Winter Snow tires, I found what fits!

[ultravorx]

Well, after my long quest for winter snow tires that will work properly on my car, i finally found them.
First off, if i were to get 18" winter tires. Im looking at $250 a tire!!!!!! Definatly not what im looking for. As far as steel wheels, most places couldnt even find the marauder for a part number that would fit, because stock is 18", they had nothing smaller.
Finally i go to town fair tire, they did about a half hour of research while i was there. They found that the 2003+ Crown Vic Police Interceptor rims are the only "smaller" winter wheel that will fit our cars. So i ended up getting 4 CVPI wheels, and 4 Toyo Observe Garrit HT high performace winter tires 225/60/16 for about $730 out the door. The tires were about $95 each while the wheels were about $60 each.
I hope this info will help out others in their quest to get winter tires on their cars!!
Frank

[BillyGman]

I'm from the same state as you. It's good to see another CT guy on here. There's only one other guy besides the both of us that I know about who's from CT on this board.
Anyway, I bought that Winter tire and wheel package from that online place that it described in that thread started by MM2003 in the "News/Announcements" forum. I thought about going w/the 2003 CV P.I wheels like you have until I saw them. Not my cup of tea. I like the former style CV intercepter wheels, but they've obviously changed them this year. But I'm not trying to challenge you by stating that. To each his own I guess.
But what I do want to point out is that it's my uinderstanding that if you go w/the same tire profile size on the front and back, your ABS light will come on. I've been told by other members of this board that you have to stay w/the same front/back tire profile size ratio(or close to it) as the Marauder came w/stock in order to avoid an ABS problem. But I'm going by what others on this board have stated. You might want to ask around about that before you put those tires on your car cuz you might need to get a refund from Town fair tire. Perhaps the salesman who helped you didn't do his homework. I hope this helps you.

[studio460]

Could someone post a picture of the 2003 CVPI wheels that ultravorx was describing? Thanks.

[tetsu]

You couldve saved nearly $200 and gotten properly sized tires with a bit better deep snow handling by going with Artic Alpins.

Your salesman just sold you a super expensive Crown Vic spec snow set. NOT a Marauder spec.

There's actually a whole array of possible wheels you could use, but why use anything other than cheapo non-Ford steelies for snow use?

Johnny

[ultravorx]

I'll try to get a pic of the wheels up tonight. As far a getting cheapo steel wheels, no one has any that would work. Standard 16" wheels wont fit cause of the rotor clearance issue. As far as my ABS light, i havent had a single problem. I dont have traction control either, so it doesnt affect that. But i did try some hard braking last night and the brakes worked just fine! Unless i run into any issue, im "sold" that i was given the right set of rims. Plus, everyone who saw the wheels on my car last night said it gave the Marauder a meaner look to it:coolman:
Frank

[studio460]

Originally posted by tetsu
There's actually a whole array of possible wheels you could use . . .
There are? I haven't found ANY wheels with the proper offset, etc., in either 17" or 18" sizes. I'm looking for all options here. Thanks.

[tetsu]

For steelies the CV/GM 16" steelies from Tirerack work perfectly.

Saves money, speedo still works, no strain on abs and the AAs are better in deeper snow.

But, the important thing is that you're happy with your purchase.

One thing, hard braking on your brand new snow tires on dry pavement is a rockin bad idea unless you like replacing themevery year.

The big reason I was pointing all this out is that some new owner may find your thread first and think that what you got is optimum which it isn't necessarily, before they find one of the other researched winter tire threads.

I guarantee if you go to a tire place they will always find some tires to sell you. If you go by their reckoning, you'll seldom get the best tires and never the best deal.

Johnny

[DetGeno]

I'll second tetsu!!!

[BillyGman]

Originally posted by tetsu
I guarantee if you go to a tire place they will always find some tires to sell you. If you go by their reckoning, you'll seldom get the best tires and never the best deal.

Johnny

....a very accurate statement. Most salesmen aren't going to be willing to admit that they do not have what you should purchase, but they're more likely to attempt to sell you simply what they have, or what they can get quickly.

[HookedOnCV]

Just put my winter tires on my Crown Vic (I know...not the same size or offeset as the Marauder). I have 16" factory steel wheels as well and just replaced my Goodyear Ultragrips with some Toyo Garit HT's in a 225/60R16 size. They are uni-directional, and H-speed rated tires.

I got an unbelievable deal compared to the Bridgestone Blizzaks I was going to get. Under $90 vs. $120 each balenced and installed.

Here is the thread pattern...http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Toyo&tiremodel=Garit+HT

Although to get that deal, my dad had to buy them at his cost, and I had to do the mounting and balencing...he owns a service station outside of the Twin Cities metro area.

Haven't seen any snow or ice with them on, but they are quiet riding and have "OK" wet traction. I'm sure I'll have a chance to try them out yet this year!

[ultravorx]

Well, here is a pic of the CVPI wheel on my MM. Enjoy!

[RCSignals]

The CVPI wheels are a heavy version of the base CV/GM steel wheels. For winter use that extra strength may be good to have.

ultravorx you just need some kind of wheel cover now

[bigbaga]

This week I received my 4 - Artic Alpins mounted to 16" steel wheels with a 52mm offset (haven't installed them yet) and they really look great. These are from Tire Rack. But I have an observation, these tires are directional. I didn't know that. I had planned on rotating at least once per winter, as I had read from others on different threads. Because the fronts are smaller than the rears, it seems that rotating front to front and rear to rear wont be possible without remounting. Hope they wear well!

Greg

[TripleG]

Like to thank all for their input about snow tires. I ordered the Artic Alpins and 16" steel wheels and made a list to bring to my tire guy.

[Beadhead]

Quote:

"You couldve saved nearly $200 and gotten properly sized tires with a bit better deep snow handling by going with Artic Alpins."

Most tire dealers do not recommend Arctic Alpins for deep snow use. While they are snow and ice rated, they do not have a sufficiently aggressive tread design for deep snow. A better choice for deep snow would be Pirelli Scopion Ice and Snow tires.

[JIMMYDEARMOND]

LOOKING FOR A HUB CAP FOR THESE BLACK STEEL WHEELS, I HAVE SEEN THEM ON POLICE CARS, DOES ANYONE KNOW WERE THEY CAN BE PURCHASED.?

THANKS JIMMY

[RCSignals]

Both Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis base models use steel wheels with full hub caps. They attach at the wheel nuts. You can also get a small center cap style as used on Police cars and Taxis.
they show up on eBay once in a while. also check with tire shops for take offs, and the dealer, of course

[tetsu]

Originally posted by Beadhead
Quote:

"You couldve saved nearly $200 and gotten properly sized tires with a bit better deep snow handling by going with Artic Alpins."

Most tire dealers do not recommend Arctic Alpins for deep snow use. While they are snow and ice rated, they do not have a sufficiently aggressive tread design for deep snow. A better choice for deep snow would be Pirelli Scopion Ice and Snow tires.

Tire dealers opinions don't usually factor in on my tire purchases.

You can pay more for Pirellis and have a vexing sizing problem to
consider. Ive driven my MM in lots of snow in the winding snowladen Coulees of WI and they worked real well. :)

A set of four missized Pirelli Scorpions from the tire dealer will probably run $850+ and give no major snow/ice benefit. Probably
a slight dry pavement handling benefit. But, of course only a loon
would drive hard on dry pavement with his snowshoes on.

Johnny

[Racerx88]

Originally posted by ultravorx
Well, here is a pic of the CVPI wheel on my MM. Enjoy!

ultravorx, how tall (diameter) are those tires? They look AWFULLY short in that pic. The shorter circumference will really play havoc with your speedo.

[ultravorx]

they are 225/60/16. If you need i can whip out a tape measure to measure them, just let me know.
Frank

[tetsu]

I dont have my slide rule handy but eyeballing it I think that makes it 4.5 cm shorter overall which is roughly 1.75 in.

Fairly large effect on the rolling ratio.

Johnny

[studio460]

Thanks for posting the pic, ultravorx!

[MapleLeafMerc]

Here are my winter wheels/tires

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/watermark.php?file=500/1197Winter_wheels-med.JPG

[SergntMac]

Nice job, Maple. Been reading these numerous snow tire/hub caps threads trying to catch up, and I'm dizzy now. All along, I was wondering wht no one checked some of the great tire/wheel deals on the web, forget the steelies and caps already. Seems you found an acceptable alternative, thanks.

[MapleLeafMerc]

Originally posted by tetsu
There's actually a whole array of possible wheels you could use, but why use anything other than cheapo non-Ford steelies for snow use?

Johnny

'Cause mine look better ;)

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by MapleLeafMerc
'Cause mine look better ;)

Yes they do :)

[MapleLeafMerc]

Thanks RC!

Mac, you found some wheels at karkraft- They look great. I mean, with all the money you can spend on mods, if you have to drive it in the winter (2-5 months!) why not spend a bit more and make it look good doing so?

The wheels on this CV (karkraft website) look great.
http://www.karkraft.com/ROUSH_CROWN_VIC.jpg

[jgc61sr2002]

MLM - Very nice looking wheels.:D

[Beadhead]

Originally posted by tetsu
Tire dealers opinions don't usually factor in on my tire purchases.

You can pay more for Pirellis and have a vexing sizing problem to
consider. Ive driven my MM in lots of snow in the winding snowladen Coulees of WI and they worked real well. :)

A set of four missized Pirelli Scorpions from the tire dealer will probably run $850+ and give no major snow/ice benefit. Probably
a slight dry pavement handling benefit. But, of course only a loon
would drive hard on dry pavement with his snowshoes on.

Johnny

A GOOD tire dealer is an expert in the products he sells, and has a wealth of customer feedback and product experience on which to base his opinions. Every source I consulted, including independent, comparative testing, found that the Arctic Alpin was an excellent choice for ice and light snow conditions, just not the best performer in heavy snow. Since it has a tread design around the middle of the tire which is more like an all season tire, it cannot get as good a grip in the deep stuff as well as a tire with a blockier tread design. The upside is that it should provide better water evacuation with less chance of hydroplaning in wet or slushy conditions.