new 328i coupe owner needs help with winter tire packages

toronto328i · 12-06-2010, 11:33 PM

I just recently purchased a 2007 328i coupe with sport and premium packages. I am looking into buying a good winter rim/tire package but don't really know where to start. My car came with 18" rims but I would like to downsize to 17" for the winter. What size rims/tires should I be looking for that will fit my car? Also, can anyone advise of a reputable shop to purchase rims/tires from at fair prices in the GTA?

aspiring335 · 12-07-2010, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toronto328i

I just recently purchased a 2007 328i coupe with sport and premium packages. I am looking into buying a good winter rim/tire package but don't really know where to start. My car came with 18" rims but I would like to downsize to 17" for the winter. What size rims/tires should I be looking for that will fit my car? Also, can anyone advise of a reputable shop to purchase rims/tires from at fair prices in the GTA?

I think you want 245/45/R17s. Make / model depends whether you want a pure winter tire, or a performance-oriented winter tire. I prefer the latter, so I went with the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3s. They are probably not the best for traction in deep snow, but they have been great in the recent crappy Toronto weather, and they ride very smoothly (I went with non-RFTs).

17s are definitely better than 18s -- you'll spend more for 18s, and they won't be as good in the snow. I wouldn't go with the BMW wheel / tire packages from the dealer. You'll pay at least $3k if you go that route, whereas a decent tire shop should be able to hook you up with a complete set for $2k-ish.

jasonintoronto · 12-07-2010, 09:27 AM

in general, there are two different types of winter tires. performance winter tires and "full" winter tires. i've tried both and prefer full winter tires even in downtown toronto. within each category you really can't really pick a bad tire if you stick to the major brands (michelin, bridgestone, nokian, dunlop, etc.).

full winter:
michelin xice2
bridgestone ws60 or ws70

performance winters:
michelin pilot alpine
bridgestone lm60

catch · 12-07-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonintoronto

in general, there are two different types of winter tires. performance winter tires and "full" winter tires. i've tried both and prefer full winter tires even in downtown toronto. within each category you really can't really pick a bad tire if you stick to the major brands (michelin, bridgestone, nokian, dunlop, etc.).

full winter:
michelin xice2
bridgestone ws60 or ws70

performance winters:
michelin pilot alpine
bridgestone lm60

I agree! I have performance winters right now and I would love to swap to full winters... i like snow traction!

ak22 · 12-07-2010, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toronto328i

I just recently purchased a 2007 328i coupe with sport and premium packages. I am looking into buying a good winter rim/tire package but don't really know where to start. My car came with 18" rims but I would like to downsize to 17" for the winter. What size rims/tires should I be looking for that will fit my car? Also, can anyone advise of a reputable shop to purchase rims/tires from at fair prices in the GTA?

Check out Allen @ Simply Tire.
Great service, great prices. You won't be disappointed.
However I'm sure he's extremely busy given the snowfall in the GTA.

bdardashti · 12-07-2010, 01:55 PM

I've heard lots of great comments about Simply Tire over the years, though I haven't personally shopped there.

I bought my set from TireRack, along with their Sport Edition wheels. You should be able to get a set for around 1600. I bought 16s for about 1200.

As for the actual tires, this is the first time I'm buying winter tires, but I've heard you don't want to go for the budget tires. H or V rated major brand name tires are a better choice. As others have said, you can either go for full winter or winter performance. I'm normally more cautious (than average) in the winter weather, and don't drive in the storm conditions, so I figured performance winter would be fine, and purchased the Dunlop Winter Sport 3D. I've heard good things about them, relatively quiet and comfortable, but they won't give you maximum snow traction.

Best of luck!

DaRickSta81 · 12-07-2010, 06:42 PM

My e92 328xi non-sport came with stock 17s with 225/45/17s... so I just popped off the tires on the OE rims and got some Dunlop 3Ds from JoyCity tires.. looks clean and drives AMAZING!

245/45/17s sounds a bit big to me... but maybe I'm wrong?

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspiring335

I think you want 245/45/R17s. Make / model depends whether you want a pure winter tire, or a performance-oriented winter tire. I prefer the latter, so I went with the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3s. They are probably not the best for traction in deep snow, but they have been great in the recent crappy Toronto weather, and they ride very smoothly (I went with non-RFTs).

17s are definitely better than 18s -- you'll spend more for 18s, and they won't be as good in the snow. I wouldn't go with the BMW wheel / tire packages from the dealer. You'll pay at least $3k if you go that route, whereas a decent tire shop should be able to hook you up with a complete set for $2k-ish.

slenfe · 12-07-2010, 08:08 PM

I have Pirelli sottozero 240 RTF on 225/40/18 M3 replica I picked them up on Kijiji last spring and I drove them in light snow early this week for the first time they performed well that been said I will reserve judgment for deeper snow experience. For the 17th I believe you can go either with 225/45/17 or 205/50/17 I am not sure of the first option has any major advantage over the 18th I have; but the narrow 205 should have a better performance in snowy conditions.

tirerack is a great shopping source...

CHCCubs · 12-08-2010, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaRickSta81

My e92 328xi non-sport came with stock 17s with 225/45/17s... so I just popped off the tires on the OE rims and got some Dunlop 3Ds from JoyCity tires.. looks clean and drives AMAZING!

245/45/17s sounds a bit big to me... but maybe I'm wrong?

Yes the stock size should be 225/45/17. +1 on JoyCity Tires as well, picked up my winter set from there as well, great service and prices.

nissin67 · 12-08-2010, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toronto328i

I just recently purchased a 2007 328i coupe with sport and premium packages. I am looking into buying a good winter rim/tire package but don't really know where to start. My car came with 18" rims but I would like to downsize to 17" for the winter. What size rims/tires should I be looking for that will fit my car? Also, can anyone advise of a reputable shop to purchase rims/tires from at fair prices in the GTA?

Do you mind telling me how much you got the car for? With how many mileage on it?

I'm asking because I'm close to purchasing a 2007 328i coupe as well - don't want to get screwed.

Thanks!!!

Slalom · 12-08-2010, 08:54 AM

I have the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 and I have no complaints. We have had a bit of snow here and the traction control or ABS have yet to kick in.

Got them at Tirerack and mounted them on my stock rims (16) as I am planning to get larger rims for summer (I hate the stock a/s Bridgestone Turanzas).

12-06-2010, 11:33 PM	#1
toronto328i Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 328i coupe Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	new 328i coupe owner needs help with winter tire packages I just recently purchased a 2007 328i coupe with sport and premium packages. I am looking into buying a good winter rim/tire package but don't really know where to start. My car came with 18" rims but I would like to downsize to 17" for the winter. What size rims/tires should I be looking for that will fit my car? Also, can anyone advise of a reputable shop to purchase rims/tires from at fair prices in the GTA?
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12-07-2010, 09:27 AM	#3
jasonintoronto Captain 41 Rep 703 Posts Drives: 2007 335i coupe (sold) Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	in general, there are two different types of winter tires. performance winter tires and "full" winter tires. i've tried both and prefer full winter tires even in downtown toronto. within each category you really can't really pick a bad tire if you stick to the major brands (michelin, bridgestone, nokian, dunlop, etc.). full winter: michelin xice2 bridgestone ws60 or ws70 performance winters: michelin pilot alpine bridgestone lm60 __________________ 2007 Porsche Carrera 4 2007 BMW 335i Coupe (SOLD)
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12-07-2010, 01:55 PM	#6
bdardashti Captain 47 Rep 998 Posts Drives: '12 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (3)	I've heard lots of great comments about Simply Tire over the years, though I haven't personally shopped there. I bought my set from TireRack, along with their Sport Edition wheels. You should be able to get a set for around 1600. I bought 16s for about 1200. As for the actual tires, this is the first time I'm buying winter tires, but I've heard you don't want to go for the budget tires. H or V rated major brand name tires are a better choice. As others have said, you can either go for full winter or winter performance. I'm normally more cautious (than average) in the winter weather, and don't drive in the storm conditions, so I figured performance winter would be fine, and purchased the Dunlop Winter Sport 3D. I've heard good things about them, relatively quiet and comfortable, but they won't give you maximum snow traction. Best of luck!
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12-07-2010, 08:08 PM	#8
slenfe Private First Class 1 Rep 120 Posts Drives: e90 330i Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Milton iTrader: (0)	I have Pirelli sottozero 240 RTF on 225/40/18 M3 replica I picked them up on Kijiji last spring and I drove them in light snow early this week for the first time they performed well that been said I will reserve judgment for deeper snow experience. For the 17th I believe you can go either with 225/45/17 or 205/50/17 I am not sure of the first option has any major advantage over the 18th I have; but the narrow 205 should have a better performance in snowy conditions. tirerack is a great shopping source...
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12-08-2010, 08:54 AM	#11
Slalom Major 514 Rep 1,345 Posts Drives: 04 Z4, 18 X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ottawa and Collelongo (AQ) Italy iTrader: (0) Garage List 2004 Z4 [0.00] 2018 BMW X3 M40i [10.00]	I have the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 and I have no complaints. We have had a bit of snow here and the traction control or ABS have yet to kick in. Got them at Tirerack and mounted them on my stock rims (16) as I am planning to get larger rims for summer (I hate the stock a/s Bridgestone Turanzas).
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