Winter Tires & Rims

Bick

Hi all. I'm checking into getting a set of snow shoes for the Z.

I'm looking at getting Bridgestone Blizzak's from Tire Rack. The website is recommending all 4 tires as 225/50R18, with an alternate size of 245/45R18. I know the 225 are the fronts and 245's are the rears, but it looks like the recommend that front and back tires should be the same width for winter tires.

Anyone have any clarification if winter tires should be the same width? If you have winter shoes, what do you have and do you have any recommendations?

Thanks.

mdxj

Default the site is going to make all 4 tires the same. At a minimum go with the factory sizes of 225/245. Its best to pick the sizes you want then have the site do it for you. You can put 245's on the front wheels and have a square set up, it will make rotating really easy and preserve tire life. As for that specific tire, i have no experience with them.

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Jsolo

For a winter/snow tire, going as narrow as possible will result in best snow performance. I would not do 245 in a dedicated snow tire. You might as well just go with all seasons then.

Which specific bridgestone blizzaks you looking at? Personally I went with a square setup of michelin xice2 in a 245/50/18 for the G (same as front tire). I didn't like the super soft sidewalls of the bridgestones (ws-70).

Thechidz

Get the cheapest rims and dont go staggered. Just get 18s and like mentioned earlier go thin. Blizzaks are the best though

Edit: i mean buy new rims dont bother using your stock rays for the winter

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Bick

Thanks for the help and information. If I go with the 225's for all 4 wheels, should I (or would I need) spacers for the back rims? All 4 rims will be 18x8, cheapo's.

Thanks!

Thechidz

You shouldnt need spacers with 18s. Do you have sport brakes?

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kfull

My blizzaks just arrived today. Blizzak LM 60's. Got the cheapest wheels on tire rack that fit the sport package. I'd post pictures but I don't have access to a computer until Sunday. Can't wait for the snow!

Bick

No sports brakes, just the base model here. Will roll with your guys input, appreciate the help. Don't plan on driving it all the time in the winter, just when I'm in a pinch (car pooling, and my friend drives winter), but read about the horrific handling with performance tires, so may need to drive a week or two throughout the winter (blizzaks will probably dry-rot before I need to replace them).

Thanks again, I'll post up results later this winter.

bmcd308

If no spacers with 18s, won't the front track seem awfully wide compared to the rear track (assuming all 4 wheels have the same offset)?

jlbrenne

I think I have a friend that is selling his Blizzacks winter tires..I dont think he even used them last year because he lives here in atlanta and it didnt snow..lol..PM me if you want me to check.

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JB1

All you need to know: My Winter Rims/Tires Setup: TRMotorsport C2 + Blizzak LM-25 w/TPMS w/pics (AK370Z)

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