I have a 2009 G37S Coupe with the sport brakes and I wanted a winter tire setup this year. The Pilot Super Sports are fantastic in the summer, but they start to firm up around 40F and they cant be driven with even the slightest of snow dusting.

I wanted a winter performance tire because most of my driving in Maryland is on plowed roads and 90% of the time in the winter, its just cold with random ice patches. When it snows, its usually just a few inches and the roads are cleared quickly, so I was willing to trade some deep snow traction for increased dry performance in the cold weather.

So far, this setup rocks. Id compare the winter performance of these tires (feel, handling, sidewall, stopping, grip) on dry and cold roads to that of a very good all season tire in the summer. Performance-wise, in the winter, I would rather have a winter performance tire vs. an all season tire.

I tend to drive very spiritedly in the Pilot Super Sports in the summer because the tires can handle no matter what I throw at them. I tone my driving down to slightly spirited in the winter and I'm very confident in these winter performance tires.

Pics:



And they fit over the sport brakes:


Pretty deep tread:

 

Nice. Did you put spacers on the fronts? I assume they're 8.5? I have 9.5 +38 all around and was told that was the only one that would clear the Akebonos.

 

No spacers. With all the vibration issues people seem to have with spacers, I wanted to pick up a set that fit without spacers, which admittedly was difficult to find. There arent many wheels that fit over the akebonos.

I did 18x8 all around in 225/50r18 size. I wanted thinner tires for the wintertime. The wheels are very close to the akebonos, but they clear. I had to use thin weights when having the wheels balanced because the normal ones would have hit the akebonos.

Ive put about 500 miles on them so far and the drive very smooth.

 

Nice look for sure, plus they're fairly light for 18s. Would you happen to know what the offsets are on your 18x8? I might get one to replace my front 9.5's, which tend to hit at full lock sometimes.

Thank you.

 

http://www.enkei.com/size_chart/RP03.pdf

18x8, +40 offset.

If your fronts are hitting, you could always add a small spacer for a little more room. Probably would be cheaper than buying a new set of wheels.

In addition, depending on the size of your tires and how good of condition they are, if you change the wheel width, you will change how your tire sits on the wheel and you might be off with your speedometer.

With my setup, 18x8 with 225/50/r18 tires matches the original diameter of the stock fronts (19x8.5 with 225/45/19), therefore my speedometer is accurate.

 

Looks great!

 

I run H&R spacers 20mm all around. I never have issues! smooth as butter!

 

nice winter setup.....

been running spacer for over a year on different setups, never had any vibrations. It is all on the install....torque them properly and you'll be fine...

 

A quick video review:


Overall, these have been great this year and drive much better than the "snow tires" I have had in past years.

 

Nice set up you have there , good video review

 

Just wanted to update this review. I had these on for another season and they are absolutely fantastic.

We got some pretty good snow storms in MD this year. I had no problem getting around in light snow, slushy roads, or icy roads at all this year. For the bigger storms, as soon as my streets were plowed I was easily able to get out and get around.

These tires make the G37S drivable all winter long and allow me to maintain a relatively spirited driving throughout the winter.

 

Thanks for the long term update, looks like a great option for a nice looking & light 18" wheel that will clear the BBK, just barely but w/ thin balance weights you're gold!