Winter Wheel Size?

Katya4me · Post by **Katya4me** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:04 pm

Hi, my brother has a Saab 9-2x Aero, the Saabaru. Anyway, he needs winter wheels since the stockies don't cut it and I'm trying to see if 15"s will clear the stock brakes, which should be the same as the WRX has. He has the stock 16" rims, not the 17"s that were an option. He's pretty poor, so I'm trying to see how low I can find a set of winters for him. He's in upstate NY right now, moving back to MD in December. Tirerack lists some 16" steelies, but nothing smaller among their suggestions.

I saw these on NASIOC: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=853915
But I don't want to contact the guy if the wheels don't clear.

Thanks

Post by **complacent** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:08 pm

From what I have read online the smallest wheel that will clear the wrx brakes is a 16"

FWIW, I have made extended trips in varying amounts of poor weather (ice, sleet, 12" snow, etc) with the stock RE-92's and have had pretty good results. Obviously not as good as a dedicated winter tire, but not bad by any means.

HTH

Katya4me · Post by **Katya4me** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:23 pm

OK, but he's not a great driver and has visions of doing rally dancing thru his head, so I think dedicated snow tires are a good idea. Also, this is the first new car he has owned, his last vehicle was a 1988 Blazer that didn't matter if it got hurt.

Anyone got any 16" rims for sale cheap?

Mr Kleen · Post by **Mr Kleen** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:24 pm

if he's poor go with the stock tires for winter use. if winter tires are absolutely necessary get some mounted on the stock wheels and save up for summer wheels/tires next spring. so they gave the Saabaru the RE92 shaft as well, eh?

Katya4me · Post by **Katya4me** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:44 pm

From SaabCentral:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gambit
I'm reading differing views on this tire. It looked like an all-season. but some reviews like tirerack.com doesn't even list it's snow capability. BTW how's the RE011s? I know subaru's standard issue re92s are crap.

As stated in the owner's manual under the "tires" section, the 011 is a summer tire. It is competent, but that's about it, although it rides well and is quiet for a performance tire. It won't last too long though, treadwear 140.

Katya4me · Post by **Katya4me** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:46 pm

And my brother says they are expecting their first snow in the next 3 weeks or so.

Post by **Sabre** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:55 pm

Tell him to get the Continental ContiExtremeContact if he wants a good winter tire that has decent all around performance too. They are 78$/ea on tirerack for his stock rims. I used these on my STI and was able to get through 8" of snow like it wasn't there.

Post by **Sabre** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:56 pm

Oh ya, and check out tirevan (mentioned in a post on here somewhere) for mounting. Cheap and they come to your door

Katya4me · Post by **Katya4me** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 3:19 pm

OK, thanks for the recommendations.

Now, my next question, is it cheaper/easier to get winters for his stock rims and pay the mount/dismount fees, or pick up cheap 16" steelies?

zaxrex · Post by **zaxrex** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 4:02 pm

Tirevan.net only serves the NOVA area, I don't know if they have something like that for up north or not.

If your brother is interested, I can rent out my bombproof wheels for the winter.