135i 18'' Winter Tires

gtaday51 · 01-28-2009, 10:26 AM

I live in the New York and as many of you have noiced the winter here has gotten a bit crazy. After about a week's worth of searching and several calls to Canada and Italy I have found snow tires that work exceptionally well with my 135i w/ Sport Package.

They are Pirelli 240 Sottozero RFT tires.

Heres the fun part though. You need to change tire sizes slightly to match European spec 135is.

The front tires need to be 225/40 R18 VR M+S
And the rear tires need to be 255/35 R18 VR M+S

This allows you to keep the staggard tires and trust me, my 135i actually tracks straight in the snow now.

Johnnyr135 · 01-28-2009, 10:55 AM

I here you I had to get all seasons myself, Good Year F1 All Seasons 235/35/19 in the front and 245/35/19 in the rear I cannot believe how well they have worked so far.

ZIPNBYE · 01-28-2009, 11:08 AM

Appropriate footwear is just as important for your car as it is for you, seasonally speaking.

Per some literature I've collected over the years, the various tire manufacturers all note that even all-season tires start to lose grip with the road at temps of +7C / +45F and the colder it gets, the more that they promote winter tires.

Kudos to you both for being smart, as opposed to the OP in this thread.

deeb · 01-28-2009, 05:50 PM

Uhmmm, I have 18" snow tires on stock rims, 225/40r/18 all around and they work great. Just FYI... much cheaper alternative, also, skinnier tires work better in snow deeper than 1" or so..

2AD Tanker · 01-29-2009, 11:06 AM

I am debating between 17 or 18's for winter tires (for next year) my 135i is garaged this winter.

From what I have read on the forum - skinnier 17's are the way to go for climants with more snow.

Addict...Nah Im A Junkie! · 01-29-2009, 11:09 AM

17's are also cheaper.

Joey_T · 01-29-2009, 12:34 PM

205/50/17 on all wheels will probably be the best winter setup. On snowy roads narrower tires perform better.

cmorello · 08-18-2011, 09:07 AM

Hi all. I'm leasing a 2012 135i. I own a set of continental 235 45 17 snow tires from a past 5 series bmw. They are like new. many of the posts I read mention the use of 17 inch snow tires and wheels. My car come stock with 18 inch wheels. The dealer says I can't use the snows I own ( I figured Cheaper to by rims then tires and swap them myself every season) is it the size of the tire they are saying no to, or do 17in rims not fit on this car. Thanks for your help can't seem to get the answer I need. Carl

ptack · 08-18-2011, 11:53 AM

Depends on how narrow those 5 series wheels are. Chances are the offsets are too low so you can't use them on a 1.

Just to be clear to people. There is no advantage of a 17"wheel over an 18" wheel in terms of snow. There is an advantage with regards to a narrow wheel verus a wide wheel (assuming you are on pavement). The reason you may want a 17" wheel instead of an 18" wheel is to gain more sidewall depth to protect against potholes and other sharp drops that could pinch the sidewall on a low profile tile. If you have good roads or can avoid hazards, good snow tires on the 18" OEM wheels will work fine.

PA135i · 08-19-2011, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptack

Depends on how narrow those 5 series wheels are. Chances are the offsets are too low so you can't use them on a 1.

Just to be clear to people. There is no advantage of a 17"wheel over an 18" wheel in terms of snow. There is an advantage with regards to a narrow wheel verus a wide wheel (assuming you are on pavement). The reason you may want a 17" wheel instead of an 18" wheel is to gain more sidewall depth to protect against potholes and other sharp drops that could pinch the sidewall on a low profile tile. If you have good roads or can avoid hazards, good snow tires on the 18" OEM wheels will work fine.

The other reason you might want to go with a 17" wheel verses an 18" is cost. Tires for 17" wheels are much.. much cheaper.

ptack · 08-19-2011, 02:04 PM

Not cheaper than the OEMs.
I'd rather put wheel money into summer wheels where you can add performance and looks.

PA135i · 08-22-2011, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptack

Not cheaper than the OEMs.
I'd rather put wheel money into summer wheels where you can add performance and looks.

Huh? Tires for 17" wheels are much cheaper vs. tires for 18" wheels.

This is a wrong statement?

schteve97 · 08-22-2011, 05:20 PM

Sounds like Tire rack is closing out the F1s..Any insight on the quality?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnnyr135

I here you I had to get all seasons myself, Good Year F1 All Seasons 235/35/19 in the front and 245/35/19 in the rear I cannot believe how well they have worked so far.

johnnyB · 08-22-2011, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kja325ci

The other reason you might want to go with a 17" wheel verses an 18" is cost. Tires for 17" wheels are much.. much cheaper.

But if you have to buy 17" rims then the initial cost would be more then it would to invest in just your 18" OEM rims with tires only. An additional cost of $400 for $17 rims (citing cheapest rim avail on tirerack). Using blizzacks 17" vs 18", $120 for tires alone, or $520 for the 17" package vs the 18" with OEM rims. So cheaper yes if you can get 17's for hella cheap or already have them.

hopefully clear as mud

just my 2 cents.

Mr Kleen · 08-23-2011, 11:28 AM

That's my plan as well: winter tires for the stock wheels, summer tires and new wheels for spring.

01-28-2009, 10:26 AM	#1
gtaday51 gone but not forgotten 35 Rep 985 Posts Drives: gone 135 - Hello 1M! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: The Big Apple iTrader: (0)	135i 18'' Winter Tires I live in the New York and as many of you have noiced the winter here has gotten a bit crazy. After about a week's worth of searching and several calls to Canada and Italy I have found snow tires that work exceptionally well with my 135i w/ Sport Package. They are Pirelli 240 Sottozero RFT tires. Heres the fun part though. You need to change tire sizes slightly to match European spec 135is. The front tires need to be 225/40 R18 VR M+S And the rear tires need to be 255/35 R18 VR M+S This allows you to keep the staggard tires and trust me, my 135i actually tracks straight in the snow now.
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01-28-2009, 10:55 AM	#2
Johnnyr135 Captain 73 Rep 893 Posts Drives: BMW 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	I here you I had to get all seasons myself, Good Year F1 All Seasons 235/35/19 in the front and 245/35/19 in the rear I cannot believe how well they have worked so far. __________________ 2008 BMW 135i, DINAN / Riss Racing / BMS
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01-28-2009, 11:08 AM	#3
ZIPNBYE Let's save military ranks for those who earn it! 45 Rep 1,161 Posts Drives: ...on the Ragged Edge Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada iTrader: (6) Garage List 2013 BMW e92 M3 Cou ... [7.50] 2013 BMW e84 X1 xDr ... [7.00]	Appropriate footwear is just as important for your car as it is for you, seasonally speaking. Per some literature I've collected over the years, the various tire manufacturers all note that even all-season tires start to lose grip with the road at temps of +7C / +45F and the colder it gets, the more that they promote winter tires. Kudos to you both for being smart, as opposed to the OP in this thread. __________________ Richard 2013 BMW M3 Individual -- Fire Orange (sold) 2013 BMW X1 xDrive35i M-Sport -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2011 BMW 1-series M Coupe (#205/220) -- Valencia Orange (sold) 2009 BMW 135i M-Sport Coupe -- Space Grey (sold)
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01-28-2009, 05:50 PM	#4
deeb boss. 19 Rep 216 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	Uhmmm, I have 18" snow tires on stock rims, 225/40r/18 all around and they work great. Just FYI... much cheaper alternative, also, skinnier tires work better in snow deeper than 1" or so.. __________________ .:08::black::135i::6speed::stick:.
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01-29-2009, 11:06 AM	#5
2AD Tanker Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 242 Posts Drives: 135i Black Sapphire Metallic Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Beer town USA (Milwaukee) iTrader: (0)	I am debating between 17 or 18's for winter tires (for next year) my 135i is garaged this winter. From what I have read on the forum - skinnier 17's are the way to go for climants with more snow.
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01-29-2009, 11:09 AM	#6
Addict...Nah Im A Junkie! Captain 34 Rep 786 Posts Drives: 09 135i, 98 M rdstr Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	17's are also cheaper. __________________ '09 135i 6MT : Space Grey/Black ette : Cold Weather Package : Sport Package : Glacier Silver Aluminum Trim : iPod and USB : Nav : HD radio : Premium hi-fi system
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01-29-2009, 12:34 PM	#7
Joey_T That's me... 17 Rep 234 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	205/50/17 on all wheels will probably be the best winter setup. On snowy roads narrower tires perform better.
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08-18-2011, 09:07 AM	#8
cmorello Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2012 bmw 135i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: huntingtington NY iTrader: (0)	New to 135i Hi all. I'm leasing a 2012 135i. I own a set of continental 235 45 17 snow tires from a past 5 series bmw. They are like new. many of the posts I read mention the use of 17 inch snow tires and wheels. My car come stock with 18 inch wheels. The dealer says I can't use the snows I own ( I figured Cheaper to by rims then tires and swap them myself every season) is it the size of the tire they are saying no to, or do 17in rims not fit on this car. Thanks for your help can't seem to get the answer I need. Carl
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08-18-2011, 11:53 AM	#9
ptack Brigadier General 269 Rep 4,470 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	Depends on how narrow those 5 series wheels are. Chances are the offsets are too low so you can't use them on a 1. Just to be clear to people. There is no advantage of a 17"wheel over an 18" wheel in terms of snow. There is an advantage with regards to a narrow wheel verus a wide wheel (assuming you are on pavement). The reason you may want a 17" wheel instead of an 18" wheel is to gain more sidewall depth to protect against potholes and other sharp drops that could pinch the sidewall on a low profile tile. If you have good roads or can avoid hazards, good snow tires on the 18" OEM wheels will work fine. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
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08-19-2011, 02:04 PM	#11
ptack Brigadier General 269 Rep 4,470 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: May 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i [6.50]	Not cheaper than the OEMs. I'd rather put wheel money into summer wheels where you can add performance and looks. __________________ 135i, SGM, Coral, Sport Package, Auto, Premium Hifi, USB/ipod, Apex EC-7s, PPK Stage II
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08-23-2011, 11:28 AM	#15
Mr Kleen teh porcupine 96 Rep 1,726 Posts Drives: 2020 Tesla 3 LR AWD Join Date: May 2011 Location: penthouse iTrader: (1) Garage List 2013 BMW X1 [10.00]	That's my plan as well: winter tires for the stock wheels, summer tires and new wheels for spring.
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