I've always chosen smaller diameter wheels for winter driving. This is for several reasons: You save a beating on your summer wheels, you gain access to better winter tire fitments, and by downsizing you can increase the amount of clearance in the wheel well for snow. Word to the wise: narrow soft winter-specific tires are much better in deep snow than any fat tires. Same for those who live in rainy areas -- some of the best rain-specific tires may be narrower than your summer tire preference. In either case, when the roads are messy, you need sidewall compliance; huge diameter rims often actually hurt performance off the smooth dry tarmac.

 

One more thought: please don't buy studded tires unless you live on solid ice. Proper soft-compound winter tires with siping instead of studs are actually better in practically all conditions except hard glare ice. For the vast majority of us, you don't actually have to ever drive on sheet ice. Take a day off when that ice day happens instead of grinding away your roads all winter long.

 

If you live in Eastern Washington you have studs on all wheels. The roads show it, too. The tires create trenches that then fill with water and freeze. The studs slip and slide in the rain but in their element claw their way through.

 

...not to mention the NIOSE that studded tires make. (I drove on studded tires a couple of seasons back in the '70s)

They're BEST on ice - but how often do people actually go out and try to drive on ice covered roads?


Smaller diameter wheels for the winter - saves on tire cost and, with the second set of rims, you're not at the mercy of tire stores
when ti comes time to do a swap over from summer to winter/winter to summer twice a year.


Good luck!

 

Can we assume that previous years Macans that had 18" wheels will fit on a 22 S?

 

Nokian makes Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV winter tires in your OEM 21" sizes - I am using them on 20" rims and they are great winter tires.

Nokian Tyres Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV - Peace of mind for the Northern winter / Nokian Tyres

A Nordic winter tyre designed for high-performance sport utility vehicles, providing enjoyable driving feel and much-needed stability. Comes with Aramid Sidewalls, which protect the tyre from impacts and cuts, ensuring durability and peace of mind.

www.nokiantyres.com

 

In Poland is light winter, sometimes its snow sometimes is icy road but rarely. Potholes are the same in winter and summer. Can someone advise me.. are the 21's 295/35 and 265/40 rims much less comfortable than 20' 265/45 i 295/40 ? does anyone have experience? IN my opinion it will be not noticeable because Macan 2022 GTS have pneumatic suspension..

 

I have AS on my 2019 S with 21" Spyders with summer tires and 20" Classic Turbo replicas for winter with Hakkapeliitta R3 SUV winter tires.
I like my summer ride a lot - 99% of time I am riding with lowered position on AS and Sport in PASM.
My winter ride is noticeably softer but I don't think it's rim size - it's the tires.
IMHO, if you don't have winter potholes issues and you want to re-use your OEM GTS rims or just get another set in 21" for winter you'll be perfectly fine.

 

problem is with 21's winter wheels, there is no N spec wheel for winter for Macan in 21'

 

Updated the wheel size from 21 foot (21') to 21 inch (21") - unless you really do want 21 foot diameter wheels (!!!) That would
support some pretty serious off-roading activity!!

Especially for the pothole issue, a 20" setup would help with both ride comfort - even with AS - and the survivability of the wheels/tires.
20" wheels & tires seem to co$t significantly less than 21" components as well.


Good luck!