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I'm sorry to hear you have to leave Southern California for Lowell, MA!
I always recommend a separate set of wheels with the snow tires mounted. Downsize to 17" wheels (most, but not all will clear 135i brakes), the tires will be cheaper and the narrower tire will work better in the snow. I run 205/50-17 snow tires. Tire Rack sells winter tire packages (wheel/tire) pre-mounted/balanced that you can pop on yourself, or look for a used set for sale in the forum. Some shops will store your summer/winter tires as well if you don't have storage yourself.
You could buy 18" snows and mount them on the stock wheels, but then you are paying $80-100 for mount and balance in the winter/spring. That might be sufficient if you are only here for 1 year.
I also recommend H-rated or better "performance" winter tires. Stay away from Q-rated. Lots of clear highway driving in Boston winters at 80mph+.
I usually run non-RFT winter tires and carry a spare. I usually put on my winter tires in early December (or first real snow) and like to take them off in April.
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