You could drop down to 18s. That's what I'm doing. I ordered a set of studded Continentals for winter.

 

Do you think the 18s will have enough clearance for the front brakes?

 

The IS500 apparently has the same brakes as the GS which could take 18s.

 

Thanks. What size tires did you go with then? Staggered set up or square?

 

Personally I'd probably go Hankook. Best bang for buck. Something like Noble S1 or whatever the modern day equivalent is. Especially w/ the way 3IS eats tires and the fact that it's A/S, so that 3% extra performance of a Michelin A/S for 150% the cost won't really mean much.

Of course if value isn't at all a factor, nothing beats Michelin in any category.

 

I went with 235/45/18s with Enkei PF01s. The tires are Continental IceContact XTRMs.

 

^^ I think that is a good choice!! I have always put Michelin X Ice or Bridgestone Blizzaks on my daily drivers in the winter but I am not sure if they make these tires in this size - The Michelin X Ice are amazing in snow, incredibly quiet and have a long thread life!! Personally, I don't like studded tires, I find that while they are good on icy roads, those conditions are relatively rare here and just make tires more noisy....

 

You can find most winter tires in IS500 friendly sizes. Blizzard and X-Ices are great studless options.

 

^^ Thanks for confirming - Not that I will use them but I am sure other Canadians may need the info. Now just for the record, you didn't call me "studless" did you?!?! (lol) Because I would challenge that statement (lol)

 

I know Quebecers are kinkier than us out west, but I didn't know you had a lot of studs in you.

 

I am in Atlantic Canada where we see our fair share on East Coast major Nor'Easters but a French speaking Maritimer Thanks for the tips on the winter tires and I can see that in a place like Alberta where the temps are so cold and the salt/chemicals are not as effective to melt the ice, that salt and studded tires would be a good approach to go.

I guess to all people on the forums, always factor where you live when you shop for winter tires and please don't go too cheap, a bad winter tire can be very ineffective!!

 

Alberta roads generally get super icy for a few weeks out of the year. I've used studless winters on my other cars but decided to try studded on the IS500.

 

^^ Keep us posted on how they feel - My experience having been in cars that used studded tires is that they tend to be loud and you can often feel the vibration in the steering column and on dry roads, can actually feel less grippy because the studs have more contact that the rubber so it's almost as if you are ridding on the tip of the stud but in totally fairness, the friend who lend me his vehicle has cheap studded tires so I'll be looking for your feedback as this will be a good car with great tires, Continental is a good brand so it should be good

 

Luckily I don't have to drive everyday so a bit more noise is OK. I should have the tires and the car in the next few weeks.

 

I'm thinking about going to a 245/45/R18 all around on 18x8.5 wheels. I don't think there will be an issue with this since the 245s are only 0.3 inches wider and 0.3 inches taller. This is the only size in the Alpin PA4s that are near enough in the XL to what's coming on the car. Thoughts?