I agree about the tires and sidewalls, but I'm planning to replace the standard street tires (which frankly suck in anything other than dry roads) with a BFGoodrich KO2 to improve traction in all weather, especially winter. I live in MD and we have snow, so traction is important. I can't put the KO2's on the 19" rims, so the 17" rims have to stay.