Winter tires sizes?

Kanuc · 09-12-2010, 12:35 AM

I have a 2011 335i xdrive with M package (did the ED, excellent). I need to get winter tires and rims. Dealer wants to sell me a "BMW Winter Package" with 17" wheels. I was wondering if there was anything wrong with using the summer M rims (I'd buy another set, they look way better) and tires? One question is that the wheels are different sizes front and back (but they would be same model of tire). I know the cons of lower profile tires for winter, but it is not a concern for me.

F: 225/40/18
R: 255/35/18

Thanks

John 070 · 09-12-2010, 06:06 AM

225/40-18 on all corners is fine, that's what I have. Although -1 is usually recommended, and 255's on the rear is less effective than having 225's, so that's not recommended.

bimmercontrol · 09-12-2010, 06:23 AM

you certainly want to go smaller and narrower. wide tires will not cut through the snow nearly as well.

narrow tires are better for winter as you have more pressure applied to get a better grip. remember that you are not looking for high performance whipping around a track with nice pavement to grip to, you are trying to get any grip you can

id take the 17's for sure ... just not from the stealership, not to advertise but i got a few sets from tirerack and am more than pleased with the pricing and experience.

do some research on the best tires and i would recommend to stay away from the "performance" winter tires, go for real winter tires.

Majikthese42 · 09-12-2010, 07:10 AM

There are 9 pages in my owner's manual about allowable (clearance) tire sizes, wheel sizes and tire pressures by model and suspension.

"Taller and narrower" tire sizes have generally been best in the snow, but when brake sizes began to grow, this began to limit possibilities.

I use base-model 328i size wheels and winter tires -- the narrowest allowable -- with my sports suspension and there are minor clearance issues that I'd attribute to the sports suspension itself.

BenTrovato · 09-12-2010, 08:05 AM

+1 on 225/40-18 on all 4 tires. If it looks too "skinny" for you, put 10mm spacers on the rear.

Kolyan2k · 09-12-2010, 08:54 AM

Narrower vs wider argument is when u are facing a real snow challenge...like in mountains...in this case I would get narrower studless ice snow tires.

I would go wide for better daily traction on wet and dry roads. Combined with high performance tires. < winter that is

Nikolas · 09-12-2010, 10:58 AM

Narrower only applies to driving through fresh snow. On hardpack wider will be better as you are applying a larger contact patch of siped tread.

Kanuc · 09-15-2010, 03:46 AM

Thanks guys. One consideration is that this is a city car only. In Calgary we get 10-12 dumps of snow which are not significant say compared to Eastern seaboard. Side roads turn to hard packed and ice, main roads are completely clean.

I like the idea of the spacers from BenTrovato. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

Thanks

Kanuc · 09-15-2010, 03:43 PM

I talked to the BMW parts guy at my dealer. His response on tire width was that with staggered tires sizes, the rears have to cut through snow if they are wider (or if you have spacers, which if you have same width on 4 corners this goes away. That said, if you are in snow you are slipping around a bit anyways, so the tires never track straight! He did not have a problem with putting in spacers. However, Walt the Tire Rack guy advised against the spacers for "performance and suspension issues".

On the sidewall height issue, Tire Rack guy agreed with me that on RFT, not much impact, whereas the BMW guy said it does affect things a bit.

Question - a good place to buy BMW OEM rims? Dealer quoted $700 /corner! Model 193.

Thanks

Orient330iNYC · 09-15-2010, 04:07 PM

just go with TR.
the rial salernos are very nice, low pressure cast rims made in germany with a 5 year warranty.

OEM quality without the sticker shock.

i'm not convinced, for city winter driving, that narrower tires will show much difference. i'm going with 245/45/17 wintersport 3Ds as NYC is more cold than snow, and if anything, its packed snow.

JayReplay · 09-16-2010, 03:34 AM

Can anyone tell me if 225/40/18 will be okay on a 9" rim?

Gary@TireRack · 09-16-2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayReplay

Can anyone tell me if 225/40/18 will be okay on a 9" rim?

It will mount, but will look very narrow on that wide of a wheel.

scuderias · 10-25-2010, 04:26 AM

I have an E92 328i and I am looking for winter tires. I was thinking of potentially putting 225/55-R17 instead of the stock size 225/45-R17 to give it some extra clearance from the ground. What do you guys think? Would there be any other issues except the difference on the speedometer?

remmib · 10-25-2010, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuderias

I have an E92 328i and I am looking for winter tires. I was thinking of potentially putting 225/55-R17 instead of the stock size 225/45-R17 to give it some extra clearance from the ground. What do you guys think? Would there be any other issues except the difference on the speedometer?

I'm pretty sure 225/55 is too big, 225/50 will probably work though.

Gary@TireRack · 10-26-2010, 09:44 AM

225/55R17 is much too tall. 225/50R17 could rub when snow becomes packed into the tires/fender wells. Stick with the correct size : 225/45R17.

09-12-2010, 12:35 AM	#1
Kanuc Private First Class 17 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 2013 X6M Melbourne Red Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Winter tires sizes? I have a 2011 335i xdrive with M package (did the ED, excellent). I need to get winter tires and rims. Dealer wants to sell me a "BMW Winter Package" with 17" wheels. I was wondering if there was anything wrong with using the summer M rims (I'd buy another set, they look way better) and tires? One question is that the wheels are different sizes front and back (but they would be same model of tire). I know the cons of lower profile tires for winter, but it is not a concern for me. F: 225/40/18 R: 255/35/18 Thanks
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09-12-2010, 06:06 AM	#2
John 070 Lieutenant General 1706 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	225/40-18 on all corners is fine, that's what I have. Although -1 is usually recommended, and 255's on the rear is less effective than having 225's, so that's not recommended.
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09-12-2010, 06:23 AM	#3
bimmercontrol Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 237 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Balkans iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	you certainly want to go smaller and narrower. wide tires will not cut through the snow nearly as well. narrow tires are better for winter as you have more pressure applied to get a better grip. remember that you are not looking for high performance whipping around a track with nice pavement to grip to, you are trying to get any grip you can id take the 17's for sure ... just not from the stealership, not to advertise but i got a few sets from tirerack and am more than pleased with the pricing and experience. do some research on the best tires and i would recommend to stay away from the "performance" winter tires, go for real winter tires.
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09-12-2010, 07:10 AM	#4
Majikthese42 Philosopher-king 20 Rep 1,113 Posts Drives: 2008 E91 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: People's Republic of New Jersey iTrader: (0)	There are 9 pages in my owner's manual about allowable (clearance) tire sizes, wheel sizes and tire pressures by model and suspension. "Taller and narrower" tire sizes have generally been best in the snow, but when brake sizes began to grow, this began to limit possibilities. I use base-model 328i size wheels and winter tires -- the narrowest allowable -- with my sports suspension and there are minor clearance issues that I'd attribute to the sports suspension itself. __________________ 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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09-12-2010, 08:05 AM	#5
BenTrovato Driver 37 Rep 1,577 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (4)	+1 on 225/40-18 on all 4 tires. If it looks too "skinny" for you, put 10mm spacers on the rear.
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09-12-2010, 08:54 AM	#6
Kolyan2k Major General 928 Rep 5,538 Posts Drives: 2006 S2000 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	Narrower vs wider argument is when u are facing a real snow challenge...like in mountains...in this case I would get narrower studless ice snow tires. I would go wide for better daily traction on wet and dry roads. Combined with high performance tires. < winter that is Last edited by Kolyan2k; 09-12-2010 at 11:03 AM..
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09-12-2010, 10:58 AM	#7
Nikolas Colonel 313 Rep 2,576 Posts Drives: 996 TT Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sierra Mountains iTrader: (0)	Narrower only applies to driving through fresh snow. On hardpack wider will be better as you are applying a larger contact patch of siped tread.
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09-15-2010, 03:46 AM	#8
Kanuc Private First Class 17 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 2013 X6M Melbourne Red Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys. One consideration is that this is a city car only. In Calgary we get 10-12 dumps of snow which are not significant say compared to Eastern seaboard. Side roads turn to hard packed and ice, main roads are completely clean. I like the idea of the spacers from BenTrovato. Anyone have any thoughts on that? Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-15-2010, 03:43 PM	#9
Kanuc Private First Class 17 Rep 165 Posts Drives: 2013 X6M Melbourne Red Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Tire Rack and BMW Dealer Comments; Where to Buy OEM Rims I talked to the BMW parts guy at my dealer. His response on tire width was that with staggered tires sizes, the rears have to cut through snow if they are wider (or if you have spacers, which if you have same width on 4 corners this goes away. That said, if you are in snow you are slipping around a bit anyways, so the tires never track straight! He did not have a problem with putting in spacers. However, Walt the Tire Rack guy advised against the spacers for "performance and suspension issues". On the sidewall height issue, Tire Rack guy agreed with me that on RFT, not much impact, whereas the BMW guy said it does affect things a bit. Question - a good place to buy BMW OEM rims? Dealer quoted $700 /corner! Model 193. Thanks
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-15-2010, 04:07 PM	#10
Orient330iNYC Brigadier General 1469 Rep 3,556 Posts Drives: 2023 X7 40i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wall St iTrader: (2)	just go with TR. the rial salernos are very nice, low pressure cast rims made in germany with a 5 year warranty. OEM quality without the sticker shock. i'm not convinced, for city winter driving, that narrower tires will show much difference. i'm going with 245/45/17 wintersport 3Ds as NYC is more cold than snow, and if anything, its packed snow. __________________ Present: 2023 G07 40i ZDH/ZDU/ZMP/ZMQ/2NH/ZPK/ZPP/ZRC/300/3AC Past: 2013 335i 6MT ZMM/ZDH/ZTP/3AG/494/508 Past: 2016 F34 335i xDrive ZCW/ZDA/ZDH/ZTP/ZMP/2V5/5DL Past: 2019 G01 M40i ZDA/2VF/ZPP/ZPX/688/3AC
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09-16-2010, 03:34 AM	#11
JayReplay Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,523 Posts Drives: E46 M3 6MT Sunroof Delete Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: River Forest, IL iTrader: (18)	Can anyone tell me if 225/40/18 will be okay on a 9" rim? __________________ 2002 Laguna Seca Blue E46 M3 6MT 2017 White C63 AMG Coupe 2002 Oxford Green E46 M3 6MT - Sold
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10-25-2010, 04:26 AM	#13
scuderias Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Russia iTrader: (0)	I have an E92 328i and I am looking for winter tires. I was thinking of potentially putting 225/55-R17 instead of the stock size 225/45-R17 to give it some extra clearance from the ground. What do you guys think? Would there be any other issues except the difference on the speedometer?
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10-26-2010, 09:44 AM	#15
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	225/55R17 is much too tall. 225/50R17 could rub when snow becomes packed into the tires/fender wells. Stick with the correct size : 225/45R17. __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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