I looked at Bridgestone's site and it looks like the Blizzaks come in 18" sizes (special order I am sure). Is there a reason I would want to go with 17's for the winter as opposed to 18's? Will this through the gearing/speedometer off a bit also? I guess I am trying to stay with the stock set up for a year or so (at least). I just sold a modded Jeep and I know once the mod bug starts it never stops.

 

How much is it per tire?

'04 <font color=white>Ivory Pearl</font color=white> G35 coupe 6MT Fully Loaded /w Navigation
Brooklyn, NY

 

Not sure, I am assuming they are pricy though. There are three version of the tire listed in the Bridgestone site. Seems to come in a size that will fit the stock 18" wheel.

http://www.bridgestonetire.com/dpp/s...sproductid=222

 

The most important reason to go with the smaller 17" tire is that the side wall is bigger, and that is ideal for snow traction applications....If you go with the 225/245 18" you will be on a lower profile (aspect ratio).
The second reason Blitzjb covered, it's much easier to change out the tires each season, rather than having to dismount and remount and balance the tires on your rims......Plus the 18" rims will be less subsceptible to damage from the road salt/sand that we have to deal with in the winter......

I went with a set of Dunlop Winter sport M3 225/55/17's on the ASA KA3 rims. I hoping this set up will give me all the traction and saftey I need to get around this winter.......and I stay with in the 3% recommended for the VDC, and still have the ability to rotate the tires each season since they are all the same size.
Thanks to gsedanman for enlightening me on this area.....


04 cpe IP/willow/5at/prem/18's/JDM clear corners/Piaa's/MTEC H4 Super White fog/highs

 

My 18's already look like smashmouth. Thye effed up big time.

Next summer will get some flashy rims but for now I will just have some 18 blizzaks or whatever added to my 18 rims for this coming winter.

'04 G coupe TB Graph 5A

"Hello Everybody...My name is Black and I hate my G35...yeah I said it....what?!?!?!"

 

if you have the brembo brakes you gotta make sure the 17s don't hit them...there's a thread on this somewhere

Steve

2004 6MT Coupe -- DG/G -- Aero -- Prem. Pkg. -- Navi -- Couple of weeks old, not sure where to start yet

 

You gotta realize that with the 18" rims, you will lose traction in the snow. Unlike the stock tires, you will be able to get around, but nowhere near as safely as with 17" rim/tires. You need a larger sidewall to get optimum snow traction, since the added flex allows the tred blocks to shed the snow so you have the best traction possible.

Oh yeah, 17" tires and rims would cost you only a little more than if you put 18" snow tires on. The 18" snows are pretty expensive and you're not getting your money's worth compared to 17" packages. That money can easily be made back by not getting into an accident and putting $500 out of pocket for an accident deductable and not to mention your rate increase of insurance.

My suggestion is do it like Joel.....do it once, do it right.


03.5 6spd DG/G aero pk/kit
"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and
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