Winter tire size

[sygfrid]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

For those of you who run winter tires, do you stick with the OEM 215 size or do you drop down to something narrower like at 205?

Secondly are there any particular tires that people here like?

I was very happy with the Pirelli Sottozero 3s that I had on my BMW and I will definitely consider them. That said, in this new world with no commute I'm down to 4K or fewer miles are year on the car and might just opt to save money (something like $60 a tire) and go with something like the GT Radial Champiro Winterpro.

It seems like a waste to spend a lot more for a tire that will age out well before I actually wear the tread out.

Actually, you have to invest MORE in high performance tires for adverse weather conditions like rain, snow & ice because you need to have more control of the vehicle in these difficult situations. What's a few hundred bucks more in order avoid getting into an accident?

For our climate in Vancouver wherein we can see snow, slush, & rain within a day, I run on UHP winters 225-40-18 Michelin Alpin PA4 that's really meant for sports cars. It's like the PS4S for winter conditions.

You can check out the latest winter tires & their performance reviews on YouTube especially by Tyrereviews.com.

[Racecomp Engineering]

With stock wheels, just stick with stock size tires IMO.

I did enjoy my 16x7 RPF1s with 205/55/16 Blizzak WS80 in a "wow there's even less grip than expected way" in the dry. The Blizzaks were a big part of that though, other winters will be a little bit better in the dry. Good in the snow though.

- Andrew

[churchx]

Even less grip in the dry still is sufficient for normal DD turning/braking/accelerating. But if on wrong tires one stops on ice/snow 2x-3x further distance vs car on right season tires .. it should worry a bit.

[saltywetman]

Originally Posted by sygfrid

Actually, you have to invest MORE in high performance tires for adverse weather conditions like rain, snow & ice because you need to have more control of the vehicle in these difficult situations. What's a few hundred bucks more in order avoid getting into an accident?

For our climate in Vancouver wherein we can see snow, slush, & rain within a day, I run on UHP winters 225-40-18 Michelin Alpin PA4 that's really meant for sports cars. It's like the PS4S for winter conditions.

You can check out the latest winter tires & their performance reviews on YouTube especially by Tyrereviews.com.

Uhp winters are better.for handling but worse for straight line traction and stopping. IMO stopping traction is the most important for DD in winter since there are times where people try to suddenly stop in front of you or cut you off. Handling in winter may be important if you live in an area that do winter track days but I would rather drive more responsibly on winter roads than test my luck with spirited turning. If I want to have fun I'll skid around in an empty parking lot

[Sasquachulator]

Thoguht i'd bump this as its related.

My 18" OEM tires are 215/40/18. I have winters from a Scion iM which are 205/55/16 and thats what im going to be using (its 2 sizes down but..not equipped with brembos or sachs. So fitment shouldnt be a problem)

I just need to get a new set of steel wheels for it as the scion im has a different bolt pattern, so i cant use them until they're swapped out.

This brings me to another question.

Steel wheels or Alloys for winter? Im finding the steel wheels are a bit more pricey than i expected. If they're close enough to some cheap alloys i might just get cheap alloys instead of steelies.

[bucketfoot]

Normally when talking performance, un-sprung weight is considered to be bad, but with winter tires/wheels it is actually a positive. So if you don't mind the look, steel wheels are a really good option for winter use.

[churchx]

Sasquachulator: or .. used alloys. For example, OE wheels from more common subbies. Cheap (vs new steelies cost), very common, better looking then steelies and probably lighter, strong as f****.