I have a 2006 Enthusiast edition and looking for snow tires. Ive been on the forums for a little while and this is my first post. According the owners manual the tire sizes needed are 225/45/18 fronts and 245/45/18 rears. After doing some research on here all the threads arent giving a straight answer. 99% of the people usually say to the OP buy 17" wheels, I would like to use my stock 18's. Im looking at Blizzaks LM-32's... Should I get the stock specs 225 fronts and 245 rears? Or 245's all the way around like some people did? The enthusiast does have TCS and some members said that may play an issue? But since its not the track or performance edition I dont need to worry about VDC. Thank you in advance!

 

Stick with 225/245

 

Stay with stock size. I run stock size Dunlop Winter Sport M3s on my 04 Touring wheels with no issues.

 

I use stock sized winter tires with zero problems.
Good luck!

 

I have been running Dunlop Graspic DS-2 studless tires, 225/55-17” all-square. I went with all-square to allow rotating my snow tires and 17” wheels to have a wider selection of tires and pricing. Technically all-square should not work with my VDC-equipped Performance model 350z, but it’s been OK (I have the rear size all around).

17” wheels offer advantages with snow tires:

• There is a larger selection of snow tires for 17” wheels.
• 17” tires have a larger vertical “fill area,” making it easier to maintain consistent air pressure in very cold climates.

With that said I’m planning to change my snow tires next season to stock (or even wider) 18” sizes. 225’s (or even 215’s) will handle snow better than a wider tire, but they are so ugly on the rear of a 350z.

I’m tired of being practical and deciding to have more fun with my Z, even during winter months.
--Spike

 

I actually read your comments on another members post similar to this. I considered 17's but rather not buy another set of 17's then put snow tires on it. I'll most likely do the stock sizes on 18's

 

I prefer a dedicated tire/wheel setup. It saves $$’s in the long run since you pay to have tires mounted and removed from a single set of wheels. You can also experience damage when tires are mounted/un-mounted twice yearly from the same set of wheels.

Since so many members purchase aftermarket wheels, you can purchase OEM wheels for a very low price.

 

It looks like the LM-32s are sized at 225/40/18 vs. stock of 225/45/18. If you want stock sizing, Pirelli Sottozero 3s are available, although they might be out of stock at this point.

 

You can purchase Dunlop Winter Maxx Studless snow tires in stock 18" wheels sizes (225/45-18" F and 245/45-18" R).

This is a very reasonably priced tire that performs very well on ice and in snow. I've run my Dunlop Studless snow tires for 5 years and they are still good.

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EDIT (To add comment about dedicated wheel/tire setup): I would consider buying a set of OEM !*" wheels to go with these tires. That way you don't incur the yearly cost of swapping tires on and off the wheels.