scotsskier

My wife just got a 16 Turbo with 20inch SD wheels and PASM. Since we live in the mountains and snow belt (assuming we get some this year!) winter tires/wheels are essential (and usually on for 5months/year). But a lot of the winter can also be dry pavement

So some questions, looking for feedback from those with experience.

Ideally I would go down to 18 inch for the winters (the 295s onnthe rear with 20s might be a bit much in snow!) but the standard recommendation is for a 235/60-18 on the front and 255/55-18 on the rear. The front size just seems on the narrow side so I was thinking about going with a square setup with 255/55-18 all around as a reasonable compromise. Anyone with experience with this setup?

Tire wise I have bouncing Blizzaks for several years but the new Yoko IG51 looks interesting. Anyone tired it yet? I know the Michelin X-Ice gets a lot of fans but I have some concerns about it in deeper snow - could be totally wrong but any feedback would be welcome

thanks!

Sven76

I have the 18 inch set up on my Macan S (Diesel) and it works just perfect. Tires are Pirelli Scorpion with N rating, very little difference to the Michelin summer tires. At the limit, first the car goes over all 4 tires then some under steer as you would expect from an SUV, can be corrected with lift-off and / or heavy acceleration. I don't see why a square set up would be required.

NateOZ

I prefer the 20" Michelin Winter rubber to the Pirelli offerings - they're a high performance winter where I would classify the scorpions as a more traditional suv winter. If I lived in somewhere like Vermont I would get the Pirellis, but not my tire of choice in NY.

FrstPorsche

This. Keep your stock rims and put the Michelin alpines on. The car will perform great.

GT3 Nut

I have a set of the Michelin winter tires on factory 20" wheels with tpms I was going to list for sale tomorrow. I have pics. Let me know if you are interested. Please email me at matt.einstein33@gmail.com if interested.

Rubik

I will not need winter wheel & tire set for any time in the foreseeable future but I'm curious if it is better to have smaller wheels with higher profile tires for winter or not. Would the softer sidewalls improve the tire bite into snow and ice?

FBA

Yes...it does

djlynch

On my turbo, I went 20 inch with Michelin alpin. My summers are 21 inch turbos

BIG smoke

I have 20's on the wife's X5, and run 255/18 square winters. I like the square so I can rotate them from season to season. Keeps the tread even.