OEM+ Winter tire sizing for Volk TE37?

[illTonic]

I'm looking at purchasing these 20" Volk wheels for my winter setup. The only in-stock 5x130 sizes according to Ray's US distributor are
Front: 20x9 +45
Rear: 20x12 +58

I'm curious what tire sizes this crew would recommend for a meaty fitment with Michelin or Pirelli winter tires. This is for a '22 cross-turismo. Here's a reference with 345s (!) on 20x12 that looks like it would be a bit too aggressive:

Sponsored

 

[illTonic]

Okay, I've done some research about what would match the oem diameters, and it looks like this would be the best option:

Front: 275/40R20
Rear: 315/35R20

Anyone have notes/experience on this sizing?

 

[Vercingetorix]

Stock size for 20” wheels is 245/40 and 285/40. For winter the common advice is to go narrower, you want to go 30mm wider.

 

[illTonic]

Stock size for 20” wheels is 245/40 and 285/40. For winter the common advice is to go narrower, you want to go 30mm wider.

Yep ?

 

[Murph7355]

The reason they suggest narrower is that they work better in snow and will be less prone to aquaplaning etc. Looking cool with your car stuck in a hedge is unlikely ?

Alpin 4 are a generation older from Michelin... 5s have been out a bit.

Conti T860 win in reviews from what I've read.

I'd buy rims to suit the right tyres.

 

[illTonic]

According to Continental, "a wider tire equates to better performance on dry or wet roads and compacted snow" [source]

The main purpose here is to commute back and forth from the Bay Area to Tahoe for skiing, so there will be plenty of compacted snow, not deep/soft snow.

The TS860 looks great, but unfortunately it doesn't look like those specific sizes are available in the US. I'm now trying to locate a set of the Alpin 5s since those seem to have improved mileage and reduced aquaplaning, but they are new in these sizes so I'm not seeing availability for the 315s yet.

 

[Jonathan S.]

^ Agreed. I had earlier seen that CA location -- for living in Tahoe, yes, definitely the narrower 19" setup; for driving back and forth between Tahoe & the Bay Area, a wider 20" setup is fine. (Personally, I think the perfect solution is the standard 20" spec with the Michelin CrossClimate2, given that driving anywhere in northern New England in our winters often covers the full range of driving between Tahoe & the Bay Area.)

 

[illTonic]

Update that I went ahead with the PA4s: the Alpin 5s were launched in August, but neither TireRack nor local retailers thought I would be able to get the 315s this year. Tires arrive today and I'm headed up to Tahoe this weekend, so I'll report back soon.

 

[illTonic]

Got the Volks installed today!

No snow yet, but I got about 40 miles in the dumping rain and they are definitely handling it better than the summer tires. Ride quality is fantastic on the 20s (vs 21s).

 

[illTonic]

Two more follow-ups

• I spent thanksgiving week in Tahoe, including two days at Alpine Meadows and maybe 8” of snowfall. Plenty of traction and the car feels great!
• I’m pleasantly surprised by improved range: this setup is getting 2.7mi/kwh on my regular commute in the Bay Area, vs 2.5 on the 21” Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires.

 

[ntfsturismo]

Got the Volks installed today!

No snow yet, but I got about 40 miles in the dumping rain and they are definitely handling it better than the summer tires. Ride quality is fantastic on the 20s (vs 21s).

This looks great. Whats the tire size? Did u lower ur car?

 

[illTonic]

The car is lowered with oem sport turismo links. Final specs were as discussed above:

Wheels Volk Racing TE37 Ultra M-Spec, 5x130, Diamond Dark Gunmetal
20x9 +45 Front
20x12 +58 Rear

Tires Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4
275/40R20 ̃ Front
315/35R20 ̃ Rear

Sponsored