Post your F15 Winter Wheel set up

[BMWMN1971]

I got the M Sport package with 19" wheels and michelin all season RFT and I plan to use that year round. This is my 4th X5 in 8 years living in MN and I never had a situation I needed winter/snow tires. At least in the metro area they do an amazing job keeping the roads clean even after getting 98 inches of snow last season. If you are driving on back roads with ice and snow it may make sense but in highways and well maintained roads I see no need for that.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by BMWMN1971

I got the M Sport package with 19" wheels and michelin all season RFT and I plan to use that year round. This is my 4th X5 in 8 years living in MN and I never had a situation I needed winter/snow tires. At least in the metro area they do an amazing job keeping the roads clean even after getting 98 inches of snow last season. If you are driving on back roads with ice and snow it may make sense but in highways and well maintained roads I see no need for that.

No issues stopping in cold weather with the harder all-seasons? I had some sliding issues in my wife's X3 with even just a light snow at low speeds with all-season tires. That's what brought me back to planning on winters even though I too have the M sport and 19" A/S setup coming.

[BMWMN1971]

I never had an experience with winter tires so not the best person to compare performance with all season. However, we never had issues driving in MN weather with all season tires. Yes, if you get black ice or heavy snow you have to drive slow and be more careful but never had issues. I asked about winter tires once and the guy told me that if you drive with those tires in clean roads they will wear pretty fast because they are very soft. I guess if we had snow covered roads for a long time it would make sense but that is mot the case here in MN.

Originally Posted by chrisny

No issues stopping in cold weather with the harder all-seasons? I had some sliding issues in my wife's X3 with even just a light snow at low speeds with all-season tires. That's what brought me back to planning on winters even though I too have the M sport and 19" A/S setup coming.

[FIRSTX]

Started a new thread on this but no action, now that I have non RF for my winter tires, I need a space saver spare. I have the room in my trunk, but where do I buy one? Dealer? Tire Rack? Whats the deal?

Thanks!!

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by FIRSTX

Started a new thread on this but no action, now that I have non RF for my winter tires, I need a space saver spare. I have the room in my trunk, but where do I buy one? Dealer? Tire Rack? Whats the deal?

Thanks!!

I would imagine any tire place or a BMW dealership

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by BMWMN1971

However, we never had issues driving in MN weather with all season tires.

I worked on a project in Eagan, MN for a bit. That's some serious cold out there. If you're good with all-seasons, maybe it's just the particular all-seasons we had on the X3 that just weren't good enough (good-years). I did have a set of Conti all-seasons on a Mercedes that I was very happy with, never felt the need to change those.

[MtgMaster]

Agree... Sounds like all, all-season tires are not equal. Obviously.

[chrisny]

It's really about your tolerance level though. No matter what, winters > all-seasons in cold weather, wet or dry. The rubber compound is more suited to cold weather just like summer tires have a compound more suited for warm weather. All-seasons, even the best all-seasons, are no seasons. The question is whether they offer enough of a balance for your tolerance level to make sense and save expense, obviously affected by where you live as well. Plenty of people on here in cold arse places like MN swear all-seasons are sufficient. I've had plenty of NY winters that were so mild, I wondered why I even bothered putting snows on. Then I've also had plenty where the winter tires were a must.

What I think is less obvious to us is stopping ability even on dry roads though. Winter tires will supposedly stop better even on dry roads in the winter than all-seasons, again, based on the rubber compound. I think this is not as well known and more often ignored, because it's not something you'll necessarily feel unless you have an emergency stop and it's not like you have those every day to compare. Winters will stop better in the snow, that we can feel anytime it snows. But they will stop better on dry roads too.

So to me, it's almost like insurance, pay the money and know you're secure, or save your money and take your chances. BUT, at the end of the day, I always come back to the same thing, when you buy a winter set up, you're prolonging the life of your spring/summer/fall setup, AND you have an asset that can be sold or used on another vehicle after you're done with the current one. So to me, the cost is a non-factor and it becomes only about the minor hassle of swapping them twice a year and storing a set year-round, and potentially selling them every 3 years or however long you keep your cars. Now, if you can get through a lease with the same set of tires and never have to change or replace them before you turn it in (not always possible, but sometimes), then the cost does become a factor again.

[BMWMN1971]

Just a note proving all all-season tires are not equal, my first X5 came with GoodYear tires and it went through the leasing period in perfect conditions. Second X5 had Michelin and they were the best. No issues at all. Third X5 came with Bridgestone. What a disaster!!!!! I had to put 4 brand new tires on the car just 2 months before returning the lease since the car wasn't safe anymore. Tires were destroyed. Now my new 2014 X5 came with Michelin again and I was happy to see that when I picked up the car.

Originally Posted by MtgMaster

Agree... Sounds like all, all-season tires are not equal. Obviously.

[FIRSTX]

Ordering my Nokian Winter set up for the new X5, am I correct in the size tire I should have on my 19" factory rims would be 255-50-19? Thanks!

[coconut780]

^correct

[AnthonyL88]

So, what's the best All-Season tires? Anything from GoodYear and Michelin?

[Kief]

Originally Posted by NOVA99

Currently have Conti DWS on E70 with 20" M-Sport and what a difference it made. I ordered it with Space Saver Spare and put a can of Fix-A-Flat in the trunk just in case. I just ordered wife a new F15 50i with 20" M-Sport yesterday and doing the same thing again. The Conti's rock in summer & winter. Also improve the ride and last longer than RFT.

Originally Posted by MtgMaster

After having dedicated winter rims on the last 3 cars, I plan to go from summer to all season this time. While winter tires are great in the snow it just doesn't snow enough (in nj) in my opinion to warrant winter tires and sacrifice dry handling 90% of the time. Given I don't commute far or live in a hilly area. Last winter there was a warmer day and had to slam the brakes... Mush... Took 3 days to come to a stop. Winter rubber is so soft if it's not cold enough. Given there is a flip side...

I plan on doing the Conti DWS on the stock 20 m sport wheels. We know wide tires for snow is a no no but many other X5 (e70) owners commented on how surprisingly good the contis were considering they are an all season, WWide tire.

+2
I have the Contis on my E70 w/20" and they are great! For our driving needs, dedicated winter rubber isn't necessary.

If I were ordering an F15, I would swap out the crappy Dunlops with Conti DWS at delivery and try and sell the Dunlops as "take offs." However, selling them might be a real PIA

[MonacoJoe]

Originally Posted by MtgMaster

After having dedicated winter rims on the last 3 cars, I plan to go from summer to all season this time. While winter tires are great in the snow it just doesn't snow enough (in nj) in my opinion to warrant winter tires and sacrifice dry handling 90% of the time. Given I don't commute far or live in a hilly area. Last winter there was a warmer day and had to slam the brakes... Mush... Took 3 days to come to a stop. Winter rubber is so soft if it's not cold enough. Given there is a flip side...

I plan on doing the Conti DWS on the stock 20 m sport wheels. We know wide tires for snow is a no no but many other X5 (e70) owners commented on how surprisingly good the contis were considering they are an all season, WWide tire.

that's what i did. they are dope. only issue is reduced aesthetics as they don't look as sport/block. but its a good move. enjoy

[FIRSTX]

Since I will have winter tires, I would really rather summer performance tires instead of just putting the factory all seasons back on.

1. Where and how to sell my brand new all seasons from the factory (200 miles on them)

2. What and where should I get my summer performance tires?

Thanks!!

[eschw999]

Is it ok to put non-run flats on these X5's???
The dealer told me these cars are tuned for run flats, but wanted more opinions ...

[Mb23]

I am in NY and have had the stock 20's swapped to Conti's on both my X5 and X6… Perfect for me and my needs and was fine during the winter in any condition. I will be doing the same on my new x5.

[chrisny]

Seems some of these winter tires are in short supply (especially if looking for 19's) and TPMS sensors are back-ordered. Anyone else have any different wheels they've put on their F15?

I'm struggling with either getting a set of snows to put on the stock M Sport 19's, then getting a summer set up in the spring (likely still 19", but staggered to fill the rear fenders better), and getting a winter set of wheels (maybe VMR V710's) and tires, likely without sensors, at least for this winter since it seems no one can get them and using the M sport 19's (which I love) in the summer, which also means the good-year all-seasons won't go to waste, we'll use them for the spring/summer/fall.

I guess this is another reason not to get the new model so close to the beginning, less options and less out there to help make these decisions!

VMR v710:

[bluelodge400]

Originally Posted by BlackLemon

Booooom

20 inch M sport wheels on Pirelli Ice and snow
http://www.pirelli.com/tyre/ww/en/su.../sheet/details

BlackLemon,
How do the 20" Pirelli IS perform in snow? This is the same setup I plan on doing.

[upstate650]

Originally Posted by bluelodge400

BlackLemon,
How do the 20" Pirelli IS perform in snow? This is the same setup I plan on doing.

Is that the staggered set up? studded or non-studded?

[AndreyATC]

Originally Posted by chrisny

Seems some of these winter tires are in short supply (especially if looking for 19's) and TPMS sensors are back-ordered. Anyone else have any different wheels they've put on their F15?

I'm struggling with either getting a set of snows to put on the stock M Sport 19's, then getting a summer set up in the spring (likely still 19", but staggered to fill the rear fenders better), and getting a winter set of wheels (maybe VMR V710's) and tires, likely without sensors, at least for this winter since it seems no one can get them and using the M sport 19's (which I love) in the summer, which also means the good-year all-seasons won't go to waste, we'll use them for the spring/summer/fall.

I guess this is another reason not to get the new model so close to the beginning, less options and less out there to help make these decisions!

VMR v710:
Attachment 953021

Chris,
Make sure load rating on these rims are sufficient for X5's weight
After all, NY is not wheel-friendly state

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by AndreyATC

Chris,
Make sure load rating on these rims are sufficient for X5's weight
After all, NY is not wheel-friendly state

Yeah good point, thanks. This is why I'm trying to resist going to 20's for the summer, even BMW wheels would bend on the potholes I pay so many tax dollars to enjoy.. Bent 3 on my E70 with the 214's and I wasn't even driving that anywhere near the city or GW bridge. Bent 6 AMG wheels on a C300 over 3 years, half of that time commuting over the GWB into jersey 4 days a week.

I'm told the VMR's work on the X5 but I'll compare load rating to BMW wheels. I'm not 100% sure I like them so much better than the X-line wheels BMW has as a winter wheel setup, but I think I do. Hard to say without seeing either on the car (with m sport) though.