17" or 18" for winter setup

[Blacke53]

I have a 02 4.4 with sport package. I live in chicago so I do see quite alot of snow. I deceided that I would get a winter setup. I am not sure if I should go with 17" or 18". Does anyone know if the 17 will not fit due to caliper/rotor size on the sport or will this not be a factor.

[rangerfan]

I run 17s in the winter as I wanted the best snow performance possible. A lot of people around here run 18s. It's a tradeoff--looks or snow performance. 17s are also cheaper.

[UCrewX5]

Originally Posted by Blacke53

I have a 02 4.4 with sport package. I live in chicago so I do see quite alot of snow. I deceided that I would get a winter setup. I am not sure if I should go with 17" or 18". Does anyone know if the 17 will not fit due to caliper/rotor size on the sport or will this not be a factor.

Both 17" and 18" rims will fit your 4.4i, so no issue there. I lived in Chicago for 3 winters with my 18" rims coupled to the all-season Michelin MXV4's and didn't have any problems at all getting around. I just purchased a set of Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22's to replace the Micheys for next winter.

As Rangerfan indicated above, if you are looking to buy a winter setup from scratch then the 17's will likely be cheaper and should give you better performance in the snow.

[Wagner]

I ran my 18's this winter. No huge snow storms but they did well in what we did have and that was with M+S factory tires. I imagine though that putting snow tires on 17" wheels will be slightly cheaper then say 18" rims.

[Jeremy]

I say go with the 18's. In fact, I happen to have a set in fabulous condition with new Michelin MXV4's (under 300 miles) on them.

[breytonX5]

Originally Posted by rangerfan

I run 17s in the winter as I wanted the best snow performance possible. A lot of people around here run 18s. It's a tradeoff--looks or snow performance. 17s are also cheaper.

Agree with RF and UCrew. 17s with their narrower 235 footprint will cut through deep snow much better than the 255 18s.

[Krunk Man]

go with the 18s... With almost any snow tire you WILL get good traction. 17's on an x5 is too hard on the eyes for me..

[ncx]

I would go with 17's or 18's and use your preference on looks as a factor. With dedicated snow tires I don't see how you can go wrong with either. I choose 18's. This was partly due to the fact that I drive on the highway for 2 hours to get to our ski location and like the way the 18's perform at speed and in mountain driving (on dry days). I also prefer the profile of 18's over 17's. They did fantasic in the snow this winter with Pirelli Scorpion Snow & Ice tires. Here's my winter setup: winter 18's Here's some wheels to compare: X5 wheels
Good luck with getting a good deal when you decide.