[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by Pumxee

Hey - I actually cancelled that order because I was able to to find two better deals online.

Wanted to get your opinion on them before pulling the trigger on either.

Both will cost about $3000.

Option 1: 20inch rims on Michellin Alipne Pa5 winter tires
275/45/20 on the front
305/40/20 on the rear
[IMG]https://cdn.pmctire.com/live-media/c...rd_machine.jpg[/IMG]


Option 2: 21inch rims on Continental ContiWinterContact Tires
275/40/21 on the front
305/35/21 on the rear
[IMG]https://partsengine.s3.ca-central-1....dium/81727.jpg[/IMG]

Guess my question is regarding which would be a better winter setup? The 20inch rims on the alpin 5's or the 21inch rims on the conti's (I can also get these on the alpin 5s? So really it's just a question about wether 20's are better or 21's for the winter? Is there a big difference between a 275/45/20 and a 275/40/21 in terms or ride quality, comfort, grip, damage from packed snow/ice?

In the winter, you want plenty of rubber height. That means smaller and narrower rims that still meet car fitment and rolling radius requirements. I am using 20" square setup (with appropriate spacers) and Blizzak tires (my favourite winter tire for a long, long time). Had I known at the time that 19" rims would have fit the brakes (bloody BMW Canada and their bullshit nonsense), I would have gone for 19" for the winter.

I think above gives my opinion :-).

[Pumxee]

Originally Posted by LexxM3

In the winter, you want plenty of rubber height. That means smaller and narrower rims that still meet car fitment and rolling radius requirements. I am using 20" square setup (with appropriate spacers) and Blizzak tires (my favourite winter tire for a long, long time). Had I known at the time that 19" rims would have fit the brakes (bloody BMW and their bullshit nonsense), I would have gone for 19" for the winter.

I think above gives my opinion :-).

Is it not okay to have a staggered setup for the winter? I don't want to do spacers but love the staggered look.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by Pumxee

Is it not okay to have a staggered setup for the winter? I don't want to do spacers but love the staggered look.

Staggered is fine, but square setup has two advantages: a) it lets you rotate the tires every season for better, even wear (that probably gives you an extra season on them than otherwise), and b) narrower square setup also allows higher aspect ratio (more rubber) in the rear.

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by Pumxee

Is it not okay to have a staggered setup for the winter? I don't want to do spacers but love the staggered look.

FWIW, here is my 20" square setup with spacers to get stock positions.

[Pumxee]

Originally Posted by LexxM3

FWIW, here is my 20" square setup with spacers to get stock positions.

Thanks, it looks good! What're the spacers isn't the rear?

I ordered a square setup today with 275/45/21's all round. It's a slightly larger tire for more sidewalk but to maintain the 21inch rim

[LexxM3]

Originally Posted by Pumxee

Thanks, it looks good! What're the spacers isn't the rear?

I ordered a square setup today with 275/45/21's all round. It's a slightly larger tire for more sidewalk but to maintain the 21inch rim

My spacers are sized to my wheels' specific offsets, nothing standard so my numbers won't help anyone. They are calculated to produce exactly stock rim positions.

[Maximus2002]

Originally Posted by Pumxee

Thanks, it looks good! What're the spacers isn't the rear?

I ordered a square setup today with 275/45/21's all round. It's a slightly larger tire for more sidewalk but to maintain the 21inch rim

Some pictures of your wheels and tires would be great

[Pumxee]

Originally Posted by Maximus2002

Some pictures of your wheels and tires would be great

I actually ended up going with 275/45/20's for the front and 305/40/20's for the rear.

[Duckysaurus]

Saw this thread and wasn't too sure about sizing.

I have 742Ms that came with my X5 (22x9.5 front, 22x10.5 rears).

Indy wheel retailer is telling me I can fit my current tires on the rims I'm interested in (22x10.5 front + 22x11.5 rear)
Front: 275/35/22
Rear: 315/30/22

Is this true? Would I have to worry about wear to my transfer case? Or it's perfectly safe?

Thanks in advance.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by Duckysaurus

Saw this thread and wasn't too sure about sizing.

I have 742Ms that came with my X5 (22x9.5 front, 22x10.5 rears).

Indy wheel retailer is telling me I can fit my current tires on the rims I'm interested in (22x10.5 front + 22x11.5 rear)
Front: 275/35/22
Rear: 315/30/22

Is this true? Would I have to worry about wear to my transfer case? Or it's perfectly safe?

Thanks in advance.

For each wheel width, there is a range of tire width fitment. Specific wheel and specific tires will shift the range a little, but usually impact the edge combination.

For 275 width tire, and 10.5" wide wheel. They will fit. They are the nominal fitment values. In fact, BMW fitted 275mm on 9" wheel on the 20" setup, tire is on the wide edge of the fitment.

For 315 width tire, and 11.5" wide wheel. They should also fit. Again BMW fitted 315mm on 10.5" wheel, tire is on the wide edge of the fitment.

Wheel and tire aside, please also check offset.