[JazzleSAURUS]

Originally Posted by cytogenesis

If I'm going to have 2 sets of tires, I'll probably be ok with just rotating out the tires rather than going back to stock wheels every winter. I don't mind the charge twice a year, it's worth keeping the new wheels on it for me.

I'll try to give as best of a summary as I can to help you help me decide what the 2 sets of tires are I should get. We typically only have like a few days of snowfall a year, and it usually doesn't stay on the ground for very long. Worst case I would say like 6 inches of snow with most of it being gone probably by the next day. I think the biggest worry here is ice/black ice which I'd say we get more often.

For summer tires, are there any differences between the S-O4's or the super sports?

One last thing, I contacted my Subaru dealership about the 14mm crash bolts and they told me they were strictly aftermarket... Is that normal?

Re swapping: that's your call. The way I see it, your wheels can look slightly worse for a couple months and you know you'll never slide your pretty ones into a curb on black ice.

If your primary concern is black ice, grab the michelin XIce3 off tire rack asap, there's a $70 mail in rebate making them around $350+shipping in many sizes which is an insane deal imo!

S-04 has a stiffer sidewall and slightly softer tread, PSS has a more uniform stiffness through the tire. Both will be excellent summer tire choices.

Many Subaru parts departments are really unaware of what they have. Just ask for 2 x 901000394 and corresponding nut. If they say that's 'strictly aftermarket' ask them to search for an M14x60 bolt and corresponding nut, then make them repeat back the part number so you can laugh at them.