Tire question - 2016 Legacy Limited

[-andrew-]

Hi everyone,

 

Been enjoying my Legacy for a little over a year now... starting to think a bit about replacement tires.

 

First, I'm looking for recommendations for good winter tires. The ones it came with are ok-ish, but I'd like something with a bit more meaningful tread.

 

Next - I don't mind switching between winter and summer tires. However, I am wondering if anyone has replaced the stock tires with anything a bit higher profile, and, if so, how this might affect performance (if it's even possible).

 

Can the rims / tires be replaced to get higher profile? It may be that higher profile tires would work to get deeper tread for winter.

 

Thanks!

[Fiatz79]

Using 225/55R-17 Bone Blizzak WS80

17X7.5 Sport Eedition P2 Wheels from Tire Rack.

Very happy.

[-andrew-]

Thanks!

 

Anyone have any ideas about going to a higher profile tire?

[Pronto]

My summer tires are the original tires the car was purchased with on the OEM 18" rim.

My winters are Blizzak WS80 on a smaller rim (17").

 

Because I went down to 17" for my winter tires I have a larger profile on them.

 

Not sure if this is what you're looking for.

[WILLINH]

Has any one put Michelin Premier A/S? Ordered some from my local tire dealer.

[SubieN8]

Has any one put Michelin Premier A/S? Ordered some from my local tire dealer.

 

Although, the ride and handling are great, it wears very prematurely.

[Pilot1226]

If you go to a higher profile tire, you will lose some agility and cornering ability. But, you'll gain stiffness that won't translate into noise-vibration-hardness into the cabin.

 

I "downsized" my 09 Legacy from P215/45R17's to P205/55R16's. The original rims got so damaged and pounded with potholes, I decided to go to steelies, which were 16's. I got a slightly better ride, but I think a lot of that was because my rims weren't "skipping" due to them not being perfectly round.

 

Just make sure you can clear the calipers if you downsize. It's a very common thing for winters.

 

You'll have a TPMS light on if you can't clone the OEM sensors because it won't have the ability to communicate with them.

 

If you're looking for all-seasons, which I ran on my Legacy and run presently on my Outback, even in winter (and never had a problem), I love my Continentals. They've been great.

 

09 Legacy, purchased in August of 2008:

OEM Yokohamas, didn't like them, replaced when low tread.

Bridgestone Potenza Grid P205/50R17's in 2012. They were better than OEM but not very durable, had lots of pothole issues/replacements.

Continental PureContact P205/55R16's in January 2016. Replaced because of sidewall problems on the Bridgestones. Changed to 16" steelies here.

 

11 Outback, purchased in April 2011:

OEM Continental ContiProContacts P225/60R17, replaced when worn. They were okay.

Continental TrueContact P225/60R17, January 2015. These have been pretty good so far. Good winter performance - never wished I had a winter tire (yet.)

 

I also considered the Michelin Premier A/S and Pirelli Cinturato P7 A/S's. I'd probably go Pirelli's next time around, they have slightly higher marks at the cost of slightly less tread life.

[SubieN8]

Pirelli Cinturato P7 A/S's are fantastic. On my 2015 2.5, I replaced my OEM set at 5k mi with these. I will get these again, once I'm ready to replace the OEM set on my 2018.

[Jdog81]

michelin pilot sport a/s 3+, outstanding tire and available at costco.

[vtdog]

Change the tire size in your search to 225/55/18, instead of the OEM 225/50/18 and you will find many more options. The size change is so small it will not make a diferenc to fit, but many more tires are available in the substituted size