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      05-26-2015, 02:22 PM   #1
MegaMatt3
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Recommendations for M235i winter wheel/tire setup. What did you do?

Some of you have probably seen my other posts by now -- inching closer to pulling the trigger on an M235i ED, so I'll take re-delivery in the winter here in MD. This is actually a continuation of a separate thread I started here.

I've looked at Tire Rack for winter tire/wheel setups, and am just not sure which to pick. Wondered if anyone here has any recommendations on what they used last winter. I heard there might be a spot on the forums for this type of thing (people selling them), but I couldn't find it.

Also, if I'm ordering with MPSS's, which are staggered (right?), should I get a square set or staggered set of winter wheel/tires?
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      05-26-2015, 02:30 PM   #2
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I've run the Pirelli Sotozero's on my F30 and they were very capable. They didn't give up too much in day to day handling (you could still hoon around with the car) and I drove them through several bad storms over the last 3 years here in NY. I found that once you got to snow that was accumulated a few inches on the roads (~3"+ that driving at anything higher than 30-40mph was sketchy) but at that point you shouldn't be driving that fast anyways.

I was in a RWD car, and if I lived in an area that had very steep inclines, I would have chosen a more aggressive snow tire like the Blizzaks. It would give up some of the dry handling performance for better snow handling.

Since I rarely need to go into work when it snows (I will take my wife's truck or stay home) the Sotozero's did a great job when I got caught in an unexpected storm - including some that stranded many people in cars with All seasons.

As far as fitment - I would stick to a square setup since it enables you to rotate the wheels. The extra few MM of width will not help you in the snow.
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      05-26-2015, 02:44 PM   #3
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I ran a square 225-40/18 Dunlop Wintersport 4D setup this past winter (about 5,000 miles) and I thought they were phenomenal.
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      05-26-2015, 02:46 PM   #4
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Found additional set of OEM wheels and mounted the Sotto Zero's. No issues. I like the car to look the same year round. 1000euro for the other wheels. Slightly used. Ebay.de. Im thinking the same for the US possibly. Good luck.
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      05-26-2015, 02:51 PM   #5
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i'm waiting for the blizzack ws80 to come in a size to fit.,
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      05-26-2015, 03:01 PM   #6
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225/45R17 Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 on 17x7.5 Matte Titanium Monte TITANO MT1 Piana

Looks great and the tires were awesome all winter
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      05-26-2015, 03:03 PM   #7
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I ran Michelin X-Ice Xi3 225/40R18's on the stock rims. The grip, even in the dry, is absolute crap compared to the PSS' on a dry, warm day, but eh. They do very well in bad conditions though which is the whole point.
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      05-26-2015, 03:07 PM   #8
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I am running blizzack ws80, 225/45/R18.
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      05-26-2015, 04:46 PM   #9
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Chicago and suburbs have some really good snow removal, I do not have too many steep hills so I do not need winter tires which are great in the snow but not too good on dry/wet roads. For me there will be either Blizzak LM or Nokian WRG3 tires. Nokian WRG3 are called all-weather plus tires. I had been running them as my winter setup on my VW GTI for the last 4 winters and I loved them.
In your area probably you have much more snow than I do so I would suggest Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 or Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 tires.

Combine those tires with a set of cheap 17" wheels and you're good to go.
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      05-26-2015, 04:58 PM   #10
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The Blizzak WS80 advice is spot-on. Michelin XIce xi3 is close behind for capability but ahead for maintaining performance feel. Check the 1010tires.com calculator for a 215 or 205 fitment...probably 205/50-17, but check the math. Narrower is better in winter. Same size front and rear.
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      05-26-2015, 08:42 PM   #11
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I have ran Dunlop Winter Sport 3Ds on two different cars in past winters and loved them, will probably get them for the M235, as well. I would have probably gone with a less-sporty winter tire if I lived in a more rural area, but for getting around urban and suburban areas in the winter they're great without giving up too much steering/handling feel.

Would definitely recommend a square setup, too
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      05-26-2015, 09:55 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sportstick View Post
The Blizzak WS80 advice is spot-on. Michelin XIce xi3 is close behind for capability but ahead for maintaining performance feel. Check the 1010tires.com calculator for a 215 or 205 fitment...probably 205/50-17, but check the math. Narrower is better in winter. Same size front and rear.
according to tirerack

225/45/17 or 215/50/17 should work.

And Bridgestone lists the WS80 as being made it that size.

BUT, it seems like no one has them in stock.

Still have time to buy, but if theres no stock by oct. Going with the x-ice.

IMHO if I'm getting a winter tire its going to be the best at winter.
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      05-26-2015, 10:03 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opfreak View Post
according to tirerack

225/45/17 or 215/50/17 should work.

And Bridgestone lists the WS80 as being made it that size.

BUT, it seems like no one has them in stock.
With narrower being the goal, the 1010tires.com calculator (just got home and could check) shows that the 205 is a better fit. Here are the changes:

225/45-17 at indicated 100kph
205/50-17 is 100.39 kph
215/50-17 is 101.97 kph

Either is well within acceptable specs, but the 205 is better for being narrower and for being closer to the original overall diameter/circumference size. Either of those alts can take a 7" or 7.5" wide 17" wheel.
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      05-27-2015, 05:53 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sportstick View Post
With narrower being the goal, the 1010tires.com calculator (just got home and could check) shows that the 205 is a better fit. Here are the changes:

225/45-17 at indicated 100kph
205/50-17 is 100.39 kph
215/50-17 is 101.97 kph

Either is well within acceptable specs, but the 205 is better for being narrower and for being closer to the original overall diameter/circumference size. Either of those alts can take a 7" or 7.5" wide 17" wheel.
thanks for the info.

the 205 is available at tirerack.
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      05-27-2015, 06:14 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opfreak View Post
thanks for the info.

the 205 is available at tirerack.
Of course, make sure if you have MSport brakes, to note that when selecting a 17" wheel. I got the BBS SR 17" wheel for normal weather usage, and it fits (beautifully!) over the MSport brakes on my Sportline THP car.
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      05-27-2015, 07:33 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alz0rz View Post
I ran a square 225-40/18 Dunlop Wintersport 4D setup this past winter (about 5,000 miles) and I thought they were phenomenal.
I had the Wintersport 3D's on my RWD 550 and loved em..Not surprised to hear you like the 4D. I'm running square, Blizzak LM60 18's in winter..

Do your homework OP. All snow tires are not created equal. There are performance snows, snow/ice etc..

Each offers varying degrees of winter drive-ability and very different handling characteristics too. Even within brand there are different snows (i.e. Blizzak WS vs Blizzak LM).
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      05-29-2015, 02:54 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sportstick View Post
Of course, make sure if you have MSport brakes, to note that when selecting a 17" wheel. I got the BBS SR 17" wheel for normal weather usage, and it fits (beautifully!) over the MSport brakes on my Sportline THP car.


17x7.5 +35 BBS SR on Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 (225/45-17). Fitment is stellar. No spacers.

I loved those this winter, and we got quite a bit of snow.

M235i.

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      05-29-2015, 04:50 PM   #18
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225/45R17 Blizzak WS in a square setup. You'll want the 17" wheels to give you a bit more rubber between the rims and the potholes.
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      05-29-2015, 07:29 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alz0rz View Post
I ran a square 225-40/18 Dunlop Wintersport 4D setup this past winter (about 5,000 miles) and I thought they were phenomenal.

Just bought this same exact setup off of another forum member. I hear really good things about the 4D.
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      05-29-2015, 07:34 PM   #20
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These winter tire purchases are certainly a good move, but for anyone who hasn't pulled the trigger yet, look for the narrower footprint of the 205 treadwidth for even better traction.
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      05-29-2015, 07:40 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gepeto View Post
17x7.5 +35 BBS SR on Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 (225/45-17). Fitment is stellar. No spacers
Yes, I agree...I love these wheels...prefer this style to the OE style in 18". I used that size for the Michelin Pilot Sport AS3 for three full seasons in Michigan.

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      05-29-2015, 07:42 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sportstick View Post
These winter tire purchases are certainly a good move, but for anyone who hasn't pulled the trigger yet, look for the narrower footprint of the 205 treadwidth for even better traction.
You get a bit better purchase with the narrower 205s, but the load range ratings can often get a bit squirrelly with some of the pressures you may need to use. Fine if you check it and it works (varies by brand, IIRC), but it's not as clean as a straight 225 setup, which is pretty much always OK.
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