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[nlaul]

I have a 325xi with the stock 16" wheels. I was considering using 18" wheels for the summer, or replacing the 16s and using 17s all year around. Do I have to be concerned about the xi not having the sport package? Should I be concerned that 17" 255s or 18" tires would hit the fender given the lack of sport package, or would I be ok using either.

Has anyone done something similar with their xi?

[WallyF]

nlaul,
Since snow tires need to cut through snow, the narrower the better. I suggest you put 205/55-16 snows on your 16 in rims and to use in the midwest snow.

wallyf

[eleven24]

Originally Posted by WallyF

nlaul,
Since snow tires need to cut through snow, the narrower the better. I suggest you put 205/55-16 snows on your 16 in rims and to use in the midwest snow.

wallyf

While you may be right, logic tells me otherwise. Winter driving is about getting traction, and a wider tire would provide more. If the narrower tire theory were true, then something the width of a bike tire would theoretically slice right through snow.

[canuck2]

Originally Posted by eleven24

While you may be right, logic tells me otherwise. Winter driving is about getting traction, and a wider tire would provide more. If the narrower tire theory were true, then something the width of a bike tire would theoretically slice right through snow.

Your second statement is essentially correct. You have to think about it in terms of the tires contact with the snow not the pavement....the wider tire will have more of a tendancy to float on top of the snow while the narrower tire will tend to cut through the snow. In really deep snow they will of course both float but the narrower tire less so....one of the best handling and most confidence inspiring cars that I ever drove in snow was an early 80's Honda Accord with 13" wheels

[Ghunger]

Well, your suspension is higher than the sport package suspension so I doubt you'll have any wheel/tire clearance issues with 18" wheels and tires You can always check the calc at the top of the wheel and tire forum to see how much inboard outboard clearance your new tires will have compared to the old and then you can measure your car. Personally, I'd wait till the tires you have now wear out and then replace them with winter tires then get 18's for the summer and put all seasons or summer high performance tires on em.