WINTER/SNOW Tires & Wheels for '22 WRX Limited

[dubsrx]

Hi friends,

I'm in the market for a set of Snow Tires + Wheels for my new '22 WRX Limited.

I'm set on the Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 tire; just need to decide on size.

Below are some questions for ya -- along with some notes/images that I've gathered from the internet.

Appreciate your help!

Cheers,
Jon

QUESTIONS

1. Which size Snow Tires / Wheels do you use? Can you share a pic of how they look on your car?
   
2. I read that narrow tires aren't good if you don't have Studs -- is that true?
   "Narrow tires and studs = good
   Narrow tires and no studs = not so good
   
   When you don't have any studs to reach down into the ice below the top layer of snow you actually want a large contact patch in order for all those little groves and blocks of the tread to grip as much snow as possible."

OEM SPECS
The '22 WRX Limited factory options are as follows (both come with Summer Tires):

• 17" 235/45/17 tires on 17x8 wheels
• 18" 245/40/R18 on 18x8.5 wheels

TIRE SIZE OPTIONS [ Rolling Diameter ]

• What I have:
  • 245/40/R18 [ 25.7" ] w. Summer tires
• What I think the two best Snow Tire options are:
  • 225/50-17 [ 25.9" ]
    • Pros:
      • 225/50 has a rolling diameter within .1% of the 18s that I have; so I'd think I could use one of my snow tires as a spare if I ever had to.
      • More ground clearance
      • Narrow tire supposedely better in snow?
    • Con:
      • Narrow tire not great when not in the snow
  • 235/45-17 [ 25.3" ]
    • Pro:
      • Once the roads dry up you will get better performance out of a wider tire.
    • Con:
      • Reduced ground clearance
• Other snow tire options that one could consider:
  • 225/45-17 [ 25.0" ]
  • 215/50-17 [ 25.5" ]

Reference Images

225/50/17
xxr 530 17x8.25 +35
225/50/17 Hankook W419

235/45-17:

215/45/17:

 

[Ecmbuster]

The most logical installation is the correct and original tire circumference.
The speedometer and ABS sensors, will rotate at the correct RPM.