18" Wheels for Winter!

[Audi403]

Thinking about picking up 18's for next winter and this one isn't even over yet! Anyways, I'm in Alberta and tired of running low profile winter tires on the stock 19's. Anyone whose running 18's in winter, what's your wheel spec's and what size winter tire are you running? Also, where does a guy get a 18" spare from that fits out cars in case of a flat? I checked ECS but only found the 19" spare steel wheel which I already have in my trunk.

Thanks guys!

[Despise]

Here's my 18" winter setup:

18x9 et30 fifteen52 Turbomac
245/40R18 Bridgestone Blizzak WS80
- no spare because air suspension is in the spare well

[volyer]

I'm running 18x8.5 ET35 TireRack MT4's with 245/40/18 Michelin Xice X13's. Work great. No spare here either. You could still run a 19 spare with your 18's, the diameter should be close overall since the 19 is low-profile.

[whiped]

I run 19s in the winter with not so low profile tires...

19x8 et 26
235x45 R19 Contiwintercontacts

[DeltaHawk60]

I picked up a set of OEM 18s from a user on another forum for about $100 / wheel (with whatever tires they had on them that I sold for $100 locally) and threw Michelin PA4s on them... very happy with the setup. Hoping to get back to the 19s here in the next few weeks though!

[MN Blue S4]

I'm running OEM 18s (came with the car) with 225/45-18 Michelin X-Ice. Great tire but I think next time around I will run 245 width and a performance winter tire (narrow x-ice has been a little too squirmy on dry roads).

[RynoS4]

I got a set of Alzor wheels in 18in for my winter set up. Got them from ECS, they are the copy that looks just like the stock 19s. Think it was in the $400 range, Check with ECS. I've put just under 50,000km on the wheels since purchase with no issues.

Just mated up a new set of Hak 8s this winter, had a good look at the wheels when mounting the new Hak's and very impressed with how they are holding up for the cost.

[jordon]

running 245 40 18 Blizzaks in Saskatchewan. only problem is how low the car is.... sometimes scraping on unplowed roads. nothing to do with tires though.

pic:

https://preprod.instagram.com/p/BRL8...y=jordonbeaven

[Bifffairburn12]

i have 18x8 ET 35 Alzor Replica rotor wheels. they are only $499 on ECS website.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-alzor-pa...four/628-1~kt/

im running 245/40 Hakkapelita Nokian snow tires.

[Audi403]

I run 19s in the winter with not so low profile tires...

19x8 et 26
235x45 R19 Contiwintercontacts

No rubbing with that setup?

[Audi403]

I got a set of Alzor wheels in 18in for my winter set up. Got them from ECS, they are the copy that looks just like the stock 19s. Think it was in the $400 range, Check with ECS. I've put just under 50,000km on the wheels since purchase with no issues.

Just mated up a new set of Hak 8s this winter, had a good look at the wheels when mounting the new Hak's and very impressed with how they are holding up for the cost.

Thanks man. Just checked ECS' website. The price point of those wheels is amazing, glad to hear they're holding up. I'm leaning toward a set of those myself. Are these the ones you got? I see they are 18"x8" ET35, what size tire did you go with?
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-alzor-pa...four/620-5~kt/

Just looked up the Hakkapelita 8's you mentioned. How do you like the studded tire? Is it loud? How would you compare it to a non-studded winter tire?

[SportVier]

18x8 ET35 + 225/45 Hakkas = Unstoppable!

I was plowing through knee deep unplowed pow in the Sierras last sunday morning on the way to an epic morning on the mountain. Saw multiple SUVs (probably running all-seasons) stuck along the way. Skinny Hakkas rule!

I went with these wheels. $550 shipped.



And here is the rubber you want. Check out those sick sipes!

[Audi403]

I've done a bit of research today on winter tires for Canadian winters and it has led me to Blizzak WS80 and Michelin X-ice Xi3. I see the two most common sizes guys are running are 245/40/18 and 225/45/18. I'm leaning towards an 18x8" wheel, but that could change. What are your guys opinions on 245/40/18 vs 225/45/18 for winter tires? I've heard you want to concentrate the car's weight on a smaller (narrower) contact patch to increase traction; therefore, the 225/45/18 would theoretically be better?

Also an advantage of the 225/45/18 is, using tirerack's calculator, it is closer to the overall diameter of the stock 255/35/19" that I currently have.
225/45/18 is 0.06" (0.2%) smaller than the diameter of a 255/35/19
245/40/18 is 0.31" (1.2%) smaller than the diameter of a 255/35/19

[Audi403]

18x8 ET35 + 225/45 Hakkas = Unstoppable!

I was plowing through knee deep unplowed pow in the Sierras last sunday morning on the way to an epic morning on the mountain. Saw multiple SUVs (probably running all-seasons) stuck along the way. Skinny Hakkas rule!

I went with these wheels. $550 shipped.



And here is the rubber you want. Check out those sick sipes!

Damn, those look mean! Just did some quick googling, and those are definitely a top rated winter tire. I've never even heard of them before. A little pricier than the X-ice and Blizzak, but would be worth the extra dough if they're as good as I'm reading!

[4Rings3Liters]

Here's my 18" winter setup:

18x9 et30 fifteen52 Turbomac
245/40R18 Bridgestone Blizzak WS80
- no spare because air suspension is in the spare well

That looks so fucking stupid. I despise airbags.

[SportVier]

Damn, those look mean! Just did some quick googling, and those are definitely a top rated winter tire. I've never even heard of them before. A little pricier than the X-ice and Blizzak, but would be worth the extra dough if they're as good as I'm reading!

If you're looking for ultimate snow and ice traction, they are that good. The Finns know how to make a snow tire.

[SportVier]

[Despise]

That looks so fucking stupid. I despise airbags.

Don't see why you would? A high performance air setup is the same as a progressive spring coilover with the exception that you can adjust springrate/ride height on the fly.
But, opinions are opinions I guess. The car rarely sees the ground unless I'm taking pictures, I bought it to have a nice low ride height that I could raise to clear things if needed.

[rtl5009]

^thumbsup.

[4Rings3Liters]

The wheels weren't meant to be inside the fenders. It looks horrible.

[SportVier]

The wheels weren't meant to be inside the fenders. It looks horrible.

Guess that was the look they were going for in Finland back in the 1940s.

[MVR 155]

Another vote for the Alzor reps, I'm running an 18" setup with Blizzak LM-60's...... Absolute beast in the snow!!!

[jimrobbington]

I'm another one who picked up some Alzor wheels from ECS for an insanely low price. Went with Dunlop winter Maxx tires, not super impressed, but not terrible either. I really liked General Altimax Arctic tires on a previous car but they didn't make them above 17" so I had to try something different.

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[Kirk M]

18x7.5 with 225/45 Good year Ultra Grip Ice WRT. Decent in the Alberta winter. The key is to get a narrower tire.

[SportVier]

The key is to get a narrower tire.

Word.

[whiped]

No rubbing with that setup?

I rub on big dips.

Could easily fix it by rolling my fenders but it happens infrequently so I don't care.

[Audi403]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm leaning towards the 18x8 et35 Alzor wheels with a 225/45/18. Either Hakkapeliitta's, X-ice, or Blizzaks. Should be an improvement over 255/35/19 Dunlop Wintersports. I found them to not have the greatest traction on snow/ice which is what they're driving on all winter long.

[jonwoods]

I'm running a set of 18" FAST wheels (Canadian made) with yokohama winter rubber. 225/45. You want a fully painted wheel to avoid corrosion issues.

Clearance on the front calipers might be an issue with some 18" wheels. Mine only have a half inch or so of clearance. Personally, I think the car looks better with 18" rubber. Rides nicer too. There are also significantly more winter tires to choose from at 225/45 18 that in 19" sizes.

[eightamrock]

18x8 Alutec Grip rims w/ Dunlop 3DS winter sports. 245/40r/18 good for the northeast. A bit milder and more sporty than blizzaks for better performance between snow storms.


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[rtl5009]

I have 3DS winter sports. Snow performance is great, but you can definitely tell the difference in dry braking and cornering. Impaired to an aggressive all season. ABS will kick in much quicker under heavy braking.

[MrFunk]

I'm getting a new set of snows for next year. Will go with Haka's this time.

Current set up is Sparco wheels off tirerack. 18x8 ET 35 with 12mm Spacers
Tires are Blizzak 245/40 18




An old pic before I lowered the car

[Audi403]

I'm getting a new set of snows for next year. Will go with Haka's this time.

Current set up is Sparco wheels off tirerack. 18x8 ET 35 with 12mm Spacers
Tires are Blizzak 245/40 18




An old pic before I lowered the car

How did you like the Bliazzaks? Was the 12mm spacer required for clearance, or you just wanted it a bit more flush?

[rtl5009]

These are 19's, but need them to fit over the STR-60's 380mm BBK :)

[MrFunk]

12mm was for flush look is all.
The Blizzak's performed excellent. I have the WS60 which they don't make any longer. The WS80 would be the replacement I think.
Given they are an Studless Ice and Snow they are a bit squishy on dry pavement - not as squishy are 1st gen ice and snows - I had a set back in the early 2000's which were like driving on pillows - but never the less they won't be as responsive as a performance winter tire - but when the snow flies or the roads are icy nothing will beat a true Ice and Snow tire.

I'm going with Haka's next because I've had 2 sets of Blizzak's which were awesome - but I hear the Haka's are even better.
After 4 seasons my Blizzak's prob have 2-3 more seasons left in them. They have worn surprisingly well.

[robertstitt]

i have 18x8 ET 35 Alzor Replica rotor wheels. they are only $499 on ECS website.
https://www.ecstuning.com/b-alzor-pa...four/628-1~kt/

im running 245/40 Hakkapelita Nokian snow tires.

Been thinking of getting some "rotors" for my 2013 S4, I'm on Peelers now. Was looking at the Hartman "rotors" but they are at least double what the 19" Alzors cost. What's your impression of the Alzors? Fit and finish. Cheers