Snow tire question

[turboSpartan]

I currently have a set of b5s4 17's with 235/45 tires on them.

I need new winter tires and found a good deal on some, but they are 255/40.

I know snow tires are supposed to be thin (not wide) and tall.

Will these be ok or should I skip?

[vortexjunkie]

255/40 on 16's with 15mm spacers in rear

[MmmBoost]

255 winters FTL. Narrow is better for snow tires. They cut through the snow and slush.

[vlad]

Probably depends a little on the tire and the conditions you plan to drive in. I have always run 235/45 in the winter and they have gotten me through some pretty terrible conditions. I use Nokian tires (WR and WRG2).

[PDX04a4]

i wouldnt go over 235's, i have 235 contiextreme contacts and they kick ass, but its the widest i would ever go for winter tires on a car.

[turboSpartan]

Yea that is what I thought... found an awesome deal on craigslist though.

4 blizzaks with only 5k miles each, for $225 total.

I live in Michigan, so we get snow mostly between December and the end of February

[a2gtinut]

mine are 205s

[JoshDub]

I would pass on the 255s.

Unless all you do is drive on solid ice. Snow tires work by cutting deep into the snow. Those wide tires are going to do the opposite and float on top of the snow where there is no traction.

[BASARAB]

Yea that is what I thought... found an awesome deal on craigslist though.

4 blizzaks with only 5k miles each, for $225 total.

I live in Michigan, so we get snow mostly between December and the end of February

That guy dropped $150 for u from asking price? Dont worry, I am not going to buy them, just curious..

[DownhillA4]

255/40 on 16's with 15mm spacers in rear

Is this your car? If so, please more pictures with these steelies on. I'm looking at this for a winter set-up!

[Greedo]

Is this your car? If so, please more pictures with these steelies on. I'm looking at this for a winter set-up!

I'd hit him up with a PM.

[lookaught]

Honestly most of the time there is no snow on the road. You'll be fine with the 255s, even if they are not ideal. I drive on 225 snows and get through over a foot of snow easily.

[Scrwedtxboy31]

what about something like 205-60-16 or 215-55-16?

I picked up some swing wheels and want to rock them in the winter. Tire rack list these sizes as the recommended size but I wanted to see what ACTUALLY would be ideal for running these 16's with snow tires.

[rollerton]

what about something like 205-60-16 or 215-55-16?

I picked up some swing wheels and want to rock them in the winter. Tire rack list these sizes as the recommended size but I wanted to see what ACTUALLY would be ideal for running these 16's with snow tires.

Either of those is really the best all-around size to run, I'd pick the 205 though. Not too wide, not too skinny, also not too tall or thin on the sidewall. If you don't run crazy suspension they wont rub. I run 205/55/16 on my 03' Avant with Sport suspension and it looks great, no 4x4 status.
My ol' ladys' 04' Passat wagon is lower and I run 205/60/16 on that. Mostly because I got the tires/weels mounted ready to go for $200. But the teeny extra bit of sidewall of the 60 series doesn't hurt when you hit a frozen pothole or ice-chunk.

[Scubasteeve]

For snow tires you want maximum pressure contact with the road due to the equation: P= dF/dA. Force being mass of your vehicle*gravitational constant / contact patch. In other words, you want skinny tires. 205's work well on our cars. Ever seen rally cars in snowy conditions? They have very skinny tires.

[B6Lovin]

For anyone curious - I'll put up some pictures of my car DUMPED on stock 16's and 205/60/16 snow tires. (nitto ntsn2 I think lol)

They've been great in two light snows, slush, and re-freeze road ice so far. Even when I floor it lmao.

[Scrwedtxboy31]

For anyone curious - I'll put up some pictures of my car DUMPED on stock 16's and 205/60/16 snow tires. (nitto ntsn2 I think lol)

They've been great in two light snows, slush, and re-freeze road ice so far. Even when I floor it lmao.

def wanna see.. is 16" the smallest rim that run proper on sport suspension?

[rollerton]

I've seen a couple B6's with 15" 's but I think the big problem is fitting them over the brakes.

[walky_talky20]

15's FTW. I run 195/65/15 Blizzaks on my B5 and it is completely unstoppable. It makes every other car seem like a serious disappointment in the snow. I have seen a B6 1.8T with 15's. I would think that they might not fit the V6 cars, though, due to to the brakes.

[cuerna]

I've been using 245/40R17 dunlop sp winter and no problems at all, they handle very well.

[Charlescrs6]

For anyone curious - I'll put up some pictures of my car DUMPED on stock 16's and 205/60/16 snow tires. (nitto ntsn2 I think lol)

They've been great in two light snows, slush, and re-freeze road ice so far. Even when I floor it lmao.

Stock brakes on a BT?

[FORCE_FED_DUB]

Stock brakes on a BT?

Why not?

[woofster]

P235/45R17 on Blizzak LM-25s here and they are ridiculously awesome in the snow.

[Charlescrs6]

Why not?

Is this serious? Stock brakes are dangerous for a car with 180HP.

[Valve_Cover]

Is this serious? Stock brakes are dangerous for a car with 180HP.

Correction. Stock brakes are dangerous if you plan on putting your car on a track with a BT or racing ''a la fast and furious'' around town. Stock brakes are otherwise a very good braking system. A BT does not make the car harder to stop, The difference between a dangerous braking system and a safe one is between the seat and the steering wheel, Period.

[mxrz]

Correction. Stock brakes are dangerous if you plan on putting your car on a track with a BT or racing ''a la fast and furious'' around town. Stock brakes are otherwise a very good braking system. A BT does not make the car harder to stop, The difference between a dangerous braking system and a safe one is between the seat and the steering wheel, Period.

Exactly. Stock brakes, in good working condition, will stop the car in as short distance as any BBK available, shorter actually, in many cases.

[Scrwedtxboy31]

I've seen a couple B6's with 15" 's but I think the big problem is fitting them over the brakes.

even the little ol' stocker 1.8t brakes they put on this B6?

I've been using 245/40R17 dunlop sp winter and no problems at all, they handle very well.

I have 17" Avus on now but I'd like to pull them for the winter and refinish them... I've picked up a set of 16" swing wheels to sub in as winters in the mean time.. they have some A/S on them but I'd like to put some snow tires on them and call it a day.

I ask about fitment for 15" because I can find some cheap steelies with winters already on them. Granted I already picked up the Swings but I can just refinish them as well. So I mean with my stock stance and all I suppose my only issue will be fitting over the brakes. Is there a way to find out for sure if 15" wheels will clear these little B6 1.8t brakes lol?

[boy412]

255/40 on 16's with 15mm spacers in rear

One of the best winter mode pics I've seen. I love that you got spacers for steelies!

[boy412]

I've been using 245/40R17 dunlop sp winter and no problems at all, they handle very well.

Same here. Great tires and I can go damn near anywhere with them. Its amusing to drive my little blue Avant past trucks and SUV's spinning their way up a hill.

[mxrz]

Is there a way to find out for sure if 15" wheels will clear these little B6 1.8t brakes lol?

The B6 came with standard 15" wheels from the factory.

[vortexjunkie]

One of the best winter mode pics I've seen. I love that you got spacers for steelies!

Thanks... they are on again this year..here is a pic of how the rear sits oh so flush..srry for crap cell pics

[Scrwedtxboy31]

The B6 came with standard 15" wheels from the factory.

Was wondering why I saw that as an option when I was looking up tire sizes on tirerack... just never hear about anyone ever running them lol

Thanks for all the help!

[EErie B6]

that must look horrible. i want to see a pic.

[Scrwedtxboy31]

that must look horrible. i want to see a pic.

Hahah love your sig..

If you were talking about the 15" then yea I'll post a pic with them on when I pick them up.. hopefully this weekend

[DownhillA4]

Who's running 205/45/17 and if you have pictures of 205 tires on 17's wheels please show a picture. Wondering how much stretch their would be on a stock OEM 17" Sport wheel.