[analemma]

I've got a one-year-old 230i with the usual staggered wheels and Michelin Super Sport ? tires. (non run-flat M-sport equipment) I didn't really realize until I changed my winters off this spring how smooth these things really are.
Now I'm reading that I can expect really limited tire life with these, and of course am limited in my rotation options.

I'd like to replace these with a square setup to permit tire rotation and with longer-life tires. I'm not an aggressive driver, usually.

Weather here is dry summers with occasional light rain, and heavy rain in fall and spring.

I found the 17x7 rims with winters just fine (factory-recommended Continentals) on an extended road trip.

Any ideas?

[Maynard]

I considered the same thing, but in the long run, the extra cost of a new set of wheels was worse than potentially losing out on uneven tires - don't do this just to save tire life, but if you want new rims it may make sense. You also didn't say if x-drive or not - if RWD, much less likely you will 'waste' tires, since you can replace one axle at a time regardless of the wear at the other end. The benefits of rotation depend on how fast you end up wearing out the MPSS's, and if it is uneven front-back (reports are all over on this - most common is fronts going bad from heavy cornering loads, but others burn back tires faster from burnouts or heavy acceleration; others report fairly even wear). When you get close to needing to replace something you will have a better idea of this, and plenty of time to shop rims in the meantime.

When it is time to replace the MPSS, the Conti extremecontactsports seem to have a slight edge in wet conditions, and a little cheaper; the MP4S is hot on their heels, though, so probably indistinguishable differences. Or you could go w/ a performance all season for more longevity and even better wet traction, but at the loss of some dry traction. A 17" square setup is also widely recommended for extra pothole durability.

[Portadown95]

Don't do it. Staggered setup with Michelin Pilot super sport summer tires makes a great car even better.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Portadown95

Don't do it. Staggered setup with Michelin Pilot super sport summer tires makes a great car even better.

I don't know man I'm on square 18 AS3+ and don't think I'm missing out on much - I've had the staggered MPSS set too did about 20k on them.

EDIT: I am not a fan of stock wheels either for looks or quality. Apex upgrade made a big difference for me too.

[Luftwaffe1O1]

You can always go to a square setup with aftermarket wheels. With proper offsets you can probably run 235 all around, or maybe even 245 if you can get a really perfect front offset/spacer combo.

[SeanE]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I don't know man I'm on square 18 AS3+ and don't think I'm missing out on much - I've had the staggered MPSS set too did about 20k on them.

EDIT: I am not a fan of stock wheels either for looks or quality. Apex upgrade made a big difference for me too.

This is pretty much what I did as well. Mine came with square all-season run-flats and I went to apex ARC-8 with MPSS for the looks and also an extra inch of rubber all the way around. Put michelin snows on the OEM wheels this past year since I moved further north so just swap them out in October sometime. Summers go back on around Easter.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by SeanE

This is pretty much what I did as well. Mine came with square all-season run-flats and I went to apex ARC-8 with MPSS for the looks and also an extra inch of rubber all the way around. Put michelin snows on the OEM wheels this past year since I moved further north so just swap them out in October sometime. Summers go back on around Easter.

Yep. The only reason I didn't do exactly the same thing is I do want to drive the car on dry winter days and am no longer swapping to winter wheels and tires since I got the X5.

If the 2 were my only car I think the ideal setup without going crazy $-wise would be 18" Apex MPSS summer then 17" BBS SR or SX w/ studless ice and snow in winter.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Portadown95

Don't do it. Staggered setup with Michelin Pilot super sport summer tires makes a great car even better.

Staggering the tires is essentially a safeguard to induce some at the limit understeer into the chassis. With the 2 series, the 225 width front tires are a bit too narrow, especially with the heavier M235/240 front end.

I'm currently still on the OEM staggered MPSS tires, but my Alutec Drive 18X8et43 wheels will allow me to run 245/35s at all four corners (I've mounted the 245/35s on the front are drove around and measured clearance). This is on the OEM suspension, no camber mods, and no spacers. Next spring I'll be getting the new MP4S tires and will run a square 245/45 setup. The 245s are over an 1" wider on the front which is significant. I look forward to the extra front end grip and tighter steering teamed with my recently added M Performance LSD (simply WOW. There's so much more rear traction).