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I need to purchase a set of winter tires and wheels for my car and I was hoping I could get some feedback.
1. Can I use a 16" rim? If so, what size and offset?
2. What tire sizes can I use with the 16" rim?
3. If I have to use a 17" rim, what size and offset do I require?
4. What tires sizes can I use with the 17" rim?
5. Do I have to maintain a staggered tire setup for winter?
Originally posted by Nominee+Nov 9 2004, 10:40 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Nominee @ Nov 9 2004, 10:40 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Trevize@Nov 9 2004, 05:48 PM See if this works:
Seems 17in is the smallest rim size recommended by tire rack. Prolly because of break clearance.
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Size:225/50-17 for all 4 tires? Don't we have to maintain a staggered setup?
Also, it doesn't list rim width and offset.
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No you don't *have* to maintain it. Sure it performs better on dry summer pavement that way. All depends in what type of weather you expect to drive in for the winter. Is it rain? Snow? Lots of snow? etc.
I'm in the situation where I drive an M5 in winter I basically have to suck in my pride and actually have "winter" tires. I have them mounted on 4 identical rims. Ya it sucks as I hate the way it looks and dry pavement performace suffers. I feel like I could be accused of driving a "fake" M5. But when the snow falls and it falls a lot at the base of the ski resort I live under I have no problems getting around. So laugh at me now in my snow tires on an M5 as I pass you going up this mountain! HA HA! It doesn't stop me from dreaming of Spring when I can put the summer tires and rims back on and re-claim my performance tires and that agressive stance on the road look with the wider in the rear rims/tires gives the M cars.
You have the make the choice for where you live and what you intend to drive your car through. You can get all season tires for your current rim size. They will suck in snow but do well in everything else. Or you can get snow/winter tires that will be a dream in snow, do well in rain and make you cry on dry pavement.
Seems 17in is the smallest rim size recommended by tire rack.* Prolly because of break clearance.
[snapback]227573[/snapback]
Size:225/50-17 for all 4 tires? Don't we have to maintain a staggered setup?
Also, it doesn't list rim width and offset.
[snapback]227834[/snapback]
No you don't *have* to maintain it. Sure it performs better on dry summer pavement that way. All depends in what type of weather you expect to drive in for the winter. Is it rain? Snow? Lots of snow? etc.
I'm in the situation where I drive an M5 in winter I basically have to suck in my pride and actually have "winter" tires. I have them mounted on 4 identical rims. Ya it sucks as I hate the way it looks and dry pavement performace suffers. I feel like I could be accused of driving a "fake" M5. But when the snow falls and it falls a lot at the base of the ski resort I live under I have no problems getting around. So laugh at me now in my snow tires on an M5 as I pass you going up this mountain! HA HA! It doesn't stop me from dreaming of Spring when I can put the summer tires and rims back on and re-claim my performance tires and that agressive stance on the road look with the wider in the rear rims/tires gives the M cars.
You have the make the choice for where you live and what you intend to drive your car through. You can get all season tires for your current rim size. They will suck in snow but do well in everything else. Or you can get snow/winter tires that will be a dream in snow, do well in rain and make you cry on dry pavement.
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I live in Toronto, Canada. Sometimes (rarely) we can get a fair bit of snow. I was worried about the staggered setup due to the fact that it can throw off our traction control systems. Due to the different rolling diameters of having a staggered setup.
Note that if you run fat tires on dry pavement, this is a good thing. However, if you run them in the snow, you'll 'float' on it. The idea is to reduce tire width to distribute the car's weight over a smaller area.
So, get winter tires if you plan to do this, and don't stagger if you can help it, otherwise you'll be doing donuts on the highway.
(Or, store the car
Oh, and Nominee, from one fellow Torontonian to another, make sure that if you decide to run your ///M in the winter, that you should watch the front air dam clearance. This is around six inches (please see my numerous posts on this), and if the snow ices over, you'll turf it, especially if you go to 17's and don't run a higher sidewall.
Originally posted by frw73@Nov 20 2004, 07:27 AM Re: Staggered Setup.
Note that if you run fat tires on dry pavement, this is a good thing. However, if you run them in the snow, you'll 'float' on it. The idea is to reduce tire width to distribute the car's weight over a smaller area.
So, get winter tires if you plan to do this, and don't stagger if you can help it, otherwise you'll be doing donuts on the highway.
(Or, store the car
Oh, and Nominee, from one fellow Torontonian to another, make sure that if you decide to run your ///M in the winter, that you should watch the front air dam clearance. This is around six inches (please see my numerous posts on this), and if the snow ices over, you'll turf it, especially if you go to 17's and don't run a higher sidewall.
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Thanks...I've been storing the car for the past 2 winters, but was thinking about driving it through this winter. But, now I've decided to store it again! I bought a 350Z 2005, and I didn't want to store both cars. So now, I have to buy a beater!
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