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[solaraxis]

I have a 335i coupe with sp. pkg and I was hoping that you guys can give me some advise. I was thinking about not buying new rims for winter and just using the stock wheels that come with the car and just putting some 18" winter rubber on it and in the summer change them back.

What are the disadvantages to doing that? would 18" winter rubber be ok? Keep in mind I live in Alberta canada and we get some pretty good snow here.

thank you

[truebluetitan]

I don't have a BMW (yet), but just put 18 Blizzaks on my RX-8 again yesterday. I had them on last year and had absolutely no problems getting around the city. Whether it was a snow dusting or several inches of untouched snow, the car just went. With traction control, snow tires, and a little extra weight in the trunk you should be able to go anywhere...within reason.

[FatSal]

Originally Posted by solaraxis

I have a 335i coupe with sp. pkg and I was hoping that you guys can give me some advise. I was thinking about not buying new rims for winter and just using the stock wheels that come with the car and just putting some 18" winter rubber on it and in the summer change them back.

What are the disadvantages to doing that? would 18" winter rubber be ok? Keep in mind I live in Alberta canada and we get some pretty good snow here.

thank you

I spoke to my CA regarding this same issue. He told me it wasn't good for Run Flat Tires to take them on and off repeatedly. He said because the sidewall is so stiff, it is very easy to damage the tires during mounting/dismounting.

I'm not sure if this is a bunch of BS, but I would like to hear if anyone has been told the same thing.

Regarding 18" winter tires, I had 17" Blizzaks on my Audi TT and I thought they were incredible. I can't imagine one more inch would make a difference.

[doinoyou79]

i've been facing this dilemma for the past 2 weeks too. but i finally made my decision yesterday. went to discount tire and ordered a set of Hankook W300 winters in the 18" staggered fitment of the stock 330i w/ sport package. i told the sales dude that i was gonna get an extra set of style 195 OEM wheels from bmw.autowebaccessories.com for this winter set and he said i didn't necessarily have to do that. since they can switch over for free every season, he asked why i didn't just keep them on the stock 162s. i asked him about the impression that mounting/unmounting tires (esp. run-flats) could damage the wheel, tire, or both over time. he said with the touchless mounting equipment used by reputable tire dealers, it's very unlikely. again, i wasn't sure if this was BS or not. but to be safe, i still went ahead and got the tires and the wheels. that way, i'd have an extra set of OEM wheels too, if the need ever arises to use them for summer or winter. plus, i'm planning on getting the Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozeros available in RFT and in the staggered stock sizes when they become available in the near future. for the time being, i'll just get a cheap spare to throw in the trunk for "shit happens" and for the extra weight.

[DJF3]

Hi,

I have a 325i with Styling 162 wheels. These come with Run-Flat tires. Now I want to change the rubber to Winter tires.

-Do I *have* to switch to RUN-FLAT winter tires or can I use regular winter tires?

-Do run-flat winter-tires exist in the following size:
front: 8.0Jx18 inch 225/40 R18
back: 8.5Jx18 inch 255/35 R18

-How do I know if a tire (for example) Michelin XXXXX/etc/etc is a runflat tire? Is there a special code for run-flat tires that I can recognize?

Thankyou!
bye
DJ

[bmwmike]

Originally Posted by solaraxis

I have a 335i coupe with sp. pkg and I was hoping that you guys can give me some advise. I was thinking about not buying new rims for winter and just using the stock wheels that come with the car and just putting some 18" winter rubber on it and in the summer change them back.

What are the disadvantages to doing that? would 18" winter rubber be ok? Keep in mind I live in Alberta canada and we get some pretty good snow here.

thank you

If you are looking for run flat winter tires for that size you won't find it this year in Canada or the U.S. I tried and all i could find is all season tires in Edmonton at Kal Tire in that size (not really good for winter ice). I was going to buy 4 of the 189 style rims in the 8.0 size and put 225x40x18's all around but now i can't do it. You're in the same boat as me, probably having to go to skimpy wimpy sissy looking 17's.

[solaraxis]

I was talking to a guy from a tire shop in town and he said the only winter tire you will find in 225/40r18 and 255/35 r18 would be the Blizzaks LM 25. These are non-RFT but from people on this forum, they say the ride is better without RFT's.

I think I am going to go with a set of those and use the wheel all year round.

I was just wondering how it will affect the car or the ride if I went to a 18" winter tire rather than the 17" winters.

Originally Posted by bmwmike

If you are looking for run flat winter tires for that size you won't find it this year in Canada or the U.S. I tried and all i could find is all season tires in Edmonton at Kal Tire in that size (not really good for winter ice). I was going to buy 4 of the 189 style rims in the 8.0 size and put 225x40x18's all around but now i can't do it. You're in the same boat as me, probably having to go to skimpy wimpy sissy looking 17's.

[doinoyou79]

as i mentioned in my previous post, Hankook has tires in those sizes also. mine have arrived at the local Discount Tire Co. and i'm just waiting for my wheels. yes, these are non-RFTs so i will be carrying a spare in the trunk. i don't know what y'all have up in canada, but check out Hankook Tires website. from the reviews i've read and a testimonial by one of the service guys at Discount Tire Co., they perform very well and aren't as expensive as the other brands.

[DJF3]

I have received more info now. Winter tires for Styling 162 wheels is not that big of a problem, but you won't find them as RunFlat tires.

One of the problems is to find a vendor that has both sizes for the front and rear wheels.
FRONT:
-winter: Continental WinterContact TS-810-S 225/40 R18 92V XL € 225
-winter: Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 225/40 R18 92V XL BSW € 217
REAR:
winter: Continental WinterContact TS-810-S 255/35 R18 94V XL € 281
winter: Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 255/35 R18 94V XL BSW € 273
(euro is +/- $1.25)

The tire-discounter also said that Goodyear has these tires. So I'm going for non RFT tires with a quick-fix kit (some kind of spray-can).
bye

[solaraxis]

For winter tires is it best to stay with the same size as what originally came with my car? Or would it be better to go with something not as wide. Because on the 335i coupe, the front tires are not as wide as the rear tires, so would any of you put a 225/40R18 on both the front and rear? Please advise.

[330i driver]

Originally Posted by solaraxis

For winter tires is it best to stay with the same size as what originally came with my car? Or would it be better to go with something not as wide. Because on the 335i coupe, the front tires are not as wide as the rear tires, so would any of you put a 225/40R18 on both the front and rear? Please advise.

In winter set-up,you will really have good results with 225/40/18 all around.
Mounting wider wintertires(as 255/35/18) will result in negative traction when your driving on snowy and very wet roads.With wider (rear) tires the car will be more ''floating'' on snowy and wet roads,and that,s not one of the finest feelings...... How less wider the wintertires,the tire is more ''cutting'' through snow etc,which gives a more solid safe feeling.
I am not a real fan of the run flat tires,and i soon want to order a set of Good Year Eagle Ultragrip 225/40/18 (non rft) wintertires for my styling 162 wheels.

[Zagor]

Originally Posted by solaraxis

What are the disadvantages to doing that? would 18" winter rubber be ok? Keep in mind I live in Alberta canada and we get some pretty good snow here.

It is of course ok to do that, but there are disadvantages.

As you may know, roads that are covered in snow and ice for some time become the equivalent of rough gravel roads. The ice/snow pack gets uneven and rutted. That's when the amount of rubber cushioning makes a difference.

Much like you wouldn't choose 18s for a gravel rally stage, if you expect to be driving regularly on snow and ice-covered roads you will not feel as comfortable with the car on 18s as you would on 17s. Not only will it feel more bumpy, the car will have less traction and directional stability.

Also, the best quality winter tires may not be available in these dimensions, since low-profile tires need hard rubber while good winter tires need soft rubber.

[Zagor]

After looking up the weather and average temperatures in Alberta, I'd say you definitely want to use 17-inch winter wheels. The reason is that the best tires (i.e. the ones made for such cold climate) simply are not made in 18 inches.

The Blizzak LM-25 are made for milder winters where you will drive more on tarmac and less on ice and snow. The same is true for the Continental WinterContacts.

What you want is a so-called "nordic" tire with a softer compound that remains soft and grippy even in very cold temperatures.

Some "nordic" tires are Michelin X-Ice (not the Alpin), Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSI, Continental VikingContact and Goodyear Ice Navi NH (although it has gotten some poor reviews).

[bmwmike]

Originally Posted by Zagor

After looking up the weather and average temperatures in Alberta, I'd say you definitely want to use 17-inch winter wheels. The reason is that the best tires (i.e. the ones made for such cold climate) simply are not made in 18 inches.

The Blizzak LM-25 are made for milder winters where you will drive more on tarmac and less on ice and snow. The same is true for the Continental WinterContacts.

What you want is a so-called "nordic" tire with a softer compound that remains soft and grippy even in very cold temperatures.

Some "nordic" tires are Michelin X-Ice (not the Alpin), Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSI, Continental VikingContact and Goodyear Ice Navi NH (although it has gotten some poor reviews).

+1
I've driven in Alberta and you guys end up with about a foot or more of solid ice on the side roads.

[pdtar98]

I've had Blizzaks on my 325i for years and now my 328Xi for about two weeks and I wouldnt go with anything but. If you live in snow country they are hard to beat. Ive had Dunlop snows on my Audi and they sucked compaired to the Blizzaks. The week after I put them on my new coupe we got 17" of snow and the car was unstoppable. The Xi helped but without good tires you arent going anywhere. The dry pavement performance is great also. Hardly can tell them from the summer tires.

I got Blizzak LM-25's, 225-40-18's up front and 255-35-18's rear. I havent noticed any problem with the wider rear tires yet. They have been on through two snow storms now and some heavy rain. You can see pics of my baby in the snow in the post "Montego 328xi playing in the snow" in the pics and video section.

I was also told that mounting and unmounting the runfalts wasnt best for them.

[Zagor]

Originally Posted by pdtar98

I've had Blizzaks on my 325i for years and now my 328Xi for about two weeks and I wouldnt go with anything but. If you live in snow country they are hard to beat.

Actually, they are not very hard to beat. The Blizzak LM 25s are warm-winter tires, a compromise designed to handle snow roads decently while focusing on wet tarmac properties. This results in less than stellar braking ability on snow and drastically poorer ice properties than tires which are designed for ice traction. The difference can be as much as 20 extra meters stopping distance from 80 km/h!

There is no single best winter tire. Every winter tire is a compromise between different qualities; snow traction, ice traction, wet tarmac traction and lateral stability. You can't get all of them optimal in one tire.

Most winter tires are designed primarily for cold wet tarmac rather than pure snow/ice conditions. They are an excellent choice for climates that don't get extended snow cover and/or when driving is mostly done on cleared roads. But that does not mean they are the best for colder and more icy conditions.

[remmib]

Originally Posted by Zagor

Actually, they are not very hard to beat. The Blizzak LM 25s are warm-winter tires, a compromise designed to handle snow roads decently while focusing on wet tarmac properties. This results in less than stellar braking ability on snow and drastically poorer ice properties than tires which are designed for ice traction. The difference can be as much as 20 extra meters stopping distance from 80 km/h!

There is no single best winter tire. Every winter tire is a compromise between different qualities; snow traction, ice traction, wet tarmac traction and lateral stability. You can't get all of them optimal in one tire.

Most winter tires are designed primarily for cold wet tarmac rather than pure snow/ice conditions. They are an excellent choice for climates that don't get extended snow cover and/or when driving is mostly done on cleared roads. But that does not mean they are the best for colder and more icy conditions.

+1, I'm pretty sure "nordic" winter tires are better on ice, but tires like the Blizzak LM 25s can handle well on snow.

[pdtar98]

I guess it just depends on where you live and the typical conditions you drive on in the winter.