Winter shoes

[SneaKe]

Got the 19" rims now, and I work in North Jersey where it snows at random (had a foot on tuesday). I'm searching for Blizzak's, and trying to keep the price down. Through TireRack, it will cost me $1200 for a set of 19's.

I know I'd be better downsizing to 17's, but that's an extra $500.

I'm looking at these for 17's:http://www.tirerack.com/wheels...ear=2

In the end with tires, wheels, mounting, sensors and shipping, it will cost me $1615.09. Is it really worth it? Is there somewhere else worth shopping?

Also, is it worth the $260 for new sensors? Seems like I could do without them. I'm assuming I'd have to look at the low pressure warning light lit up through the winter, but I could deal with that.
Modified by SneaKe at 12:41 PM 11/1/2008

[smockers83]

I'm not sure how much snow you get when it snows or if it sticks around, but if it snows enough to the point where snow is going over the bottom of the rim, $500 more would be a better choice than a $500+ repair because you went into the ditch. That's the sole reason I went with 17s on my coupe because I can always get rims for the summer if I felt the need to.

[SneaKe]

We get alot of freak storms here. So going by last winter, 80% of the time, I'd be on cold/frozen but clear and salted highway. But that 20% could be anything from 2 feet of snow or slush and ice.

[smockers83]

The tires that come with the 17s are M+S rated and I've driven it in the snow on a couple of instances. It handled fine for me but then again I'm used to driving in lots of snow. If its only 20% of the time that you're really worried about, you could go with all-seasons for cold temp part, you'd just have to be a little more careful with the throttle during that 20%. Personally, I think I would be comfortable myself going that route if I wanted to keep costs down. I, for the moment, am planning on keeping my OEM M+S tires on for the season and keeping the G out (haven't done so yet).