[Macro]

I bought a used (just 20k clicks) 2008 BMW 335XI. So far everything is good, but I got some questions. I live in Toronto if it helps.

1) What are the best winter tires? I got the 18" sport tires (style 162 I believe) and apparently the front and rear wheels are different sizes. Should I get 17" or 18"? Do I need new wheels as well?
2) In the light I realized that my aluminum trim has a lot of scratches and dings, mostly just below the door handle where the trim is . I still have warranty for a year, can BMW fix that or is something I have to live with?
3) Should I buy extended warranty for my car? Is it worth it?

Thanks.

[aspiring335]

Originally Posted by Macro

I bought a used (just 20k clicks) 2008 BMW 335XI. So far everything is good, but I got some questions. I live in Toronto if it helps.

1) What are the best winter tires? I got the 18" sport tires (style 162 I believe) and apparently the front and rear wheels are different sizes. Should I get 17" or 18"? Do I need new wheels as well?
2) In the light I realized that my aluminum trim has a lot of scratches and dings, mostly just below the door handle where the trim is . I still have warranty for a year, can BMW fix that or is something I have to live with?
3) Should I buy extended warranty for my car? Is it worth it?

Thanks.

I would go with 17" winters, not 18". Generally you want a smaller, narrower tire for snow. I really like the Michelin PA3s I just installed on my E91. They are a performance oriented winter tire, so don't have as much traction in snow as you will get from something like a Nokian Hakkapeliitta, but you are sacrificing less in terms of handling finesse.

I don't think the trim will be covered by the warranty -- it's a wear and tear issue, not a defect.

PS: Congrats on the new car!

[BRAISKI]

Congrats!

Go with 17" there is really no need/advantage with 18" IMO its more of a waste of money, the bigger the tire the more expensive it is. Of course unless you find a good deal or you just want it to look nicer for winter.

I have 17" with 157 rims with Dunlop 3D RFTs

[Slalom]

Agree with above on 17". If you want to use RFT Dunlop Wintersport MP3 are working nicely for me, a bit noisy but good traction. I have ordered through Tirerack and had them delivered to a UPS store near the border then cleared customs myself. Saved a lot on shipping charges - still pay HST - duty depends on where the tires and rims are made. UPS charges a brokerage fee (reasonable) and much higher delivery fee if the goods are sent to Canada vs a small town in western NY or upstate NY. Don't understand why but that is the free market.

[OEMconcept]

Congrats on the new ride! As for winter tires, 17" is the best option. We can get you into a set of 17" wheels and tires for an excellent price!

You don't have enough posts to enable your PM's, so please send me an email and I'll hook you up! email address in our sig!

[Macro]

It looks I'm going to be buying 17" winter tires then. I'd prefer to buy it somewhere where they can install it also since I'm not too car savvy yet. Any recommendations where I can get a low cost solution in Toronto/Vaughan?

Thanks again.

[Iluvwhite]

yup! 17" and same sizes all around would be the optium idea for winter tires... esp u got Xdrive. I got mine from tirerack and mounted them on my oem wheels.

[CHCCubs]

Originally Posted by Macro

It looks I'm going to be buying 17" winter tires then. I'd prefer to buy it somewhere where they can install it also since I'm not too car savvy yet. Any recommendations where I can get a low cost solution in Toronto/Vaughan?

Thanks again.

I picked up my winter tire/wheel package from Joycity Tires in Markham. Best prices I found in the GTA.

[hubble bubble]

One more vote for 17" wheels - cheaper, lighter, better snow traction. I have 225/45-17 Hakkapeliitaa R winter tires on my 335i with Dinan software. I can't say enough great things about these tires, so I will only post 2.

1 - they were recomended by a BMW Canada driving instructor as the winter tires on his personal car. They are alos recommended by many (crazy) subaru and Mitubishi guys who rally & ice/snow race.

2 - Consumer's reports has the Hakka R as the 3rd rated performance snow tire AND the 4th best "real" snow tires.

[schnell325]

225/45 17's, but I am really not adding anything to the thread

[SGxi]

Originally Posted by Macro

It looks I'm going to be buying 17" winter tires then. I'd prefer to buy it somewhere where they can install it also since I'm not too car savvy yet. Any recommendations where I can get a low cost solution in Toronto/Vaughan?

Thanks again.

You need new rims too...

[d-burn]

Not to completely hijack this thread, but I've always had a general tire sizing question. Seems like a good place to ask.

If the car is originally set-up with Sport Package for an 18" staggered set-up, doesn't 17" same size all around throw off the balance or handling characteristics of the car? i.e. it was set-up with a staggered tracking, not the wheels will track differently, offset off the hub differently, etc.

Or am I just crazy?

[jasonintoronto]

Originally Posted by d-burn

Not to completely hijack this thread, but I've always had a general tire sizing question. Seems like a good place to ask.

If the car is originally set-up with Sport Package for an 18" staggered set-up, doesn't 17" same size all around throw off the balance or handling characteristics of the car? i.e. it was set-up with a staggered tracking, not the wheels will track differently, offset off the hub differently, etc.

Or am I just crazy?

there's a slight difference, but in winter snow conditions and normal driving it won't be noticeable. just don't track the car in your snows.

i get non-staggered 17" winters even though my summer setup is staggered 19s.