Topic: why not skip rims?

[21Rouge]

I am in the process of buying/researching the purchase of winter tires for a Pontiac Vibe and a Pontiac Montana minivan. Btw, anyone (highly) recommend a store in Markham Ontario.

I admit I dont know enough...need your help. I think I know that one can buy tires with the black steel rims (say $60-$70 per rim)...OR buy *only* the tires. I dont know how much it would be each season to put on the rimless tires compared to the rimmed ones; of course it would be more but considering the extra couple of hundred dollars for rims and the lifespan of the tires would one be ahead, $ wise, getting only the tire? (assuming one can mount the winter tires on the existing rims?)

What am I missing re buying tires with rims?

[Craig]

Saves your existing aluminum or alloy rims from salt, saves the rims and both sets of tires from potential abuse from a bad tire mounting job, quick do-it-yourself changeover in the fall and spring while saving money, etc.

I suppose if you were going to take the vehicle to the tire place to do the changeover anyway, and especially if you have OEM steel rims, you could forget the dedicated winter steel rims to save money up front.

[mdxtasy]

If you have the option, you can go downsize to a smaller rim/tire combo.  This will often times be cheaper for a tire (as a 15" tire is cheaper than a 16").  The added cost of the rim would probably offset those savings but the added benefit for me is that you have steel wheels to run in the snow with, save the fancy aluminum rims from the harsh winter climate.  If you encounter any problems (like sliding into a curb in the winter), the cost to replace a steel 15" rim is substantially cheaper than an OEM 16" rim.  Same goes for tire too.  You can change out the tires yourself if you have dedicated winter rims (if you're into that sort of thing).  By going smaller rim, you can also go to a narrower tire, giving better traction.

[ovr50]

I go with separate rims for winter for the reasons stated above BUT I have been caught out on it several times when I got rid of a vehicle in too short a time period. It's hard to recoup the money spent on the extra rims but sometimes you get some of it back. I think you need to be thinking about 4 years, if you plan on keeping the vehicle less time, maybe you could skip the rims, but will go thru the twice a year change over that is more stressful on the tires.

[articsteve]

I am in the process of buying/researching the purchase of winter tires for a Pontiac Vibe and a Pontiac Montana minivan. Btw, anyone (highly) recommend a store in Markham Ontario.What am I missing re buying tires with rims?

For the best deal in tires in the Markham area see this thread.  They cannot be beat.  Don't go when it's raining.

http://www.cartalkcanada.com/forum/index.php/topic,40797.0.html

Everyone has hit on all the major points.

It costs $25. to switch one tire off a rim and the other on plus balancing.  That needs to be done twice a year; fall and spring.  For 4 wheels that is $200. plus tax for an approx. cost of $230. per year.  I don't see what there is to debate about getting steel rims with snows.

Good point about getting 15 inch snows if you have 16 inch summers.  Same thing with 14 inch snows down from 15 inch summers.

I paid 97.50 each for 195/65/15 Gislaveds at Steelcase cash and carry.  You will get a deal from them if you buy their steel wheels.  Gislaveds are long lasting directional snow tires.  They will not burn up on expressway driving on dry payment which is the main problem of Blizzacks and Toyos.

Steel rims also prevent a great deal of salt and winter crap from bombarding the rotors and calipers.  There is little choice in the matter.   It's gonna be $700. minimum.  Never stops does it?

[mrthompson]

With my Ford Focus (purchased in March), I am going to mount snows to the factory *ugh* steelies.  During the winter months I will search for a set of used factory alloys for mounting new summer tires in the spring.

My wife's car has a dedicated set of winter tires mounted on steel wheels.

The next time you complain about the initial cash outlay for the purchase of winter tires & steelies, think about the possible implications (both monetary and emotional) if you were to ever have a car accident.  If winter tires will help prevent an accident from happening (even a single accident), they are well worth the investment.

Another point worth considering:  If you run winter tires, your summer tires will last longer.   

[Minou]

Box,

My GF just bought a 06 Matrix XR and asked to drive the car out of the dealer lot with a set of Corolla 15" steel wheels and 195/65-15 Yokohama IG10 winter tires that they carry.  The alloys shod with 205/55-16 GoodYear Eagle RS-A's were in the trunk...

I do the spring and fall changeovers of the 3 season/winter tires on both vehicles and save approximately $80. per car per year.  At that price, OEM steel wheels are paid in about 3 years.

I avoid all the traffic at tire shops everywhere and get to check the brakes and spray lube/silicone to halfshaft boots and the like and not overly tighten the wheel nuts.