205 or 225 for winter tires ???

sacha101 · 10-19-2010, 08:37 AM

Hi,
I live in Montreal and we can get alot of snow down here !
Should i go with 17 inch wheels and 205 tires OR 18 ich wheels with 225 tires ...???
I'm really confused... It's my first winter with my new baby !

Tks !

bimmer74 · 10-19-2010, 06:45 PM

For best results in deep snow, the narrower the better, especially when combined with more aggressive winter tires (such as Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60, WS-70 or Michelin X-ice). Narrower tires cut through snow easier. 205/50R17 is a popular size used in harsh winter climates on the 1-series. On the flipside, the narrower tires will give you less traction in the dry due to the smaller footprint.

greg k. · 10-19-2010, 06:53 PM

205 for optimal winter performance.

vanbmw · 10-19-2010, 06:56 PM

I went for 225's on 17" rims. The look is really good and I am very happy with the handling. I have had my car in some serious snow with no problems. I think the 205 would look a little small in the back.

VMRWheels · 10-19-2010, 07:40 PM

You can go with a 205/50/17 or a 225/40/18 if you would like. Both would work without a problem.

-Charles@VMRWheels

ZIPNBYE · 10-19-2010, 08:59 PM

The 205 is the optimal choice for winter, and also less expensive.

Mikeshot1 · 10-19-2010, 10:40 PM

205/50/17 the thinner the tire width with the largest sidewall is ideal. There's more pressure per square inch of tire the thinner the width and thus more traction. I got them with Blizzak LM-25 run flats.

ZIPNBYE · 10-20-2010, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikeshot1

205/50/17 the thinner the tire width with the largest sidewall is ideal. There's more pressure per square inch of tire the thinner the width and thus more traction. I got them with Blizzak LM-25 run flats.

Bzzzt...WRONG.

There's absolutely no more pressure per square inch on the ground, as the weight of the car hasn't changed. The area of the contact patch is calculated by the weight of the car (at each corner) divided by the psi of the tire.

What does change in the shape of the contact patch...which, dependant upon the surface, is important. The narrower tire provides a long rectangle vs. a wider tire which is more square. A rectangle is better in slippery / snow-covered surfaces than a square as it allows for more "bite" in the direction of travel vs. more float for a wider tire.

Dackelone · 10-20-2010, 06:28 AM

For snows you want to get 205's and nothing wider. Use 7j x 17 wheels.

10-19-2010, 08:37 AM	#1
sacha101 Private First Class 26 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 2011 135i coupe SGM/CORAL RED Join Date: May 2010 Location: montreal iTrader: (0)	205 or 225 for winter tires ??? Hi, I live in Montreal and we can get alot of snow down here ! Should i go with 17 inch wheels and 205 tires OR 18 ich wheels with 225 tires ...??? I'm really confused... It's my first winter with my new baby ! Tks ! __________________ 2011 135i SGM/CR 6MT - M Sport, Premium, ski bag
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10-19-2010, 06:45 PM	#2
bimmer74 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 212 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xDrive Sedan Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (3)	For best results in deep snow, the narrower the better, especially when combined with more aggressive winter tires (such as Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60, WS-70 or Michelin X-ice). Narrower tires cut through snow easier. 205/50R17 is a popular size used in harsh winter climates on the 1-series. On the flipside, the narrower tires will give you less traction in the dry due to the smaller footprint.
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10-19-2010, 06:53 PM	#3
greg k. Private First Class 6 Rep 188 Posts Drives: 2008 bmw m3 coupe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hamilton iTrader: (0)	205 for optimal winter performance.
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10-19-2010, 06:56 PM	#4
vanbmw Major 130 Rep 1,101 Posts Drives: 2015 Black 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (0)	I went for 225's on 17" rims. The look is really good and I am very happy with the handling. I have had my car in some serious snow with no problems. I think the 205 would look a little small in the back.
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10-19-2010, 07:40 PM	#5
VMRWheels General 2038 Rep 25,989 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 BMW F30 [0.00] 2014 BMW F22 [0.00] 2013 BMW F06 [0.00]	You can go with a 205/50/17 or a 225/40/18 if you would like. Both would work without a problem. -Charles@VMRWheels __________________ VMR\|Wheels \| 714.442.7916 \| sales@velocitymotoring.com \| www.velocitymotoring.com \| facebook \| flickr \| Instagram
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10-19-2010, 08:59 PM	#6
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	The 205 is the optimal choice for winter, and also less expensive. __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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10-19-2010, 10:40 PM	#7
Mikeshot1 Private First Class 11 Rep 105 Posts Drives: 2008 Sedona Red 135i Coupe Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	205/50/17 the thinner the tire width with the largest sidewall is ideal. There's more pressure per square inch of tire the thinner the width and thus more traction. I got them with Blizzak LM-25 run flats.
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10-20-2010, 06:28 AM	#9
Dackelone European Editor 10532 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	For snows you want to get 205's and nothing wider. Use 7j x 17 wheels.
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