Help me choose some winter wheels? need to be 17x8+

[ScottyK]

So,

I went to discount tire to ask about the one cupped tire I have and what I can do about it. They say I need to buy 3 new tires and can keep one of mine that has 10/32. The others have 5, 6, 7/32 or so. For three tires of the brand I have it is $128 each plus other mounting, dismounting, balancing, etc fees coming to about $450.

Then I thought, I have those 245/45/17 tires in my garage with good equal tread and they are rated as all seasons.. What if I just bought some new 17" wheels from tirerack, ebay, or something like that? So I've been shopping around and am pretty focused on going with something all black (although all silver on the blue car might be ok too). The wheel needs to be at least 8" wide to support the 245 wide tires.

I went to go look at a used set of audi pie plates down in new hope today... two were bent, tires were terrible. Kinda tired of looking for stuff on craigslist, driving down to msp and finding out they are cracked, bent, scuffed up, etc. Thinking im just gonna go new.

I'm looking to stay as close to $400 as I can for four wheels. If you want to help me out, give me some opinions on what you think would look good, etc. GREAT!! If not, no worries!

So far I like:

Motegi MR118 - Tirerack $524 a little steep...
ASA AR3 are okaaay... - Tirerack $396

Still looking!

[palmer]

Close:
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...el&qty_front=4

[ScottyK]

Close, but rim is only 7.5... like em tho. Thanks for looking!

[ScottyK]

Kinda like these for some reason...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/17-Black-Dra...385852&vxp=mtr

[Topher]

Check the tire's section width. I had 235's that fit nicely on 7.5's. Some 245's are actually narrow and might fit on 7.5's. But you're right, a good rule of thumb is to look for 8" for anything over 235.

Won't this car be sold by the time winter rolls around?

[ScottyK]

Won't this car be sold by the time winter rolls around?

I definately deserve that comment.

and response is, I sure hope not.

[Stumanbmx]

Why buy new wheels for some shitty used tires? You really seem to do odd things.

If you're running a dedicated winter set, you might as well do it right. Sell the tires you bought as a mistake. Buy some cheap 15" wheels, preferable something OEM and get some proper snow tires. 195/65/15 does wonders on a B5 in the snow.

[ScottyK]

Why buy new wheels for some shitty used tires? You really seem to do odd things.

If you're running a dedicated winter set, you might as well do it right. Sell the tires you bought as a mistake. Buy some cheap 15" wheels, preferable something OEM and get some proper snow tires. 195/65/15 does wonders on a B5 in the snow.

Thanks for your opinion. The tires are in good shape and just sitting in my garage. Yeah, they're not a spectacular brand... but theyre practically new. Tried posting em for sale, no bites. My "odd" logic is to use them. On the other hand, steelies and snow tires arent out of the question. we only had about three feet of total snow last year and most of that was on one day.... not tsure if its worth buying snow tires.

but for the record... steelies and snow tires for 16' come out to be $538 on tirerack. Its a possibility.

[Stumanbmx]

You're free to do what you want, I just think it's silly. Sorry if I'm coming across as an ass.

Also, something to note is that a 245/45/17 is a big ass tire for a B5. Not to mention, a horrible size for snow tire. Narrow is better. Plus they're all-seasons.

[ScottyK]

Too bad these are 7.5" wide... good price on these. I think they'd look pretty good too.

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Wheel...ll&sort=Weight

[ScottyK]

You're free to do what you want, I just think it's silly. Sorry if I'm coming across as an ass.

Also, something to note is that a 245/45/17 is a big ass tire for a B5. Not to mention, a horrible size for snow tire. Narrow is better. Plus they're all-seasons.

I know this. You're not being an ass. no worries. Your being logical. I agree with you. My logic tells me, if I have tires in the garage that I am not using, that are all seasons... why not use those this winter rather than go through the hassle of selling them and buying something new.

They are big ass tires. I don't know... just thought this would be the easiest route for me to go.

[ScottyK]

Thread on B5's running 245/45/17's... Couple of good pics of a black wagon with them mounted and a 35 offset. Sounds like he had to fo some front fender modifications though. I dont wanna have to do that.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ng-245-45-17-s

[DrewC]

this has bad idea written all over it. all seasons are junk in duluth winters (i spent 4 years in college up there w/an all wheel drive car on all seasons for part of it)

that wide of tire is asking for trouble, please just cut your losses and do it right

[Casper]

Bump.

[ScottyK]

this has bad idea written all over it. all seasons are junk in duluth winters (i spent 4 years in college up there w/an all wheel drive car on all seasons for part of it)

that wide of tire is asking for trouble, please just cut your losses and do it right

Fair enough. Good feedback fellas.

Back to selling the wide set and looking for a good winter set. Or just buying snow tires for the 16's that are currently on the car. Lots of room in those for snow to pack into though... Prob rather have steelies.

So... no more advice needed..