[Mwp4me]

After reading lots of posts on winter tyres and taking some advice [ thanks A_P ] I have decided living in Cumbria that winter's are a big advantage, however went to my dealer today who offered me two choices in 17" size.

The thing I love is my 19"s and have found Dunlop 19" tyres, however I have noticed most of your winter set up's result in a smaller size wheel.

My question is :- would a 19" winter be suitable or do I need to drop to a 17" or 18" size.

Thanks in advance.

PS: sorry for appearing dumb, just trying to gather the facts on something I know little about.

[Bungle009]

You can retain 19"s but choice of winter tyres will be limited. Much bigger choice in 17 or 18. Most prefer a square setup for winter as wider rears tyres arent much help when it snows. So 225/40/18 or 225/45/17 or 225/35/19 would be the normal choice.

[Mwp4me]

Originally Posted by Bungle009

You can retain 19"s but choice of winter tyres will be limited. Much bigger choice in 17 or 18. Most prefer a square setup for winter as wider rears tyres arent much help when it snows. So 225/40/18 or 225/45/17 or 225/35/19 would be the normal choice.

Yes makes sense. I've been so used to a 225/45/17 or 225/40/18 set up all-round. Just love that fatter BM set up with the 255 but understand not much use in bad weather.

[N8N]

If you're looking for actual snow driving capabilities, narrower tires are in fact better. Most people stick with 17" or 18" just because the wheels and tires are less expensive, and the larger diameters offer no benefit in bad weather other than appearance. In fact 17" make a lot of sense as the thicker sidewalls might make the wheels slightly less prone to damage from potholes, objects, etc. hidden under the snow.

FWIW I'm running 17" Blizzaks right now... actually the "wrong" size (225/50R17) because I got them used 'n' cheap. They actually ride better than my 19's and I swear the car accelerates better too. (stock 19s are HEAVY.)

[Mwp4me]

Originally Posted by N8N

If you're looking for actual snow driving capabilities, narrower tires are in fact better. Most people stick with 17" or 18" just because the wheels and tires are less expensive, and the larger diameters offer no benefit in bad weather other than appearance. In fact 17" make a lot of sense as the thicker sidewalls might make the wheels slightly less prone to damage from potholes, objects, etc. hidden under the snow.

FWIW I'm running 17" Blizzaks right now... actually the "wrong" size (225/50R17) because I got them used 'n' cheap. They actually ride better than my 19's and I swear the car accelerates better too. (stock 19s are HEAVY.)

Cheers, see where you are coming from. I have noticed as many others how the bad weather chews the roads up. Thanks.

[nobby810996]

Have you seen the price of winter 19's? £400 a corner....

[A_P]

I got the conti winter contact sports in 19's they arent that much matey.

[Edi1011]

Originally Posted by nobby810996

Have you seen the price of winter 19's? £400 a corner....

No way are they £400 per tyre !

I got 4 x Vred Wintrac Xtreme 235/35/19 from Oponeo last Winter and ran square set up last year and this winter on the 19" 225's [tyres will stretch just fine]

They currently have them at £ 168 per tyre
http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/...ein-235-35-r19

[Mwp4me]

Originally Posted by A_P

I got the conti winter contact sports in 19's they arent that much matey.

What sizes are you running, I was thinking 225/35/19 all-round!

[Mwp4me]

My dealer was saying that there are some good you tube clips of BM's with and with out winter's in the same situations.

He also thinks that it could become law to have winter's in the future!

[chris_s1]

I think running 225 all round is crazy in a high powered RWD car. Sure you can argue that a thinner tyre might be more effective in deep snow, but bearing in mind it might snow for a day or two at most all winter, there's no way I would want to be running all that power through a little 225 tyre the rest of the time.

In winter I run 18" wheels in the staggered sizes and I found them fantastic in the heavy snow we had a couple of years ago, I wouldn't have wanted for anything better. I was getting up hills where 4x4s weren't making it.

[Mwp4me]

Originally Posted by chris_s1

I think running 225 all round is crazy in a high powered RWD car. Sure you can argue that a thinner tyre might be more effective in deep snow, but bearing in mind it might snow for a day or two at most all winter, there's no way I would want to be running all that power through a little 225 tyre the rest of the time.

In winter I run 18" wheels in the staggered sizes and I found them fantastic in the heavy snow we had a couple of years ago, I wouldn't have wanted for anything better. I was getting up hills where 4x4s weren't making it.

Thanks Chris, what sizes are you running.

[chris_s1]

255/35/18 rear and 225/40/18 fronts.
Currently on Falken HS-439, they are good and great value. This is third winter I have run them, I have probably covered at least 20k miles and they have hardly worn down at all, which is surprising.

Last year I ran an E46 M3 as well and I put Michelin Alpin tyres and they were better, in fact they were incredible, but a lot more expensive

[Bungle009]

I don't agree that you need oversized rears. If a 414hp m3 needs 265 rears, why would a 225 be unacceptable in winter conditions on a 300 hp car. For track work in the dry oversized rears help with the balance, but for normal road use they are more aesthetic than anything else. Lots of non m sport 330i/d have a square set up with 225 all round.

[Bungle009]

The OP has a 320 petrol. Oversized rears are a complete waste of time/effort/money.

[Mwp4me]

Originally Posted by Bungle009

The OP has a 320 petrol. Oversized rears are a complete waste of time/effort/money.

That's what I was thinking. I know I only have a "little one" but would 225's all round be ok

[Bungle009]

225's all round would be perfect.

[Mwp4me]

Originally Posted by Bungle009

225's all round would be perfect.

That's what I thought but chris did not agree.

Do you think he is referring to six cylinders and above, where for my 4 pot 225's on the rear would be ok.

[Bungle009]

I think 225's all round is perfect even for 6 cylinder cars. As i said lots of 330i/d (SE) leave the factory with 225's all round.

[jonnydrama]

Think many on here are over thinking things....

Yes a far skinnier tyre is better but lets get real, it's not worth going 225 over 245/255. The difference will be so marginal you'll never notice.

I've ran my 335i on 245/40/18 rears through a foot of snow with no problems. A work colleague has a C4S with seriously wide rear wheels, it copes no problem either!

[Bungle009]

Yes, but you dont need wider tyres on a 320i, particularly for winter tyres.

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by Bungle009

I think 225's all round is perfect even for 6 cylinder cars. As i said lots of 330i/d (SE) leave the factory with 225's all round.

I'd agree,but not on MV4's,the rear wheel is 9J,a 225 tyre would be seriously stretched,and whilst aesthetics in winter are not important,it would look ridiculous!

Op,you'd be better off looking on Ebay,buy yourself some 17" or 18" wheels,preferably 8J all round,and get some 215 or 225 tyres fitted,it makes far more sense than buying 19" winter tyres.