Winter Wheels Dilemma

va_lemon · 11-18-2008, 01:51 PM

I'm considering getting winter wheels for my 335 Coupe but not sure about what size to get and how much is too much to spend on wheels that will be on the car for three to four months.

I live in Northern VA, where we get maybe 3 - 4 snow days every season but there will be ice (from freezing rain or melting snow) on some roads and parking lots for days.

I'm assuming the -1 size theory for winter wheels has to do with narrower tires and not the height of the sidewall. I'm looking at the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tires but should I consider the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25s?

So here are the options I'm looking at (including sensors) from Tire Rack (cheapest to priciest):
1. 205/50 tires on 17x7.5 Sport Edition A7 wheels
2. 225/45 tires on 17x7.5 Rial Como wheels
3. 225/40 tires on 18x8 Sport Edition KV5 wheels
4. 225/40 tires on 18x8 Rial Como wheels
5. Stick with the summer tires.
None are RFTs to keep the cost down so will be getting a mobility kit.

Question is, what size tire to get on 17" wheels; should I even consider 18" wheels?

Options 2 and 3 are the almost the same in price and I do like the look of the Sport Edition KV5s.

HighQ · 11-18-2008, 02:42 PM

I would keep the wheels 17" unless you want to look good even during winter. Remember to get a wheel with a simple design for easy maintenance during cold winter times. 3-piece and other complicated designs are prone to gathering in small area's ruining the finish of the wheels in no time. Rial is a quality brand, don't know about the others

11-18-2008, 01:51 PM	#1
va_lemon Private 8 Rep 66 Posts Drives: 335i Coupe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Alexandria, VA iTrader: (0)	Winter Wheels Dilemma I'm considering getting winter wheels for my 335 Coupe but not sure about what size to get and how much is too much to spend on wheels that will be on the car for three to four months. I live in Northern VA, where we get maybe 3 - 4 snow days every season but there will be ice (from freezing rain or melting snow) on some roads and parking lots for days. I'm assuming the -1 size theory for winter wheels has to do with narrower tires and not the height of the sidewall. I'm looking at the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tires but should I consider the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25s? So here are the options I'm looking at (including sensors) from Tire Rack (cheapest to priciest): 1. 205/50 tires on 17x7.5 Sport Edition A7 wheels 2. 225/45 tires on 17x7.5 Rial Como wheels 3. 225/40 tires on 18x8 Sport Edition KV5 wheels 4. 225/40 tires on 18x8 Rial Como wheels 5. Stick with the summer tires. None are RFTs to keep the cost down so will be getting a mobility kit. Question is, what size tire to get on 17" wheels; should I even consider 18" wheels? Options 2 and 3 are the almost the same in price and I do like the look of the Sport Edition KV5s. __________________ 2008 335i Coupe - Monaco Blue \| Saddle Brown \| Gray Poplar European Delivery April 18-28 2008
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11-18-2008, 02:42 PM	#2
HighQ Quality is everything 12 Rep 753 Posts Drives: you mad Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I would keep the wheels 17" unless you want to look good even during winter. Remember to get a wheel with a simple design for easy maintenance during cold winter times. 3-piece and other complicated designs are prone to gathering in small area's ruining the finish of the wheels in no time. Rial is a quality brand, don't know about the others
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