Winter wheel and tire options

[fooit]

Sorry if this has been covered - I've done a quick scan/search and not found the topic as clearly addressed as I'm looking for.

Having just ordered 2015 35d with M package we are now looking for options for winter and these are the options available for us -

1. Just put winter tires only on the stock 20" wheels (price of tires + swap twice a year).
2. Get BWM 19" winter package ($4400 + tax in Ontario).
3. Get 19" wheels, TPMS and winter tires.
4. Get 20" wheels, TPMS and winter tires.
5. Get 18" wheels, TPMS and winter tires.

What's the most popular option?
What tire size for this option?

I'd appreciate all the info I can get.
Thanks in advance!

[fooit]

Found this post -
http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=897314

Found another post with lots of pics -
http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=915840

BTT 335i posted link to this amazing thread with lots of pics -
http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=950209

[Taran.J]

Get a 20" dedicated set

[F15GorDe]

You have significantly more choices available with 19" wheels.

[Violator]

I had the same issue when I ordered my X6, I decided the BMW 19" M sport wheels and winter tire package would be best for me. So I have the stock 20" staggegered set with the summer tires and the 19" winter set.

[NVRfollo]

I would go with an 18" dedicated setup.

a) you have slightly more sidewall to protect against potholes
b) way way cheaper to replace the 18" rim in case you trash it
c) I believe the 18's are slightly narrower than the 19's which helps even more in snow
d) you will save 20-25% going down from a 19" setup to an 18" setup


This is what I am doing next winter

[fooit]

Thank you all for your replies!

Could you please help me with the sizes and options for whatever options you choose - what's the proper size of the wheel, like 19"x8.5" or 19"x9", offset, etc, and if you know what size of tires to use.

[fooit]

Why is it only 20" setup is staggered?
Why not 19" or even 18" setups?
Has it been done before?

[fooit]

I am reading info online that Canadian cars don't come with TPMS?
I hope we have Canadian owners here to confirm that.

[Violator]

Originally Posted by fooit

Thank you all for your replies!

Could you please help me with the sizes and options for whatever options you choose - what's the proper size of the wheel, like 19"x8.5" or 19"x9", offset, etc, and if you know what size of tires to use.

BMW 623M is the wheel I purchased for my winter set, they came wrapped in Pirelli 255/50 R19 winter tires. I used them last winter here in Germany and they performed very well.

[wjbender]

Originally Posted by NVRfollo

I would go with an 18" dedicated setup.

a) you have slightly more sidewall to protect against potholes
b) way way cheaper to replace the 18" rim in case you trash it
c) I believe the 18's are slightly narrower than the 19's which helps even more in snow
d) you will save 20-25% going down from a 19" setup to an 18" setup


This is what I am doing next winter

+1 this is the best choice for serious winter use and good pothole protection. I plan to do this too

[Jefff15]

Originally Posted by fooit

I am reading info online that Canadian cars don't come with TPMS?
I hope we have Canadian owners here to confirm that.

I have a Canadian 2015 f15, and I have tpms. I believe it is a requirement if you have run flat tires.

[zeusdogo]

Good thread, I was contemplating on winter tires too. I placed an order for mine 35d on April 15.

fooit, did you get lead time on delivery? and which dealer did you order with?

[fooit]

Originally Posted by Jefff15

I have a Canadian 2015 f15, and I have tpms. I believe it is a requirement if you have run flat tires.

Do you have the system with sensors in each wheel or the system that is based on the sensors ( ABS sensors?) that are outside wheels?
If the latter system, then we don't need expensive TPMS sensors in winter wheels.

[BTT 335i]

Go for the 20" I have 20" pirelli in my E70 275/40/20 and 315/35/20 and the car work perfect in the snow

Check here http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=950209

[fooit]

Originally Posted by zeusdogo

Good thread, I was contemplating on winter tires too. I placed an order for mine 35d on April 15.

fooit, did you get lead time on delivery? and which dealer did you order with?

When I reached out to three different dealerships I was told the same story - they have one 35d on the lot or demo and one car coming in shortly.
If none of these cars are matching your dream configuration and you cannot compromise, then you are looking for 4 to 6 months wait time if you order now, that is mid April 2015.
And they also didn't even want to talk discounts because these cars are in high demand or so they claimed.
I
We got lucky, the car BMW of Mississauga (aka Pfaff BMW) was about to receive matched my specs almost perfectly, so it was a no brainer.
We are getting the car next week, tentative delivery date is April 22.

[fooit]

Originally Posted by BTT 335i

Go for the 20" I have 20" pirelli in my E70 275/40/20 and 315/35/20 and the car work perfect in the snow

Check here http://www.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=950209

Wow! Thanks! I will add your thread to my post with threads on the subject.

[zeusdogo]

Originally Posted by fooit

When I reached out to three different dealerships I was told the same story - they have one 35d on the lot or demo and one car coming in shortly.
If none of these cars are matching your dream configuration and you cannot compromise, then you are looking for 4 to 6 months wait time if you order now, that is mid April 2015.
And they also didn't even want to talk discounts because these cars are in high demand or so they claimed.
I
We got lucky, the car BMW of Mississauga (aka Pfaff BMW) was about to receive matched my specs almost perfectly, so it was a no brainer.
We are getting the car next week, tentative delivery date is April 22.

I placed my order with Pfaff too. You're lucky you found close to what you were looking for, I have to wait atleast two months

[-JLT-]

i'm planning on using up my 20's summer tires up this summer and fall and then replace them with some all-season performance tires in the winter. i did this on my 650xi Gran Coupe and it ran awesome in the winters

i use to have dedicated wheels/winter tires for all my cars (even AWD ones) but now am running all-season performance tires all year round on AWD cars/SAVs. also, did this on my B8 S4 and it ran good as well in the winters. my M3, on the other hand, i have a dedicated winter set of wheels/tires due to it's RWD

[DDS2015]

Originally Posted by fooit

Do you have the system with sensors in each wheel or the system that is based on the sensors ( ABS sensors?) that are outside wheels?
If the latter system, then we don't need expensive TPMS sensors in winter wheels.

We took delivery of a 35i (haven't posted pictures yet) and we upgraded to the 20" wheel option, 451. I found a set of 19" 450 wheels here on the forum and had just the wheels and center caps shipped to me. I then had them wrapped in Nokian tires (forget the exact tire) size was 255/50/19 i think, whatever stock size is for the square set-up. I recommend using either 18" or 19" square set-up even though the flares stick out so much on the M-sport vehicle because it will protect the body from gravel/salt/damage. It looks a little funky, but worth it in my opinion. Also, its a Canadian spec car, no sensors inside the wheel. It uses the ABS sensors. So that will save a bit of money too. Hope that helps.

[monkray]

In Europe the standard 19" 467M M Sport set up is staggered with 255 front and 285 rear. This allowed the car to come with all-season run flats which is not possible with the 20"s. The extra 3cm on the back makes a big difference to the look of the car and forum members who have seen photos of my car have been convinced that I am using spacers. I am really happy with this compromise - you might like to enquire if they could provide the same set-up in Canada.

[schaeffs]

Originally Posted by monkray

In Europe the standard 19" 467M M Sport set up is staggered with 255 front and 285 rear. This allowed the car to come with all-season run flats which is not possible with the 20"s. The extra 3cm on the back makes a big difference to the look of the car and forum members who have seen photos of my car have been convinced that I am using spacers. I am really happy with this compromise - you might like to enquire if they could provide the same set-up in Canada.

Hi Monkray - what tyres did you get on these? Finding it difficult to source the winter 285/45/19 rears in Runflat BMW fitment.