Regal GS Smallest Diameter Winter Wheel Setup

[Koopy]

I've been looking for a nice winter wheel setup for my 2012 GS, but it's tough without spending a small fortune. So far I've found tires from a dealer on Craigslist and jumped on them. $250 for Blizzak tires (225/45 R18) with about 90% tread and MB Motorsport wheels is a steal! My problem is finding the 18" wheels to fit over the Brembo brakes. I've found reasonably priced wheels from a couple of online re-salers... the one standing out most is TIS Wheels TIS-537 18x8 +42 offset. Discount tire also shot me a deal for $600 out the door for VOXX Torino 18x8.

My question is... what 18" wheel setups have you guys been running? What does work... what doesn't work?

Thanks

 

[TheEdgeofSanity]

check this thread out for info on winter tires.

http://buickforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30174

 

[Koopy]

check this thread out for info on winter tires.

http://buickforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30174

Yes, I've done a search throughout the forum for this topic... some say 18"s are the smallest others say they don't fit. I'm just curious to know what does fit.

 

[jay3737]

i originally had a 18" winter package from tire rack that they said would clear the brakes in the front - but they didnt. so i had to send them back and go with 19s instead.

i think the key is you will probably have to test fit and see what happens. according to tire rack's engineering drawings the 18s should've cleared by 1/8", but they didnt.

good luck!

 

[rodstafford]

Touren TR9 3190 18x8 with Blizzak LM-60 245/45x18 fit perfectly.
NOTE to Koopy: Be careful to maintain, or very close to, the original tire diameter with your snow tires. The 225/45x18's are only 25.9" as compared to 26.7" for the GS 19's and 27.2" for the optional 20's.

 

[GTP>GS]

I have the Replika 18 X 8 wheels with the silver finish and they clear the Brembo calipers -by about 1/8". Also available in black. I paid $150 /wheel. The wheels are designed for winter use, and resist corrosion from road salt My tires are the Nokian WRG2 (245/45 -18, V-rated). Good in snow, excellent on ice.

 

[armh1976]

I have this one from Decount Tire 18'

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fi...37&c=4&rcz=48060&pc=62858&wd=18&rw=&rc=MPHINT

 

[Kilo-9]

I went with Anzio "Turn" black, 18x8, with Blizzak LM-60, 245/45/18 from Tire Rack. They fit perfectly with plenty of clearance around the Brembos. Sorry for the dirty car and crappy pics:

 

[Crisis]

The issue with 18" wheels and the brakes is that the wheel spokes on many rims hit the caliper, and on some wheels the drum of the wheel is deeper than others (contacting the top of the caliper, but this is rare). The chrome 18" option wheels for the turbo's (Lacross wheels I believe) won't clear the brembos without 6mm spacers. I ran into this swapping to brembo's on my Turbo.


That being said, offset is key if the spokes are "deep". I'd just go with ET35. On a 18x8" wheel there are not interference issues with the fenders. I'm running the stock wheel with 6mm worth of spacer and It's fine. I hoped to get away with only 3mm, so I can keep the wheel hub centric but it didn't clear.