I run Goodyear Silent Armour's year round up in Canada and have No problems what so ever with our Canadian winters. They are all season but rated for winters. But The Duratracs are a more aggressive tire. My 2 cents

 

In the long run I see the benefit of having an extra set of 16" steel rims and extra tires, save $$$ over the years vs buying new 18,s every two years. But in the short term it seems more expensive to spend an average of $300-400 on a set of 16" steel wheels, plus another $300-400 on winter tires, when I could just spend around $500-600 on new premium 18" winter tires. Of course I have no clue how much 18" winter tires cost these days and every now and then I'm sure there is a really good deal on steel wheels. But I thik I'm leaning towards 18" winter tires for this winter. Then sometime next year (2013) I'll put money aside for the 16" wheels and extra rubber. Its just that the winter will come fast and I want to get prepared sooner than later.

Another question: Do 18" rims with premium winter tires perform any better or worse vs 16" rims and rubber? Does the extra diameter and weight of the 18's provide improved traction or anything in winter conditions? Aside from price are there any other pros or cons to 18's vs 16's?

 

You're looking at probably $750 for a good set of winters on 18s. You will absolutely get better performance on 16"s as you can run skinnier tires, and the skinnier the better.

 

Nokian's are by far one of the better winter tires.
By the way, just to clear up an earlier reply, you do not need different lug nuts if you use a set of 16/7 or 16/8 factory alloy wheels that can be purchased pretty cheaply.

 

I went thru the same thing last year if bought correctly it is cheaper to go with 16 inch wheels and tires.
The only problem is you will never want to put the 18 inch tires and wheels back on, there is that much of a difference in ride from 18 to 16.
As some one put it with the 18 in handles like a corvette with 16 inch it rides like a cadillac.

 

Alright so here's a little update about my Disco:
Its currently got Goodyear Eagle LS-2 All Seasons mounted to the 18" rims, below is a pic of the traction level. What do you guys think? Should I try fighting this upcoming winter season with what's already mounted? Or should I go ahead and purchase high grade winter tires? Again I'm a noob when it comes to tires and rims so I'm not sure what I'm looking at in regards to tire tread wear.



Also I'm curious as to what Mike and Spike use for winter rims? Do you guys use premium 16" Land Rover rims? Or just standard 16" steel rims? I still have not made up my mind as to what I will do about my current 18" rims.... I love the style, but from all the research I've been doing 18" wheels seem to be absolutely pointless! .... I MAY consider trading up my 18" rims for a used set of 16's but not haven't made up my mind yet. Never thought choosing tires and rims would be so frustrating!

And I noticed a black cord wrapped around my brush bar, seems to connect somewhere within the grille, looks like it can be plugged in to a standard house outlet..... anyone know what the hell its for? - maybe someone did me a huge favor and converted it to electric! Lol I've heard that some vehicles have a cord connected so that you can warm up the engine prior to startup on really cold days, but never heard of anything like that on a Discovery II.

 

keep the 18 inch tires and wheels for the summer and mount 16 snows for the winter.
then when the 18 are junk you can replace them with 16'a but you might as well use them up.
heres a set of 6 stock rims on CL Land Rover wheels
Steel wheels get expensive about $80 a wheel but you also have to spend another $100 for new lug nuts, the steelies use different lug nuts.