Hi,

I've only been on here a few weeks, and I am getting close to buying a used 2006 Monte Carlo SS. The girl selling it has the factory 18" wheels (bald tires, will need a new set), and a set of winter tires on Oldsmobile rims. They are on the car right now. I don't mind them, as the snow up here in Calgary will start soon, anyway. Questions are:

1. Is there any problem using those wheels/rims with the Monte Carlo SS? I am asking specifically about offset and/or brake disk clearances. Wheels are taller/skinnier than the factory originals, but this isn't a bad thing with winter tires. Does the SS use bigger brake rotors than the LS, LT, and/or LTZ Monte Carlos? Can't seem to find that information anywhere.

2. What is a good tire to get for the factory 18" wheels for the spring. The Goodyear RS-A are pretty much done. Stay with the original tires, or go to something with more traction> How does the Goodyear RS-A compare to newer tire designs?

Kostas

 

in my experience, no. the brake rotor is bigger on those along with the caliper. I had to put spacers on mine to make the big ss wheels fit my little calipers.

 

Don't buy the RS-As again. They are overpriced garbage. You can do a lot better with that money. I suggest shopping around at tire rack or discount tire and reading the reviews. Congrats on the 06 SS! Nice cars.

 

Also, for snow the skinnier the tire is the better it cuts through the snow. She did right in getting narrow snow tires.

 

Car is still in need of having its front hub assemblies changed, but I have a set of Michelin Pilot Sport As3s on there with the factory wheels on now. Quite a difference in road feel, and firmed up the ride nicely.

Talked to a tire guy at Costco, and asked him about getting a full set of winters. Most honest answer I have ever heard in retail: "I don't know". Due to Calgary's extremely variable weather, with huge temperature swings even on the same day, he said it is hard to predict how much benefit winter tires would provide over all season tires, if any. So I am staying with all season tires.

 

I know they call them all season, but they're really 3 season tires.
Actually, all season tires are good for the first winter, but as soon as they show any wear, they're no good for snow or slush.

I put the winter tires on the factory 18" wheels and bought Chories for the sunmmer.
My winters are Dunlop WinterSport SP in the original size.

On the summer "Casino" rims. I have Nitto 555's. Works great.

 

I know about the All-Seasons being rather inaccurate, but it must be kept in mind that Calgary has winters that are probably different than anywhere else in Canada. We have no snow removal equipment, and minimal amounts of snow plows, as the city relies on NATURAL SNOW REMOVAL, or more famously, the Chinook winds. While hard to understand for somebody who doesn't live here, Calgary can have a 20 cm. snow fall one day, and have it all gone by the following day, down to bare pavement, and the water gone two days later. If I were living in Montreal, where I grew up, or in southern Ontario, I would be on full snows in the winter, no doubt. However, Calgary is different. I had Blizzaks on my 1993 Lincoln Mark VIII for 2 years, and they were done, because the winter had minimal now fall, and was warm (Christmas Day one year, it was +16C); so the equation is different in Calgary than it would be pretty much anywhere else. I will think about putting on a full set of snows on the 16 inch Oldsmobile rims for next year, but not certain yet that I will. Kostas