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[JBW]

I'm taking delivery of my 2010 BSM 135i late October/early November. I'll need winter tires (obviously) very quickly thereafter. Come late March or so I intend on installing suspension upgrades and a new wheel/tire set. Back to winter...

What option would/did you go with and why?

Option 1 - Keep the 18" OEM wheels as my winter wheels and throw some Blizzaks (or similar) on them.

Option 2 - Buy a set of 17" wheels w/snow tires (and sensors) for winter and sell the OEM wheels/tires.

Any/all thoughts are welcome!

Thanks.

[BrokenVert]

I did option 1 and threw Pirelli 240 Sottozero Winter Performance Runflats on the car. Couldnt be happier. And those wheels and tires are going back on in about 3 weeks. Its getting cold up in 'Cuse.

[JBW]

When I had my 2002 330Ci I used the OEM wheels for the winters, but ...those were 17" wheels. I went with LM22 Blizzaks back then. They worked out pretty damn well, but I'm a bit concerned about rolling with a staggered 18" set and I'm not sure I would not appreciate the added benefit of rolling with a square set of 17" wheels/tires. It's a tough call for me.

More thoughts from any/all are encouraged!

[BrokenVert]

You can do a square 225/40 R18 setup on the OEM wheels if you want to.

[JBW]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

You can do a square 225/40 R18 setup on the OEM wheels if you want to.

I was wondering about that. Good to know. Good to know.

So, I'm down to the disadvantage, if any, of rolling with the 18" OEM wheels. Is it only potential wheel damage? I know the sidewalls will not be as tall with 18" wheels, which may mean a bit less "sidewall traction" as well, but how much really? Also, the 225/40 set may be a bit wider, but how much can that matter as well? It won't be THAT MUCH wider. (I'd love to see a comparison between an OEM 18" set with winter tires and a 17" "recommended" package!)

I'm starting to side with rolling with the stock 18" wheels, but continue to welcome any/all thoughts from all youzzz out there!

[BBBluey]

It seems this Winter tire options thing has a lot of people spending a lot of time researching...I think that if one of these tire vendors would just offer us a Group Buy on anything decent for either 17 or OEM 18's, most of us would jump on it as the better price would offset the "particulars" we get picky about when we're paying full price.

BTW- finding the winters in size 18 is proving difficult. I'd like to use my OEM M-sport 18's as my winters and get a nice set of summers after the snow melts.

[JBW]

By the looks of it, in these parts, it seems as if getting a 225/40/18 set of winter tires seems doable. Tire Rack seems to have a few good-to-great options. This being said, I'm still up in the air!

Who can say, definitively, how much better a 17" set-up would be as opposed to the OEM 18" winter option? (Maybe Gill can weigh in here on Monday?!)

[woodman650]

I've been wondering about winter set up a lot recently... it's been raining hard up here in Oregon recently. On the highway, between the slow windershield wipers (on the fastest setting) and the OEM RFTs, the car seems like it could fly off the road at any moment... completely unstable. Anyone else feel that way in heavy rain?

That said, I'd love a tire set up that works well in heavy rain/standing water, and snow (if such a tire exists) to wrap around the OEM 18" wheels. If not, I might have to get a beater 4x4 for the winter months

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by woodman650

I've been wondering about winter set up a lot recently... it's been raining hard up here in Oregon recently. On the highway, between the slow windershield wipers (on the fastest setting) and the OEM RFTs, the car seems like it could fly off the road at any moment... completely unstable. Anyone else feel that way in heavy rain?

That said, I'd love a tire set up that works well in heavy rain/standing water, and snow (if such a tire exists) to wrap around the OEM 18" wheels. If not, I might have to get a beater 4x4 for the winter months

The runcraps are a terrible design for the rain. If you look at the tread it actually traps water underneath the tread, hence the hydroplaning. My Pirellis and my PS2s do not have this issue, the Pirellis are one of the most stable tires I have ever driven on in the rain. I drove them at 100MPH in the rain last spring and they performed beautifully.

Plus the tread is just badass looking.

[woodman650]

Thanks for the response, Broken. I'm going to look into those Pirellis.

[woodman650]

$1200. Crap.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by woodman650

$1200. Crap.

And that's why I decided not to go with RFT winter tires. For about the same price out the door (incl shipping) I got four 215/45R17 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25s mounted and balanced on 17" Elbrus I02 wheels (with TPMS installed-which is an extra $164 option with non-RFTs, I just liked having them in case I decide to go with RFTs in future.)

Unfortunately, I can't give a review on them yet, because they will go on for the first time at the beginning of November. But I like the convenience of just being able to bolt them on myself, plus I now have more than one full-sized spare in case I need them in the summer months.

FWIW, this is what Gill himself said he was running:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...56&postcount=3

225/45/17 Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60
17x8" Sport Editiion KM-11

[riguy]

Just an FYI. I put 225 winters on my OEM's last year. It leaves very little protection for the rear wheel. Mine got scraped going thru a car wash. I believe the rear wheel is 8.5"? Just something to think about.

[JBW]

Gill,

Two quick questions for you...

1.) What is your current recommended winter tire set-up for the stock 18" 135i wheels? Kindly include brand, make, size(s) please.

2.) How would you compare your recommended stock 18" 135i winter tire set-up to the Tire Rack recommended 17" set-up from a pure PERFORMANCE perspective?

Thanks very, very much. This is a decision I believe many struggle with. Your insight would be appreciated.

[Gary@TireRack]

Ideal set ups are going to differ by driver/location/conditions/needs so making a blanket statement on the best products would be misleading.

Sizing is another matter. 225/40/18 all around would be ideal for the 18" OE as it fits both the front and rear wheels.

This is a great thread to pour through when researching what's best for you application. Great advice on sizing, pictures, products, etc...and I'm a phone call away if you need help.
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=218972

[JBW]

Thanks Gill. I'll give you a call next week to wrap this up. I know I'm bogging the board down on this one! LOL.