I have some MSW type 85 (18"x8" et50) with Vredestein WintracPro (235/40R18) that are waiting for the weather to shift a little colder. It will be my first time using dedicated winter tires so I'm looking forward to seeing how they work out.
Here's what I'm using for winter wheels. Our winters are pretty mild, so I'm going to go without proper snow tires. These are all seasons, which I'm sure will be better than the original summer tires that came with the car.
Rims:
ART Replica 36 Gloss Black 18x8 +42 5x112mm 57.1mm
Just picked up my R a couple of weeks ago and have been stalking this thread religiously looking for a wheel/tire set up. While talking to a buddy of mine he let me know about his old wheels/tires from his VW CC he sold. Lucky for me I got a great deal and just in time! Woke up this morning to the white stuff up here in Vermont. I owe this thread a lot of time for doing the hard work for me so heres my setup;
Rims:
VW Phoenix 17x8 +41 5x112mm 57.1mm
Tires:
General Altimax Arctic 235/45.R17
Fit is absolutely perfect. Basically the exact same diameter as the stock 19s, but they fill the wheel well better imo with the +41. Will get different tires for next season but happy for now, will see how she does in the coming months.
What tire pressures are you all running on 17s. I ran this calculator: https://tiresize.com/pressure-calculator/ and it tells me to use 32psi on my 235/45R-17 PIRELLI WINTER SOTTOZERO 3 XL.
What tire pressures are you all running on 17s. I ran this calculator: https://tiresize.com/pressure-calculator/ and it tells me to use 32psi on my 235/45R-17 PIRELLI WINTER SOTTOZERO 3 XL.
I bought mine from WCT Performance (check the Facebook group Club Wolfsburg), they always seem to be able to match/beat the cheapest price I can find. Otherwise for tires/wheels prices are pretty competitive everywhere.
I bought my summer tires from http://pmctire.com and paid Burning Tire Rubber and Speed to install them. Wasn't impressed as they had me make an appointment and I arrived on time, but I was still waiting forever (pisses me off when places can't keep to a schedule). Won't be back.
I used to use Simply Tire, but since the ownership change I won't let them touch my car, but their prices are pretty good if you just pick up.
Hi, first winter in an R. For the folks on this forum who live in Toronto/GTA or similar areas in the East Coast, hoping to get your thoughts on going 17" vs 18" as a winter set up. I was planning on using an old set of VW 17" Classix but realized those would be on the car apprx 5 months of the year... so I am having 2nd thoughts whether i might regret not going with an 18" wheel to keep the sportier look but worried of the potholes at the same time. Also would appreciate your input on Winter/Ice tires vs Performance Winter tires, i usually just drive around the GTA and the odd trip to Montreal (pre-covid) in the winter. Thanks!
Hi, first winter in an R. For the folks on this forum who live in Toronto/GTA or similar areas in the East Coast, hoping to get your thoughts on going 17" vs 18" as a winter set up. I was planning on using an old set of VW 17" Classix but realized those would be on the car apprx 5 months of the year... so I am having 2nd thoughts whether i might regret not going with an 18" wheel to keep the sportier look but worried of the potholes at the same time. Also would appreciate your input on Winter/Ice tires vs Performance Winter tires, i usually just drive around the GTA and the odd trip to Montreal (pre-covid) in the winter. Thanks!
Depends if you're good at dodging potholes. I thought I'd be fine with 18"s and ended up destroying them within 2 seasons on Toronto roads. Got sick of replacing bubbling tires and switched to 17s and haven't had a single problem since. 17s are cheaper for tires too.
Depending where you live if you mostly drive after its been plowed you can get away with a performance winter tire, but personally I like to be able to be a tank in the snow so went with a snow/ice tire lol. I've had performance winters before and they're a ton of fun once the roads are plowed, but they're usually more money so I went budget with my 17s.
Plenty of people use 18s (and some brave souls use 19s) in winter, so it really depends on you. With any kind of winter tire this thing is a beast in the snow.
Depends if you're good at dodging potholes. I thought I'd be fine with 18"s and ended up destroying them within 2 seasons on Toronto roads. Got sick of replacing bubbling tires and switched to 17s and haven't had a single problem since. 17s are cheaper for tires too.
Depending where you live if you mostly drive after its been plowed you can get away with a performance winter tire, but personally I like to be able to be a tank in the snow so went with a snow/ice tire lol. I've had performance winters before and they're a ton of fun once the roads are plowed, but they're usually more money so I went budget with my 17s.
Plenty of people use 18s (and some brave souls use 19s) in winter, so it really depends on you. With any kind of winter tire this thing is a beast in the snow.
Thanks for the feedback! I doubt have better luck at dodging potholes than you. I guess I'll try 17s this season with 215/50 VikingContact and find some excuse to go out in the snow, lol.
I just put enkie edr9 in 17 x8 on with general as-05s in 225/45 R17s.
I went high performance all seasons and will be fine with not having snow tires but waned sidewall for pothole season.
the fronts clear the calipers with the wheel weights giving about 1mm clearance.
I had 18s on my gti and swore I didn't hit any major bumps. still bubbled sidewalls.
How much snow do you guys get there? Because if you do get some I highly recommend you go get Winter tires or at least all weather tires. All season tires are already not good for snow let alone performance all seasons which will be worse in snow. This mistake can end up costing you Much more if you hit bad weather,.
I just put enkie edr9 in 17 x8 on with general as-05s in 225/45 R17s.
I went high performance all seasons and will be fine with not having snow tires but waned sidewall for pothole season.
the fronts clear the calipers with the wheel weights giving about 1mm clearance.
I had 18s on my gti and swore I didn't hit any major bumps. still bubbled sidewalls.
been there done that. I had all seasons on my Subaru, only time I got stuck was when I high centered. the winter tires I had blizzacks they kinda road like ass most of the time, except in snow, even then they were not alot better than the all seasons. winter tires in indiana are not worth the performance loss for the 90% of winter and shoulder season diving for the 7% salt slush and 3% real snow encountered.
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