I'm going to be replacing the stock rims and tires with aftermarket and was wondering if putting Blizzaks on the 19" stock rims would be ok in the snow? I see a lot of you guys buy the 18" winter tire package from tirerack but i really don't want another set of rims just laying around. Any Suggestions?

 

these cars arent good in the snow no matter what tires you put on there, you best bet IMO is get a good set of Bridgetstone all season...the tires that were choses for the car were balance and matched for the 35..putting another tire on the rim, i dont think will give you optimal handeling and control...thats why everyone buys new rims and tires

 

the same tire ppl put on the 18 inch rims are LM-25 Blizzaks

they now (recently) make 19 inch Blizzaks, so no need to get 18's now

 

Stick with getting a separate set of rims for the winter. I know you don't want to do it but you don't want to ruin your rims in icy ruts during the winter. That's why people just get a cheap pair of rims for the winter that they don't mind banging up a bit in the harsher weather during the winter.

-RP

 

I ran 19" Blizzak LM-25s last winter without an issue. If the snow is really deep, the car is not great even with winters. But, outside of a snow storm, the car is very driveable in the winter with 19" winters. Also, I believe Bridgestone is replacing the LM-25 with LM-60s which are supposed to be even better.

You will have no problem.

 

Smaller wheels actually perform better in the snow as the weight is more concentrated. I run 20 inch summer and drop to 18 inch for the winter. Avoid the extra wide winter tires as they end up being like a snow plow and distribute weight too much. Be careful in choosing a rim if you have the sport brakes as many 18" wheels don't fit over them.

If you don't get a lot of snow where you are, than you can probably do quite well on the 19" snow tires.

There are quite a few threads discussing the issues of large versus small wheels for snow. You will probably find a number of the threads in the Canadian section of the forum.

 

You can put snows on the oem wheels and be much better off than an a/s tire. However, going with a narrower smaller tire/wheel combo will be even more effective. Narrower tires cut through debris better than the wider tires. If it's in your budget I'd look at a complete package. You can almost get a full package from us with better tires about the same price as just snows w/out install in the oem 19" sizes.

 

^Definately go with a narrower 18" dedicated setup than the stock 19's for those reasons stated above.

 

I purchased the 18" Blizzak tire and rim set from TireRack last fall. The tires are not only better in the snow than 19's but you can avoid having your summers removed from your stock rims. The damage from mounting and unmounting tires on and off of your beautiful stock rims... not to mention the damage winter is going to do just isn't worth it...imho

 

Tires for 19" really isn't cost effective... especially if they are just winter tires.

Cheap 18" wheels with winter tires!