Look of fender flares with winter setup
 

Had a question for all of you who switch out your style 214 20s with 18s for the winter (I am planning on getting the style 209s with Dunlop Grandtrek WT M3 ROF 255/55).

Does it look weird with the OEM wide fender flares and the 18s? Or do you switch out the wide flares to the normal OEM flares (that come from the factory with the 18s and 19s) for the winter as well?

It seems like the wide flares with the 18s are going to give the wheels too much of a "tucked in" look. Not just because I am used to the look of the 20s...but also because the wide flares really do stick out quite a bit. I know some people like the wide fender flares year round even without the 20s...but somehow that feels like it wouldn't look right to me.

Did this bother anyone else? Do you have any pics of your setup in the winter that gives a good perspective?

Thanks,
Loki

lol you are very meticulous when it comes to looks. and so am I.

I do the switch from OEM 214s to OEM Winter 18" setup and the wider fender flares actually look better in my opinion with the winter tires package installed.

If you look at the flares from the side, the thickness of the pieces are actually the same but just the bottom half sort of sticks out. from the side, its not vety noticeable. From the front and back, again they flare out near the top and flatten as you go down and really they don't stick out like a sore thumb if that is what you are worried about.

With the thick heavy duty treads on the Dunlop winters, my eyes seldom catch the flares but just the tires and wheels. However, I do miss my honeycomb rims really really badly (no love for the 18"s, strictly for safety) on the odd sunny winter days but other than that, it's should be just fine. Hardly an eyesore.