Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[Whitenukl]

So I've done a lot of searching and need a little advice. 09 135i running the stock style 264's. 18x8.5 on rears. Has the m sport suspension. Tires in rear need replacing. I live in tn and it's october so the weather is about to change and temps are gonna be dropping soon. Around nov-mar it will be anywhere from 20's-60's with ice and snow. Or could be in the 60's during the day. Very unpredictable weather...so I'm not sure if I should go ahead and get snow tires put on for the winter season or just stay with the summer tires. Because there's no way to predict wether it will snow and ice this season or just be cold as all get out. I've read about the bilzzak's lm or ws series. But people reference running square set ups on 17's. What size would be appropriate for the 18's. Or should I just go with the PSS's? Any advice would be helpful. I know it's "personal preference" but I don't want to run such a small tire on the rear(winter) and it not snow at all this year. Vice versa, don't wanna run performance summer tire and be all over the road if it snows and ices. Is there a better all season tire?(even though I hear bad things about all season on the 1 series)thanks

[NorthernDancer]

Without a doubt your best option is winter tires on rims from the Tire Rack. Talk with a telephone rep and he/she will recommend a very good tire. I like blizzaks but there are many good winter tires.

[mechavore884]

why not get a good set of all seasons?

[dtwyim]

I would definitely get a set of dedicated winter tires.

PSS will be hockey pucks when cold and definitely no good, even when dry.

I got 225/45/17 square Blizzak LM 60 from Gil at tire rack.

[Whitenukl]

^^ this is what I've read. But I need 18's. What size is recommended for 18?

[MightyMouseTech]

There is such a thing as "all-weather" tires that still have the snowflake rating. Might want to look into that.

Also, the Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II are designed for warmer climates according to their schpeil.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....wtpackage=true

Was thinking of picking up a set to use as intermediate spring/fall tires.

[Whitenukl]

Or is me question ridiculous? I know what the stock size tire is but when people throw out the 225/17 square option it confuses me since the stock rims on my 09 135 are 18

[Qunadry]

Originally Posted by Whitenukl

Or is me question ridiculous? I know what the stock size tire is but when people throw out the 225/17 square option it confuses me since the stock rims on my 09 135 are 18

It is recommended that your winter tires be narrower to provide better grip in snow. I use 205/50's on 17" wheels per BMW's recommendation on my 135i with the M Sport package.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Whitenukl

Or is me question ridiculous? I know what the stock size tire is but when people throw out the 225/17 square option it confuses me since the stock rims on my 09 135 are 18

For winter tires, you want the narrowest tread and tallest sidewall you can get, which for the 135 is 205/50/17.

And yes, that means switching to a dedicated set of 17" rims for the winter.

[Whitenukl]

^^gotcha. Well switching rims and tires right now is not in the cards with a newborn..haha. So I'll give tire rack a shout and see what they recommend in 18's. Or may just go with an all season in 18 for now. I appreciate all the advice guys

[z4nomore]

You are in for some serious sticker shock when you price out 18" snows. Around $100 more PER tire over the 17's.

[SheDrivesIt]

And THAT $100 will buy you an inexpensive 17" wheel.

[ptack]

All seasons are fine if you drive a Camry or as if you had a Camry. If you want to enjoy the above-Camry capabilities you bought with a 135i, then you should buy proper tires. All seasons on a RWD car will also need to be replaced more often then a dedicated set of winter tires because once the shallower tread wears down you will be SOL in any kind of snow.

At the least, get a square set of 225/40 winter tires that will go on the stock wheels. You can probably run them from November to March and get a few years out of them.

[dtwyim]

Originally Posted by Whitenukl

^^gotcha. Well switching rims and tires right now is not in the cards with a newborn..haha. So I'll give tire rack a shout and see what they recommend in 18's. Or may just go with an all season in 18 for now. I appreciate all the advice guys

The stock wheels are different widths. You might have to stick with staggered sizes. I would call Gill up and ask him.