Shopping for snow tires

RA Glows · Oct 13, 2009, 09:19 PM

I plan on taking off my summer wheels for the winter and putting the stock wheels back on. Can some one tell me whats the biggest size i can put on the stock 18X7 Wheels. I'd like to put 235/40/18 but i'm betting the tires will be to wide is that right?

DetroitRA · Oct 13, 2009, 09:35 PM

225 is the biggest I'd go on the stockers. 235 might be too wide for them skinny wheels.

But you're getting winter tires...keep in mind that wider isn't necessarily better when it comes to winter tires.

Also, from a cost perspective...getting 18" winter tires isn't cheap either. I've preached this in other winter tire threads, but here goes again:

I picked up a set of 16x7 wheels for $125, and I am going to put some 205/60 R16 on them for $90/tire. In total I'm only spending around $500 for a winter setup.
18" winter tires alone, for Blizzak WS60, start at $153 for 225/40 on TireRack. That's already $612 BEFORE mounting/balancing.

Money saved is more money to spend on go-fast parts!

brads09lancerGT · Oct 13, 2009, 09:35 PM

I'm almost positive that 225 is the widest that should go on a 7" rim

Taranis · Oct 13, 2009, 09:58 PM

I just picked up a set of Michelin X-Ice Xi2 (215/45R18) from Discount Tire (they matched Tire Rack's price). The 18s are quite a bit more expensive, but it is nice to have the full size wheels for the added weight to help keep traction when possible! But if you are on a tight budget, smaller would definitely be a lot cheaper.

And as DetroitRA said, wider isn't really better when it comes to traction on the snow / ice. So if that is what you are going for, I'd just stick with the stock size. =)

-Taranis

20si06 · Oct 13, 2009, 10:09 PM

I just got a set of Blizzak LM-22s (215/45R18) from Tire Rack, $640 shipped. If you want cheaper then that I would hit craigslist or Mazda forums. The Mazdaspeed 3 and Mazdaspeed 6 both had our same size tires. I saw some in Chicago on craigslist for $400.

EricJ@AMS · Oct 13, 2009, 11:33 PM

If you have some Evo VIII wheels, Tire Rack has older model blizzaks for $65 a tire!!

Ladogaboy · Oct 14, 2009, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricJ@AMS

If you have some Evo VIII wheels, Tire Rack has older model blizzaks for $65 a tire!!

Man, this must be a regional thing. The cheapest blizzaks that Tire Rack lists for me are $150 each.

Taranis · Oct 14, 2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ladogaboy

Man, this must be a regional thing. The cheapest blizzaks that Tire Rack lists for me are $150 each.

They are only for a specific size, but should be available anywhere. I believe they are the 245/40/17 ones. =)

-Taranis

velocityhead · Oct 14, 2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taranis

I just picked up a set of Michelin X-Ice Xi2 (215/45R18) from Discount Tire (they matched Tire Rack's price). The 18s are quite a bit more expensive, but it is nice to have the full size wheels for the added weight to help keep traction when possible! But if you are on a tight budget, smaller would definitely be a lot cheaper.

I've got the same snow tires...and I wanted to get 18s as well because I rarely see anyone driving around here in the winter with low-profiles

Ladogaboy · Oct 14, 2009, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taranis

They are only for a specific size, but should be available anywhere. I believe they are the 245/40/17 ones. =)

-Taranis

245s seem a little wide for the EVO VIII rims. The cheapest Blizzaks I could find were $73, but they were 255/40R17, which I know is too wide for the EVO VIII rims.

suprPHREAK · Oct 14, 2009, 02:30 PM

I'm using 205 tires on 16" steelies on my RA. Cost $100/corner all mounted. Huge sidewall flex, but its great for tearing up snowy farm fields!

EricJ@AMS · Oct 14, 2009, 06:02 PM

The 245/40 17 mounts very nicely to the stock Evo VIII wheel.

Ladogaboy · Oct 14, 2009, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricJ@AMS

The 245/40 17 mounts very nicely to the stock Evo VIII wheel.

Still, the point was, I could only find 255s at anything under $150. Oh well.

akj237 · Oct 15, 2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RA Glows

I plan on taking off my summer wheels for the winter and putting the stock wheels back on. Can some one tell me whats the biggest size i can put on the stock 18X7 Wheels. I'd like to put 235/40/18 but i'm betting the tires will be to wide is that right?

Unless you plan on doing a lot of driving in sand or mud go with narrower tires. Wide tires in the snow are not want you want.

20si06 · Oct 15, 2009, 08:16 PM

I would hit up craigslist, their are a lot deals on winter tires in the chicagoland area, atleast.