can i just throw winter tires on my 18s?

Jenny09E82 · 12-16-2008, 06:30 PM

I got stranded today with my OEM wheels and tires. Will Blizzaks make that much of a difference?

PA135i · 12-16-2008, 08:28 PM

Yes Jenny. Tirerack says they are one of the top Winter tires out there.
We had a sleet storm this afternoon and I drove home with no slipping at all.
I have LM25 Blizzaks. My car is pictured in an earlier post.

ptack · 12-17-2008, 09:23 AM

I have Dunlop 3ds on the stock wheels and today's drive through the slush was rock solid. You MUST put on snows if you anticpate real winter weather.

john970 · 12-18-2008, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Not a good idea - unless your braking and steering will only be done on non snow covered roads at above freezing temperatures.
Tom

Obviously it's better to have 4, but this is just a stop gap measure. Basically I am trying to avoid buying 4 wheels / tires for maybe 10 days of crappy roads.

My goal is to just not get stuck and be able to safely limp home. Braking with a solid pair of winters should be decent provided I take my time.

I think I am going to pull the trigger on a couple, Gil or anyone have suggestions on a pair/size just for the rear? I've seen 225/40/18 and 235/40/18 suggested.

jkp1187 · 12-18-2008, 03:41 PM

Just a couple observations....

1.) No problems with replacing the tires on the existing wheels, although consider that if you're driving around in winter conditions, there's a greater possibility that your OEM rims might get damaged.

2.) On the other hand, it isn't exactly free to change them out (as someone said above) because you will have to go out and buy a jack and jackstands if you don't already have them (not to mention the question of how much your time is worth to you!) There's also the matter of perhaps getting a spare tire (like the space-saver one from LeatherZ) unless you get run-flats. Personally, I will probably go with this option and suck up the cost of getting the space-saver spare, too, on the assumption that you can never have too many wheels or tires....

EmeraldRx · 12-18-2008, 04:45 PM

I'm skipping the spare, I'll just call BMW and let them tow it.

SpeedballTrix · 12-19-2008, 06:33 PM

When the weather warms up Im going to get some nice lightweight rims with ridiculous performance tires on them. Then Im going to pull the runflat garbage off of the stock rims, mount some nice snow tires on them and store them till next winter rolls around at which point the performance rims/tires get stored for the winter.

12-16-2008, 06:30 PM	#23
Jenny09E82 New Member 2 Rep 17 Posts Drives: Jet Black 2009 135i coupe Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: KC, MO iTrader: (0)	I got stranded today with my OEM wheels and tires. Will Blizzaks make that much of a difference?
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12-16-2008, 08:28 PM	#24
PA135i Brigadier General 969 Rep 3,323 Posts Drives: 08 135i 08 CR-V Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	Yes Jenny. Tirerack says they are one of the top Winter tires out there. We had a sleet storm this afternoon and I drove home with no slipping at all. I have LM25 Blizzaks. My car is pictured in an earlier post.
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12-17-2008, 09:23 AM	#25
ptack Brigadier General 269 Rep 4,470 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	I have Dunlop 3ds on the stock wheels and today's drive through the slush was rock solid. You MUST put on snows if you anticpate real winter weather. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
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12-18-2008, 03:41 PM	#27
jkp1187 Unindicted co-conspirator 66 Rep 1,734 Posts Drives: to work, mostly. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / Detroit, Michigan iTrader: (0)	Just a couple observations.... 1.) No problems with replacing the tires on the existing wheels, although consider that if you're driving around in winter conditions, there's a greater possibility that your OEM rims might get damaged. 2.) On the other hand, it isn't exactly free to change them out (as someone said above) because you will have to go out and buy a jack and jackstands if you don't already have them (not to mention the question of how much your time is worth to you!) There's also the matter of perhaps getting a spare tire (like the space-saver one from LeatherZ) unless you get run-flats. Personally, I will probably go with this option and suck up the cost of getting the space-saver spare, too, on the assumption that you can never have too many wheels or tires....
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12-18-2008, 04:45 PM	#28
EmeraldRx Private First Class 12 Rep 165 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	I'm skipping the spare, I'll just call BMW and let them tow it. __________________ 135 Convertible 6MT Cashmere Silver/Terra Interior/Black Top/All Options(except Active Steering and HD radio)[/COLOR][/FONT] 1987 Corvette Convertible-29k mi 1989 Bronco Eddie Bauer 2008 Nissan Armada (wifes)
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12-19-2008, 06:33 PM	#29
SpeedballTrix Second Lieutenant 3 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 2009 135i 6MT SBM/CBL; 2022 X5 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	When the weather warms up Im going to get some nice lightweight rims with ridiculous performance tires on them. Then Im going to pull the runflat garbage off of the stock rims, mount some nice snow tires on them and store them till next winter rolls around at which point the performance rims/tires get stored for the winter.
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