Winter tyres? Which rims?

[Ajogu]

With the summer ending, I have started my search on winter tyres.

My question is, do you guys thing I should get winter tyres for my 132's or get smaller 17" wheels and tyres?
I would prefer to keep the 19" look but I heard a comment about better traction on icy, snowy roads with smaller wheels. Please say its not true

The X is used in town almost all of the time, but I don't want to look like a dork if I decide to leave town in some snowy weather.

ps. Any interesting winter driving experiences welcome.

[LeMansX5]

It depends on how much snow you get in your area. 17" and 18" hold better than 19". A second set of rims and tires gives you some convenience. I have a set of 18" rims with Dunlop Wintersport tires. Come winter I will just slap them on.

[Ajogu]

Originally Posted by LeMansX5

It depends on how much snow you get in your area. 17" and 18" hold better than 19". A second set of rims and tires gives you some convenience. I have a set of 18" rims with Dunlop Wintersport tires. Come winter I will just slap them on.

Thanks for the advice. Your winter wheels look cool but I'm sure your 4.8 looks even better on its 20" wheels
Now come on, is there that much difference in traction between 18" and 19"?

Most of the time during winter temperatures here are below zero celius and snowfalls are moderate. In my opinion very normal winter conditions.

[motordavid]

Depends on where you live, your "normal" winter season, local attention to road clearing, etc. Hard for any of us to guess, on your situ, from your post.

(EDIT: I see from a couple of your posts that you are in Warsaw,Poland...
I suspect You are the expert on your local situ, as I doubt many of us have knowledge of winters in Poland.)

My opin is Nothing works better than a set of 17s w/dedicated snows for Serious Stuff.
Otoh, many here report they do fine w/18" snows, or even 19" stock, but your conditions are the key in your decision. GL,md

[X5Flyboy]

If you ever need to put on chains, they recommend 17" rims. Chains on rear only. I am ordering V spoke 130 with Pirrelli scorpion snow & ice for my winter set. 5-6 deg grades typ out here, some even 10 deg

[Ajogu]

Originally Posted by motordavid

Depends on where you live, your "normal" winter season, local attention to road clearing, etc. Hard for any of us to guess, on your situ, from your post.

(EDIT: I see from a couple of your posts that you are in Warsaw,Poland...
I suspect You are the expert on your local situ, as I doubt many of us have knowledge of winters in Poland.)

My opin is Nothing works better than a set of 17s w/dedicated snows for Serious Stuff.
Otoh, many here report they do fine w/18" snows, or even 19" stock, but your conditions are the key in your decision. GL,md

You're right, sorry for not being accurate enough. I keep forgetting most of you guys are very far away but this is the only forum I use when I need expert advice

I meant that there are no extreme winter conditions here and if there were, I a'int gonna be driving

Anyhow, I get the gist of things. the smaller the wheels, the better the grip but is there any risk using winter 19 tyres? I mean, why would they make them??
I understand that it depends on weather conditions (I've seen lots of cars that use their summer wheels all year round).

[jditom]

Originally Posted by Ajogu

Thanks for the advice. Your winter wheels look cool but I'm sure your 4.8 looks even better on its 20" wheels
Now come on, is there that much difference in traction between 18" and 19"?

Most of the time during winter temperatures here are below zero celius and snowfalls are moderate. In my opinion very normal winter conditions.

First of all it is very had to find good winter tires in the rear 19's at a 285 width!
Second, that wide of a tire would have more float than traction.
Third, why have your nice 19 chiped up in the gravel all winter long.

I just bought a set 18 on e-bay. You can get them for as low as $500 a set and the convenience of just swaping wheels for the winter is great. I do it in my garage in 40 minutes and no waiting at a tire store.