[jabbett]

I've really appreciated all the advice across the forum about winter wheels & tires — sizes, brands, jack points, etc. — so I thought I'd summarize my snow tire plan in case it's helpful to others. I'm certainly no expert, though, so feel free to critique or share your alternative setups. I'll post pictures once I make the winter switch.

Tire & wheel package from Tire Rack
Sales tax adds about $90 to the total. If you live near a location, you get ~$80 discount to pick up instead of ship.

• $704 — 18" American Eagle AE900 × 4
  This post by fiehlsport confirms the 18" wheel fits on the Pro S. In fact, if I lived closer to NY, I'd just buy from him!
• $728 — Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 235/60R18 × 4
  At the recommendation of Canadian friends, I've been using Blizzaks on my Boston-area cars for several years now.

Tools
I've been swapping my own tires each season for a couple years. I like not dealing with scheduling, dropoff, pickup, payment with service centers. There's some cost savings after you DIY it a couple times. If you'd prefer someone else to do the installation, and you're in eastern Massachusetts, MyTireGuys.com has competitive prices, makes house calls, and seems pretty easy to work with.

• $120 — Pittsburgh 3-Ton Rapid Pump Floor Jack (Harbor Freight)
  Far easier to use than a scissor jack.
• $18 — ABN 5-1/2" Large Jack Pad (Amazon)
  To use the floor jack safely with pinch welds, as I learned in this thread.
• $15 — Wheel Hanger Pin Set, M14 x P1.5 (Amazon)
  To set the wheels in place while I fumble for the lug bolts.
• $13 — MaxxHaul 50011 Rubber Wheel Chock with Eyelet (2-Pack) (Amazon)
  To keep the car from rolling while it's jacked.
• $100 — Kobalt Corded 8-Amp Impact Wrench (Lowes)
  Makes it much easier to remove and replace the lug bolts. This product includes 7 deep-well sockets at common sizes: 11/16", 3/4", 13/16", 7/8", 17mm, 19mm, 21mm

 

[VW TECHNICIAN]

Metal wheels are still best for winter tires...because they will retain and keep heat better than aluminum and they will be more rigid for potholes with winter driving.
And it will be a lot cheaper to buy or replace if one of the wheels need replacement.
And if you want close to factory tires low rolling resistance on winter tires i would go with Michelin.
Bridgestone loose a lot of grip as they wear out vs Michelin that will grip like new even when worn out.
20-60 bucks difference between good winter tires are well worth if they are designed like Michelin that will grip even when worn out.
It is your money this is my personal opinion and what I do for winter set.

 

[Spin]

My snow tire plan:
Go to Florida where I won't need them!

 

[dougwmtn]

Looks familiar.
My package just showed up,
Same wheels but Yoko G075's
Will put them on when the snow starts to fly here in Central Oregon.

 

[TLEanon]

I've really appreciated all the advice across the forum about winter wheels & tires — sizes, brands, jack points, etc. — so I thought I'd summarize my snow tire plan in case it's helpful to others. I'm certainly no expert, though, so feel free to critique or share your alternative setups. I'll post pictures once I make the winter switch.

Tire & wheel package from Tire Rack
Sales tax adds about $90 to the total. If you live near a location, you get ~$80 discount to pick up instead of ship.

• $704 — 18" American Eagle AE900 × 4
  This post by fiehlsport confirms the 18" wheel fits on the Pro S. In fact, if I lived closer to NY, I'd just buy from him!
• $728 — Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2 235/60R18 × 4
  At the recommendation of Canadian friends, I've been using Blizzaks on my Boston-area cars for several years now.

Tools
I've been swapping my own tires each season for a couple years. I like not dealing with scheduling, dropoff, pickup, payment with service centers. There's some cost savings after you DIY it a couple times. If you'd prefer someone else to do the installation, and you're in eastern Massachusetts, MyTireGuys.com has competitive prices, makes house calls, and seems pretty easy to work with.

• $120 — Pittsburgh 3-Ton Rapid Pump Floor Jack (Harbor Freight)
  Far easier to use than a scissor jack.
• $18 — ABN 5-1/2" Large Jack Pad (Amazon)
  To use the floor jack safely with pinch welds, as I learned in this thread.
• $15 — Wheel Hanger Pin Set, M14 x P1.5 (Amazon)
  To set the wheels in place while I fumble for the lug bolts.
• $13 — MaxxHaul 50011 Rubber Wheel Chock with Eyelet (2-Pack) (Amazon)
  To keep the car from rolling while it's jacked.
• $100 — Kobalt Corded 8-Amp Impact Wrench (Lowes)
  Makes it much easier to remove and replace the lug bolts. This product includes 7 deep-well sockets at common sizes: 11/16", 3/4", 13/16", 7/8", 17mm, 19mm, 21mm

Fyi if you’re a Costco member these tires are $650 including installation right now.

edit: although when I go to schedule an installation the id.4 isn’t an option so possible false alarm!

edit 2: I was able to schedule an appointment over the phone, will report back after I get them installed next week

 

[The EV Guy]

Has anyone found or recommend any steel wheels for the ID.4?

 

[Dougie01]

I would not use an impact wrench. Spend your money on a long handle and appropriate 1/2” drive socket, plus a torque wrench.

 

[Don]

My snow tire plan:
Go to Florida where I won't need them!

I was gonna say - Just move south!

Fortunately, that doesn't work for everybody, or it would be really crowded around here. As it is, it's already hard to get a tee time from October thru March!

Don

 

[jgoodnough]

Fyi if you’re a Costco member these tires are $650 including installation right now.

edit: although when I go to schedule an installation the id.4 isn’t an option so possible false alarm!

I just paid $757 for the Blizzaks at Costco...installed with MA tax added. I haven't been able to find anyone around here that can get the Michelin snow tires. They typically have only one of the two needed sizes and like others have mentioned they're not willing to install anything other than the manufacturers specified tire sizes.

 

[TLEanon]

I just paid $757 for the Blizzaks at Costco...installed with MA tax added. I haven't been able to find anyone around here that can get the Michelin snow tires. They typically have only one of the two needed sizes and like others have mentioned they're not willing to install anything other than the manufacturers specified tire sizes.

Wow that's a crazy amount of tax! Or are you saying you had to buy bigger tires? Costco did allow me to make an appointment, I just had to make it over the phone. I guess I will see when I get there but I have to imagine they are used to doing -1 installs for snow tires.

 

[jgoodnough]

Wow that's a crazy amount of tax! Or are you saying you had to buy bigger tires? Costco did allow me to make an appointment, I just had to make it over the phone. I guess I will see when I get there but I have to imagine they are used to doing -1 installs for snow tires.

The tax was only $40. The remainder is the Costco installation fee of $20 per tire ($80). The Blizzaks were only $637.99 after the $150 discount for the asymmetrical set up. Costco's guarantee and replacement policy for bad or damaged tires is so good I find it hard to even consider tires from other dealers.

 

[dg4prez]

I was gonna say - Just move south!

Fortunately, that doesn't work for everybody, or it would be really crowded around here. As it is, it's already hard to get a tee time from October thru March!

Don

Absolutely not. Southerners live there.

 

[Stinsy]

If you encounter wet roads more often that snow/ice covered roads then consider Bridgestone Blizzak LM 005. Not the quietest available, nor do they have the best rolling resistance, but they seem to win every test on wet roads.

 

[TLEanon]

The tax was only $40. The remainder is the Costco installation fee of $20 per tire ($80). The Blizzaks were only $637.99 after the $150 discount for the asymmetrical set up. Costco's guarantee and replacement policy for bad or damaged tires is so good I find it hard to even consider tires from other dealers.

In that case I would file for a price adjustment because it sounds like the price has dropped since you bought them

 

[jgoodnough]

In that case I would file for a price adjustment because it sounds like the price has dropped since you bought them

I don't know where you live but I just checked the local Costco and it shows $150 off purchase price only. Installation is not included. It's still cheaper than Tire Rack (whose warehouse is literally 20 miles down the road) so I'm fine with that.

 

[TLEanon]

I don't know where you live but I just checked the local Costco and it shows $150 off purchase price only. Installation is not included. It's still cheaper than Tire Rack (whose warehouse is literally 20 miles down the road) so I'm fine with that.

I didn't say it was included, I said my price was $650 with install (665.92 actually).

 

[The EV Guy]

I didn't say it was included, I said my price was $650 with install (665.92 actually).

Your Costco installed the same size tire front and back? They won't do that over here.

 

[TLEanon]

Your Costco installed the same size tire front and back? They won't do that over here.

I mean they made the appointment. If they try to say no I guess I’ll show them in the owner’s manual where it shows square 18s as an oem tire size?

 

[plh]

I mean they made the appointment. If they try to say no I guess I’ll show them in the owner’s manual where it shows square 18s as an oem tire size?

What wheels are you putting the tires on?

 

[TLEanon]

What wheels are you putting the tires on?

They are wheels off an Audi Q5