The Winter Tire thread- all winter tire questions go here !!!

[fcav]

I pick up my 2019 WRX (base) on Thursday, which is funny timing because where I am (Calgary) we just got a huge dump of snow. Looks like the first mod will be to throw winter tires on it!

My initial thought is to take the 17" wheels and throw winters on them, but up here there stands a reasonable chance that I'll be keeping the winter tires on for five/six months a year. I'd prefer something a little nicer to look at and was considering some 18" wheels for winters.

Should I go that route? I hope to lower the WRX in the spring (nothing drastic, probably just the RCE yellow lowering springs), so if I went with some 18s and a lower profile winter tire to match up with what will likely be 18s on summer tires, would that make sense?

Any recommendations on both a winter and a summer setup if you were starting from scratch?

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[soloz2]

Originally Posted by fcav

I pick up my 2019 WRX (base) on Thursday, which is funny timing because where I am (Calgary) we just got a huge dump of snow. Looks like the first mod will be to throw winter tires on it!



My initial thought is to take the 17" wheels and throw winters on them, but up here there stands a reasonable chance that I'll be keeping the winter tires on for five/six months a year. I'd prefer something a little nicer to look at and was considering some 18" wheels for winters.



Should I go that route? I hope to lower the WRX in the spring (nothing drastic, probably just the RCE yellow lowering springs), so if I went with some 18s and a lower profile winter tire to match up with what will likely be 18s on summer tires, would that make sense?



Any recommendations on both a winter and a summer setup if you were starting from scratch?

If you want 18" wheels it would make sense to put winter's on your stock 17" wheels and get some 18" summer wheels and tires.

[Blktrax]

^^^ This, cause you want more sidewall for finding curbs and potholes you cant see under the snow rather than bending a wheel.

[left footed whooten]

and that sidewall flex helps your grip

Calgary? Id go top shelf, hakkas, blizzaks, or the new contis. You guys might be in for it this year.

[fcav]

Originally Posted by left footed whooten

and that sidewall flex helps your grip

Calgary? Id go top shelf, hakkas, blizzaks, or the new contis. You guys might be in for it this year.

Ha. It's already started if you've happened to see. Funny, because it all happened between me ordering and when I'll receive the car (Thursday). Unfortunately, winter tires will be the first mod.

So we're all in agreement that 18s are a stupid option for winter tires? Only reason I ask is that they'll be on the car for so long I'd want something a little nicer to look at than the stock wheels that come with it. Having said that, if I'm sticking with 17s, I may as well just use those.

[krzyss]

18" are not stupid option for winter tires but expensive.
It is more prudent to downsize for worst conditions (cheaper rim, cheaper tires - check prices for 17 and 18 winter tires, you may find that downsizing almost pays for new rims) and spend money wisely on 18" summer tires that you will need sooner than you expect (I suspect).

Krzy***347;

[left footed whooten]

Agreed, not stupid, but not optimal. Its splitting hairs, but an 18 will be more expensive and may not have as many size or choices available. you could sell off your 17's as takeoffs while new, pick up some other nice 17's for winter, then some 18's later, or other summer wheels. Could also get nice 17's for winter, keep or powdercoat your originals for summer duty too.

You get real winters, id stay away from the 18's. Too bad you can't go down to 16 on your car for winter. Thats what ialways did, 16 winter, 17 summer.

I get the same thing here, snow tires are on for 6-7 months or more sometimes.

Having 18's in the winter arent tragic, but you will get some more harshness from wonderful winter surfaces and a slight drop in sidewall compliance thatyou may or may not notice.

Your winter wheels will take a beating though, dont go too nice with them, they my break your heart after they wear and show it.

[left footed whooten]

Originally Posted by fcav

Ha. It's already started if you've happened to see. Funny, because it all happened between me ordering and when I'll receive the car (Thursday). Unfortunately, winter tires will be the first mod.

So we're all in agreement that 18s are a stupid option for winter tires? Only reason I ask is that they'll be on the car for so long I'd want something a little nicer to look at than the stock wheels that come with it. Having said that, if I'm sticking with 17s, I may as well just use those.

Its even started here, not remotely like you guys and Montana of course, but its definitely trying to play winter already. Snowed a couple times but thankfully hasnt stuck. 4” fell on us overnight saturday while at under 5000ft in nevada desert. Hooray for camper with a heater.

[fcav]

Anyone have any experience with Sailun Ice Blazers? Cheap tires, with decent reviews, and have been around for a few years. Wouldn't mind some unbiased, first-hand accounts. Thanks!

[left footed whooten]

no direct experience, but where you live, id stay away from b list tires. Id go a list all the way.

[Blktrax]

Originally Posted by fcav

Anyone have any experience with Sailun Ice Blazers? Cheap tires, with decent reviews, and have been around for a few years. Wouldn't mind some unbiased, first-hand accounts. Thanks!

Something to consider, Snow tires have less to do with tread design (cheap tires are usually copies of someone else’s tires) and more to do with the chemical composition of the rubber compound.

Michilen x-ice, Bridgestone Blizzak, Nokia Hakkapeliitta are tires that put the engineering into the compound. Having seen these tires on customer cars and run them personally , they stay soft and sticky even when run year round for usually 3-4 years.

Cheap tires usually last 1-2 years before the rubber gets hard and starts chunking off. The rubber doesn’t stay soft and plyable, so cold weather traction is decreased, and then the tread blocks themselves usually wear faster.

TL-DR= One Good set, longer life ,better grip > Cheap set replace twice less grip (probably cost more than the 1 good set in the long run)

[left footed whooten]

^^^this

[omnirex]

2020 Wrx premium with 4 pot brembo brakes that come with 18" wheels. I'm looking for 17" wheel and tire combo if possible.

[omnirex]

Double post on accident.

[soloz2]

Originally Posted by omnirex

2020 Wrx premium with 4 pot brembo brakes that come with 18" wheels. I'm looking for 17" wheel and tire combo if possible.

Pretty sure you will need to stick with 18" wheels.

[fcav]

What's the hot take on studded tires? I think they might be overkill in Calgary here because of our chinooks melting/drying the roads pretty frequently, but on the flipside, all that melting can cause a decent amount of ice.

I'd hardly call my WRX a daily driver (live within walking distance to work, so it's more of an errand-runner), but do plan on doing some highway driving this winter and that can be as unpredictable as anything.

[left footed whooten]

Modern technology has left studs as the minority. Studless have come a long way. Id go with a good studless, xice or conti or hakka.

[rkrum92]

What do you guys think of these ?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BY1H54W...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[left footed whooten]

Not sure if serious.

Cheap. Chinese. "Tire". Not a winter tire in any way. Would avoid for any season.

[left footed whooten]

Originally Posted by soloz2

Pretty sure you will need to stick with 18" wheels.

Could likely get 17” sti takeoffs to clear 4 pots.

[soloz2]

Originally Posted by rkrum92

What do you guys think of these ?



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BY1H54W...v_ov_lig_dp_it

Hmm, doesn't fit as a "winter tire" so not applicable in this thread, but no specs provided, reviews are obviously fake due to Grammer/spelling. You do the math.

[Breezio]

Originally Posted by omnirex

2020 Wrx premium with 4 pot brembo brakes that come with 18" wheels. I'm looking for 17" wheel and tire combo if possible.

Just go to tirerack.com and put in 2007 STi for your vehicle. There are many many options for 17" wheels that fit over the 'old' 4-pot Brembos

[left footed whooten]

Dont forget to check the classifieds here, you could score out good on some 17's. Most aftermarket wheels will clear, esp if theyre from a 05+ sti, could score some rotas or even some rpf1's for a great price.

[randyb87]

Having trouble getting good information or advise on a winter tire setup.

2019 STI Limited...

Discount Tire as Nokian Hakkapilita 8's for $339 a tire....

What other options do I have, also game to consider new rims/tire combos!

Thanks!

[JonnyD91]

Originally Posted by randyb87

Having trouble getting good information or advise on a winter tire setup.



2019 STI Limited...



Discount Tire as Nokian Hakkapilita 8's for $339 a tire....



What other options do I have, also game to consider new rims/tire combos!



Thanks!

That is an epic **** ton of money

Get a dedicated set of 18” rims and winter tires.

I got a complete set for 1150 only difference I chose to go with a/s instead of snows since the snow season is pretty mild here and I don’t use my car to commute.