2016 CPO X5 X35I - Second Set Tires (Primarily for Snow)

[harrysahi42]

Guys,

I have a Msport X35I which came with stock summer tires (Continental). When I bought the car, I was planning to buy a second set along with rims. The reason I want the winter /all-season tires so I can take the car to the Mountains/Snow. Can you help me with the following:

1) Is it better to buy the tires and replace the tires with the same staggered rims?
2) Is it better to buy a second set of rims along with the tires? If yes, which rims? Staggered or normal Msport?

If I go with option 1, would that be a pain since I will have to get the alignment and balancing done every time I change the tires? Additionally, I will have to pay extra to take out the tire from the old rim and put on to the new rim.

If I go with option 2, will I still need to do alignment and balancing once I change the rims/tires?

I am not that familiar with tires and I know many members on this forum have two sets. I will greatly appreciate it if you can guide me the right direction!

[RED_Y_]

I would go with set of wheels and tires, go with 19 inch square set up, tires are cheap (compared to 20), and it will take you 1 hour to swap from summer to winter, much easier than go to the shop for tire swap every time you are planning a ski trip. You don't need to do alignment every time you do the tire swap though, just balance them. And that's another benefit of having separate set of winter wheels and tires- you mount and balance them once, you don't have to pay ever again until they warned out. Lived in Tahoe for 8 years, always used to have 2 sets for all the cars I owned.

[harrysahi42]

Thank you so much for your insights! I will look for 19" rims and tires. I don't expect to use winter tires as I am in the LA area. So do you recommend going with All Season instead, if do go in the snow? Never, knew you just need to do balancing once!

Does changing the rims/tires have an effect on the shockers, etc.?

[CatalinP]

2nd set of rims will need tyre pressure sensors as well.

[harrysahi42]

The second set I am getting has the sensors...just wondering, if any other thing affects with the change of tire and rim size..

[RED_Y_]

Originally Posted by harrysahi42

Thank you so much for your insights! I will look for 19" rims and tires. I don't expect to use winter tires as I am in the LA area. So do you recommend going with All Season instead, if do go in the snow? Never, knew you just need to do balancing once!

Does changing the rims/tires have an effect on the shockers, etc.?

If you plan to drive in the icy/snowy conditions you do need winter tires, not all season but winter tires, that's the idea, that's why you need two sets. One main with performance summer/all season tires (for LA) and one set for winter trips. Cost of second set is still way cheaper than totaling your car over Donner summit. No problems or differences as far as you keep the circumference ratio withing specs. There are plenty of cheap OEM 19 inch rims sold here, some with snow tires on them already. Search under owners classifieds section.