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... especially after I put in my new wheels/tires from Tirerack. After it started snowing on Tuesday, I immediately contacted Jim at Tirerack and ordered the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 tires and the Sport Edition Fox 5 Silvers wheel package (Jim said they didn't carry steelies in 16s so this was the most economical).
The drive home from work was nothing short of a nightmare even though I left a bit after noon! By then, only a faint haze of snow had blanketed the roads but the S-02s didn't wanna cooperate. Getting the car to move from a standstill was a pain as I had impatient SUVs and other behemoths honking at me from behind. I drove at around 25 mph on the LIE from exit 57-51 on the far right lane and I witnessed numerous accidents that had already occurred and even one that happened right behind me. What was truly unnerving was the S2000's penchant for the rear end to swing out at the slightest application of the accelerator or brake (the ABS was kicking in full time yet I'm not slowing down ) ... halfway home I felt I was 50% certain I'd get in a crash before arriving safely. I was gripping the wheel so tight with anxiety I had marks on my hands by the time I got home. The best part was how I barely got into my driveway and finally into the garage - the way the car was moving up the driveway it appeared as if all 4 wheels had turned 90 degrees and I was just moving left up the driveway LOL. I finally straightened out before entering the safe haven of my garage and was happy to see that the new tires/wheels had come.
Seems like a Santa Fe was hit at the Motor Parkway/LIE North Service Road intersection.
Snow is starting to pick up on the LIE.
Humming along on the LIE, slowly but surely.
Multiple car accident on Deer Park Avenue heading south from the LIE.
A closer pic.
S-02 (left) and LM-22 (right) 205 section width comparison - it seems the stock tire is more narrow.
LM-22 (left) and S-02 (right) 225 section width comparison - now the stocker is larger due to greater tread width.
OEM wheel (left) and Sport Edition Fox 5 Silver (right).
I could not find the "arrow" which the manual was talking about - is this where you're supposed to jack up the front? That thin strip that runs along the bottom on the sides of the car (where I placed the jack) doesn't seem like it would be strong enough to hold the car up for long.
Is this the correct jacking point where you're supposed to jack up the rear?
Front in-wheel suspension assembly (driver side). I've noticed how "compact" the in-wheel implementation seems compared to my Civic. The S2000 book by Daniel Carney says that this system is also used in racing cars and contributes to less unsprung weight since all of the control arm components are within and under the wheel housing. Do other production cars use this technique?
Front in-wheel suspension assembly top view (passenger side)
Rear in-wheel suspension assembly (driver side). Note the redundant remote shock oil reservoir. Is that like a backup for when our rear shocks get tired?
Rear in-wheel suspension assembly top view (passenger side)
Finally done putting in the new wheels/tires.
The LM-22 205 tires seem more aggressive due to its slightly wider stance (notice how it sticks out a bit more).
Another shot of the wheel.
Can't wait to try these new tires out in the snow. [-)
Oh and please don't go out driving in the snow with your stock S-02s, it won't be worth it. Keep it safe guys and don't go out unless you have to.
Originally posted by Johnny--2K
those wheels look damn good, even in the 16. ...do they have them in the 17's? I will have to check that out!
I believe they do, perhaps Jim would know for sure. Yep I kinda took a liking to the double spoke motif after I saw Wendy's 6 dual spoke 17" 5Zigen Fighters on her Suzuka in one of her vids. For $115 a wheel, I think it's sort of a steal ... the wheels are clear-coated on the fronts and seem to weigh comparably to the stockers - besides these are just gonna be winter wheels for me so they didn't have to be that great but I still like them more than I thought I would.
S-02 (left) and LM-22 (right) 205 section width comparison - it seems the stock tire is more narrow.
I'm sorry - this is a mistake. Snow tires should be narrow so they cut down through the snow to as close as possible to the pavement. Wide tires float up on top of the snow layer, like hydroplaning.
My '86 CRX was pretty helpless in Massachusetts snow on its stock 185/60R14 tires, but was great on 175/70R13 snow tires. For example, I drove from Albany to Boston in a foot of snow one night, mostly before any other cars made tracks. I could drive 60-70 mph, later passing pickups and SUVs doing 35 mpg like they were standing still. I had similar narrow snows on a Renault LeCar (I know) that went through snow amazingly well. Incidentally, I grew up in northern Michigan and learned to drive in snow with RWD (there was nothing else then) and often with bald tires. I will admit the LSD in the S2000 adds ito the difficulty. Oh, by the way, stepping on the clutch in a skid is definitely the right thing to do.
My messages are: use narrow snow tires; and, you can drive fast on snow if you have the experience.
I really like your snow wheels.
I think you will find that those LM-22s will give you your car's control back to you in the type of conditions you showed in those pics. I've routinely driven and far worse conditions. Just be careful till you learn what the new tires can do for you.
Also, if you didn't this time, you should treat all your rubbers under the car. Like all those accordian type rubber boots. You have 2 in the front (steering rods) and 4 in back (CV boots). Also treat all the rubber grease pockets like the ball joint and "A" arm pivots. If you do this whenever you change over your wheels and tires, those rubbers will never give you any grief.
After it started snowing on Tuesday, I immediately contacted Jim at Tirerack and ordered the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 tires and the Sport Edition Fox 5 Silvers wheel package (Jim said they didn't carry steelies in 16s so this was the most economical).
) ... halfway home I felt I was 50% certain I'd get in a crash before arriving safely. I was gripping the wheel so tight with anxiety I had marks on my hands by the time I got home. The best part was how I barely got into my driveway and finally into the garage - the way the car was moving up the driveway it appeared as if all 4 wheels had turned 90 degrees and I was just moving left up the driveway LOL. I finally straightened out before entering the safe haven of my garage and was happy to see that the new tires/wheels had come. 
