Dedicated snows tires and wheels or 18" snows on stockers?

[5-4-fighting]

Folks I'm debating on what makes more sense, buying cheap 17 inch wheels and snows or putting snows on the stock 18"s? And also to go with studless ice and snow or performance winter. I'm in PA which hasn't seen any sugnificant snow in the past but you never know.

Thanks

[dmention7]

You're almost always better off going with a dedicated winter setup. Besides the fact that a taller sidewall on a 17" wheel generally gives better snow traction, 17" snow tires will be less expensive, and you'll save a bunch of money not having to remount the tires twice a year. Plus you can swap wheels at home whenever you want instead of having to bring them to a shop.

The only argument I can see in favor of putting your winter meats on your 18s is if you can't afford the initial investment of a cheap set of wheels... though you can probably get a set of 17s for $350.

[Nliiitend1]

Originally Posted by dmention7

You're almost always better off going with a dedicated winter setup. Besides the fact that a taller sidewall on a 17" wheel generally gives better snow traction, 17" snow tires will be less expensive, and you'll save a bunch of money not having to remount the tires twice a year. Plus you can swap wheels at home whenever you want instead of having to bring them to a shop.

The only argument I can see in favor of putting your winter meats on your 18s is if you can't afford the initial investment of a cheap set of wheels... though you can probably get a set of 17s for $350.

x2

I'm in total agreement.

[5-4-fighting]

Thanks Guys! With that, what is the majority here going with, studless snows or performance winters?

[Nliiitend1]

During the one "real" winter that I drove my MS3 (I moved from Chicago to NE FL) I used a set of performance winter tires (Dunlop Wintersport M3s, to be exact) and was very pleased with them.

With a car that has as much performance potential as the MS3, I think that's the way to go unless you're living in an area that has a TON of snow and ice...

[ReNaToMS3]

I've driven through two nor'easter with all-season tires and it was a bit harsh but i made it home. I suspect that if you live in an area that doesn't see too many 10+inch snow levels, you should be more than fine on performance snow.

I bought a set of used Pirelli performance winter on stockers and i think i'll be fine with it in MA. I just didn't have the space to store my stockers and my OEM tires are gone anyway so i'll have to buy new ones next spring.

[Darth Vader]

I use 16" Mazda steel wheels + 205/60/16 Michelin Alpin Primacy dedicated snow tires. We had a brutal winter here last year and no problem chugging through with that setup and no risk of f-ing up the shiny stock wheels. These fit over the Speed's big brakes without difficulty, unlike some repro steel wheels.

1 season of ice, slush and salt and you will hate life trying to keep aluminum wheels in good condition.

[Sport6]

+1 on the Michelin Wintersport M3's, have them on 16inch Sport Edition alloys.

Saves the bead on the stock tires and possible damage to the wheels from tire machines..

[5-4-fighting]

Yes guys, I'm now leaning toward Dunlop Wintersport M3's on 17 inch wheels from Tirerack. Just can't decide on the wheels yet. Thanks for all the feedback.

[Benior]

I've got Dunlop Winter Sport M3s mounted on MSW Type 14 wheels from Tirerack ($105 each) as my winter setup. I actually like the spoke design quite a bit better than my factory MS3 wheels.

Since you said you usually don't see significant snow, the Winter Sport M3s should be perfect for you. I think the Bridgestone Blizzak WS50 snow tires I had on my Sentra were better in deep snow, but unless you need to deal with a ton of snow that doesn't get plowed quickly, the Winter Sport M3s are a better choice, as they handle a lot nicer on dry/merely wet roads.

Originally Posted by Nliiitend1

During the one "real" winter that I drove my MS3 (I moved from Chicago to NE FL) I used a set of performance winter tires (Dunlop Wintersport M3s, to be exact) and was very pleased with them.

Heh, you just reminded me... Last March I mounted my summer rubber back on the car before driving to NOLA and then Chattanooga for a week and a half, not wanting to run up the miles on snow tires in warm weather and figuring snow would be done with by the time I got back to Chicago. Then it snowed after I got back at the end of March.

[Nliiitend1]

Originally Posted by 5-4-fighting

Yes guys, I'm now leaning toward Dunlop Wintersport M3's on 17 inch wheels from Tirerack. Just can't decide on the wheels yet. Thanks for all the feedback.

I used Ford Fusion 17x7 et44 alloys. They were cheap (ebay), and look pretty decent to boot:

[5-4-fighting]

Yes indeed those Fusion wheels are handsome! Cost?

[abovie3]

i picked up a cheap set of 17 in stock 5 spoke mazda3 wheels for a winter set up. got all four rims for $150.

[5-4-fighting]

Originally Posted by abovie3

i picked up a cheap set of 17 in stock 5 spoke mazda3 wheels for a winter set up. got all four rims for $150.

Source?

[Ajburr]

Wow, the fusion wheels look nice on our car, better than our stockers IMO.