New rims/tires or winter.. your opinions.

[Seveneighty]

(Sorry, title should read "FOR winter".)
Are these a good choice and will they fit? It'll be the winter set for my white 09 XRS... if you have suggestions on what you think will look/ride better, please share!

17x7 MSW Type 11 Machined w/Black Accent ($108 each) - LINK

Offset: 40mm Backspacing: 5.78" Bolt Pattern: 5-100
Rec. Tire Size: 215/45-17
Weight: 21.4lbs.

Tires:
215/45R17 Dunlop Winter Sport M3 Blackwall ($125 each)

[LeanBurn]

Good choice in performance winter tire as it rates #2 on tire rack. So this setup is for your winters & are you running stock XRS for your summer/all seasons? Depending on where you live salt and increasing number of potholes may be a factor, and aluminum rims can take a beating during this harsh time.

I have never seen anyone run good rims with winter tires before not even on wrx's or the like that love to play in the snow at all kinds of speeds. Usually they put the good winter tires with steel rims, thus if a miscalculation occurs you are not out $ on rim repair replacement.

..my 2c

[Seveneighty]

Originally Posted by LeanBurn

I have never seen anyone run good rims with winter tires before not even on wrx's or the like that love to play in the snow at all kinds of speeds. Usually they put the good winter tires with steel rims, thus if a miscalculation occurs you are not out $ on rim repair replacement.

Really? I can't imagine driving around on ugly black steel rims for half the year. I want my car to look good 100% of the time, not half the time, ya know?

Is it an option to change the tires on my rims twice a year? You'd need to get them mounted, right.. I figure just buying a whole new set and switching it when winter comes around will be a lot cheaper in the long run, but I have no idea how much mounting them seasonally and all that would cost so I can't really compare.

And these aren't "good rims", they're cheap $100 Chinese-made rims that barely cost more than steel rims would.. (well, almost $140 if I include the shipping to Canada, but still cheap compared to prices I can find online in Canada).

[imEric!]

When it comes to winter tires, I highly recommend Nokian WR or WRG2. They are both rated as an all-weather tire, but I say they are more for winter than summer. I have been using Nokian WR for a year and I have to say I'm very impressed with them. I will be getting the WRG2 soon. I also bought a set of cheap alloy rims for $360CDN (http://www.bsa.com.my/web/wheels/325.htm). They can be bought locally in Toronto and they are made in Malaysia.

[sinnaever]

i personally like the look of a sporty looking car with winter tires and the black steel rim. I think it looks bad-ass. BUT, only in the winter. Summer is a diff story. Think of your Alum rims / Radial tires as sandals, and the steel rims / winter tires as boots... you dont wear skimpy shoes/cloths in the winter, so why make your car?