I have a set of 185/65 R15 snow tires on steelies though I have not put them on the Volvo the last few years, since the winters have not been that bad, and I don't ultra-marathon commute any more. Skinny snow tires definitely work best in snow -- and are worst on dry pavement.

Volvo ditched the recommendation for the 185/65 R15s after they started equipping their cars with brakes that wouldn't clear inside 15 inch wheels. My "summer" tires are Michelin Pilot Sport AS in 205/55 R16 and they clear the wheel wells, although that particular tire won't fit in the spare tire well -- I keep a spare from a different manufacturer there and it fits.

My winter tires on the BMW are 205/55 R16s, too -- which are the smallest, skinniest tires that BMW recommends. That size should do okay in winter snow. I don't know why you're hitting the wheel wells --did you check the bump stops?

-BtC

'98 V70 T5 202K mi., 5-speed manual, original clutch, third evaporator, third windshield, heated velour cloth comfy chairs, factory HD suspension (1998 only), Bilstein HD, front IPD stabilizer bar, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, XC grill, C70 jewel E-Codes, V-1, Lidatek, IPD stuff, JB Weld, Original Duck Tape, zip-ties, Mobil-1 since new.

'08 BMW 328iT 6-speed manual; considerably fewer miles...