carve1

Gonna need snows for the beast - how much real snow performance do I gain by going down to 17's?
I understand that it's the width as much as anything and they seem to be about the same? Help anyone?

jprice@CPS

Yes, narrower is better in the snow.

However, using an 18" really limits the selection of snow tires you can use. Also, 18" is MUCHO more expensive than 17" once you buy wheels + tires... and a winter wheel is gonna be getting dirty and salt blasted, as well as having more potential for curbing.. why spend more for something that's gonna get beat on?

Gary@Tirerack.com

Taller profile on the 17"= a bit more wheel protetction, lower cost, etc...<ul><li><a href="http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AR8&amp;url=/winter/index.jsp">winter tire site</a></li></ul>

artinmoTTion

A big problem with these low profile tires is that snow and ice can build up inside the wheel even easier the lower the profile of the tire. This means that after you slide around a little bit (or even sometimes just drive and turn in deep snow), and snow and ice gets in there, you'll drive down the road thinking that your wheel is gonna fall off, with the wheel/tire shaking badly out of balance. The "taller" the tire, the less likely this is to happen. Quattro is great for forward traction in the snow, but this is a real issue. You pretty much have to find a DIY car wash to spray down the inside of the wheel.

Gary@Tirerack.com

I suppose what it boils down to is that we would discourage you to use 18" if you can avoid it!