We finally got some reasonably serious snow in the Ontario “snow belt”. I’m running 20” Nokians which are a tad wider (275 on all 4 corners) than I would have normally gone for. So far the performance has been excellent including a couple of emergency stops en route to the local ski hills. Still not real comfortable parallel parking in snow banks, but no rim rash so far. Still looking for some cheap-ish 20” rims to mount the nokians on; hoping by Christmas next year these will have materialized. If anyone has found some cheap 20 inch rims please let me know, don’t really care too much about the appearance … thanks in advance.

Lucky,

I posted a winter solution, in the visual mod section. I went with 18" alba wheels. they also come in 20"'s I think. I would have your wheel shop give alba a call.

Lucky,

I posted a winter solution, in the visual mod section. I went with 18" alba wheels. they also come in 20"'s I think. I would have your wheel shop give alba a call.


Thanks, I'll follow-up on the Alba lead. BTW, nice to see the Habs take out the sens last night.

yeah, the habs woke up last night. had to give ol' Kenny a good show :)

Lucky,

I posted a winter solution, in the visual mod section. I went with 18" alba wheels. they also come in 20"'s I think. I would have your wheel shop give alba a call.
Following up on my question to you about a winter wheel/tire solution for we lucky ones in the frozen North,I contacted my local Kal-Tire dealer who in turn phoned Alba yesterday.Alba denied they had an 18" wheel which could work on the GC SRT8 (I told them about your 18x8 107's),said that it needed a 20" but even then they had nothing to fit the GC!This is becoming such a pain in the butt I am seriously thinking of cancelling the SRT8 and going back to the X5 for which there are many winter wheel and tire combinations available.Winter rubber is a BIG DEAL when the average temperature drops close to zero even if the road is dry.(see the recent "Consumers Reports "test on various tires in winter conditions,dry,snow,and ice,and then tell me you can feel safe on all season tires with 420hp! Remember all-wheel drive helps you go better but it doesn't help you stop.If your setup is working well you have done us all a huge favour.Please let me know the name and phone number of your tire guy and I will see if he can send me a package like yours.eyedoc

Did you try the tire rack in South Bend, In? I called them yesterday to inquire on a snow wheel/tire combo, they told me the ASA JH8 19" wheel with snow tires would work. I hestitated to ask him what brand of tires since he stated the package would be around $1, 800. Check out the link below...

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/asa/asa.jsp

Goodluck.

Thanks for the tip.I will check on your link tomorrow.This forum is great and I will probably enjoy it even more when I get my new ride.eyedoc

I am seriously thinking of cancelling the SRT8 and going back to the X5

I've got several bmws of various vintages here at the house, and I also considered buying an x3 when I bought the GC. I just couldn't see owning the x5 without the v8, and then you're talking about a serious price hike from the SRT8.

On the other hand, how much snow, even with snow tires, can the GCSRT8 handle? I'd think the ground clearance would be a seriously limiting factor...

Alex

We don't get huge amounts of snow in this part of Sask but we often have slippery conditions,usually during a "chinook" when the temperature hovers around 0 celsius.I do not venture out during raging blizzards even with winter boots but I have found my X5 much better between November and March on my Blizzaks.This is why I am being so anal about securing a set of wheels and tires before next winter.If it means getting 20" rims with the new 20" Blizzaks then so be it.I found (at Eastcoast Tires)American Racing vintage series wheels which seem to be the exact fit of the factory units(Torque Thrust 405217370 20x9 5x5 offset 38mm and 405217375 20x10 5x5 offset 50mm).These are listed at $418 each,much less costly than thaOEM's and they look pretty good,which I consider very important.I will continue to investigate.eyedoc:confused:

I've got several bmws of various vintages here at the house, and I also considered buying an x3 when I bought the GC. I just couldn't see owning the x5 without the v8, and then you're talking about a serious price hike from the SRT8.

On the other hand, how much snow, even with snow tires, can the GCSRT8 handle? I'd think the ground clearance would be a seriously limiting factor...

Alex
I keep hearing about the ground clearance and I really wonder just how much snow is going to be a problem. I used to get around with rear wheel car with less clearance in a foot and more snow. Or even my Pt cruiser now. I did put snow tires on the Jeep but the clearance will not be a problem unless the snow gets really deep and drifted solid. Sure I will be pushing snow but did before with less traction.

I keep hearing about the ground clearance and I really wonder just how much snow is going to be a problem. I used to get around with rear wheel car with less clearance in a foot and more snow. Or even my Pt cruiser now. I did put snow tires on the Jeep but the clearance will not be a problem unless the snow gets really deep and drifted solid. Sure I will be pushing snow but did before with less traction.

Yeah, I have no idea. I'm prolly more worried about damage to the front lip than anything else...

Alex

You are right and I do like the Jeep enough that I wish it would stay new for ever and still be able to drive it. Can't happen no matter what it will wear out.