20 inch rims for year round use

[bfournier]

how strongly would you all recommend against using a 20 inch rim for year round use in the northeast? I have m35x and my car will see some snow. Can I seriously expect that I can use a rim this size with good rubber year round?

[szh]

Hmmm ... I lived and drove in New England for many years and, even with the AWD model, I would prefer to use snow tires in winter. For just the RWD model, it is essential - given the higher power of our cars.

BTW, the RS-A is just an "all-season" tire and not anywhere as good as a properly designed snow tire in snow/slush conditions.

Do you still have your old 18" rims? If so, why not just get a set of Michelin Alpine (or similar) for them? That would give you much safer results and less nerve-racking driving in snow!

Z

[New2Import]

Its not the size its the tires. Toyo and Yoko IMO make great all season tires. Yoko has deeper and wider grooves for rain and snow.

[maxnix]

Its not the size its the tires. Toyo and Yoko IMO make great all season tires. Yoko has deeper and wider grooves for rain and snow.

"All Season" is a marketing euphemism for "compromised summer tire and not very good winter tire."

Follow Z's advice about mounting true winter tires on your OEM wheels and summer tires on your optional (and hopefully light and strong) aftermarket wheels for maximum driving pleasure when the weather permits.

[bfournier]

The michelins pilot a/s are rated well for some snow driving. I didnt really want to keep two sets of tires/rims and was hoping to get one set for year round. I was going put the OEMs on ebay after. Here is my thinking:-I can get 19s with the michelins and use year round. I am hesitant to get 20s as I dont want to look too "pimp". 36 yrs old and dont want that impression of my car. The pics I have seen of Ms with 20s look great in my opinion and it seems the Ms can make this large sized rim blend in because of the large wheel well. I am not going to lower it. Plus if I sell the OEMs I will spend that money on higher quality 19s. Second part of this is, if I do two sets of rims, I will also have to buy winter rubber for my OEMs 18s.