Winter wheels arrived today from Tire Rack - Page 2

**DZeckhausen** · 01-08-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DucatiBoy

My question is what is the $180 for the TPMS senser stuff? I would consider ordering these. And with the pitting on the original rims, it's probably a good idea to run different rims in the winter.

You don't need to worry about the Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors (TPMS) on your 5.7 liter 300C. It's only a requirement for the SRT8.

tommy · 01-08-2006, 10:52 AM

i figured RWD cars could never drive good in the snow even with snow tires lol. guess i am wrong . cool

marnepup · 01-08-2006, 11:21 AM

Oh...I dunno...they do fine with 800lbs in the trunk

**DZeckhausen** · 01-08-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommy

i figured RWD cars could never drive good in the snow even with snow tires lol. guess i am wrong . cool

You would be amazed by what almost any RWD car can do with a set of Q-rated Blizzaks. Even a Fox chassis Mustang can do OK.

On the other hand, the addition of a real limited slip differential would help even more, especially when climbing a steep hill in the snow. My BMW 540i 6-Speed came with an open differential, just like the SRT8. After a frustrating winter spent making multiple attempts to get up the hill while spinning one rear wheel, I broke down and installed an M5 limited slip. This was an expensive proposition, requiring the installation of the M5 driveshaft and halfshafts too. But I can now climb the steepest hills by switching off the traction control, spinning the rear wheels (both of them!) and using a little opposite lock on the steering as necessary. A snow tire gets the best traction when there is some slip. And in the summer, when nobody is looking, I can switch off the stability control and make a glorious power slide!

Does anyone know if there is an aftermarket limited slip differential available for the SRT8?

Meister · 01-08-2006, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

...My BMW 540i 6-Speed came with an open differential, just like the SRT8. After a frustrating winter spent making multiple attempts to get up the hill while spinning one rear wheel, I broke down and installed an M5 limited slip. This was an expensive proposition, requiring the installation of the M5 driveshaft and halfshafts too. But I can now climb the steepest hills by switching off the traction control, spinning the rear wheels (both of them!) and using a little opposite lock on the steering as necessary.

...Does anyone know if there is an aftermarket limited slip differential available for the SRT8?

Dave, it will be interesting to see your report after you have a chance to tackle that same hill, under similar conditions, with your SRT8. I'll be highly surprised if you don't discover that the LX open differential is much, much, more effective than was your Bimmer's.

No, no aftermarket limited slips are yet available for the LXs.

TPMS is standard on 300Cs BTW starting with model year 2006.

**DZeckhausen** · 01-08-2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meister

Dave, it will be interesting to see your report after you have a chance to tackle that same hill, under similar conditions, with your SRT8. I'll be highly surprised if you don't discover that the LX open differential is much, much, more effective than was your Bimmer's.

Now all we need is some snow to motivate me to install the Borbet wheels & squishy Blizzaks. It's 45 degrees today and Weather.com says it will be raining on Wednesday and Saturday with temperatures above 50 degrees. With a fully prepared snow blower and winter wheels on hand, I may have just single-handedly prevented any more snow from falling for the rest of the winter!

I'm curious why you think the SRT8 open diff will be any better than the BMW's system. Both have stability control/traction control systems that try to maximize torque to the wheel with traction by applying a single brake to the spinning rear wheel. Is the SRT8 system more advanced in some way?

Quote:

No, no aftermarket limited slips are yet available for the LXs.

Bummer - I think.

I'll see if you you're correct about the SRT8's open diff being more effective. If this is not the case, I may look into commissioning someone to build a Torsen or Quaiffe limited slip for our cars.

Quote:

TPMS is standard on 300Cs BTW starting with model year 2006.

Really? I didn't know that! This becomes an issue when selling used 300C (5.7) factory wheels, if the buyer has a new car. I'll keep my eyes open and make sure to warn others if they are on the verge of discovering it the hard way. Thanks for the info.

tommy · 01-08-2006, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

You would be amazed by what almost any RWD car can do with a set of Q-rated Blizzaks. Even a Fox chassis Mustang can do OK.

On the other hand, the addition of a real limited slip differential would help even more, especially when climbing a steep hill in the snow. My BMW 540i 6-Speed came with an open differential, just like the SRT8. After a frustrating winter spent making multiple attempts to get up the hill while spinning one rear wheel, I broke down and installed an M5 limited slip. This was an expensive proposition, requiring the installation of the M5 driveshaft and halfshafts too. But I can now climb the steepest hills by switching off the traction control, spinning the rear wheels (both of them!) and using a little opposite lock on the steering as necessary. A snow tire gets the best traction when there is some slip. And in the summer, when nobody is looking, I can switch off the stability control and make a glorious power slide!

Does anyone know if there is an aftermarket limited slip differential available for the SRT8?

oh ok . i thoguth the srt-8 came with limited slip . question , is that the same as a posi rear? i assumed so . i guess they dont make a AWD version either . only 300c not srt-8

**DZeckhausen** · 01-08-2006, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommy

oh ok . i thoguth the srt-8 came with limited slip . question , is that the same as a posi rear? i assumed so . i guess they dont make a AWD version either . only 300c not srt-8

"Posi-traction" is Chevrolet's brand name for limited slip differential, but like "Kleenex" has become a more widely used generic term. Pontiac called their LSD "Safe-T-Track" and Ford called it "Trac-Lok". Chrysler used the term "Sure Grip". Whatever you call it, the SRT8 does not have it.

AWD is only available (and standard) in the SRT8 Jeep. The Magnum, Charger, and 300C SRT8 have open differentials.

Mopar Time? · 01-08-2006, 05:50 PM

Didn't know you were moving from a 5 series to the SRT8. I currently drive a 2000 528 Sport, and run snow tires on all four corners these past 5 years. If the SRT8 is as good as my car is in the snow I'll be very glad. I can climb hills that front wheel drive or even some 4 wheel drives can not. The modern day electronics make a huge difference.

What are your impressions after driving a BMW and then going to the SRT8 ?

I am interested in your opinion, since I only test drove an SRT8 for about 10
minutes and did not get the day to day comparison chance between my current 5 year daily driver.

Thanks,

sjz · 01-08-2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZeckhausen

With a fully prepared snow blower and winter wheels on hand, I may have just single-handedly prevented any more snow from falling for the rest of the winter!

Don't take all the credit, Dave. I put a new carb on my snowblower a few weeks ago, & bought a used Jeep GC, ensuring that we won't see any snow!
-Steve