For those who swap b/w winter/summer tires

doinoyou79 · 03-25-2010, 10:40 PM

Among those who need to swap between a winter and summer tire setup...

Do you use a chain tire shop (e.g. Discount Tire, Belle Tire)?
Or...an independent tire shop?
Or...the dealer?
Or...DIY?

And, how do you transport the tires/wheels to and from the shop?
Or...does the shop provide storage?

I'm just wondering because it's such a PITA for me to shove 4 tires/wheels into my car and transport them to and from the Discount Tire I use for the swap. Not to mention, it looks kinda silly as I drive the 3 miles between the shop and home with tires in my E92. Am I the only one that does this? Sure, I could throw them in my SUV but that's just as complicated as I need a second driver (i.e. my wife).

Just curious...

Majikthese42 · 03-25-2010, 10:48 PM

NiVeDh · 03-25-2010, 10:50 PM

It's probably better in the long run to have separate wheel/tire setups for winter and summer. That way you can just jack the car up and switch them out yourself.

///M3NACE · 03-25-2010, 10:54 PM

easier solution is trade it in for an XI

chromisdesigns · 03-25-2010, 11:00 PM

When I lived where they had winter (Grin!), I had my winter tires on extra wheels, and just swapped them myself. Of course, my E36 came with a jack and tools...

e90pdto · 03-25-2010, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ihsanshaik

easier solution is trade it in for an XI

It's extremely dangerous running around with summer tires in the winter even with AWD.

AWD doesn't help a single bit when you are trying to stop...

v4voodoo · 03-26-2010, 12:05 AM

All of the above

(Get a jack and a torque wrench and switch them yourself and AWD with summer tires is not a solution for snowy winters)

Sara · 03-26-2010, 12:08 AM

I store mine at the dealership. They charge me, and the average customer $50.00 to store them for the year.
They also provide swapping out winter/summer wheels. They charge the average customer $110.00

TheRox · 03-26-2010, 01:36 AM

wait wait....

I have a 335i XDrive?

I didn't know I can swap my winter for summers wheels by myself with a jack.

Don't the wheels need to be balanced again?

gos · 03-26-2010, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRox

wait wait....

I have a 335i XDrive?

I didn't know I can swap my winter for summers wheels by myself with a jack.

Don't the wheels need to be balanced again?

Seriously?

The balancing is between the wheel and the tire, not the tire and the hub. Just get 2 sets of wheels+tires and you won't need to re-balance unless they wear unevenly for some reason.

I've been swapping my own wheels for 4 years now, it's the only way to roll.

thkfast · 03-26-2010, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiVeDh

It's probably better in the long run to have separate wheel/tire setups for winter and summer. That way you can just jack the car up and switch them out yourself.

And just swap them out yourself with a floor jack on the rear jacking point - both front and rear on one side at a time. I have it down to about a two hour job now. 20 minutes to swap them out and a little over 90 minutes to clean them after a full winter of driving - YUCK!

2kaccordocoupe · 03-26-2010, 06:52 AM

DIY

cotmfk · 03-26-2010, 07:55 AM

Two sets of wheels, swap them yourself. Case closed!

ibeclueless · 03-26-2010, 08:01 AM

buy a jack and do it yourself

2planker · 03-26-2010, 08:30 AM

For three years I've had discount tire swap the rubber from summer to winter on my stock 162's. If I remember, it was $75 each time or $150 a year. I just bag the rubber and throw it in the car. 1 in the trunk and 3 in the back seat, granted I do have the dog seat cover in the back seat so it's pretty protected. But it got to be a pain in the ass and I got sick of throwing them $150 a year and getting minor nicks on my rim, plus one scrap from the impact gun that I didn't catch until a week later. They refused to pay to fix it and that was the last straw. I picked up a new set of summers, torque wrench and a jack. It's so much easier then having to deal with them and frankly in a little over 4 years will have paid for the new set of rims that I bought used.

HJV · 03-26-2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doinoyou79

And, how do you transport the tires/wheels to and from the shop?

Fold down the rear seats and you can fit all four in through the trunk. Just push them upwards so that two are resting on each rear seat, put the third one in as far as it goes, and then put the last one in (needs to be a bit slanted).

Christos · 03-26-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sara504

I store mine at the dealership. They charge me, and the average customer $50.00 to store them for the year.
They also provide swapping out winter/summer wheels. They charge the average customer $110.00

My local Goodyear shop charges $68 tax included for the swapping of tires

Christos · 03-26-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HJV

Fold down the rear seats and you can fit all four in through the trunk. Just push them upwards so that two are resting on each rear seat, put the third one in as far as it goes, and then put the last one in (needs to be a bit slanted).

Exactly my method, wheels/tires are in clear plastic bags though

vasillalov · 03-26-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toattett

It's extremely dangerous running around with summer tires in the winter even with AWD.

AWD doesn't help a single bit when you are trying to stop...

I agree completely!
Not only that but people who drive AWD cars often *think* that they are better off, so they are more cocky on the road. More often than anything you see AWD cars in the ditch during snow blizzards. I drove from Chicago to Denver and back through the biggest snow blizzard in the Midwest this year. I counted 24 cars and 18 SUVs in the ditch. All of the SUVs were AWD and so were most of the cars.

The single most important factor of how to drive successfully in the winter besides proper tires is driver awareness of the road and the capabilities of the car. Overestimate and you will crash!

flip4335 · 03-26-2010, 11:37 AM

I bought totes and felt linings from the dealership @ $19.95+tax a pair or about $40 to keep the dirt off of my seats. Works like a charm.

I, too, have been taking my winters and summers for their semi-annual swap to a local chain tire store for a nominal fee of around $50 per session.

I mentioned to the Service tech that all that was being done was similar to a tire rotation, except that different tires were being rotated, and he agreed. Cost: $11.

Face it, no tire change, no balancing, no nothing...just a mount and torque...except with different tires....

Well, this time around, I went to my buddy's garage and he let me use his tools...FREE!

Agree with those who say DIY...Good practice for when you need to do it on the road...for those without runflats, like me...Hankooks...and a cell phone.

fnckr · 03-26-2010, 12:21 PM

I have two wheel sets and a jack. It's the best way.

Oh, and AWD is not a substitute for winter tires!

cfabluenose · 03-26-2010, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiVeDh

It's probably better in the long run to have separate wheel/tire setups for winter and summer. That way you can just jack the car up and switch them out yourself.

Aren't there challenges wrt finding the proper places to insert the jack on the bottom of the 3 series? Seems to me that there have been tons of postings about this.

03-25-2010, 10:40 PM	#1
doinoyou79 Private First Class 23 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW G05 X5 xDrive50i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 'Burbs of Detroit iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X5 xDrive50i [0.00] 2019 BMW X5 xDrive50i [0.00]	For those who swap b/w winter/summer tires Among those who need to swap between a winter and summer tire setup... Do you use a chain tire shop (e.g. Discount Tire, Belle Tire)? Or...an independent tire shop? Or...the dealer? Or...DIY? And, how do you transport the tires/wheels to and from the shop? Or...does the shop provide storage? I'm just wondering because it's such a PITA for me to shove 4 tires/wheels into my car and transport them to and from the Discount Tire I use for the swap. Not to mention, it looks kinda silly as I drive the 3 miles between the shop and home with tires in my E92. Am I the only one that does this? Sure, I could throw them in my SUV but that's just as complicated as I need a second driver (i.e. my wife). Just curious... __________________ Livin' it up!
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03-25-2010, 10:48 PM	#2
Majikthese42 Philosopher-king 20 Rep 1,113 Posts Drives: 2008 E91 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: People's Republic of New Jersey iTrader: (0)	__________________ E91 6MT Alpine, Terra, Xenons, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, PDC, CA, alarm, M shifter and M brake handle, Euro rear fog light switch, Euro aspheric mirrors, rear power outlets, Garmin nüvi custom cupholder mount, Lidatek, V-1 built-in remote display, tire pump, jack, floor mats.
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03-25-2010, 10:50 PM	#3
NiVeDh Major General 422 Rep 8,003 Posts Drives: '08 E90 335i, '99 E36 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston, TX & Atlanta, GA iTrader: (132) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i Sedan [8.66]	It's probably better in the long run to have separate wheel/tire setups for winter and summer. That way you can just jack the car up and switch them out yourself.
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03-25-2010, 10:54 PM	#4
///M3NACE Banned 168 Rep 3,900 Posts Drives: E36 M3, E36 Vert , E90 N52 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Downers Grove, IL iTrader: (5)	easier solution is trade it in for an XI
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03-25-2010, 11:00 PM	#5
chromisdesigns Lieutenant Colonel 45 Rep 1,754 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i sedan Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	When I lived where they had winter (Grin!), I had my winter tires on extra wheels, and just swapped them myself. Of course, my E36 came with a jack and tools...
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03-26-2010, 12:05 AM	#7
v4voodoo Private 0 Rep 94 Posts Drives: Blue 07 335i Coupe Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: WA iTrader: (0)	All of the above (Get a jack and a torque wrench and switch them yourself and AWD with summer tires is not a solution for snowy winters)
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03-26-2010, 12:08 AM	#8
Sara Lieutenant General 5793 Rep 17,879 Posts Drives: A car Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Nola iTrader: (6)	I store mine at the dealership. They charge me, and the average customer $50.00 to store them for the year. They also provide swapping out winter/summer wheels. They charge the average customer $110.00 Last edited by Sara; 03-26-2010 at 12:16 AM..
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03-26-2010, 01:36 AM	#9
TheRox Colonel 119 Rep 2,312 Posts Drives: 6mt Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Here and there iTrader: (2)	wait wait.... I have a 335i XDrive? I didn't know I can swap my winter for summers wheels by myself with a jack. Don't the wheels need to be balanced again?
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03-26-2010, 06:52 AM	#12
2kaccordocoupe Brigadier General 1274 Rep 4,703 Posts Drives: Former ///M Driver Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The 6ix iTrader: (2)	DIY
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03-26-2010, 07:55 AM	#13
cotmfk Major General 2059 Rep 6,119 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Somewhere between DC and FL iTrader: (12)	Two sets of wheels, swap them yourself. Case closed! __________________ When you say impact instead of affect/effect, you are communicating that you don't understand the difference between the two words, and are too lazy to learn.
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03-26-2010, 08:01 AM	#14
ibeclueless What 141 Rep 9,325 Posts Drives: E92 328xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Quincy, MA iTrader: (1)	buy a jack and do it yourself __________________ E92 328xi Space Gray Aero Lip \| M3 Side Skirts \| CF Performance Spoiler \| ACS Roof \| Gloss Black Grilles \| LUX H8 Angels \| BMW Performance Exhaust My E92 Photos
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03-26-2010, 08:30 AM	#15
2planker Private 0 Rep 71 Posts Drives: 335XI Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (3)	For three years I've had discount tire swap the rubber from summer to winter on my stock 162's. If I remember, it was $75 each time or $150 a year. I just bag the rubber and throw it in the car. 1 in the trunk and 3 in the back seat, granted I do have the dog seat cover in the back seat so it's pretty protected. But it got to be a pain in the ass and I got sick of throwing them $150 a year and getting minor nicks on my rim, plus one scrap from the impact gun that I didn't catch until a week later. They refused to pay to fix it and that was the last straw. I picked up a new set of summers, torque wrench and a jack. It's so much easier then having to deal with them and frankly in a little over 4 years will have paid for the new set of rims that I bought used.
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03-26-2010, 11:37 AM	#20
flip4335 General Nuisance in a Private Conveyance 77 Rep 1,907 Posts Drives: like it's rented Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: behind the wheel iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 BMW e90 335i [7.30]	Totes I bought totes and felt linings from the dealership @ $19.95+tax a pair or about $40 to keep the dirt off of my seats. Works like a charm. I, too, have been taking my winters and summers for their semi-annual swap to a local chain tire store for a nominal fee of around $50 per session. I mentioned to the Service tech that all that was being done was similar to a tire rotation, except that different tires were being rotated, and he agreed. Cost: $11. Face it, no tire change, no balancing, no nothing...just a mount and torque...except with different tires.... Well, this time around, I went to my buddy's garage and he let me use his tools...FREE! Agree with those who say DIY...Good practice for when you need to do it on the road...for those without runflats, like me...Hankooks...and a cell phone. __________________ BMWCCA Member # 414198 \|E90\|SGM\|6MT\|Premium\|Cold\|Sport\|Tint\|LCI MSport Conversion\|MTech\|Blacklines\|219M\|PSS\|Quaife\|Helix FMIC\|M3 Suspension\|Megan Racing\|GC Camber Plates/Coilovers\|Eibach 440/800#\|AR Catted DP\|Cobb AP\|StopTech Drilled/Slotted\|SS Brake Lines\|DWS Quaife Review: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=311570
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03-26-2010, 12:21 PM	#21
fnckr Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 247 Posts Drives: 2006 330i 6mt Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Boonton Twp, NJ iTrader: (0)	I have two wheel sets and a jack. It's the best way. Oh, and AWD is not a substitute for winter tires! __________________ It's Funseeker! I'm all about the good times!
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