What do you guys think is better for the winter:

225/45/18 on stock rims which are 18 x 8.0 +50 offset

or

225/45/18 on FAST aftermarket wheels, which are 18 x 7.5 +42 offset

I have no affinity for either one in terms of "feeling bad for having them exposed to winter conditions".

Basically the determining factor is traction/safety.

 

I think it would depend more on the type of compound used in the winter rubber and the width of the tread. For snow the skinnier the better. Maybe the weight of the wheel would matter a bit? But I'm pretty sure the offset is negligible and the smaller width of the rim will let you use skinnier tires (215s are probably best).

 

you've been running 225's in the winter??? Yeah skinnier is better for winter as it allows you to bite into the snow more effectively... I've always run 215's on my past RX8s.

But based on the 2 set ups you have up there I doubt there'd be much of a difference at all in terms of safety/traction.

 

I have 215 Blizzaks on 17s. Keep in mind you need stock brake rotor diameter to run this setup. They JUST clear my brakes but it would be cheaper to find 17" winters. I got mine off a G35.

 

Get a beater and you can be like me. Total baller on 13" rims.

 

Like Chris said. The skinnier the tires the better traction in snow youll get. But it will look like absolutely ****.

Or you can be ballin like me and run 225/45/18 on 18x8 +30 rims. FLUSH

 

You guys are missing the point of the question being asked....

Let me try to rephrase this...

Given the same size snow tire... 225/45/18, does it matter traction-wise between running it on 7.5" rims or 8.0" rims? All other factors being equal.

 

Since you're using OEM tire size you may want to stick with the OEM rims. They'll give you a better fit, plus going with a wider rim will also increase the sidewall width, giving you more rubber to slide into curbs with

Difference between them will be negligible IMO, but if you do decide on the Fast wheels, try to get a thinner tire with some more sidewall.

 

i ran oem rims with oem size winter tires 1 season before i started modding. It drove fine, as long as you didnt drive stuppid, but you cant cheap out on the tire quality. I went with Michellin xice2 and those were astonishing. I still have them, but never used anymore. They cost me around 1100 bux for tires though

 

RX8 has traction in the winter weather? There are no differences between the 2 rims when in terms of traction.

 

Interesting...

I weighed my wheels as they are now....

STOCK 18 x 8.0 with 225/45/18 Dunlop SP SPort 8090
FAST PHAZE 18 x 7.5 with 225/45/18 Dunlop Wintersport M3

Both sets of tires are pretty worn down.

They both are weighing exactly the same at 45.8 Lbs!!!

So I guess it all comes down to the look I want...

 

I ride on 245's with absolutely no problems for three winters.


I recently purchased a honda integra to beat on this winter though.

 

Footman, obviously your threads are just too high-level for the rest of us. :P

But seriously, isn't the Mazda recommendation for 17"? All I know is, I ran 235/45/17 last year, and while not *bad*, it was still ... bad.

This year, I am getting the least retarded tires I can.

 

Seriously though, a lot threads get derailed this way. People have a hard time answering what was being asked. It happens very often.

It gets derailed when they start inserting their own ideas etc... I never asked for an opinion on what anything else would work/could be better/what you use etc...

People need to read more carefully and answer exactly what was asked.

 

^ +1973273030 Or they answer with their own question lol.

 

I answered you. Winter Tires are better for winter Yo.
.5 wider rim or .06 offset difference. I thought you were trollin'