17x7.5 & 17x8 rims, should i get 225, 235's? 45's or 50's? (All-Seasons)

[sixteenXnine]

I'm about to pull the trigger on some all-seasons.

These tires will be going on my '00 Max GLE with stock ride height.

After springtime they will go on my '00 Max GXE which will probably be dropped 1.4" on all four courtesy of Vogtland.

Rims: (I'm aware of rotation limitations) 17x7.5 & 17.8 Nissan 350Z base model

...

The 8's will go on the back to even out my track width.

I've read elsewhere that people have gotten away with 50 series rubber with the Vogtland drop...

But as far as width goes, I'm really divided between 225's and 235's.

Any suggestions?

(PS: Finger Lakes region of NY. Moderate snow/ice)

[sixteenXnine]

btw, im kinda gravitating toward a set of sumitomo htr+... maybe in 235/45r17 or (if I can get em) 225/50R17...

[allensteiner]

i think with staggered rims you'll need 225 front and 245 or 235 rear to make them look even.

[sixteenXnine]

allensteiner, with the difference in track width between the front and rear, and the difference in offset with these rims, they actually will look even with no alteration.

And the difference in width is only 1/2"... 1/4" on each side... using the same size front and rear actually makes it pretty much imperceptible that you're running different widths from front to rear... I'm not gonna have anyone eyeballing my max close enough to diss me for running a staggered setup... hell they're my family cars/work commuters!

[MinisterofDOOM]

I would run 235 and 245. The Q's 17x8s have 245 in front and 255 in back.

Also, though, keep in mind that if you're intending to run your all-seasons in winter, the wider they are the worse off you'll be in snow, ice, and rain.

[sixteenXnine]

I would run 235 and 245. The Q's 17x8s have 245 in front and 255 in back.

Also, though, keep in mind that if you're intending to run your all-seasons in winter, the wider they are the worse off you'll be in snow, ice, and rain.

Meh... kinda makes me wonder if I should just do up some 225's...

Can anyone here give me some feedback on snow/winter traction of 235's mounted on semi-powerful FWD's like a Maxima?

[sixteenXnine]

...bump!

[MinisterofDOOM]

This might seem kind of contradictory to my previous post, but I know my parents' run the same 245-45-18 all seasons year round on their '04. We get pretty serious snow and ice here in winter.

[sixteenXnine]

Ok. I'm gonna stick with 235's. I'll get 50 series if I can (the extra 3/4" will help fill the fenderwells out a bit, and yeh I know about the speedo becoming inaccurate), but if I have availability problems I'll just get 45's.

[sixteenXnine]

Ok. I'm gonna stick with 235's. I'll get 50 series if I can (the extra 3/4" will help fill the fenderwells out a bit, and yeh I know about the speedo becoming inaccurate), but if I have availability problems I'll just get 45's.

[sixteenXnine]

D'oh.

I couldn't help it.



I bought a set of Fuzion Hri's, 245/45R17's. 25.7" tall. 11/32" tread depth, 9.6" section width.



Good snow traction, too! At $88 per tire I couldn't resist!

[MinisterofDOOM]

I'm definitely curious to see how well you like those Fuzions, especially long-term. They're a Firestone brand, IIRC.

[mrdicks95se]

i would highly recommend running a designated set of winter tires (ie Blizzaks) and an a/s set for spring summer fall. theres no real good median for snow and summer.

[sixteenXnine]

I think if a person has experience driving in the snow, and has been through various conditions, then any tire can work, whether its a bicycle tire or a drag slick.

A big part of how you handle winter is how you drive.

I'm a bit hard on my Maximas in dry conditions.

During wet times I do what my tires let me do. Well, maybe once in a while I like to take advantage of power to weight plus slightly slick tires, lol...

And in snow... again, I do what I'm allowed to do. Idk, I guess I like some other drivers can have confidence driving in snow even in a set of worn Eagle RS-A's. And I'm not bragging, it's just how it is for some people.

So I can throw just about any new set of all seasons on a FWD car I've been driving, and I'll be happier in the snow.

lol, maybe these 245's will b1tch-slap me though, and basically communicate to me that I have some learning to do, as I've never driven anything wider than 215 in the winter on an FWD car.

I will definitely let you guys know how this tire works out. I like that at the 245 width, these tires are a slightly taller 45 series than their narrower... uhh, bretheren?

[sixteenXnine]

i would highly recommend running a designated set of winter tires (ie Blizzaks) and an a/s set for spring summer fall. theres no real good median for snow and summer.

And oh yeah... YEAH THERE IS!!!!!111

lol... I live on the planet "Does not spend more than $125 per tire". So I've found plenty of all-seasons that have suited my needs properly.

I'm sure as I become more discriminating and possibly slightly pretentious I'll agree with you.

[MinisterofDOOM]

i would highly recommend running a designated set of winter tires (ie Blizzaks) and an a/s set for spring summer fall. theres no real good median for snow and summer.

I have never felt the need for winter tires with FWD cars. Not an issue. Never in it's 15 year life has my Maxima worn dedicated winter tires, and there have been some NASTY winters in those 15 years.

With my RWD cars, though, I have always run separate winter tires.