urikorulzs2

Im in the market to get snow tires, and I'm advised to get 18's.
currently I have a 6sp 08 coupe with 19s on it.
are 17s going to be sufficient?
my plan is to get a smaller set of tires and wheels for winter and then get 20s for summer.

any recommendations, advice, suggestions are appreciated.

Victory

All that matters is that it clears your brakes.

Landshark

smaller = cheaper.

also, get the narrowest ones you can - wide tires glide over the snow, narrow ones "cut" through it.

notice how skinny the tires are on this rally car:



i have 19" snow tires, because big brakes.

stealthee

FWIW I ran 245s in the snow without issue. I'm actually running 245 Blizzaks this year.

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

Here's a list on tirerack.com for 18x8 wheels that will clear your big calipers, and for that wheel I'd run 225/50/18 tires
https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/resu...oModClar=Sport

philter25

iTrader: (4)

I ran 18s for snow tires for 4 years in 225/50/R18 size. The key, as mentioned above, is to get a set of rims that clear the BBK. You will have less options for rims in the 18" size, but more options in tires. In the 19" size, you will have more options in rims, but less options in tires and the tires will be more expensive.

As for the width, it depends on where you are. I originally went 225 for a thinner tire to cut through the snow but Im in Maryland and the only few times it snowed, everything was shut down and I just waited until the roads were paved. I switched to 245/40/R19 as my winter driving is mainly on cold, clear roads which may be icy. My snow driving was never more than 1" deep.

17s will not work as they wont clear the BBK.

If you plan on getting 20s for summer, another option would be to use your stock tires (19" ) as winter tires so you dont have to buy 2 additional sets of tires and have your stock tires sitting around.

You can pick up a set of 19" fronts and run a squared setup of 245/40/R19s in the winter time or you can use the stock size of 225/45/R19 if you want a thinner tire.

urikorulzs2

Thanks for all the advice. I live in Indiana and I don't even know what to expect for winter as it's December and some ppl are still wearing shorts so maybe no winter this year.
as far as getting 2 sets if tires, I need new tires now anyways mine are almost dead.
As someone pointed out using my current 19s and get snow tires might be best and most cost efficient and get 20s for the summer. I just wasn't sure if it would make much of a difference.
what are you guys opinion on used snow tires, I will only need them forb1 season before moving out west. Is it still worth buying new?

blnewt

iTrader: (13)

If you only need them for one season you can definitely get by w/ a decent used set.
G/L in your search.

philter25

iTrader: (4)

^ +1 to the above. If you get a good used set with tread, you wont take much of a loss (if any) if you try to re-sell the following year.

Check the classifieds here, there are a few very good priced 18" sets for winter which fit over the BBK.

The only caution with a used set is dont get a set that's been sitting in a garage for 10 years without use. The rubber might start to crack/degrade. If its a set people have used and purchased recently, you wont have issues with buying "old rubber" tires.

stealthee

I found some Blizzaks for my Lancer (245/40/18) on Craigslist and got them for a steal.

I got 5 tires, 4 of them mounted on 18x8 Konig Villains, for $300. The tires still have great tread too. One wheel had a small crack near the inside lip. I paid my buddy $75 to weld the crack and go over the wheel to make sure it wasn't bent. I probably could have doubled my money if I turned around and resold them.