00r]

I would sugest you check for general altimax, cheap and very good tire made by continental in germany

[fus10]

You know a great option to go with besides a full snow tire... Go with conti extreme dws tires. I just bought a set. I love the ride,they are quiet, and are rates good in the rain and snow.

A lot of BMW's owners are switching over to them.

I am happy with them.

[Hawkeye1975]

I would sugest you check for general altimax, cheap and very good tire made by continental in germany

 

I had the Altimax HP all season tires on my last car, a Pontiac GTP with afew upgrades, maybe 280hp.

And the Altimax tires worked great in all conditions. I live in the Northeast, so we had plenty of snow last

winter, afew storms of several feet of snow and I had no issues getting around. Plan on getting them for

my Fusion soon.

[redfire06]

i bought a set of mazda 6 16" steel wheels, hubcaps and lug nuts off ebay for $75+ shipping in 06 when i bought my car. i am on my 2nd set of blizzaks and i have NEVER been stuck, she just trucks right through it.

 

i highly recommend the steel wheels (northeast anyway) as since 06 its tossed 2 hubcaps, 3 rims are practically square and the 4th is a new replacement, last year after i bashed a pothole so hard the rim had a V shape to it.

 

i had a volvo that i cracked an alloy on in a pothole and a new rim was $410!