My new car

[WJenness]

I guess the S40 engine isn't quite the same as the S60...

From the Volvo web site:

S40 T5: Horsepower 227 @ 5,000 RPM; Torque 236 @ 1,500-5,000 RPM
S60 2.5T: Horsepower 208 @ 5,000 RPM; Torque 236 @ 1,500-4,500 RPM
S60 T5: Horsepower 257 @ 5,500 RPM; Torque 258 @ 2,100-5,000 RPM

I don't even see the S60R...did they stop selling those?

Yeah, it's not in the lineup at the moment... Unsurprising, as with the performance sedan market (S60R, Audi S4, etc.) you get into a situation where the consumer is a lot more selective about the build of the car vs. the price... trying to get rid of the last model year of it when people know there's a design refresh coming can be murder on the manufacturer and the dealer as you move many fewer units of them anyway... so stopping production of the sportier version a year early is not surprising.. particularly in the current / recent economy / gas price situation we've been in.

-w

 

[bigbog]

snows with AWD!

You'll luv quality snows, with some grip, with AWD. ...But don't forget the added weight(cement block or small box of dirt) in the trunk..over the axle...when snow arrives in force.
You'll be amazed at increase in winter performance with the weight balanced over the axles.
$.01

 

[hammer]

So I priced out a wheel and winter tire package on tirerack.com...total cost including shipping is just under $1200. :-o

I could save about $250 if I don't get the pressure sensors, but then I'd have to look at the nuisance warning all winter.

Now to figure out when I need to pull the trigger...ouch.

 

[deadheadskier]

what are you getting?

I forget what I purchased last winter, but it was just a basic snow for 17 inch rims. $400 or so delivered. I think with rims a package was around 700, but those were the cheep rims. The tires worked great and I don't necessarily feel the need to have 'stylish' rims for winter driving.

Just seems like a ton of dough for tires

 

[Puck it]

You'll luv quality snows, with some grip, with AWD. ...But don't forget the added weight(cement block or small box of dirt) in the trunk..over the axle...when snow arrives in force.
You'll be amazed at increase in winter performance with the weight balanced over the axles.
$.01

Before doing this I would look into the manufacturer's weight balancing. With BMW's, they are pretty much evenly distributed on the four wheels. Doing this to a BMW screws with the handling. I have never run pure snow tires on any vehicle. A good pair of all seasons and caution will save you a lot of money. I grew up and went to school in some hefty snow belts ( Up state NY and WNY). Never needed. I have even had a 325i Std no traction without snows and it was fine around New England.

The only car that had winter tire and they were all season's was my X5. The reason being the 19" wheels with the sport performance tires were ice skates in the cold. My current truck is the FJ cruiser which I love more the X5 has all season and it was fine with them. They are worn out now and I will be going with all terrains for off roading.

My two cents.

 

[hammer]

Tires: 205/55R16 Dunlop SP Winter, $98/each, $392 total.
Wheels: 16x7 Sport Edition F2 Silver, $88/each, $352 total.
Tire Pressure System: $59 each, $236 total
Valve sleeves: $7 each, $28 total
Mounting and balance: $0
Road Hazard: $12 each, $48 total
Shipping: $129
Tire Totes: $40 (for storage and transport to shop)

What would I save by going with cheaper rims?

As I mentioned, I could save about $250 if I didn't care about the sensors...

 

[deadheadskier]

looks like shipping or mounting went way up? Over $100 a tire to mount and ship seems like a lot more than what I was looking at last year.

 

[hammer]

looks like shipping or mounting went way up? Over $100 a tire to mount and ship seems like a lot more than what I was looking at last year.

Edited my post to put all of the details in.

Just for grins, I checked tire prices on costco.com and they were about the same...and their winter tire selection wasn't as good.

 

[Puck it]

Edited my post to put all of the details in.

Just for grins, I checked tire prices on costco.com and they were about the same...and their winter tire selection wasn't as good.

What is on the car now for tires include the size and brand?

 

[hammer]

What is on the car now for tires include the size and brand?

I think they are P205/50R17, Michelin Pilot HX MXM. Have read that they do not do well in snow. Dry grip is pretty good but they are noisy.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

why do you need new tires and wheels? When I used to have snow tires..I just had the tires..but I am pretty clueless when it comes to cars..

 

[deadheadskier]

why do you need new tires and wheels? When I used to have snow tires..I just had the tires..but I am pretty clueless when it comes to cars..

If you have the storage, over the life of the vehicle having separate wheel set ups will save you money.

 

[Geoff]

Tires: 205/55R16 Dunlop SP Winter, $98/each, $392 total.
Wheels: 16x7 Sport Edition F2 Silver, $88/each, $352 total.
Tire Pressure System: $59 each, $236 total
Valve sleeves: $7 each, $28 total
Mounting and balance: $0
Road Hazard: $12 each, $48 total
Shipping: $129
Tire Totes: $40 (for storage and transport to shop)

What would I save by going with cheaper rims?

As I mentioned, I could save about $250 if I didn't care about the sensors...

My VW winter setup is the same size a little less than 2 years ago
$104/tire for Blizzak WS-60's
$65 for Sport Edition D3 Silver (on sale)
$55 for TPMS (the Bosch system)
$6.99 for a fit kit
$113.40 for shipping

Total: $1,037.36

I didn't get road hazard or tire totes. Other than getting the rims on sale, the prices don't seem to have gone up that much

 

[Puck it]

I think they are P205/50R17, Michelin Pilot HX MXM. Have read that they do not do well in snow. Dry grip is pretty good but they are noisy.

Tire rack rating is only 3.5. That is bad. To save somw money, I would take off and go with Yokohamas. The Geolander is a great all season tire. Khumo and Hankook make some great all seasons too. Look at the ratings on tire rack or talk to a rep there.

I am going with the Yokohama Geolander A/T's for FJ this fall after I run the Dunlop Grandtreks bald.

 

[Glenn]

Hit craigslist and your local seller paper. There are always people ditching snow tires and wheels. You may be able to find a decent combo. Or, at the very least, a set of stock wheels you can use for the snow tires.

 

[Puck it]

Hit craigslist and your local seller paper. There are always people ditching snow tires and wheels. You may be able to find a decent combo. Or, at the very least, a set of stock wheels you can use for the snow tires.

Good point. I forgot that is how I got the BMW 17" and Michelin all season for the X5. I got them off the X5 forum from a guy in NC for $750 brand new. He wanted to get them out of his garage. It was great deal. The BMW stock alloys were like 1200 at thetime alone. I am not kidding the tires were brand new and all ready mounted and balanced.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

If you have the storage, over the life of the vehicle having separate wheel set ups will save you money.

?????? Why??? I've never needed new wheels..

 

[wa-loaf]

I've been going to Town Fair Tire the last few years. The prices when you count shipping are the same and the free flat fixes, tire rotation, extras, local shop are all worth it to me. I do need to get a second set of rims for the car though.

 

[Geoff]

If you have the storage, over the life of the vehicle having separate wheel set ups will save you money.

Sort of. Winter wheels and TPMS cost $400 (steel) to $600+ (alloy). That's quite a few years of mounting and balancing and you have the advantage of having your tires rebalanced every 6 months. Before tire pressure monitoring systems, it was a no-brainer. Now, the economics are a little different.

If you have low profile tires on big expensive wheels, you probably want smaller wheels and higher profile tires to have enough sidewall to deal with winter pot holes. Snow tires for 18" wheels also cost more than 16" tires so you have that savings.

 

[deadheadskier]

I take back my comment regarding hammer's price being too expensive. I'm having a hard time finding a used rim for my Hyundai under $155 shipped. I hit a pot whole and bent it slightly.