I am looking to purchase an S60 AWD. I have been told that the 17" wheels are not as good in the snow and may require snow tires. Any thoughts?

I have a 2002 S60 AWD with the 17" wheels. I live in Denver and drove in the snow today (maybe 4 - 6", not real heavy). The wider 17" wheel will tend to float more in snow than the 16" standard wheel, however, I have been very happy with the performance of the 17" wheel w/ the provided all-season tire (Pirelli P6) in the snow. I debated which wheel to get, but decided I liked the looks of the Thor wheel more than the standard wheel and I don't regret my decision.

17" snow tires do exist, but size options are much more limited. i think the new s60 uses a larger 17" tire than the former 850/70 series, so it shouldn't be as hard to find tires for it. if there is no reason for u to use 17" rims, e.g. big brake kits that require 17", then keep the 17" for the summer, put on an awesome set of summer tires, and get 15" or 16" winter tires. this may save ur rims from some of the salt on the road during the winter. if u have light snow and u don't wanna have to swap tires/wheels twice a year, then an all-season tire wouldn't fair too badly. there are a few new ones, even though u might wanna wait for prices to drop on the new ones.

I have an 850-R with stock 17's. I had to get another set of wheels 15" to run snows on. The 17's are not good in snow. They don't make 17" snow tires at least that I know of, and besides, they wouldn't be worth the price you would have to pay.

850Rs did not come with all season tires (17" rims); S60AWDs with 17" rims come with M+S rated tires.

Yannis
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2001 V70 T-5M SR, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., ipd ECU Upgrade, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17' 'Tethys' alloys

Maybe you misunderstood what I said. My car did come stock with 17" wheels including a 17" spare. At one time I wondered if there was a snow tire made for a 17" wheel. I now know that one is made, but it is unGodly expensive. I know the 17" tire is not all season--but a pure performance tire.

Rick 97 850-R

True...I just got confused by the header "17" wheels on the S60AWD", thinking that is what you have.

Yannis
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2001 V70 T-5M SR, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., ipd ME7 ECU Upgrade, K&N Air Filter, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17' 'Tethys' alloys