[Transfer]

I thought I would share my car in the only significant snowfall of the season so far for Seattle. She drove up and down hills like a champ early this morning to get me to work. Seattle may not get much snow but when it does it can be treacherous due to all the hills and drivers who don't understand snow.

Wheels are VMR V703 wrapped in Michelin PA4 225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 rear. Amazing winter setup on this car.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Nice!

[harma24]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Michelin PA4 225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 rear. Amazing winter setup on this car.

I have Michelin PA4 225/40/18 on all 4 corners. I still haven't had any good snow to play in though. Might get a chance later this week. Based on what you're saying, I'm looking forward to it!

[ny176]

Nice man! Better pics of the wheels plz..

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by ny176

Nice man! Better pics of the wheels plz..

Thanks!







https://www.flickr.com/photos/judson...h/23102441393/

[ny176]

Very nice winter setup. Love the color combo. Makes me miss the saddle brown I had in my E92. Do you have different wheels for the summertime or just different rubber?

[evilalien]

Any concerns or comments on an 18" staggered setup with the Pilot Alpins?

I'm considering 17 and 18 options for my incoming M240i xdrive. What I've been reading suggests a square setup is optimal, and of course less wheel and more sidewall is better for winter (I'm already on the side of the wheel size argument that can be summarized as "Enough wheel to fit your brakes and no more, unsprung weight is bad").

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by ny176

Very nice winter setup. Love the color combo. Makes me miss the saddle brown I had in my E92. Do you have different wheels for the summertime or just different rubber?

OEM staggered wheels and PSS tires for summer.

Originally Posted by evilalien

Any concerns or comments on an 18" staggered setup with the Pilot Alpins?

I'm considering 17 and 18 options for my incoming M240i xdrive. What I've been reading suggests a square setup is optimal, and of course less wheel and more sidewall is better for winter (I'm already on the side of the wheel size argument that can be summarized as "Enough wheel to fit your brakes and no more, unsprung weight is bad").

Well we're probably in two different camps as I wouldn't dream about putting 17s on this car or anything narrower than OEM. Personally I don't think the narrower tire has any advantage unless thick slushy snow and while roads are not good in many areas of Seattle, I've never lamented a shorter sidewall. Add to that, sidewall on 255/35 isn't very thin or short to me. So I really like my setup on paper, visually, and I have zero complaints in actual use. In fact, I actually like my winter setup a little better than summer when matched to the seasons. It's comfortable, handles like a winter equivalent to PSS, superb cold wet and dry traction, and I've driven in snow and ice into the mountains and up and down hills without concern.

Consider what you like for the summer and then translate that to what you feel you can tolerate in the winter. I don't like to downgrade in winter but I understand why others will go for ultimate snow mode.

[MichalM240i]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Thanks!







https://www.flickr.com/photos/judson...h/23102441393/

Lovely exhaust tips! What are those?
Thanks!

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by MichalM240i

Lovely exhaust tips! What are those?
Thanks!

Just the good ol' M performance exhaust with stainless tips.

[evilalien]

Originally Posted by Transfer

OEM staggered wheels and PSS tires for summer.

Well we're probably in two different camps as I wouldn't dream about putting 17s on this car or anything narrower than OEM. Personally I don't think the narrower tire has any advantage unless thick slushy snow and while roads are not good in many areas of Seattle, I've never lamented a shorter sidewall. Add to that, sidewall on 255/35 isn't very thin or short to me. So I really like my setup on paper, visually, and I have zero complaints in actual use. In fact, I actually like my winter setup a little better than summer when matched to the seasons. It's comfortable, handles like a winter equivalent to PSS, superb cold wet and dry traction, and I've driven in snow and ice into the mountains and up and down hills without concern.

Consider what you like for the summer and then translate that to what you feel you can tolerate in the winter. I don't like to downgrade in winter but I understand why others will go for ultimate snow mode.

Well said.

Best argument I've read yet for not going to 17" and narrow for the small bit of winter we (normally) get here on the north west coast. I'm in the Vancouver area, so very similar to Seattle.

I spent most of my life in Alberta, with real Canadian winter. Cold season was half the year (literally had summers on then winters, ~50% split over the calendar). I viewed the snowy months as more like a winter rally than just cold and wet.

[Transfer]

Originally Posted by evilalien

Well said.

Best argument I've read yet for not going to 17" and narrow for the small bit of winter we (normally) get here on the north west coast. I'm in the Vancouver area, so very similar to Seattle.

I spent most of my life in Alberta, with real Canadian winter. Cold season was half the year (literally had summers on then winters, ~50% split over the calendar). I viewed the snowy months as more like a winter rally than just cold and wet.

The big difference here is all the hills so if it snows, you have to be smart no matter what tires you're on but I think a performance winter tire makes a lot of sense in our area. Now if you're driving into the snowy mountains regularly you may want to go full snow mode.

I will also say that the 2er xDrive seems to really like a square diameter setup. I feel like I get a touch more RWD bias with using 225/40 front and 255/35 rear vs OEM as the 225-255 diameters are the same and OEM is not. I have no idea why the car didn't come with that stagger from the factory. Of course if you go 225s or 235s all around the diameters will be equal too.

Anyway hope you enjoy the car. It is fantastic and the 30/70 AWD setup is the best of any car I've driven.