firzen

bought myself a 2008 IS-F a couple of weeks ago and have nothing but praises for the car so far

My only problem right now are winter tires and rims. I've been looking online but haven't been able to find anything reasonable (maybe it's just me). The local dealer suggested 18" wheels for winter and here's my question. Stock are 19"x8.5 and 19"x9.5, what 18" rims would you suggest for very heavy winter conditions? On the same note, what kind of tires? The tires would have to be studded as we get a lot of snow and ice here - during the last few winters city/government officials have not even bothered salting or putting much chemicals on the icy roads as it just doesn't help much

I'm not much of a specialist myself therefore could use the aid!

Thanks!

MisterSkiz

iTrader: (2)

I personally have a pair of Lexus 18" OEM Gspyder wheels with Blizzaks that are 225 front and 255 back.

They clear the brakes and fit just fine.

http://www.lexus.com/models/IS/accessories/index.html

Also if they don't clear the roads at all, you will be having some fun

Evil Teo

iTrader: (13)

i receommend the blizzaks ws70 as those are better for what you are describing. I have the 18" square setup which is 18x8 all around. i'm also on blizzak lm60 as my winter isn't that bad and is very little but I still take out my car and drive. i use the ksport wheels to drive in the winter so my stocks don't take a beating.

firzen

Speaking of rims specifically then does it matter if they have many spokes or few? For example would something like this work http://www.valuveljed.ee/filemanager...ure1Upload.png

Those are available 18"x8.0 (PDW Nova 539 they are called). How does the handling and traction go when comparing x9.5 and x8.0? Does it make a difference? Especially having 8.0 all around.

Thanks!

MisterSkiz

iTrader: (2)

Usually wheels with less spokes may weigh less.

Usually the narrower the tire, the better handling you will have in snowy conditions.

The best is to have a "square" setup of the front and rear tires being the same width.

Take into account the offset of the rim when you purchase them, you want to make sure they clear the brakes and fenders/suspension components.

xmaxx

@Evil T, Mr Skiz, what rims (width and offset) and tires are you running for your square set ups? I have a set of 4x255/40/18 winters, a bit too wide probably but it was half price so I took a chance, and looking for rims. The rear should be fine with 18x8.5 +45 rim but I'm starting to think that the front might rub since the tire is the same diameter as stock 225/40/19 tire but on a 18x8.5 +45 rim it will take off between 20-30mm of suspension clearance compared with the stock rim at 19x8 +45. Doing 18x8.5 +30 rims should be fine though. I really need to do a test fitting but no time for that at the moment.

firzen

The local dealer offered me the same solution, using the same four tires and said shouldn't be a problem on 18" rims but what he didn't give me was the tire sizes. I am presuming the best is to use same as my current front summer tires, 225/40 which should be good enough for handling i suppose.

But what about the offset, would 18" x 8.5in rims work well in that regard in front and rear?

Evil Teo

iTrader: (13)

I went with 18x8.5 not sure what the offsets are but I talked to the tirerack rep and he said it ahould all fit so I recommend calling them or going to a tireshop to test fit.

firzen

This is what google gave me:

* Offset: 45mm Fronts / 55mm Rears

Does anyone know how much + - can you go from those numbers before it starts breaking the suspension/breaks?

Thanks!

retropj

For an 18" solution Tirerack recommends 225/45R18. I am considering Blizzak LM-60, Michelin Alpin PA3 or Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D. I'm worried the Blizzak's will be too soft and 'chunk' a bit under the torque, plus potentially handle a bit sloppy. I've always like Michelin tires, but I'm concerned that the PA3's don't really look like a winter tire and may not perform as well. The Dunlop seems similar to the Michelin, but I ran them the past 3 winters on my wife's GLK and they work great and handle good, so I think they might be the best compromise.

Does anyone have any feedback on using any of those tires?

I live in Nova Scotia, so we get lots of ice, freezing rain and snow.

firzen

Been posting a lot of questions! But the dealer suggested 8.0x 18" with a 35-42 offset. He said the tire might be too narrow if you put 8.5 there.

Any thoughts?

SwissF

i went with 8x18 and a 45 offset

Tires: 225/45 R18

digger08

iTrader: (1)

Similar to above with less profile .....I'm on 18 x 8.5 - Lexus X package rims (+45) and 225/40/18 square - everything fits perfect. I've also ran the G-Spider Lexus rims as mentioned, they also fit perfectly.


Digger08

7No

iTrader: (1)

Check out Nokians. They're a little more expensive but well worth it. Made in Finland.

firzen

So i got offered the below rims, 5x114,3, ET(offset) 45, R18, AEZ Valencia dark + 225/40 winter tires. What do others think of this combination?