Winter tires using OEM 21s...Pirelli are the only options, no longer are the Dunlops

[GladiatorOwner]

Posted this in another thread but figured I would just start my own to see what the "tire fitment gurus" in the forum think....?

Have had dedicated summers/winters for the last few years to deal with my previous M5/M6 whips during winter in the northeast. Figured I would try a different approach and just use OEM wheels and swap tires for the change in seasons.

Ok so I've been comparing the Pirelli Scorpion Winters vs the Ice and Snows. The winters appear to be superior to the RFTs (snow/ice). In 21s only for this discussion. Looking at that tool for fitment located on rimsntires.com, it looks like we can do the 285/40s and 295/35s??? The only issue is that it adds about 3 mph to the speedo but oem sizes are already add around a 3 mph higher reading anyway. So if you run these, you just need to be aware of approx. 5 mph diff (higher) in speed readings. You get the superior tire that is better in snow and cold (according to their own website info) fills the well better, has a higher sidewall, is non RFT and can be used with our 21 inch rims. Oh and they are less pricey by quite a bit. Also, you cannot do 285s in rear since we have 11.5 in rim so only 285/295....... Thoughts? Am I reading this right???

Other option is the Dunlop 3D winters in 275 all around but their load and speed reading are not the best. They can be used but I'm currently thinking the pirellis for this time around. Btw I've used dunlop winters on my previous Ms and they are a very good tire for winter (my experience anyway) in light snow and cold temps.

[R0ut3r]

I'm thinking of doing this too as I don't like the look of the 20's with square setup (wheels too far inside wheel arch).

I can only find the Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow Run flat in the correct sizes.

I don't really mind having run flats in the winter as its not like it will affect the handling of the vehicle anyway ...

[GladiatorOwner]

Yeah, reviewing the specs on the "winters", it looks like they can handle the load/speed, etc. but I just want to make sure I'm reading everything right. I will do the rft as well but I have to believe the non rft winters are a better ride for our M, and they are 295 in rear which should help alittle in snow (although they are still kinda big to worry about performance with these kinds of tires in snow).

[GladiatorOwner]

After further review, this is now my interpretation. 1st, the Dunlops will not work on our 21" 11.5 rear rims so they are not an option. 2nd, using Jimmys previous Q&A thread on fitment for X5s, Pirelli Wniters in 285/295 will not work due to rolling diameters being in the 2% range which will throw a code. Plus while the 295 will fit in the rear, it wil appear stretched. So, while safe to run 295s on all 4s, the rears will look stretched.

Now I have a new thought that may work and if ANYONE wants to chime in, please do. Since I'm still trying to avoid the RFT 285/325 ice and snows, I looked again at the Pirelli winters and it appears that we could run the 275/45/21 for front and 315/40/21 for rears? Diameters are very close and within 1%. Now the 45/40 sidewalls are higher but the width is smaller. I used the rimsntires.com tool and it appears they will fit.......

Thoughts?

[JNoSol]

I don't recommend 285/40/21 front and 295/35/21 rear for 2 reasons. (1) Front will be 30mm taller than OEM, there is a good chance to rubbing. (1) This setup will have create a 2.8% delta in diameter between front and rear, you'll ruin your transfer case and ECU will go crazy as it's thinking the rear wheels are spinning (rear diameter 2.8% smaller than front).

We have xDrive, that means whatever options you choose the front and rear must have the same rotating diameter. OEM is 733mm front and 729mm rear tire height.

I recommend getting 20" wheels, 20x10 front and 20x11 rear. Use 275/40/20 front and 315/35/20 rear. I used DWS06, great tires for the winter with xDrive. Any more grip than DWS06 for an X5 is overkill, I've taken my last E70 X5 with the same tires up the mountains in deep snow/ice.

[GladiatorOwner]

Originally Posted by JNoSol

I don't recommend 285/40/21 front and 295/35/21 rear for 2 reasons. (1) Front will be 30mm taller than OEM, there is a good chance to rubbing. (1) This setup will have create a 2.8% delta in diameter between front and rear, you'll ruin your transfer case and ECU will go crazy as it's thinking the rear wheels are spinning (rear diameter 2.8% smaller than front).

We have xDrive, that means whatever options you choose the front and rear must have the same rotating diameter. OEM is 733mm front and 729mm rear tire height.

I recommend getting 20" wheels, 20x10 front and 20x11 rear. Use 275/40/20 front and 315/35/20 rear. I used DWS06, great tires for the winter with xDrive. Any more grip than DWS06 for an X5 is overkill, I've taken my last E70 X5 with the same tires up the mountains in deep snow/ice.

Agreed. Now onto 275/45/21 front and 315/40/21 rear. Diameters work and are around .5% difference which fits the X drive. But the sidewalls are about an inch bigger on each side? Lots of room in these wells but is there enough when turning.....

[JNoSol]

Originally Posted by GladiatorOwner

Agreed. Now onto 275/45/21 front and 315/40/21 rear. Diameters work and are around .5% difference which fits the X drive. But the sidewalls are about an inch bigger on each side? Lots of room in these wells but is there enough when turning.....

The diameter delta front/rear would be good, but now you're running into potential rubbing issue and huge speedo difference. Such tall sidewalls will make your $100k SAV ride like a boat, IMO. The winter tires are mounted 5 months out of the year, why sacrifice performance/look for half the time you own the car?

You can try it and let us know.

Another option is buy a set of used OEM 20" F15 whee/tire and sell them when you're done. It's a lot cheaper to buy them now than winter times when demand is high.

[GladiatorOwner]

Very good point on the boat feel. That would not make me happy!!!

I don't think it will rub though.

[PatrickC23]

I show 275/35R21 as an alternative on the Tire Rack site, can anyone chime in with opinions on this?

This is what confused me from OP

"Also, you cannot do 285s in rear since we have 11.5 in rim so only 285/295....... Thoughts? Am I reading this right???

Other option is the Dunlop 3D winters in 275 all around but their load and speed reading are not the best. They can be used but I'm currently thinking the pirellis for this time around. "

I read that as we can "only do 285-95" but then why does Tire Rack say 275 is ok?

TIA

[GladiatorOwner]

I think tirerack is wrong as you look up the Dunlop specs for 275. It cannot be stretched on a 21" 11.5 rim. That is also why I was confused. I would even consider 295s all around but think even the 295s while safe on the rear but would look somewhat too stretched. 295s on front might not be best on the steering piece as well but dunno??

[iconoclast]

i have been researching the same topic in case i am not in another vehicle by winter. the 21" options are slim pickings and i may just go with the oem 469m wheels since more options are available. if you find something that may work please post.

[GladiatorOwner]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

i have been researching the same topic in case i am not in another vehicle by winter. the 21" options are slim pickings and i may just go with the oem 469m wheels since more options are available. if you find something that may work please post.

I'm still on it and have been revisiting the 45/40 sidewall thoughts. Since the X5M has the 20" option for OEM summers, I looked over the specs which shows 285/40/20 and 325/35/20 SO, going to a 45/40 sidewall does not seem like it would handle like a "boat"? Still not convinced but if the X5M is ok to have year round or summers with a 40/35 sidewall setup, moving to a 45/40 shouldn't be an issue. Granted the rim diameter is different so I guess now the current question is whether a rim size with a larger tire sidewall effects the feel? Since we are using these in winter conditions, it's not like your going to push the vehicles limits during these months. We just want it to handle well in snow and cold at all times.........

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by GladiatorOwner

We just want it to handle well in snow and cold at all times.........

exactly the objective i am trying to achieve. i am not looking to carve up the roads at a spirited pace during a snow storm. i just want to get in and out of the mountains without issue or incident then in and out of town or onto the slopes and back home. i spend many weekends on roads that are not well maintained and temps vary by 20 degrees from day to night so there is often ice or black ice.

[M-Tech- Will]

I use 295 35 21 Pirelli all around on oem 215 for winter .since i have brembo 405 kit.

[GladiatorOwner]

Originally Posted by M-Tech- Will

I use 295 35 21 Pirelli all around on oem 215 for winter .since i have brembo 405 kit.

What's the rim width f/r specs- rear tire stretched at all? And how does it handle/steer with 295 up front?

I guess there's a few questions in there.

[iconoclast]

215 tire is going to have approximately 3" of stretch unless the individual meant on style215 wheels.

[GladiatorOwner]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

215 tire is going to have approximately 3" of stretch unless the individual meant on style215 wheels.

I'm sure it's style 215. And they are specc'd at 10/11.5 sizes so it will work but curious on handling. 295 will be stretched some but they do fit.

[onfireX5]

I bought the oem winter package because I can not stand tire vibration. 15 lbs of road noise is my max. Get them balanced correctly, even if it takes a few tries, and forget it. Taking tires off rims twice a year and going through the rebalance fiasco would kill me.

[GladiatorOwner]

Originally Posted by onfireX5

I bought the oem winter package because I can not stand tire vibration. 15 lbs of road noise is my max. Get them balanced correctly, even if it takes a few tries, and forget it. Taking tires off rims twice a year and going through the rebalance fiasco would kill me.

I've done this for the past 3 years and agree somewhat. However, I'm also tired of this process, it ties up cash for really 4 months use and yeah I know you can resell afterwards but it's still a giant PITA. We should have the option to not buy $4Gs worth of extra wheels, tires, tpms too! I kinda feel like BMW is saying "TFB, buy our EXTRA set to get your 4 Wheel Drive vehicle through the winter whether you like it or not!" Just sayin.

That said I may still go the extra set route but resisting for now. Ha

[Luca42]

Originally Posted by GladiatorOwner

I've done this for the past 3 years and agree somewhat. However, I'm also tired of this process, it ties up cash for really 4 months use and yeah I know you can resell afterwards but it's still a giant PITA. We should have the option to not buy $4Gs worth of extra wheels, tires, tpms too! I kinda feel like BMW is saying "TFB, buy our EXTRA set to get your 4 Wheel Drive vehicle through the winter whether you like it or not!" Just sayin.

That said I may still go the extra set route but resisting for now. Ha

+1. I felt the same way last winter. I took delivery of my car on December 1 and spent two months searching for an acceptable winter option. By early February, I had given up. I ended up driving the other car when the temperatures dipped below 40 or moisture on the ground. Was so fortunate that it was such a mild winter.

Not expecting the same for this winter and so I went out and ordered an all-season set up. (My analysis on what to get could fill up a journal, as I went back and forth on what was best for me.) Given the amount of snow where I live, I can do without a true winter set-up, but it is irresponsible to drive on summer tires when it gets cold.

Surprisingly, I'm looking forward to my all season setup, especially after the difficulty in getting 21" Michelin PSSs. I am hoping that the new set-up will allow me to run safely in the winter with minimal drop off in performance.

[GladiatorOwner]

I hear ya. Worst case I'll run 295s all around and just say eff it! I know it will work and I cannot believe there will be steering issues since front goes from 285 to 295-- what's that, 1/2 an inch inside? There's room, unless someone knows better? Rear going from 325 to 295 is alittle stretched but I ran a stretched 265/35 on the rear of my M6GC and it was just fine (OEM rear is 295/30 or even 305).

[PatrickC23]

Starting to hurt my head with what may or may not work (and read too many stories of shortages last year). I just went ahead and ordered the winter set for the F85.