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[DaRickSta81]

Hello folks!

I'm new to this forum, so I apologize if this is a repost of an earlier discussion. I did a search on "winter tires" but it turned up with nothing, so here goes my question.

I am returning my 2006 325i Sedan (lease-end) and bought a new 2009 328xi Coupe. Now, with my '06 e90, I purchased a set of 16" Blizzak RFTs on steelies (OEM BMW winter tire package) and I was hoping to use them on the new e92.

However, the service guy at my dealership said that the 328xi (both sedan and coupe) requires a minimum 17" rims and they have to be alloys not steelies. Something about heat dissapation of the bigger rotors/calipers in the xi series?

Where I'm getting confused is, when I search tirerack.com and other such websites, their "basic tire pkg" recommendation is: 16" steel rims with RFT tires.

So... Do I listen to tirerack.com, save myself $1500+ and reuse my old winter tires, or listen to the dealer and look around for some new 17s?

Thanks in advance for your input guys!

[MSPORTWORLD]

I think the 328's have the same size brakes and rotors as the 325's whereas the 335's have the larger calipers and rotors.

I say just test fit your old set to see if there is clearance and if there is voila you are good to go. Tire Rack is correct most of the time with their recommended fitments.

[noro]

Tirerack invests a lot of time and effort making sure their recommended wheel sizes will fit the car you are inquiring about. Dealers invest a lot time and effort in finding creative ways to increase their profit.

... catch my drift?....

[Gary@TireRack]

Originally Posted by noro

Tirerack invests a lot of time and effort making sure their recommended wheel sizes will fit the car you are inquiring about. Dealers invest a lot time and effort in finding creative ways to increase their profit.

... catch my drift?....

[Gary@TireRack]

Seriously though. We do test fit various setups and we have a list of 16" alloys that we have confirmed fit the new 328i. We have not found a steel wheel that fits over the brakes on them though, so you may want to test fit them to be sure they clear.

[devauxb]

My 2008 328xi (non sport package) came standard with 16" (although alloy) wheels.

[jopa489]

Originally Posted by DaRickSta81

However, the service guy at my dealership said that the 328xi (both sedan and coupe) requires a minimum 17" rims and they have to be alloys not steelies. Something about heat dissapation of the bigger rotors/calipers in the xi series?

That's at least partial bullshit. The base 328 xDrive (without ZSP) has 16" wheels.

I use my stock 17s in the winter (with all seasons) and 18" style 162 rims with performance tires in the summer.

[DaRickSta81]

Thanks for the advise folks! I will definately have to do a test fit when I take delievery of the new car.

But this leads me to another question... I've read somewhere that the e90/e92s needed a special "adaptor" for the jack points under the car... is this true? or can I just go to wal-mart and get a regular pump jack and torque wrench to swap the tires out?

Thanks again!

[montreal_bimmer]

Originally Posted by DaRickSta81

Thanks for the advise folks! I will definately have to do a test fit when I take delievery of the new car.

But this leads me to another question... I've read somewhere that the e90/e92s needed a special "adaptor" for the jack points under the car... is this true? or can I just go to wal-mart and get a regular pump jack and torque wrench to swap the tires out?

Thanks again!

regular pump jack works... worked for me, and works for others....

[Frack]

hey, I'm digging up your thread to see if you found a way to fit steelies onto e90 Xdrive?
I've had steelies on my 128i and that was some awesome winter driving,
right now I see opportunity to pickup another set of e46 steelies but with bigger diameter of rotor and caliper on my LCI 328i Xdrive I'm wondering if I could make it work?