09-12-2013, 05:35 PM | #1 |
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Winter tire size question for 135is
I'm in Denver. Sometimes we have a ton of snow on the ground, but it usually melts pretty quickly because of our sunny days. I need to put winter tires on the 135is, but doubt I will put more than 100-200 miles on it during our winter months.
If/when I do have the car out, it will be for short trips as a DD. The worst conditions will probably be more like wet/slushy roads than snow. As a matter of fact, I'm sure I'll be driving in dry conditions this winter as well. But I'm having trouble choosing b/w the following sizes: 205/50 R17, 215/45 R17, or 225/45 R17 I'm going to buy a set of 4, so they'd all be the same. Thoughts on which size would be the best fit for my needs? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks! |
09-12-2013, 05:40 PM | #2 |
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For snow tires you want the most narrow, and tallest tire in order to apply the most pressure in the tire's contact patch. That is why BMW only offers(approves) of a 205/50 R17 mounted on a 7j x17 alloy wheel. That is what you want for winter performance. Widder rubber will give you less PSI(pressure forcing down on your tires(not inflation tire pressure) and pressing the tires into the snow or ice. That will give your tires more "bite" and grip on snow and ice.
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09-12-2013, 06:25 PM | #4 | |
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09-13-2013, 03:08 AM | #6 |
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Mainly I think its bc of looks and maybe they drive more on dry roads than on snowy wet icy roads. The 205 is the way to go for max winter performance. But on a dry road... you have less traction. But on a winter road(ice/snow) the 205 will perform better - since the weight of the car will put more pressure on the contact patch and give you better traction in the white stuff.
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09-13-2013, 05:58 AM | #7 |
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From experience - I would not buy 205s again based on where I live. If you drive in the snow often, then yes, but when it's intermittent at best, the 205s just do not provide adequate grip/traction on acceleration in every other surface and condition. I've had 205s on every other car I've had, but this is the first one with actual power, and the 205s just don't cut it. Again, if I lived in Anchorage, I'd go skinny.
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09-13-2013, 09:39 AM | #8 |
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Thanks for all the input. Ultimately, I think I'm going to go with the 205/50-17s. I'm willing to sacrifice looks and handling for a few months, especially since I don't plan on driving much during the winter anyway.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 and add the silver Sports Edition F10s. Now, one more question. TireRack states that I need the TPSM package for an additional $230. If I don't plan on doing much winter driving, is this a necessity? Or can I skip the TPSMs entirely? Will I have to deal with a warning light all winter long? Thoughts on this? Thanks again! |
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09-13-2013, 10:10 AM | #9 | |
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09-13-2013, 10:11 AM | #10 | |
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if you live in a place that snows A LOT, then you can do 205s all around....but honestly in the DRY----if you have 205s all the way around, your rear is going to be twitchy all winter long as that's too little rubber in the wet and in the dry when it is COLD out. just my 2 cents.......... i am probably going to do 205 in the front and 225 in the rear. |
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09-13-2013, 10:12 AM | #11 | |
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09-13-2013, 10:18 AM | #12 | |
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09-13-2013, 10:19 AM | #13 |
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Have been wondering about this same issue myself. I live in Ottawa, so we get real winter. Thinking 205/50/17 Hakka 7's, but may go with a 215/50/17 or 215/55/17. The taller the sidewall the better. Not sure if the larger diameter will fit though. I may just try it myself and see.
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09-13-2013, 10:21 AM | #14 |
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Actually not quite correct. The only thing that will change the PSI on the road is the PSI in the tire (or the weight on the tire) Changing the size of the tire will not. It will only change the shape of the contact patch. Running 40 PSI in the tires will have the same size of contact patch if you are running a 205 or a 255.
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09-13-2013, 10:22 AM | #15 | |
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09-13-2013, 10:23 AM | #16 | |
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Honestly, the 225 is more than good enough for the 1er. Ive never been at a loss of traction, even in fresh falls 4-5 inches deep. Ive only bit it into a snowbank once, and that was because I got cocky on a steep hill. (Syracuse has hills akin to SF's, but ours are covered in ice 8 months out of the year) Last edited by BrokenVert; 09-13-2013 at 10:28 AM.. |
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09-13-2013, 10:24 AM | #17 | |
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i've previously ran dunlop winter sport 3Ds which were great on a quattro....but i think on a 1-series i need something MORE hardcore for sure... |
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09-13-2013, 10:38 AM | #18 |
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Ive been running D3s on the 1er since '09 - theyre pretty good for us. Had a set of Pirelli 240 Sottozeros the year before, not so good there.
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09-13-2013, 10:38 AM | #19 | |
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My friend had Dunlops on his e46, his only complaint was they wore down pretty quick, what was your experience? |
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09-13-2013, 10:41 AM | #20 |
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Im going on season 3 of my current set of D3s. They will need to be replaced after this year. So overall about average, I guess.
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09-13-2013, 10:48 AM | #21 | |
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i have done 2 full seasons on my 3Ds (at least 15k miles) and they have been great. They still have another season left! |
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09-13-2013, 11:19 AM | #22 |
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The current Hakka's are 7's or R2's. Have used pretty much every winter tire out there, and the Hakka are by far the best, and also last the longest. Pretty amazing combination.
For my Intermediate tires on previous cars I used the all-weather Hakka WRG2. They were still better in the snow than many cheaper "winter" tires. |
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