[denverpete]

Snows on separate rims. All seasons will get you home if it happens to snow before you switch - but I wouldn't dream of running them year-round. The problem is that if you do get all season tires that are fairly decent in the snow - you'll hate them in the summer. I certainly would race on winters when it's dry out but I never felt like I was sliding around either. But there's definately a difference in dry grip between summer, all season, and winters.

I don't know about 18's - but I managed to pick up a set of 17" rims and snow tires last year for under $750 including shipping (Ebay). The rims are identical to my OEM and might even be in a bit better shape (hmmm - note to self - switch rims).....