So i have seen a few threads talking about winter wheels and such... The truth is i suppose winter is just around the corner.

Anyways... I have decided on getting some Blizzak ws-60's, and now i am deciding what rims to get for them. I am doing the build your own winter package on tirerack.com and after choosing the tires i have about 30 choices of rims. I really can't decide what rims to go with... any suggestions at all? (try to stay away from the more expensive ones haha)

http://www.tirerack.com/snow/WinterWheels.jsp?http://www.tirerack.com/snow/WinterWheels.jsp?snowSortCode=16985&sortSize=17&winterType=AB&RHP=N&beanNumber=5&Qty=4&startIndex=0&frontWidth=&frontRatio=&frontDiameter=&frontSortCode=&rearWidth=&rearRatio=&rearDiameter=&rearSortCode=&performance=W&compareList=&compare=false&displayResults=10&search=true&sortValue=1&Qty0=4&Qty1=4&Qty2=4&Qty3=4&Qty4=4&Qty5=4&Qty6=4&Qty7=4&Qty8=4&Qty9=4

Why buy an aftermarket set of wheels for winter? If you're going to do that, may as well use them for your summer tires and use the stock wheels as the winter set. OR find a set of OEM wheels in the classifieds and save yourself some money if you want a dedicated set of winter tires ready to go.

I use my OEM tires for winter and my Enkei RPF1's for summer. I use to switch my summer and winter tires on my OEM wheels. Then i wanted something different and needed new summer tires so a bought a wheel and tire package from tire rack. But since you want to spend the least amount of money either swap summer and winter tires on your OEM wheels or Just pick a wheel that looks good to you. Everyone has a different taste on what looks good. Also what did you choose 18 or 17 inch? FYI 17's will do better in the snow.

I have a set for sale for half the price :) http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=179883

Why buy an aftermarket set of wheels for winter?

Because it's better to get 17 inch winter tires, rather than 18 inches, for two reasons. The first is that the narrower, taller section will work better in snow. The second is that there's a surprisingly big price difference between 17 and 18 inch tires. That means the new wheels will be for the snows.

I was on the verge of buying a 17 inch winter tire wheel set, until back problems made me realize I better not commit to changing four wheels twice a year. I liked the MSW type 14 because they resembled the OEM wheels, but with (to me) a nicer shape to the spokes. They were also cheap.

Of course, for all my recommendation of 17 inch winter wheels I wound up replacing the OEM tires with all-seasons. But I live in Virginia, not North Dakota, and have a beater for real snow days.

Ken

For winter tires 17" is going to be cheaper than 18". Since you are already buying wheels, might as well make them cheap-ass wheels that you don't care about trashing.

Honestly, you want a narrower tire for winter (according to the conventional wisdom) so splurging on an 8" wide rim (or using your OEM rims) is really going to be unnecessary.

I went with 17x7 Racing Sparco DS-1 wheels with 225/50/17 Nokian WR G2 tires. I don't recommend those tires for ND but they work great for the Chicago area. The wheels previous had all-season as my OEM's were used for race rubber. They were $90 each from Discount Tire Direct with free shipping.

Also, if I were in the market right now, I'd take tmak26b's offer without a second though or buyer's remorse.

Blizzak's are the best winter tire out there IMHO.....I also say you should just keep the stockers for winter and a nice set of aftermarket wheels for winter......

I did in fact choose the 17 inch package because A: its cheaper and B: from what people have said they are better for winter. And tbh my winter wheels will probably be on more then the summer ones considering winter dominates the seasons here.

But i am still not sure which rims i would like to get, i have about a month to decide so i have time to think about it.

ps. tmate sorry im looking for brand spankin new ones haha, thanks though.

Ah, had I known you were going for 17 inchers I would have spoke differently.

I, too, recommend Bridgestone Blizzaks. Had a set of the WS-50 for my Corolla for three seasons and they were brilliant. Don't know if I want to go with the 17" WS-60 and also get a set of 17" wheels (the MSW 14 does look decent enough for winter) or go with a set of OEM wheels and the LM-60.

Doing the math (all TireRack.com prices), I'd come out ahead with the LM-60 if I can find a set of OEM wheels for less than $144... I don't think that's going to happen.

I have this on my RX-8
17x7.5 Sport Edition A7 Silver
225/50R-17 Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60

Ordered them from Tirerack last year.

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/4818/1024611ke1.th.jpg (http://img267.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1024611ke1.jpg)

That rim was one i am considering, mostly because i have seen quite a few pictures of 8's that have that set and they look pretty good. I'm worried that the other sets i am considering will look like sh*t once i get the on my car...