oobster

As above.....

I have got a set of 18" KEI Racing wheels on the car, had them for about 9 months.

I have also got a set of 17" Gold STI alloys (fitted with Bridgestone RE070's) which i bought off ebay in the summer, with the intention of putting them on the car when the winter arrived. This would be to make sure the salt didn't damage the finish on the 18" KEI wheels.

So far I havent bothered to change them over, and there have been gritters out for at least a month now.

So - my question is - should i change the wheels over (until end of March, maybe) ? or will the finish on the silver KEI wheels stay ok with the salt on the roads?

The gold STI wheels & tyres cost me just a shade over £400, so if the common opinion is that my 18's will be fine i'll sell the Gold STI ones.

All opinions appreciated.

Cheers

Andy

** I already know about how crap the RE070's are in winter conditions, so advice on the ALLOYS only would be appreciated - cheers **

Silver Scooby Sport

iTrader: (15)

It's not just the salt... it's slipping over the road on the way to work and touching the kerb with a 35mm wall that you may want to consider.... I've dropped my old 16's on the car for a while anyway

Dave uk blue mica

i've never changed wheels on any of the cars i've had during the winter, i've just kept them clean and washed them a few times during the week, a few years ago i even washed the wheels everyday!!!

mickywrx

iTrader: (29)

Low profiles and snow etc don't agree. Slid all over with my 17's on, put awful 16" speedlines with 'squidgy' tyres on and it was a lot better. First time I've ever swapped wheels in the winter tho, just didn't want to risk any further damage to my 17's than whats already there.

corradoboy

Winter wheels are a good idea, especially if we get a winter with serious snow. However, your idea of using Bridgestone RE070's as winter tyres is downright ridiculous. Although the 35 profile 18's will be pretty bad in icy conditions, the RE070's are awful in anything worse than slight damp, but simply awesome in the dry. My RE070's are in storage 'til the spring and I'm on Toyo's atm. If the British winter could justify it then I'd get some proper narrow winter tyres, but for all but a couple of days it isn't really worth the hassle.

Can 16" wheels go on a newage car I have a WRX with Subaru 4pots

oobster

I dont have 35-series tyres on the 18's - it's 45's i've got.

Thanks for the reply corradoboy, but i did explain in my original post that I was seeking advice on the ALLOYS only. Advice on tyre choice in winter conditions is not important to me at this point. If the general advice is that the salt WILL damage the finish on my expensive 18's, then i'll change to the STI-17's and worry about the tyres then.

si97

re070 have been fine. not in 'snow' (havent had any here )but slush etc.. not noticed any difference to any other tyre. keep mine on the road no problems.

mickywrx

iTrader: (29)

Dunno mate, mines a classic with ickle two pots.