Luke or others - Winter tires for 18's smart or dumb?

DieselClown · 11-22-2004, 12:30 AM

I wanted to know if buying winter wheels for 18 inch rims is smart or a waste of money. I want to get wheels that clear STi Brembo's and so many 18 inchers are coming up in the for sale forum that can be had dirt cheap so I was wondering. Thanks.

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Uncle Scotty · 11-22-2004, 01:06 AM

Generally speaking, the smaller wheels are better for winter driving....less chance of bending and cheaper/better tires available.

I would go way out of my way to get a set of 17's for winter and do the 18's for summer duty.

moss · 11-22-2004, 02:14 AM

Rota TarmacIIs w/ Snow tires or all seasons... thats what you should be looking at.

Edvig · 11-22-2004, 08:58 AM

I would stick with a 17in rim for the winter. iirc, you're in the NYC area. The roads are a pothole mess here in during the winter. It wouldn't take much to bend an 18" rim. A 17" rim would also be more comfortable to drive on the NYC roads during the winter.

subieworx · 11-22-2004, 09:32 AM

Been using 18x8 Konig Verdicts on my GF's car with 235 40 18 for two winters in OH and it has been fine.

Luke@tirerack · 11-22-2004, 09:39 AM

the added sidewall deflection of a 17 would be better and the tires would be less expensive .... but, although you can get 18" winters I would go for 17"ers

FPO45 · 11-22-2004, 09:55 AM

As many others have posted, I would think being on smaller wheels would be beneficial to winter driving. Tires are cheaper for 17" rims, iirc, and there's less of a chance of cracking/bending your wheels.

Pick up a set of Rotas with all-season/snows; I know Subydude carries a number of wheels in 17x8 now (to clear the STi Brembos). With whatever you end up choosing, best of luck to you.

DieselClown · 11-22-2004, 10:42 AM

thanks all....I'll see if any cheap 17's come up for sale in the next few weeks and if I don't get anything, I'll throw on the stockers (they have like 500 miles on them!).

kwilson36 · 11-22-2004, 12:22 PM

Stockers with Blizzak Ws50's. That way I dont have to care if they get wrecked and get unimaginable traction at the same time.

Let the snow come....

-K

11-22-2004, 12:30 AM	#1
DieselClown Scooby Guru Member#: 36135 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: New York City Vehicle: 2005 WRX Aspen White	Luke or others - Winter tires for 18's smart or dumb? I wanted to know if buying winter wheels for 18 inch rims is smart or a waste of money. I want to get wheels that clear STi Brembo's and so many 18 inchers are coming up in the for sale forum that can be had dirt cheap so I was wondering. Thanks. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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11-22-2004, 01:06 AM	#2
Uncle Scotty NASIOC Supporter Member#: 16200 Join Date: Mar 2002 Vehicle: OK Houston we have an Uncle	Generally speaking, the smaller wheels are better for winter driving....less chance of bending and cheaper/better tires available. I would go way out of my way to get a set of 17's for winter and do the 18's for summer duty.

11-22-2004, 02:14 AM	#3
moss Scooby Guru Member#: 10197 Join Date: Sep 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Gtown, MD	Rota TarmacIIs w/ Snow tires or all seasons... thats what you should be looking at.

11-22-2004, 08:58 AM	#4
Edvig Scooby Specialist Member#: 16147 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Westchester County Vehicle: no more turbo 05 Legacy, 11 Outback	I would stick with a 17in rim for the winter. iirc, you're in the NYC area. The roads are a pothole mess here in during the winter. It wouldn't take much to bend an 18" rim. A 17" rim would also be more comfortable to drive on the NYC roads during the winter.

11-22-2004, 09:32 AM	#5
subieworx Scooby Guru Member#: 47769 Join Date: Nov 2003 Chapter/Region: MWSOC	Been using 18x8 Konig Verdicts on my GF's car with 235 40 18 for two winters in OH and it has been fine.

11-22-2004, 09:39 AM	#6
Luke@tirerack Tire Rack Moderator Member#: 1215 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: The Tire Rack Vehicle: 800 -428-8355 ext. 4362	the added sidewall deflection of a 17 would be better and the tires would be less expensive .... but, although you can get 18" winters I would go for 17"ers

11-22-2004, 09:55 AM	#7
FPO45 Scooby Newbie Member#: 43207 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: 617/781, by way of the 808 Vehicle: MY02 WRX Paint Damaged MBP	As many others have posted, I would think being on smaller wheels would be beneficial to winter driving. Tires are cheaper for 17" rims, iirc, and there's less of a chance of cracking/bending your wheels. Pick up a set of Rotas with all-season/snows; I know Subydude carries a number of wheels in 17x8 now (to clear the STi Brembos). With whatever you end up choosing, best of luck to you.

11-22-2004, 10:42 AM	#8
DieselClown Scooby Guru Member#: 36135 Join Date: May 2003 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: New York City Vehicle: 2005 WRX Aspen White	thanks all....I'll see if any cheap 17's come up for sale in the next few weeks and if I don't get anything, I'll throw on the stockers (they have like 500 miles on them!).

11-22-2004, 12:22 PM	#9
kwilson36 Scooby Newbie Member#: 67449 Join Date: Aug 2004 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Nyack, NY Vehicle: 03 VF22, TXS FMIC EcuTek, Catless...:)	Stockers with Blizzak Ws50's. That way I dont have to care if they get wrecked and get unimaginable traction at the same time. Let the snow come.... -K