[xenon]

Originally Posted by doughboy

LOL - I remember reading that letter, after about 3 lines I knew it was you just from the words used.

Actually seeing your name at the bottom really made me laugh...

Likewise

No one else advocates the "less is more" (be it wheel size, lack of I-Drive or M-Sport styling, to name but a few) in quite the same way.

[chris330D]

I agree with Doughboy. The reality in this country is the majority of the time will be cold and wet but no snow. I bought an identical set of MV3s so the car looks exactly the same. 17s will be cheaper but depends what you want to achieve, didn't buy may car to save money

[briers]

Anyone know how much a full set of the standard BMW e92 SE 17's wheels are?

I think i'm going to get a set of these a 4 winter tyres. Any Suggestions on those? Think the only ones i saw was the vreds (wintrac).

[doughboy]

You'll be looking at least a grand for a set, online not from BMW.

The 17"s here are M sport, but you can see the other prices.

http://mstyle-px.rtrk.co.uk/acatalog...MW_wheels.html

This is why I bought reps, only £300 for a set of 4 18" MV3. And they are actually a nicer finish & colour than OE.

I bought mine from wheelworx.net, but they don't seem to list them now, worth a go though.

[Em135eye]

I was rather shocked to see that my 17s are over a grand a set from BMW. The 18s I have always liked (162s) are only £150 more.

BMW wheels are expensive OEM whatever size you get. Worth it though - I think BMW make some lovely wheels.

[deano802]

Hi all, New here!!!

This thread is of a lot of interest to me, as I've just ordered a 330i M sport coupe auto with 19" wheels, and was wondering what I'm going to do in the winter.

Has anyone had any experience of using snow chains?

Dean

[chris330D]

Don't think you will be able to get snow chains to fit, clearance is tight on the rears. I used snow socks last winter and they work ok.

[Rochdale Pioneers]

It'll be my first winter with RWD. Question - how many bags of cheap B&Q gravel will do the job? Need weight over the wheels? Add ballast - £2 a bag. 2 over each wheel? 3?

[dxb335d]

Link to your letter Matt ?!

[chasealex]

Originally Posted by chris330D

Don't think you will be able to get snow chains to fit, clearance is tight on the rears. I used snow socks last winter and they work ok.

It's irrelevant. Unless you're driving on deep hardpack snow, you should not be using snowchains. So, scottish highlands, alps, northern europe.

Down in blighty, we're determined to keep clearing roads, meaning you'll never have chains on for more than a few yards before you hit a bit of metalled road that'll destroy your chains.

Besides, pootling around on summer tyres in the ice will have seen you into a ditch long before then.

[briers]

To revive this a bit

I'm going to buy a set of 17's and some vred wintracs if possible.


Could anyone recommend some good 17" replicas. I've tried to have a look but couldn't really find much on the net. Also worried that some of the 17's won't fit over the brakes.

Recommendations from experience would be great, regardless of engine.


Cheers

[willhollin]

Plenty of genuine 17" alloys for the E92 available on Ebay.

[SteveC]

Just a few observations

When you're dickering around trying to find traction each time you pull away, you shouldn't be on the road.

Nothing works on black ice. Nothing. The coefficient of friction is so low it will always be overcome by the car's impetus, regardless of what tyres you have

The most important aspect about a 335D is its performance potential. It has extremely high limits in summer and you get used to driving it quickly. Summer tyres at very low temperatures have very little grip, so cornering and braking become high risk manoeuvres if your tyres let go unexpectedly or fail to stop in anything like the distance you're used to.

The point about winter tyres is that they maintain the car's overall handling characteristics at a reasonable level whereas with summer tyres, you've no idea where you are in terms of overall handling and can get some really nasty surprises performing what feel like everyday manoeuvres.

And in snow summer tyres will get you instantly stuck on the first minor gradient, which is probably preferable to landing in a ditch or wrapping it around a tree

[SteveChester]

Must admit I'll be looking at different tyres this winter, looked a right pr*ck at work when I get bogged down in the car park last year when everyone else in FWD cars just drove out!

[doughboy]

It's common sense - you know it is

Get some cold weather tyres and ENJOY your car 365 days a year.