[kamilbaran]

Winter is coming and I myself need to fit my 6mt 240 with a set of winter wheel/tires. Having driven multiple RWD cars in the winter I know the best counter to the snow is a proper tire set up. I tried to see if my 19 inch f80 winter wheel set would fit on the f22 but we were maybe 1/4 of an inch or less from being able to clear/fit it but it would rub too much in the front when turning. What size wheels/spec are you guys running to fit properly? At worst I will probably just get tires and swap tires onto my current wheel set I have in. Appreciate any pictures/ info in advanced!

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by kamilbaran

Winter is coming and I myself need to fit my 6mt 240 with a set of winter wheel/tires. Having driven multiple RWD cars in the winter I know the best counter to the snow is a proper tire set up. I tried to see if my 19 inch f80 winter wheel set would fit on the f22 but we were maybe 1/4 of an inch or less from being able to clear/fit it but it would rub too much in the front when turning. What size wheels/spec are you guys running to fit properly? At worst I will probably just get tires and swap tires onto my current wheel set I have in. Appreciate any pictures/ info in advanced!

For the years I lived in Michigan with my RWD 228i, I used 215/50-17 Blizzak WS tires for optimal snow/ice performance and accepted driving in a more relaxed style on winter days when the roads happened to be clear and dry. Narrow tires are the most effective to cut through snow. Never had an issue in winter with this set-up. I'll see if I can find an old photo and come back and edit if I do.

EDIT: Found a photo. The Blizzaks were on low cost wheels and came as a mounted set from Tire Rack. My approach to winter was 1) don't hit anything, 2) don't get stuck, 3) best wheel appearance can wait for the other three seasons when I have BBS SRs. I got all three accomplished every year until we moved southwest!

On this forum if you search "winter" or "215" you can find many posts. I just tried to check.

[freakystyly]

I mounted mine last week. 225/40/18 Blizzak WS90s are so cushy, I feel like I'm driving a pickup truck now. Traction control comes on a lot sooner as well unfortunately. We haven't reached sub zero temps and they are breaking in. I went with replica 18" 8" wide et35 666m wheels I had from my E90.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

I mounted mine last week. 225/40/18 Blizzak WS90s are so cushy, I feel like I'm driving a pickup truck now. Traction control comes on a lot sooner as well unfortunately. We haven't reached sub zero temps and they are breaking in. I went with replica 18" 8" wide et35 666m wheels I had from my E90.

That works, but I would not go any wider than 225s for winter tires. No "snowshoeing"!

[freakystyly]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

That works, but I would not go any wider than 225s for winter tires. No "snowshoeing"!

Not to mention availability of certain sizes in winter rubber just aren't there. You have to plan your setup a little more.

I haven't had any issues (yet) with the 225s and an open diff. Sure I'm not setting any speed trap records off of the stoplights in the snow, but at least I can stop and handle better than most.

[kamilbaran]

Originally Posted by freakystyly

Not to mention availability of certain sizes in winter rubber just aren't there. You have to plan your setup a little more.

I haven't had any issues (yet) with the 225s and an open diff. Sure I'm not setting any speed trap records off of the stoplights in the snow, but at least I can stop and handle better than most.

Awesome I just need proper tires to get the job done during the winter time. 225s it seems should probably be the size I run all around since.

Thank you for all the feedback everyone

[dradernh]

BBS SR 17X7½ ET35 Anthracite Painted

225/45-17 Michelin X-ICE XI3 Studless Ice & Snow (Directional)

[skidplate]

BBS SR 17X7½ ET35 Triple Bronze powder coated

225/45-17 Michelin X-ICE XI3 Studless Ice & Snow (Directional)

[qlaval]

4 X Michelin X-Ice Snow 225/40R18 with OEM 719M wheels

[XutvJet]

I ran a square set of 225/40 Michelin Alpin on my M235s stock rims for 3 years because everyone swore these cars need winter tires. They were noisy, handled terribly, and wore extremely fast (done in 15k miles). They were good in the snow but seeing that we only get around 20 inches of snow a year in Kansas City and significant snow rarely remains on the street no longer than 8 hours or so, I went with Michelin Pilot All Season 4s 225 front and 245 rear and I'm far happier. These tires look far better, handle miles better, wear far slower, and aren't significantly worse in shallow snow.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I ran a square set of 225/40 Michelin Alpin on my M235s stock rims for 3 years because everyone swore these cars need winter tires. They were noisy, handled terribly, and wore extremely fast (done in 15k miles). They were good in the snow but seeing that we only get around 20 inches of snow a year in Kansas City and significant snow rarely remains on the street no longer than 8 hours or so, I went with Michelin Pilot All Season 4s 225 front and 245 rear and I'm far happier. These tires look far better, handle miles better, wear far slower, and aren't significantly worse in shallow snow.

Yes, those half-step, so-called "performance" winter tires (such as Alpin at Michelin instead of XIce) are not the best of both but a compromise that does neither very well.

[MarcoZandrini]

I'm running VREDESTEIN WINTRAC PRO 225/40-18 tires. They are "W" rated. They are mounted on Enkei Performance EKM3 alloys.

[GoldfishRT]

I liked my Sottozero 3s but they definitely did wear fast.

I do not have to drive in snow, necessarily, so I am entertaining just rolling with my DWS06+. I had them the first winter I had the car and was okay.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by GoldfishRT

I liked my Sottozero 3s but they definitely did wear fast.

I do not have to drive in snow, necessarily, so I am entertaining just rolling with my DWS06+. I had them the first winter I had the car and was okay.

I haven't had any modern winter tires that mileage-wise lasted very long. It's pretty soft rubber – great for when the white stuff in on the road and when it's cold out, but it's prone to rapid wear on dry roads.

I put winters on the wife's Mazda 3 but don't bother on the BMW as it only gets driven a handful of times during the winter and always on dry roads.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I haven't had any modern winter tires that mileage-wise lasted very long. It's pretty soft rubber – great for when the white stuff in on the road and when it's cold out, but it's prone to rapid wear on dry roads.

I put winters on the wife's Mazda 3 but don't bother on the BMW as it only gets driven a handful of times during the winter and always on dry roads.

Yep. I learned this very expensive lesson. Outfit the car for the conditions it spends most of its time driving in, not the worst case. In Kansas City, it's usually just 15 to 40 degrees and occasionally wet or snowy roads maybe 10% of the time. Winter or snow tires are waste here. A good all season is just fine and don't drive when there's 4"+ snow on road which is like maybe 24 hours total in winter.

Winter and snow tires have far worse braking and handling capability in dry conditions. Buyer beware if you don't live in a snowy area and are wavering on winter or snow tires.

[GoldfishRT]

It is the same in Denver. If you aren't actually heading into the mountains and use some foresight you can get away with a QUALITY all season.

[Resoelg]

Square OEM crab claws with Mich Pilot Alpin.
Over kill for where I am Pa but handle very well in snow and wet weather. Dry handling is very good as well.

[WolfGTI]

I run the same, now that I upgraded my brakes - have to get rid of my 17' winter setup.

Originally Posted by Resoelg

Square OEM crab claws with Mich Pilot Alpin.
Over kill for where I am Pa but handle very well in snow and wet weather. Dry handling is very good as well.

[mikl4]

On my 230 Xdrive I have stock size P225/40 R18 NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA R3 snow tires front and rear on BMW 7.5” x 18” 761 style wheel rims . Very surefooted in CDN snow/winter conditions.

[imsleeping88]

225 all around stock CINTURATO P7 run flat. Last winter was the worst in 8 years for Colorado but mine held up fine. Colorado being super proactive definitely helped.

[WolfGTI]

I run the stockers now as winter wheels - because of a brake upgrade.
These are my 17' used for 1 winter -going up for sale shortly after I wash them.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

I run the stockers now as winter wheels - because of a brake upgrade.
These are my 17' used for 1 winter -going up for sale shortly after I wash them.

Love those wheels!

I bought a set in 17X10 for my E36 race car.