Snow tires for 17\ OEM wheels

[alau]

Should I use the OEM 17inch rims and simply change snow tires on them for the winter? Beside potential scratches and the snow tires will cost more...any other comment/advice?

[bluntman]

You\'ll have a wider selection of 16\" winter tires than 17\", they\'re also cheaper.

[///M]

If you plan to get another set of rims for summer, by all means mount the snow tires on the stock 17s. It\'s better to have tires on seperate sets of rims so you can avoid the lineups at the tire shops each year, and swapping tires on/off from the rims often will eventually damage them.

[SABIO]

I put snows on my stock rims... I say go for it. The cost of 16\" steel wheels and tires will be more than a set of 17\" snowtires.

[MZR3]

Originally posted by autoexe


If you plan to get another set of rims for summer, by all means mount the snow tires on the stock 17s.... and swapping tires on/off from the rims often will eventually damage them.

Also, you need to consider the tire swapping cost, i.e. mounting & balancing, after each winter when you need to put back the summer or 3-season tires. 3 to 4 such changes will be about equal to your steel rims, if you plan to run 16\"....just another thought to consider.

[alau]

Thanks all with the valuable comments/advices.

[alau]

Forgot to ask....what brand/model of snow tires you would recommend for the Mazda3 stock 205/50/17 rims?

[bluntman]

Originally posted by alau


Forgot to ask....what brand/model of snow tires you would recommend for the Mazda3 stock 205/50/17 rims?

I have Kumho KW17s on my stock 17\" rims.

[Zaku_4]

hmm,

i considered doing this, but i ended up not doign it. the only reason why i wanted to do this was because i didnt wanna keep putting the different sets of rims in the basement during each season, they arent the lightest things in the world lol..

so yeah becaus eof laziness i thought about it, but i just ended up getting the rims and tires

[FLIPDADY]

If you\'re gonna get a different set of rims for summer buy 17\" snows. All the guys that have 17\" snows have summer rims.

Another thing to consider is the risk of scratching the factory rims which cost $300 each when swapping them over to summers.

[alau]

FYI.....I still haven\'t pick up my 06 GT Sport yet....should be within the next few days. With the great advise/info from this forum, I decided to have a set of snow tires for winter.

I have managed to get a spare set of OEM 17\" with RS tires at a reasonable price. I just put Viking on them last night. My dealer will swap them for me on delivery and I will keep my new set that comes with the car as summer tires.

[FLIPDADY]

You should\'ve thrown the tire package into your deal.

I did this with my car when I leased it.