[CanadaTaos]

For those interested, dropping from 225/50R18 to 215/65R16 for winter works. Very close match in overall wheel/ tire height - moves from 26.9 inches to 27. 0.4 % increase. At speedometer showing 60, will actually be at 60.2 mph. VW dealer told me Taos could only drop to 17” and tried to sell me a $1,900 package. This made no sense as VW Canada site shows a 16” wheel option. Tire Rack also shows the 16”, although I wasn’t able to find any Canadian site yet carrying a Taos specific wheel. Research suggested the 2017 Tiguan specs were the same so I gambled on an aftermarket rim with the tiguan size tire of 216/65R16. I made the switch today and completed a 150km test run. All good and ready for the snow.

 

[CanadaTaos]

Sorry all, I should have added this to the existing Winter Tire discussion. For some reason I couldn’t find the chat. Must be mental exhaustion from making sure I didn’t cross-thread those bolts!

 

[derekdal]

sorry for the possibly dumb question.... why do we want to go to 16" for snow? are there no good snow tires in other sizes?

also, there are several grades of snow tires and I tend to use extreme duty snow rather than snow tires or all season tires.

 

[CRVW]

They're cheaper, there is limited choice in low aspect ratio winter tires, you get more sidewall to absorb winter potholes and rough roads, plus they just look funnier!

 

[CanadaTaos]

sorry for the possibly dumb question.... why do we want to go to 16" for snow? are there no good snow tires in other sizes?

also, there are several grades of snow tires and I tend to use extreme duty snow rather than snow tires or all season tires.

Not a dumb question. The smaller wheel gives a higher sidewall with less risk of damage to the rim on pot holes. At the same time, the slightly narrower tire cuts through the snow rather than sitting on top. Less wheel spin on acceleration and shorter stopping distance. At least, that’s the theory. Realistically, 1cm narrower likely doesn’t make much difference, however even saving a few feet when stopping can made the difference between a collision and a near miss.

 

[CRVW]

I've got the GTI swapped over already. Now that's style!

 

[CanadaTaos]

I've got the GTI swapped over already. Now that's style!
View attachment 327

Nice! There is something fun about switching over to winters and looking forward to driving in that fresh white. Of course, by April I can’t wait to put the bigger summer wheels back on!

 

[CRVW]

Nice! There is something fun about switching over to winters and looking forward to driving in that fresh white. Of course, by April I can’t wait to put the bigger summer wheels back on!

What tires did you end up getting? I got 3 sets of Michelin X-Ice Snow for all the cars. We don't usually get a ton of snow here (unless it's 2016-17), but it can get heckuva cold (I've seen -21F or -30C). The Michelins seem to be better rated for dry roads than Blizzaks and handle more like "normal" tires. They even have a 40,000 mile treadwear warranty.

 

[CRVW]

Yeah, it's nice to hear the soft crunching as you back out into fresh snow, and the snow absorbs a lot of the noise so your car seems super quiet. The happiness disappears when you slide through the junction at the end of the road...

 

[CanadaTaos]

What tires did you end up getting? I got 3 sets of Michelin X-Ice Snow for all the cars. We don't usually get a ton of snow here (unless it's 2016-17), but it can get heckuva cold (I've seen -21F or -30C). The Michelins seem to be better rated for dry roads than Blizzaks and handle more like "normal" tires. They even have a 40,000 mile treadwear warranty.

I was about to order rims with the Michelin X-Ice Snow and was given a lead on a guy selling his Tiguan rims with one season of use Toyo Observe GSI-6 tires. Figured these would do for this first winter and I can change next year. Only paid $400. The rims were “okay”, now I’ve put them on the Taos they’re growing on me. i can take and add a photo tomorrow.

 

[CanadaTaos]

I was about to order rims with the Michelin X-Ice Snow and was given a lead on a guy selling his Tiguan rims with one season of use Toyo Observe GSI-6 tires. Figured these would do for this first winter and I can change next year. Only paid $400. The rims were “okay”, now I’ve put them on the Taos they’re growing on me. i can take and add a photo tomorrow.

Here’s the winter rim (excuse the dirty vehicle):

 

[CRVW]

Here’s the winter rim (excuse the dirty vehicle):
View attachment 331

Hey, those aren't bad. Fancier than mine!

 

[CanadaTaos]

Cold and ice is the bigger problem in Ottawa also. We get a good amount of snow- average winter is just under 100”- however the roads generally get plowed quickly and most days you can see the asphalt on major roads. I’d be interested in your thoughts on the X-Ice Snow once we get into winter driving conditions. Did you go with your old rims and 215/65R16 Rubber? Your rims look new.

 

[CRVW]

Cold and ice is the bigger problem in Ottawa also. We get a good amount of snow- average winter is just under 100”- however the roads generally get plowed quickly and most days you can see the asphalt on major roads. I’d be interested in your thoughts on the X-Ice Snow once we get into winter driving conditions. Did you go with your old rims and 215/65R16 Rubber? Your rims look new.

Yep, 215/65R16. The rims saw one winter on the wife's Beetle before she got stuck once too often and bought a Tiguan. It's the exact same rim Tire Rack lists as an option for the Taos. I washed and waxed them before getting the new tires mounted.
I have some alloys from the Tiguan(s) with worn out X-Ice I3s which would fit with the same new tires, but these steelies use the original ball seat bolts and do not need a centering ring, so a bit more convenient.

 

[Fernanernie]

Just swapped over to winter set today. Ended up getting a set of 17"x7.5" cheapo wheels from Tire Rack and a set of Continental Vikingcontact 7 225/55/17.
Revolutions/mile difference +6, confirmed via GPS almost 1mph slower at 60mph.

 

[CRVW]

Just swapped over to winter set today. Ended up getting a set of 17"x7.5" cheapo wheels from Tire Rack and a set of Continental Vikingcontact 7 225/55/17.
Revolutions/mile difference +6, confirmed via GPS almost 1mph slower at 60mph.
View attachment 335

Nice! Looks more like mine now!

 

[CanadaTaos]

Just swapped over to winter set today. Ended up getting a set of 17"x7.5" cheapo wheels from Tire Rack and a set of Continental Vikingcontact 7 225/55/17.
Revolutions/mile difference +6, confirmed via GPS almost 1mph slower at 60mph.
View attachment 335

Looking good! That’s the tire and size my local dealer is selling.

 

[Fernanernie]

Looking good! That’s the tire and size my local dealer is selling.

I had a set of Continental ExtremeWinterContacts like 5 years ago and was very impressed with them. Compared to the more recent Blizzaks that I had, there was a little more road noise, but it seemed they handled deeper or powdery snow better. The last set of Blizzaks that I had seemed to pack up and not grip as much for some reason. So, going back to the Continentals

 

[CRVW]

Ooh look what I found for the steel rims! It says they're for a Tiguan but a quick search found lots of people using them on generic (Tire Rack) steelies on GTIs. They snap over the wheel bolts so as long as the bolt pattern is the same they will fit. I ordered 2 sets.

 

[CanadaTaos]

Ooh look what I found for the steel rims! It says they're for a Tiguan but a quick search found lots of people using them on generic (Tire Rack) steelies on GTIs. They snap over the wheel bolts so as long as the bolt pattern is the same they will fit. I ordered 2 sets.

View attachment 337

That would add a nice touch. Looking forward to a photo if you get them.