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Thanks for the reply. They look decent and price seems reasonable, assuming all 4 are in similar shape. Is there any reason to go with steel, which I see referenced a lot for winter tires, over used Aluminum rims like these?
255 wide winter tires aren't a great idea. Where are you and what does winter look like? If you're going through snow you want narrower tires, 205-215. Stock-spec 225 is fine, but bigger will eventually become counterproductive.
Steel is cheaper. Imagine how cheap used steel rims are Bare aluminium will get demolished by salt, and clear coated aluminium depends a lot on the quality of the clear coat.
I'm in NH and winter can be pretty severe. I've only had the RX-8 for about a month, my plan was to not drive it this winter in even wet conditions, certainly not snow, with the summer tires which are Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's. But it occurred to me to see if I could find some rims now rather than wait.
I'm in NH and winter can be pretty severe. I've only had the RX-8 for about a month, my plan was to not drive it this winter in even wet conditions, certainly not snow, with the summer tires which are Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's. But it occurred to me to see if I could find some rims now rather than wait.
So are the rims for 215's 17x7, or 17x7.5?
For $300 just to drive in the snow? Good deal. Those rims a good buy, will work for what you want to do. Yea a bit wide but with winters you’ll be ok.
Hmm ... I guess what I have no way of knowing is the amount of traction difference between 215's on narrower rims or 255's on wider rims. Significant? Barely noticeable? I have a lifetime of winter driving experience that tells me on 4WD trucks and SUV's it's all about the quality of the tires, not nearly so much the width/profile, but that isn't the same as a rear drive with posi little sports car.
If you promise to only drive on asphalt, you can go 255
If you expect to go up hills in snow, I seriously wouldn't. You're not a 4500lb SUV. Also quality 255R17 winter tires are going to be expensive, cancelling out the cheap rims.
You're right, quality is the main thing, but it would be silly to get quality tires in a size that negates their benefit.
If you promise to only drive on asphalt, you can go 255
If you expect to go up hills in snow, I seriously wouldn't. You're not a 4500lb SUV. Also quality 255R17 winter tires are going to be expensive, cancelling out the cheap rims.
You're right, quality is the main thing, but it would be silly to get quality tires in a size that negates their benefit.
The drive carefully part is good advice, but cheapo tires in snow aren't really cheap, they can be really expensive, if you know what I mean. I tend to spend a good amount on tires on all my vehicles, just makes sense to me.
In a big storm I won't be driving this, but there will be times when roads are slick and cars are off the road and braking is difficult, and I'd rather always be the guy with the good tires.
The drive carefully part is good advice, but cheapo tires in snow aren't really cheap, they can be really expensive, if you know what I mean. I tend to spend a good amount on tires on all my vehicles, just makes sense to me.
In a big storm I won't be driving this, but there will be times when roads are slick and cars are off the road and braking is difficult, and I'd rather always be the guy with the good tires.
If you are gonna run good tires you'll want different rims. These are going to be too wide to allow for a good set of tires for winter as was mentioned before. I like the steel radial idea.
Bare aluminium will get demolished by salt, and clear coated aluminium depends a lot on the quality of the clear coat.
