Winter Tire/Rim Recommendations for Vancouver Winter
 

I've read through as many of the winter tire threads as I could before posting this, but feel free to link me to the spots I missed.

I've got an 07 GT. It's got lovely Mazadaspeed 18" rims on it, and summer performance tires that are really starting to lack in grip as the temperature drops. I'm in Vancouver Canada, so my winters are not overly harsh. Lots of rain and cold weather, but not a lot of accumlated snow build up. (Plus, I have a very sure footed Subie in the garage to handle the white stuff with a grin)

So, I'm going to take the advice of the masses and go with the 17" rims, but I have some questions about where to go after that.

1) Rims - I see "winter rims" advertised (particularly Touren TR9 Winter Rims). Are these any different than other rims? My default was to just pick one of the cheapest rims I could find from TireRack and use those as my winters.

2) Rims - do I need to be careful of choosing "weak" cheap rims? I figured that if I don't care about the weight or appearance of the winters that they'd all be similar in "real life" winter capabilities.

3) Tires - With my alternate vehicle available to handle the really messy weather, what are the best recommendations of tires? Am I looking for a Performance Winter or a Studless Ice and Snow?

4) Tires - any feedback on where the best bang for the buck is? I don't just want cheap, poor performing, winter rim protectors - but neither do I need to spend top dollar for that last ounce of performance in the harshest conditions.

Anyone want to chip in with real world feedback?

1) go for it
2) If you buy from a reputable vendor (like tire rack), they won't offer cheap material (to a point lol)
3) How much snow do you see? Get something that most applies to your winter weather
4) Tire Rack is good. Or autornd.com (Member/Vendor- Endless Rotaries aka Rishie. I got a great deal on summer rims from them)

One other thing. I see some fitment results coming up with anything from 17x7 to 17x8. What's up with that?

huh? what do you mean?

When I do a TireRack search on 17" packages for my vehicle, I'm offered rims in 17x7.5 and 17x8 sizes.

When I do a 1010tires search on 17" packages for my vehicle, I'm offered rims starting at 17x7 up to 17x8. (the 17x7 inch rims include the "Winter Rim Touren TR9" ones I referred to earlier)

Given that I don't have a hard preference on a certain style that ONLY comes in a certain width, I'm not sure how to manage the difference. If I go with the 7inch width, would I still go with the 225/50/17, or go narrower? I think the 18s are 8 inch width, but I'm not sure.

get the tire that fits the rim

just store it :) save it from the salt man,

The RX is the back-up bad weather car. I bought it FOR the bad weather. The motorcycles get parked when the moisture on the roads gets too cold. The kids don't mind getting picked up from school on the bike. Chipping them off the seat when they get home is much less appreciated. :sad:

So - from what I've picked up so far, I'm looking into whatever cheapest 17" rims fit. I'm going to guess that a 215 width tire would go best with a 7" width rim, and the 225 better with the 7.5". Then I match the profile of the tire to ensure the rolling circumference changes as little as possible.

Just to finish up this thread in case anyone is searching on it in the future...

I bought a set of MSW Type 14 rims (17x7.5) from TireRack.com with Michelin Xi2 tires in 215-55-17 size. I ordered on Monday, and picked them up in Blaine on Wednesday evening. I haven't installed yet, but everything looks like it will fit with no problem.

For any fellow Canadians reading this - the tires + rims were about the same as the best price I could get locally for JUST the tires. That's taking into account the taxes and fees bringing them across the border. Having said that, I didn't have to pay a dime bringing mine in. I made a 30 min run across to Blaine to pick them up, and declared them completely (including showing the customs guy the invoice). He gave me a break and told me to have a nice day. So I just saved another $225 in taxes, duties, and tire levy fees. Bonus!