[NorwegianBlue]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Cross climate is basically all-season, right? All-season is a good compromise for most which don’t see extreme weathers. Or maybe I should be it is jack of all trade kind of tire. For your 45e, depending on option, you may already have all-seasons, if so no need to swap to another brand of all-season

Nope -- there's a new category of tire introduced in the past few years called all-weather, and the Cross-Climates are in that category. It's similar to all-seasons, except the winter traction has been upped significantly. In fact, they carry the three mountain/snowflake symbol that winter tires have, so you can drive on mountain roads even when the conditions require winter tires. Some models, like the Cross-Climate, apparently have winter traction that are almost as good as dedicated winter tires, but with better handling and tread wear.

I've never liked all-seasons because they really weren't good at anything, particularly winter traction. All-weathers supposedly have solved this problem. I'm looking forward to seeing if this is really the case.

My X5 has summer tires, so I'll need to swap them out because even though we don't get snow often, freezing weather is not at all uncommon, including occasional forays into single-digit territory.

[jad03060]

One thing that can crop up where you may not get much snow is black ice. Hassle with that stuff is it's hard to detect until you can't stop or slide off a curve! All it takes is the right relative humidity, dew point, and temperature. A little dew on the roadway when it might get below freezing as the sun goes down, and it can get dicey very quickly with little warning.

I was driving in SW Germany one evening. It had been drizzling most of the day, so the roads were wet. That area has some hills. It was above freezing most of the time, but as I climbed up the hills, it was down to freezing, and the roads became icy...no visual indication except for the multiple vehicles in the ditches. This happened more than once as I traveled home. Having good tires (and being aware of the situation - not many vehicles then had external temperature sensors) can make a huge difference in safety. All-wheel drive does nothing to help you stop.

Snow and thicker ice is easier to see. This video shows four different tires on ice:
2 all-season
1 all-weather
1 winter tire

The differences are significant. Living where I live, and with my steep driveway, to keep from sliding into the highway at the end, I chose some Nokian R3 winter tires. Yes, I have to swap them out each season, but I feel better about leaving and getting back up that hill to home. It depends on what your risk tolerance is and the conditions you may encounter.

[streborx]

I run Yokohama Geolander all terrain (A/T) tires that are 3 peak snowflake (3PSF) rated year round in Colorado on my G550, and they work great. Quiet on dry pavement and excellent traction on snow. They are a much better "all season" tire than any tire labeled all season. Treadwear is good also - they're down 2/32 after 15K miles (warranty is 60K). I clock only 5K miles a year so flipping tire sets every 2500 miles would be more hassle than benefit. My X7 gets stored during winter months so it has the OE tires on it all the time.

[streborx]

Originally Posted by jad03060

One thing that can crop up where you may not get much snow is black ice. Hassle with that stuff is it's hard to detect until you can't stop or slide off a curve! All it takes is the right relative humidity, dew point, and temperature. A little dew on the roadway when it might get below freezing as the sun goes down, and it can get dicey very quickly with little warning.

I was driving in SW Germany one evening. It had been drizzling most of the day, so the roads were wet. That area has some hills. It was above freezing most of the time, but as I climbed up the hills, it was down to freezing, and the roads became icy...no visual indication except for the multiple vehicles in the ditches. This happened more than once as I traveled home. Having good tires (and being aware of the situation - not many vehicles then had external temperature sensors) can make a huge difference in safety. All-wheel drive does nothing to help you stop.

Snow and thicker ice is easier to see. This video shows four different tires on ice:
2 all-season
1 all-weather
1 winter tire

The differences are significant. Living where I live, and with my steep driveway, to keep from sliding into the highway at the end, I chose some Nokian R3 winter tires. Yes, I have to swap them out each season, but I feel better about leaving and getting back up that hill to home. It depends on what your risk tolerance is and the conditions you may encounter.

Black ice! Here in Colorado, it's extremely common and doesn't require any "perfect storm" circumstances. We get plenty of sun year round, and in the winter when air temps are below freezing road surfaces stay warm from the sun. Wind blows snow across the pavement and it melts and stays wet, until the sun drops behind an obstruction. Black ice forms within minutes.

Still waiting to hear from someone whose lane keeping assist kicks in on black ice.

[oldguy00]

I decided to save some $$ and went with these for my winter rims:

https://pmctire.com/wheels/6826778558644

and Micheline Latitude Alpin tires.

I'm in Canada, and ordered it all from PMC Tire, went very smooth, and they look great.

[Paul-in-MA]

Originally Posted by streborx

Black ice! Here in Colorado, it's extremely common and doesn't require any "perfect storm" circumstances. We get plenty of sun year round, and in the winter when air temps are below freezing road surfaces stay warm from the sun. Wind blows snow across the pavement and it melts and stays wet, until the sun drops behind an obstruction. Black ice forms within minutes.

This exact same thing happens in Vermont. The road looks wet and there is a mist coming off the cars in front of you, until suddenly you notice there is no mist. Then you're driving on black ice and try not to make any sudden moves as you slow down. (This is when I miss manual transmissions) That is also when you really appreciate Nokian winter tires and can't imagine driving in winter without them.

[streborx]

Originally Posted by oldguy00

I decided to save some $$ and went with these for my winter rims:

https://pmctire.com/wheels/6826778558644

and Micheline Latitude Alpin tires.

I'm in Canada, and ordered it all from PMC Tire, went very smooth, and they look great.

A sensible decision IMO -- You'll congratulate yourself when winter hands you a ding to one of them and you can shrug it off with no despair.

[germanroots]

Limited all-season winter options for those of us with 22" wheels. I debated getting a 20" setup for winter as I have in the past, but ultimately decided to go with the Pirelli Scorpion Winter product. Reviews appear to be good…will report back in a few months when the snow falls.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by MoshiTo

Would that fit?
BMW staggered reps in hyper black (5x120). 275/40/20’s in the front. 315/35/20’s at the rear. Winter tread are in good condition less than one winter season used.


Thanks

Wait, BMW stager is this, right
Front: 275/40/21
Rear: 315/35/21

For 20", the number should be
Front: 275/45/20
Rear: 275/45/20 or 305/40/20 if you need stager

All of these setups have the same outer diameter.

By going to 275/40R20, you are reducing outter radius, which will result in speedo and odo mismatch. Not sure if there are other effects.

[jad03060]

Stick to an OEM wheel and tire size AND load capacity, and you will be okay. The X5 requires a tire with XL load capacity, or you risk a blowout. the user's manual lists all of the OEM sizes. Stray from those, and you could have issues.

[talisman2208]

Don't mean to get side tracked but do you guys usually keep rims and swap tires between summer and winter or buy a whole new set of rims?

[ST3]

Originally Posted by talisman2208

Don't mean to get side tracked but do you guys usually keep rims and swap tires between summer and winter or buy a whole new set of rims?

Second set. Every time for me=two sets of wheels/tires

[ConservativeConsumer]

Originally Posted by ST3

Second set. Every time for me=two sets of wheels/tires

+1! That's the best way of doing it.

As far as winter tires choices, I am always selecting options with more rubber and less alloy and stick to the narrower tires. To me, tires functionality gains are way above appearance.

[mopaman]

A second set with a square narrower set up would be the ideal complement to the staggered summers.

I used to switch between all season and winters on an E46 330ci with staggered wheels and RWD. It worked for a few years till I got the SAV. I got caught once in unexpected heavy snow with the wrong all season set once. Not terrible, but not ideal. Also, the tire company I used damaged or misplaced tires a couple of times and surreptitiously replaced them with another brand, so I ended up with mismatched sets. Once I only found out the following season since I just took home the wrapped up tires that had just been "taken off". (had to go up the corporate ladder to get that remedied).

There is the argument that mounting tires 2x a year wears the rims. I don't know. It could work though for some time if you don't want the expense of new rims you may not need in a couple years.

If you already have staggered tires/rims, getting staggered snows might be more expensive and harder to get, and can't be rotated for wear.

[sbc-yyc]

I got 275/45 R20 110V Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 mounted on Replika R253 rims for my '21 X5 with M Sport brakes. They look quite similar to the 809M wheels, just in a different finish. Took the car out for a long-ish test drive over 550 kms of highway driving over freezing conditions, and I'm happy to report that the Michelins performed admirably. Unbelievably silent, super comfortable, and very little drop off in terms of handling compared to the stock 21 inch Craptinental RFTs.

Will report more as the season progresses.

[X6ix GTA]

Originally Posted by sbc-yyc

I got 275/45 R20 110V Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 mounted on Replika R253 rims for my '21 X5 with M Sport brakes. They look quite similar to the 809M wheels, just in a different finish. Took the car out for a long-ish test drive over 550 kms of highway driving over freezing conditions, and I'm happy to report that the Michelins performed admirably. Unbelievably silent, super comfortable, and very little drop off in terms of handling compared to the stock 21 inch Craptinental RFTs.

Will report more as the season progresses.

Beautiful rims. Noticed you got the bmw wheel center caps . I just got the Replika R233, not as nice as the R254 though. We have a few weeks to go in Toronto before the weather is cool enough for the winters tires to be put on.

[eelnoraa]

Yes, very nice looking rims.

[MoshiTo]

Ok I think I found the rims for my winter set, bolt pattern is 5x112 so that’s good.
Offset a previous member told me to be sure to have enough offset since I have M sport brakes, the seller told me they offer 30, 32 or 35.
Which one should I go for?
Thank you

[X6ix GTA]

Originally Posted by MoshiTo

Ok I think I found the rims for my winter set, bolt pattern is 5x112 so that’s good.
Offset a previous member told me to be sure to have enough offset since I have M sport brakes, the seller told me they offer 30, 32 or 35.
Which one should I go for?
Thank you

Yup that's the right bolt pattern. As for offset, 35 or less should be fine. The wheel I ended up getting has a 35 offset. I'd also confirm with the seller.

[MoshiTo]

Originally Posted by X6ix GTA

Yup that's the right bolt pattern. As for offset, 35 or less should be fine. The wheel I ended up getting has a 35 offset. I'd also confirm with the seller.

Thank you!
I will take those in 32.

[X6ix GTA]

Originally Posted by MoshiTo

Thank you!
I will take those in 32.

Looks nice 👍. Is that a Replika R233 by any chance? Look identical to what I got in gunmetal finish.

[emuu101]

Originally Posted by sbc-yyc

I got 275/45 R20 110V Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 mounted on Replika R253 rims for my '21 X5 with M Sport brakes. They look quite similar to the 809M wheels, just in a different finish. Took the car out for a long-ish test drive over 550 kms of highway driving over freezing conditions, and I'm happy to report that the Michelins performed admirably. Unbelievably silent, super comfortable, and very little drop off in terms of handling compared to the stock 21 inch Craptinental RFTs.

Will report more as the season progresses.

Hi. I am also seriously considering getting the Replika R253 rims too. Would you mind sharing a photo of how it looks on your car (a zoomed out shot)?

Thank you!