Almost wintertime.....

[soldmystang]

Originally Posted by Richard in NC

I've got to make the same decision but I've got 3 months. Here is what I'm deciding:
Stock is staggered 19's with performance tires.
Option 1: Keep the 19s for summer tires and buy 18's or non staggered 19s with winter tires.
Option 2: Find winter tires that fit the staggered 19s and upgrade to 20s and max performance summer tires.

Option 1 would be less $$$ and not wasting the current tires. But I want the 333M wheels.
Option 2 could be done in parts, 19 in. winter tires late November and 20's next spring.

unless you shoot up to Boone often i don't see your issue so much.

you might want to try some all-seasons.

[motordavid]

Imo, "18s" for winter will not provide any less "performance" in non-winter
conditions than 19s...I suspect it's more about cosmetics and the mental
aspect of bigger is better, for all but real snow.

I had puny style 57s, (17s), with dedicated Michey Alpins, on our X for 5
winters: they performed like a Mtn Goat here on our very steep Mtn roads,
and that was with the old non-X drive. They also ran well on our several
trips up and down the east coast. Sure I like my style 132 19s, but the
performance aspect is way overblown, imo.

And, I realize there are pages of anecdotes like mine, except posters
regale the 19s and, even 20s in snow. Pick your size, pick any decent
dedicated snow tire brand, and have at. But, the rationale for bigger
during those non-winter days is suspect, imo. For serious winter conditions,
more than a few days/weeks per season, higher profile & "smaller", will
almost always out perform "bigger", and real winter tires will kick "all season"
tars' butt.
GL, mD

[Richard in NC]

Originally Posted by soldmystang

unless you shoot up to Boone often i don't see your issue so much.

you might want to try some all-seasons.

I will likely be heading to WV in the winter several times to visit family. Plus Charlotte had several snows last winter. I was just lucky the occurred on Friday and melted by Monday.

[MRV99]

Originally Posted by motordavid

Imo, "18s" for winter will not provide any less "performance" in non-winter
conditions than 19s...I suspect it's more about cosmetics and the mental
aspect of bigger is better, for all but real snow.

I had puny style 57s, (17s), with dedicated Michey Alpins, on our X for 5
winters: they performed like a Mtn Goat here on our very steep Mtn roads,
and that was with the old non-X drive. They also ran well on our several
trips up and down the east coast. Sure I like my style 132 19s, but the
performance aspect is way overblown, imo.

And, I realize there are pages of anecdotes like mine, except posters
regale the 19s and, even 20s in snow. Pick your size, pick any decent
dedicated snow tire brand, and have at. But, the rationale for bigger
during those non-winter days is suspect, imo. For serious winter conditions,
more than a few days/weeks per season, higher profile & "smaller", will
almost always out perform "bigger", and real winter tires will kick "all season"
tars' butt.
GL, mD

i will disagree with you on performance. I made the mistake and put a set of 17" down from my 20's on my E53 and it was a huge mistake. The first time I had to swerve to miss a crater on a chicago highway, I was scared because the tire was so soft. I ended up selling the 17" and went to 18" take-offs out of California. I found them cheep and it was a huge difference.

[newmanium]

The smallest you can go on the E70 is an 18" wheel from what I have read, due to brake clearance.

I'm going with 18" winters accordingly, trying to decide between the Blizzak DM-V1 which sounds like a very soft, non-performance tire, or the Alpin HP non-RFT version for more dry performance.

[Edge647]

Looks like those that are using 19's for the winter are recommended to use spacers.

I'm on 20's right now with fender flares.

What is the recommendation for us that are going from 20's to 18's for winter? Spacers or take off the flares?

[TRAINER]

30mm

[MRV99]

What size tires are you getting for the 18's? OEM's are 255's which is the same as the 19's

[Edge647]

Originally Posted by MRV99

What size tires are you getting for the 18's? OEM's are 255's which is the same as the 19's

Using the OEM size of 18's for winter on Style 210 rims.

[Edge647]

Originally Posted by TRAINER

30mm

Any side effects that I should be worried about?

(Other than flares and 18's WITHOUT spacers looking crazy ugly )