Snow tires on staggered 20's?

[Kdawg1966]

Hi all,

I'm very close to buying my first X5, however I'm still trying to determine the best possible solution for winter driving, prior to a purchase. I've read a number of threads here but still am unclear on winter tire setups. I see that many members here take off the staggered 20's (or bigger) and replace them with a squared 18 or 19" setup for winter.

Does it make sense to keep the 20" staggered setup and just add winter tires for winter driving, rather than having two separate sets of tires?

Thanks for any input.

[MysticBlue]

I have Pirelli Scorpion Snow and Ice on 20" staggered. They've worked great for me through 3 winters (soon to be the 4th). I have them mounted on a set of 469's so I don't have to go through the mounting and unmounting every fall and spring. Lots of snow and ice in-town driving as well as highway driving in the mountains. The X5 is my every day drive and only drive in the winter. I won't use all-season tires. I'm perfectly happy with this setup.
edit: Just to be clear, my Scorpions are mounted on a second set of 469's. I have Continental summer performance tires on the original set of 469's.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Kdawg1966

Hi all,

I'm very close to buying my first X5, however I'm still trying to determine the best possible solution for winter driving, prior to a purchase. I've read a number of threads here but still am unclear on winter tire setups. I see that many members here take off the staggered 20's (or bigger) and replace them with a squared 18 or 19" setup for winter.

Does it make sense to keep the 20" staggered setup and just add winter tires for winter driving, rather than having two separate sets of tires?

Thanks for any input.

Easiest route is to keep 20'' setup with All-Season tires until it's worn out and then replace it with good All-Season tires. Works well if you drive all year round and don't have to drive in extreme conditions. I've yet to see such winter and road that will stop AWD X5 with all-season tires. Maybe somewhere in Alpine mountains on twisty roads during severe winter-storm on unplowed roads Added bonus is that you'll look good in winter too with those 20'' staggered setup. imho I hate the ugly 19 or even 18 look in winter many owners have. It's like imagine 3-5 months of the year they are driving a poor mans x5 and waiting every year to finally change over to summer setup

A bit more difficult route is to buy a second set of 18 or 19 inch square setup wheels with winter tires and do a changeover twice a year (before and after a winter) - this is going to be more costly and a bit more hassle, since you'll need tpms as well and you'll pay twice a year for changeover and either keep your tires in garage (needs space too) and get dirty loading/unloading or pay for yearly storage at some local tire shop

Worst in my opinion is to have only 1 set of 20'' staggered rims and keep changing tires twice a year on those rims to winter tires and back. You pay more every time due to added balancing cost and you still have to keep tires in your garage and still have to get dirty and load/unload etc. Twice a year

There are some other options, but I don't want to digress. Also it depends on what exactly are you buying? If stock 20'' rims you are buying don't look good and you will change them anyway for some other style - then it may make sense to save money in the first place and buy x5 with 19'' wheels and make them your winter setup and buy what you really want for "summer" setup

[Kdawg1966]

Thanks for the replies fellas. I feel like I've got all my ducks lined up now. Now all I need is the right rig to come along. I'm fervently looking.

[spike5150]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Easiest route is to keep 20'' setup with All-Season tires until it's worn out and then replace it with good All-Season tires.

However, there are no 20" all season runflats in existence. You have to go with non-runflats and get the spare tire kit if you want staggered 20's.

[Kdawg1966]

Originally Posted by spike5150

However, there are no 20" all season runflats in existence. You have to go with non-runflats and get the spare tire kit if you want staggered 20's.

Roger that. Figured I'd rather go the non-FL route anyway. Thanks Spike5150.

[MysticBlue]

In my opinion, all seasons are worthless. They try to be good at everything and end up being good at nothing.

[Scott2.0]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

In my opinion, all seasons are worthless. They try to be good at everything and end up being good at nothing.

This. We didn't settle on our vehicles, there's no reason to settle on tires. A performance vehicle especially with all season tires is just sad.

[spike5150]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

In my opinion, all seasons are worthless. They try to be good at everything and end up being good at nothing.

Here in Denver they are great for the winter months. Not that much snow on the roads and do just fine when there is a storm. Knowing how to drive in snow and ice also helps considerably. They wear a lot better on the mostly dry roads during winter. No need for dedicated snow tires, and I have my 21's for fun in the sun.

[Fozzy]

Originally Posted by Scott2.0

This. We didn't settle on our vehicles, there's no reason to settle on tires. A performance vehicle especially with all season tires is just sad.

This!

New to X5 but not BMW AWD. Never a doubt about getting winters in Toronto even if just driving in dry or light snow. It is an up front investment for way better summer and winter performance. Just went through the analysis and here it is:

As for staggered, I'm giving up a bit on stance and getting 275/40/20 all around for winter 10" nice looking rep wheels with 40mm offset. With square set up the rear tire follows in the front track, which will give better performance in slush and snow. You'll lose about 10mm into the wheel well, which isn't horrible, much better still than the standard 19" set up at 255.

Haven't tried staggered in winter but with 275 thick tires, not going to push it with a stagger. If people say handling is great with all season staggered then can't wait to see how awesome this set up will be. Lastly, non-RFT tires, as 20" runflats in winter will be a harsh ride.

Currently running 275,315 summers RFT on luxury model.

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by spike5150

Here in Denver they are great for the winter months. Not that much snow on the roads and do just fine when there is a storm. Knowing how to drive in snow and ice also helps considerably. They wear a lot better on the mostly dry roads during winter. No need for dedicated snow tires, and I have my 21's for fun in the sun.

I've had a vehicle with all seasons that I have driven through multiple winters, then switched to winter snow and ice. Having had several winters of driving experience on one vehicle, I knew how that vehicle handled in winter conditions. Then, switching to winter tires on that same vehicle, the difference was considerable. I have had this experience with several different vehicles. Every time it was the same experience... same vehicle for comparison, big difference going from all seasons to winter tires. I'm not on the west side, I'm on the east side of the state and drive throughout the mountains of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Anyway, to make a long story short, my opinion has been formed from direct comparison of the two types of tires on the same vehicle, several different times. For my needs, in my geographic area, in my opinion, there is no comparison.

[BMW_K1D]

Hello everyone, am new to the forum and just got my 2014 X5 and thinking about winter tires or buy a set of 19s? Currently installed are 20s.

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by J7NKMAIL

Hello everyone, am new to the forum and just got my 2014 X5 and thinking about winter tires or buy a set of 19s? Currently installed are 20s.

Donut 18s on snow. Then swap your 20s on during spring.