I have a 2013 XF 3.0 AWD with stock 19" wheels - I am considering purchasing 18" wheels to mount winter tires on because there is considerably more choice in tires at 18" Some places say yes that is okay, and some say no. There appears to be ample room between rim and caliper to make that work - has anyone else done that, results? Any reason NOT to?
I am going snow tire because I live in the Rocky Mountains and past experience say yes, an all season tire works great the first winter, but not the 2nd so having 2 sets of wheels and summer - winter tires has made the most sense to me in the 37 years I've lived here, even with AWD and even when I ran an Audi quattro.
I appreciate any thoughts, and also on TPMS - if installed on new wheels is there more I have to do other than bolt my wheels on?
Thank you

 

Sorry for the late response, I just saw your post when responding to another.
I suffered the same angst as you, but the older, 18 X 8 XJ rims I purchased worked perfectly. I had an initial problem with the aftermarket TPMS valves (functioning / not functioning / functioning / not functioning) but they eventually worked themselves out. And yes, even with AWD, dedicated winters are definitely the way to go, both in traction but especially for durability when hitting those hidden snow filled potholes. Money well spent.