Well, it was just a few hours before that big (18” deep) snow storm hit the Northeast that Bror finally put his snow tires on the '03 Sentra SE-R Spec-V.
He got 15” x 6” rims (with cheesy decorative covers) from the Tire Rack for $46ea + S&H and had them sitting around for a while before he bought the tires. Considering the experiences he’s had had with snow tires over a couple decades, some web research on possible sizes and an in-depth consultation with his tire dealer, the incomparable Crazee Larry, Bror came to the conclusion that he’d get 185/65R15 Hakkapelita2s … with stuudds ... for all 4 corners.
Now, the stock tire size on his Sentra Spec-V is an almost ridiculous 215/45ZR17. So, Bror knew he was going to get a very different ride and cornering feel with the snows … nothing nearly as impressive as the factory tires and rims.
So, after having put a couple hundred miles on them, are they noisy?
Yep.
Does the car now corner like an ordinary econobox?
Yep.
Does the car ride nice and smooth?
Nope.
Does Bror regret getting such an aggressive winter set-up?
Not on your effin’ life!!
Because the storm hit on a weekend, he was driving around Monday and Tuesday on dry pavement. He didn’t get a chance to test them thoroughly. However, his driveway and a couple parking lots had an inch of frozen snow and crust on them and a few brake and acceleration tests showed how awesome these things are going to be when the going gets tough. Using the old set-up, he got stuck at the end of his driveway in just 1/2" of freezing rain.
So, a word of caution to all you people driving around in prissy poseur SUVs wearing pathetic “no-season” tires. Better get outta the way when you see Bror’s black, mean machine bearing down on you in the rear view mirror!!
--- Bror Jace
He got 15” x 6” rims (with cheesy decorative covers) from the Tire Rack for $46ea + S&H and had them sitting around for a while before he bought the tires. Considering the experiences he’s had had with snow tires over a couple decades, some web research on possible sizes and an in-depth consultation with his tire dealer, the incomparable Crazee Larry, Bror came to the conclusion that he’d get 185/65R15 Hakkapelita2s … with stuudds ... for all 4 corners.
Now, the stock tire size on his Sentra Spec-V is an almost ridiculous 215/45ZR17. So, Bror knew he was going to get a very different ride and cornering feel with the snows … nothing nearly as impressive as the factory tires and rims.
So, after having put a couple hundred miles on them, are they noisy?
Yep.
Does the car now corner like an ordinary econobox?
Yep.
Does the car ride nice and smooth?
Nope.
Does Bror regret getting such an aggressive winter set-up?
Not on your effin’ life!!
Because the storm hit on a weekend, he was driving around Monday and Tuesday on dry pavement. He didn’t get a chance to test them thoroughly. However, his driveway and a couple parking lots had an inch of frozen snow and crust on them and a few brake and acceleration tests showed how awesome these things are going to be when the going gets tough. Using the old set-up, he got stuck at the end of his driveway in just 1/2" of freezing rain.
So, a word of caution to all you people driving around in prissy poseur SUVs wearing pathetic “no-season” tires. Better get outta the way when you see Bror’s black, mean machine bearing down on you in the rear view mirror!!
--- Bror Jace
