What do you think of swapping the 19" wheels on the 08 G37 Sport for the 18" wheels of the base or Journey models?

I have an 08 Sport on order (have to have a 6-speed, otherwise I would probably just have gotten a Journey with a 6-speed if it was available), and plan to use it as a daily driver. In Philadelphia it does not snow hard enough to warrant dedicated snow tires, but it is impossible to get through the winter with summer only rubber. I have always used quality, high-performance all-season tires on my cars (Avon is a favorite), and it has worked out very well.

No manufacturer makes all-season tires in the 19" S size (225/45-19 and 245/40-19). But, the 18" wheels come with all-season tires, and Goodyear makes an all-season in the 225/50-18 size.

The dealer I ordered the car from is willing to swap the S's 19" wheels/tires for a base car's 18" set-up (and give a credit for the cost difference).

What do you think? Does anyone have any better ideas for putting all-season tires on the car with a Sport package?

 

if you like the 19's with the summer setup, why not purchase aftermarket rims w/snows for the winter months....Thats what I did. I know your looking to do all seasons, but they really are a comprimise for all year round use......The 19's w/summer rubber will handle a lot better IMO........

I stepped down to 17's with a taller side wall for more traction capabilities. Then I put my 18's w/summer tires back on in the spring....worked out great all around and only set me back around $1,300. Since your in Philly, I'm sure you get a couple of inches several times a year just like us in Jersey.
Just my $.02

 

I've never found much satisfaction in having a separate set of winter wheels/tires - for my driving, it's been more trouble than it's worth. Invariably, when I would put the summer wheels back on there would still be another snowfall. Or, I would drive north, starting out on dry roads and summer tires, and then run into snow along the way.

It's also more than just for snow, but for rain traction. Many summer-only tires are not so good in the rain, whereas there can be a big improvement with many all-season tires.

Around Philadelphia, the winters are in that intermediate range - you definitely can't get through them on summer-only tires, but you really don't need pure winter "snow" tires. I don't intend to track the G37, it will be my daily driver. In the past for me good quality all-season tires have worked out very well. Avon Tech M550 has been my favorite (Goodyear, Pirelli P-Zero, or Dunlop too). In "normal" street driving, I haven't felt a HUGE difference in performance between the Avon Tech M550 and a pure "summer" tire, but they make all the difference in the world in snow and rain.

I would love to keep the 19 in Sport wheels, but no one seems to make all- season tires in that size...

 

I have aftermarket 19's on my G35, 10.5 wide in the rear, and after chewing up the stock Pilot Sports at the track, I put Bridgestone LM snow tires on the stock 18" rims for winter.

But I still have minor traction issues in severe conditions because the 18" rims aren't ideal for snow tires. Ideal would be a 17" or even 16" snow tire (for traction) and skinnier is better. That said, few wheels in those sizes would clear the Brembos. Being in Toronto (way worse than Philly) I swear by dedicated snow tires -- all-seasons just wouldn't cut it for me.