Michelin X-Ice 3: 215/50R-17
 

SO the early reviews last winter for the X-ice 3s were pretty stellar. Anyone know if putting them on the stock rims will be an issue?

They don't come in 215/45-17 only 215/50R-17.

Or should I just get X-ice 2s?

I'm going studded Federal Himalaya WS2-SL 215/45R17 $751.80/set - studs/taxes in on stock rims.

Calgary AB. I wouldn't oversize I don't think.

Not sure if I'll go with the X-Ice, but I'm considering 215/50-17 instead of 215/45. That would get an overall diameter 22mm larger than stock. Since I've lowered my car 20mm, getting 11mm back would be nice in the winter.

A few folks in last years winter tire thread argued going a little larger is a good thing for grip. Many were talking of 215/50-17 and it's generally much less expensive than 45R tires.

I went with 215/55 x-ice 3 for the stock rims but haven't mounted them on yet. 55's were a decent amount cheaper since I got them under $570 shipped. According to the tire calculator, the diameter increases 21mm but I think it should be fine. I'll let you know if I run into any issues.

205/55/16 Dunlop Winter Sport 3D on Stock Saabaru wheels... (16x6.5 Enkei wheels)

Aaaaand the tires I want don't come in 215/50.. sigh.

According to my reference when comparing 215/45R-17 with 215/55R-17, this would mean that when the speedometer reads 100kph the car would be travelling 106.9 kph. Thats relatively quite different.

195/55R-16 gives 100 speedo = 99.3
205/55R-16 gives 100 speedo = 101.1

Yep I know the speeds will be off a bit, but they are on the stock 17" rims. For my setup 215/55/17 according to http://www.rimsntires.com/specs.jsp, When speedometer reads 60mph (96.6km/h) actual speed will be 64mph (103km/h): 6.7% faster.

Was thinking of picking up a set of 16s steelies and using 205/55/16s. Any recommendations for tires?

Edit: Yay 1000 posts!

Was thinking the same way, did a quick search with those sizes and found this General Tire Altimax Arctic, it had good reviews on Canadian Tire and a quick google search.

Any opinions on this?

Ok that you accept those numbers, as long as you remember when you start challenging stop light speed on green cameras!

I also thought there was an issue with (diff/abs sensors/??) for more than 5% difference in wheel diameter?

I guess that needs researching? Since all tire diameters would be assumed to be the same, not sure how that effects a torsen LSD? If all tires are the same diameter, how does that effect the ABS? I would have thought both of these are sensitive to the difference between the wheel speed activity relative to each other?