Winter wheels better than stock
 

I just installed my winter tire/wheel set from Tire Rack and just thought I would post a photo. The wheels are 18" x 8" BE GTS-AV in hyper silver. The tires are Bridgestone Blizzak WS70's.

I really like the look... much better than the stock 18's. For one, the finish really matches nicely with the chrome trim. Second, they are lighter (in weight) and look it. If I thought I would keep my Q5 for more than a year or two, I think I would swap the tires and use the BE's for warm weather. Unfortunately, I'm already considering other options due to the lack of refinement in the power train (mainly the transmission). I'm taking the Q5 in this upcoming Thursday to have the adaptation software reset. Fingers crossed.

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I think the tread of the tires gives the car a little "tougher" look which I like. Great tire by the way. Incredible difference in winter traction.

I really like the look of those for an 18". Nice wheel design!

I noticed that too. The stock Continentals have a very shallow tread and the difference with the Blizzaks was obvious.

I've been using snow tires for about 10 years now and would not go back to running all seasons during winter. This is my first set of Blizzaks though.

I had a little bit of a surprise when I started to mount the second wheel. I noticed the Blizzaks were directional. And of course it was my luck that I put the first wheel on the wrong side. Well, at least I noticed it before I had them all mounted.

Thanks... kind of a shame to put them thru a Wisconsin winter.

Not bad looking wheels but I prefer something easier to clean in the winter.
It'll be a PITA to get in between those spokes. We're using our stock 19" 5 spokes for winter and picking up some 20s for the summer.

I agree that these wheels won't be the easiest to clean, but than nothing stays clean very long during our messy winters. I'll probably wait until I take them off in Spring to give them a good cleaning. Otherwise, the touchless car wash will have to suffice for the winter.

Also, on the 2014's (mine at least), I've not noticed any brake dust on the wheels. Quite a change from my A3.