As a winter tyre convert, I have been looking at my options for this winter. My vRS Estate is 4x4 but that doesn't help with braking, and I live fairly remote, so winter tyres it is.

 

Now, I have the optional 19" Extremes with 225/35/19's and looking at winter tyres in this size, or in 235/35/19 (which there are more options for, and usually cheaper!), they are quite expensive. So I have checked out 225/40/18's and there is a big difference in price.

 

My thinking here is that I could buy a set of aftermarket 18" alloys for winter use, and tyres, for almost the same cost as 19" tyres alone! (At least that's how I'm attempting to justify it ) I could also potentially sell the alloys should I sell the car, and recoup some of the cost, whereas the 19" tyres would not be an 'asset'.

 

My car is meteor grey with the black pack plus, so I'm think anthracite/gloss or matt black 18's, probably 18 x 8's.

• What offset should I go for, bearing in mind I run 15/20mm spacers front/rear on my 19 x 7.5's to fill the arches?

• All suggestions of wheels to go for, or photoshop/real images would be good

• They ideally need to be easy to clean, being winter wheels, so multi-spokes maybe not such a great idea?

 

Thanks in advance!

Thicker boots are better for winter; taking 18" or 19" isn't a best idea for snow.

I took 16" + Nokian tyres (WR D3 iirc) and I can highly recommend that configuration.

Thicker boots are better for winter; taking 18" or 19" isn't a best idea for snow.

I took 16" + Nokian tyres (WR D3 iirc) and I can highly recommend that configuration.

 

I agree, I have run 18" with 225/40/18 for two winters in the past, also 205/55/16 for two, and the difference is noticeable.

 

My Ford Ranger has been on 265/60/18 and now 285/60/18's and whilst it's good, it would be better on narrower tyres.

 

I'm too vain, I can't face having 16's on the vRS for a third of the year!

I'm too vain, I can't face having 16's on the vRS for a third of the year!

 

Just take 16" and give it a gentle tuning:

 

 

No pics on the mk3 yet, but i kept my cold weather setup from my mk2 and will use them on the new car this winter:

Winters. by Rob E, on Flickr

ATS Emotion 5x112 18x8 ET45 Goodyear Ultragrip 8 Performance MO 225/40 18 92V

wheels were about 300 quid IIRC. simple design so easy to clean, satin black will look ok on my mk3 meteor wagon i think..

Edited 13 September, 20169 yr by rob_e

I purchased 3rd Party ATS Radial 17" alloys in graphite for my VRS, and fitted them with Nokian WR D3 225/45 R17's. The tyres are excellent and the alloys look very much like the stock 18" wheels (albeit slightly smaller ).

I agree, I have run 18" with 225/40/18 for two winters in the past, also 205/55/16 for two, and the difference is noticeable.

My Ford Ranger has been on 265/60/18 and now 285/60/18's and whilst it's good, it would be better on narrower tyres.

I'm too vain, I can't face having 16's on the vRS for a third of the year!

As one gets older, one realises that vanishingly few people actually notice, or care, what size wheels your car has....and lots of those that do can be dismissed as childish.

Just a view from the pensionable end of the spectrum. Sorry, demographic.

Edited 13 September, 20169 yr by alltorque

www.mytyres.co.uk select the complete wheel tyre options, select car model and there are plenty of 18" packages for around £600.