Topic: Winter rims for a Lincoln LS

[zomo]

Does anyone know where I could pick up a set of rims for my LS?

It's currently equipped with 235 50 17" all season rubber.

I can mount snows on the 17" rims, and switch them back in the spring, but I'd prefer to have a dedicated set. 

Based on what I've been able to dig up, I could use 215 60 16" wheels/tires. 

I'd be happy to install a set of steel wheels - but I can't find any.   

Can anyone help out?

[footlong58]

Have you tried the local Lincoln Dealer?  If they're anything like Acura, we have a full listing of genuine steel wheels for all aplicable Acura vehichles...

[morty]

What year and exact model of LS do you have?

[zomo]

footlong58

I went back to my Lincoln dealer today - Ford doesn't have a winter tire package for the LS (16" nor 17").  The dealers parts guy called his after market supplier and priced out a 16" steel rim for $95.  Although the parts fellow was helpful, I'm getting a 'bad feeling' about the product he was quoting. 

morty

It's a 2002 Premium V6 LS. 

[zomo]

Found a local tire shop that can source 16" steel rims for ~$70/ea; they say that the same rim will fit on an LS/Jag/Volvo. 

However, their tire selection is a little limited as they do not recommend installing Q rated rubber on my LS (I believe it's got V rated AS); and that's a shame, as I've read several glowing reports on the Blizzak REVO1 which only comes with a Q rating.  Looks like it'll have to be a Pirelli 210 Winter H rated (215 60 16) tires.

A few years ago I drove a Grand Prix GTP with Blizzak's that were Q rated (can't remember which model) - and apart from feeling a liittle softer in tight turns, I didn't experience any other stability or driveability issues.  I typically travel the roads and highways around Toronto and would prefer to have a tire that has excellent traction/grip on ice and good traction in snow. 

Any opinions on what would happen if I were to mount a Q rated tire instead of an H?

[morty]

Not aware of any steels that fit your LS. We do have alloys available, but nothing in asteel that clears the caliper. Make sure they do a trial fit before mounting the tires.

[zomo]

Ok morty, should I go with the 16" steel I will certainly have them perform a trial fit.  Thanks.

Alternatively:

I've been messing around with the tire calculator on the Canadian Driver web site and have discovered that a I could go with a 225 55 17" tire - with < 2% difference from stock. 

What do you think of the Hankook W300 Ice Bear Winter tire for the LS? 

[morty]

Yes the 225/55/17 is the correct alternative size for the LS. W300 is a great tire for urban winter commuting. We have had very good success with this tire and price is very attractive. In TO the W300 is a good option.