I just picked up my new S2K and I'm thrilled! I know it's a little bit early to be thinking about snow tires and winter driving, but can any of you experienced S2Kers advise me about :

1) the wisdom of installing a different set of tires for the winter
2) the advisability of putting some weight (like 50lb bags of salt) into the trunk.

 

Put on the winter tires for sure, the S-02's are not meant to be driven during the winter at all, they get hard as rocks in cold temperatures.

I recently purchased a set of Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's, same size as the stock tires. They are designed for performance cars to be driven during the winter months. I managed to get though last winter by using an extra vehicle we have here on the bad days, but if you don't wish to get caught out in a snow dusting of half an inch, put on these tires.

About the weight in the trunk, I have heard some people do use it, but I would not want to keep the extra weight on the suspension, nor lose the trunk space being that there is so little to begin with.

P.S.- You are definitely not thinking too early about the winter tires, come beginning of November they will be sold out, buy them now or place your order for them to be safe. That way you can get the exact ones you want and won't be stuck with some lame tires for 4 months.

Best of Luck!!

 

Thanks! Very helpful

 

This is a GREAT TOPIC for searching.

I have Blizzak MZ-01 tires for winter, rather than LM-22 tires. The LM-22 are better for highway. The MZ-01 tires are better for stopping on ice and snow. I bought a second set of wheels and switch mine back and forth myself. I think the Blizzak WS-50 is the way I'd go now. They were not available for the S2000 tire sizes when I bought my MZ-01.

The SO-2 tires are clown-car-tires in snowy conditions. Any correlation between steering wheel input and intended direction of travel is purely coincidental.

Forget the 50 lb of weight in the trunk. The 50/50 balance is great.

I only drive my S2000 in the winter when I want to. I don't want foolish SUVs crushing it. Others on the board drive it all winter after installing snow tires.

Want inspiration about spending the money for snow tires? Here's a pic of Greg Stevens first S2000 after a run-in with Chicago snow:

 

Larreynaga asked me in private if you put snows on just the rears or on all four corners.

This is important!!!! ALL FOUR CORNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I thought I'd answer it here.

This goes for any car rear wheel for front wheel. If you have a serious traction mismatch between the front and the rear, stopping is a horror. Also, for rear wheel drive cars, remember that "go" is important and "stop" is important but so is "steering."

All four corners.

I got stock size Blizzak MZ-01s front and rear.

 

I have LM22's on a set of steel rims left over from my 98 Prelude.

I know the fronts will fit, because i've seen prelude owners with front s2000 wheels on their cars, but will the rears fit as well? THe bolt pattern is the same, but the offset of the rim is about +55....so I know they'll stick out a bit...and I'm stock suspension, so I shouldn't get any rubbing in the back.....am I correct?

LM22's are great for locations where you get stuck in the snow, but they eventually plow the roads....they aren't the best in winter traction, because they're made for high performance cars, but they will definately get you through the first few hours until the snow plows come out