Winter setup advice

[waffre]

I purchased a set of 18" wheels which were supposed to arrive a couple months ago but were continuously delayed. I was expecting to use them for this winter and already bought Michelin pilot sport all season 4 tires for them but just got an update that now they are estimated to arrive around spring time next year. My predicament is that I'm still using the OEM contis + wheels and it's getting quite cold in the northeast so I'm getting worried about driving around with the contis and just need something to get myself through the winter ASAP.

Right now I'm thinking I should either:
• Buy a set of cheap winter or all season tires to put on the stock 20" wheels
• Buy a cheap set of 18" wheels to use with the Michelin all seasons in the interim

Both options don't feel great since I would only be using either option for just this winter, and I'm not even sure if it would be easy to sell the set of cheapo tires / wheels afterwards. What do folks think? Would also appreciate any recommendations for cheap wheels / tires

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[Mr. X]

Just get a set of cheap all season or winter tires to put on the stock 20"

 

[TANSTAAFL]

If you are going for the 20" tire route (cheapest for sure) I would definitely recommend actual winter tires. Mass is a bit less brutal than Vermont, but I'm not sure I'd want to rely on all-seasons on 20" wheels in a New England winter, myself. A set of Blizzaks or equivalent would be fine.

 

[NHCivicGuy]

Enkei Raijin 18x8 +42 with 225/45r18 General Altimax Arctic winter tires. Also got Thawk’s center cap adapters so I can run OEM! Looks so clean.

20" are too harsh for me and the wheels for the winter, especially with all the crappy roads with pot holes, frost heaves, etc. I always run a dedicated set of winter wheels and tires, they usually last me a few seasons and then I'll sell the tires about halfway through and get new ones.

One thing to keep in mind is that mounting and unmounting tires every winter/spring can eventually wear down the seal, etc. That was always my fear anyways, along with running more risk of damaging the wheel itself with their tools.

These ran me about $1,350 for the whole set from Tire Rack after rebates. About another $30 for the center cap adapters.

 

[jdm_mike]

For my winter set up I ran Titan7s and Blizzak WS90s.

Only paid $1,100.00CAD after tire levy and tax for the rubber (before the manu rebate of $100.00) and mounted them myself

 

[metal_driver]

Gotta agree with many of the comment above. Go with a dedicated set of downsized rims (18”) with dedicated winter tires for running winters. It just makes life so much easier to swap the wheel and tire sets back and forth for the season.

 

[waffre]

Thanks for the comments! I would have gone for the 18" option, but I unfortunately got a puncture in my sidewall and ended up going for the fastest option available which was 20" tires.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Yeah, I run my 18s in the winter and really like them. Hell, if I could afford it, I'd buy a lighter set of 18" wheels for my summer tires, too, but I don't mind the 20s in the warm months. Snows on 20" wheels isn't perhaps optimal, but it's doable at least.

 

[Tobiman]

Thanks for the comments! I would have gone for the 18" option, but I unfortunately got a puncture in my sidewall and ended up going for the fastest option available which was 20" tires.

Were the wheels you purchased by chance the Titan T-S5s?

 

[TheCanadian]

Enkei Raijin 18x8 +42 with 225/45r18 General Altimax Arctic winter tires. Also got Thawk’s center cap adapters so I can run OEM! Looks so clean.

How does it drive on these? I was thinking the same setup, albeit with 245's instead. Love the look

 

[NHCivicGuy]

How does it drive on these? I was thinking the same setup, albeit with 245's instead. Love the look

Drives great so far for winter tires. I opted for narrower tires so it cuts through the snow better. Puts the weight down in a smaller area so it helps more vs a wider tire like 245. I used to run these tires on my Si’s and RWD Lexus and love them.

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