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2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Wheels and Tires -- Sponsored by The Tire Rack Should I Get Winter/Snow Tires?

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      11-12-2018, 10:02 PM   #1
MetalMK
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Should I Get Winter/Snow Tires?

I am debating on whether or not to get winter tires for my 228i Xdrive. I live in Vancouver, BC. Unlike the rest of Canada, it only snows around 2 to 3 times per year, and the snow melts pretty quickly (2 days max).Although my 2er is my secondary car, I will take it out when it snows. So I am concerned that the stock all season tires will not provide enough grip when I need it. Last winter, I did a big slide in the middle of a busy intersection. It was not fun.

If I should get winter tires, what tire size should I get? And what kind of rims? Do steel rims work? My car has M sport package but not track handling package (no big brake). My stock tires are square 225/40-18 Pirelli P7 run-flats.

Thanks in advance

Edit: Because how rare it snows here, most people don't have winter tires. If there's an emergency and I am able to stop in time, the person behind be will not be able to stop.

Last edited by MetalMK; 11-13-2018 at 02:42 PM..
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      11-13-2018, 10:54 AM   #2
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It's not purely about snow - it's about cold temps affecting the tires ability to flex and grip effectively. Winters tires offer better grip in low temperatures period.
I know one forum member uses BBS SR's for winter in a 17 inch size.
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      11-13-2018, 11:15 AM   #3
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I use 17s on my 240 in the winter. WolfGTI is right. It's all about tire temps. I'm running 225/45-17 tire in 17x7.5 inch wheels. When the weather is in the 50s I notice a decrease in traction with the winters. However, anything below that it makes a huge difference. Bare in mind I run pilot super sports in the summer and those become useless below 50 degrees.

In my 328 I ran all seasons year round. I can tell you my 240 with winters in 2wd has way more control in the winter then the 328 xdrive with AS.
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      11-13-2018, 01:25 PM   #4
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If your current tires are MPSS on staggered wheels you will find they are truly terrible on snow. As in not drivable on one inch of snow. In Minnesota some people run 17 inch square set up with Bizzaks or the like. I do and I think they really only need to save your life once to be worth it
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      11-13-2018, 02:10 PM   #5
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He stated he has all-seasons, not PSS.
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      11-13-2018, 02:43 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by buster-riley View Post
If your current tires are MPSS on staggered wheels you will find they are truly terrible on snow. As in not drivable on one inch of snow. In Minnesota some people run 17 inch square set up with Bizzaks or the like. I do and I think they really only need to save your life once to be worth it
I have square Pirelli P7 all season run-flats size 225/40-18
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      11-13-2018, 02:45 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ivegotklas View Post
I use 17s on my 240 in the winter. WolfGTI is right. It's all about tire temps. I'm running 225/45-17 tire in 17x7.5 inch wheels. When the weather is in the 50s I notice a decrease in traction with the winters. However, anything below that it makes a huge difference. Bare in mind I run pilot super sports in the summer and those become useless below 50 degrees.

In my 328 I ran all seasons year round. I can tell you my 240 with winters in 2wd has way more control in the winter then the 328 xdrive with AS.
Where did you purchase your wheels and what is your offset and bolt pattern?
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      11-14-2018, 07:01 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetalMK View Post
Where did you purchase your wheels and what is your offset and bolt pattern?
5-120 Bolt Pattern
40 MM offset

I got them from tire rack as a winter tire wheel set.
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      11-16-2018, 06:24 PM   #9
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On my RWD 230 I ran the stock all seasons for two winters in Michigan. Sure it was not as capable as a giant SUV on burly snow tires but it got me around. This year I have put on a pair of better tires in back. Should be fine.

Mostly it's the driver. Get what you think you need.
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      11-29-2018, 01:34 AM   #10
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I’m in Vancouver too, and I swap the wheels myself. I got the car last February, I’ve had the snow tires on only just to be able to drive on the highways (it’s mandatory to have snow tires at certain times) so far I’m otherwise using the summer wheels all the time. The car is more fun with summer tires, I think I’ll maybe switch them for December to February, but I hope I don’t have to.
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      12-13-2018, 05:42 PM   #11
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I'm in Vancouver too, we should start a club...lol
I debated the idea back and forth, but eventually installed a set of Nokians on E46 OEM Style 44 wheels...lots of cheap sets on Craigslist. Even got the Nokians on Craigslist for a really good price. Even in the cold rain we have it makes a difference in stopping and acceleration out of corners. The grip is quite a bit better then the stock all seasons.
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      12-13-2018, 06:55 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetalMK View Post
Last winter, I did a big slide in the middle of a busy intersection. It was not fun.

...

Edit: Because how rare it snows here, most people don't have winter tires. If there's an emergency and I am able to stop in time, the person behind be will not be able to stop.
I think based on these two points, you probably have your answer. Doing slides in an intersection is pretty terrifying. I see it all the time here in Denver with people coming up to a red light. The money spent on these tires is worth the piece of mind, and you just end up extending the life of your other tires, so really the cost is very minimal (the only cost being the extra wheels you buy or the cost to swap tires). And you also probably don't want to be the person sliding into other people like you mention in your Edit comment.

Check out tirerack for wheels that fit, and then go buy them on tirerack or any other site, or pick up used examples. Or, just use your stock wheels and swap tires every season. I bought used wheels off of craigslist based on what tirerack said would fit my car, and it's worked out great.
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      12-19-2018, 06:24 PM   #13
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Pretty straightforward... if anyone is thinking about whether or not to get winter wheels and tires the answer is almost always yes buy them.
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      01-16-2019, 08:34 PM   #14
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I've had the Sottozeros on for about 2 months (in Vancouver) - I'm very happy I have them, although summer tires are way more fun

I've been changing them back and forth myself (I can do it in about 45min) Since Feb, I've swapped them 4 times, so now I'm fantasizing about a QuickJack (its a real thing). I ended up getting a thin wall socket (with plastic on the outside) as I noticed the regular socket was scratching up my wheels
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      02-28-2019, 10:48 PM   #15
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yes

Quote:
Originally Posted by BEM-S4 View Post
Pretty straightforward... if anyone is thinking about whether or not to get winter wheels and tires the answer is almost always yes buy them.
Yes, exactly.
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      03-10-2019, 08:15 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetalMK View Post
I am debating on whether or not to get winter tires for my 228i Xdrive. .
Xdrive will aid somewhat in accelerating in adverse conditions, but does nothing for braking or steering.

If you live where it gets cold enough to snow - you need tires designed to work in those conditions.

Specifically you need tires that don't turn to plastic in the cold and will continue to actually function as rubber. That's critical snow or no.

Depending on how much snowfall you get and how well they plow, you can get tires designed for more asphalt (X-ice) or more slush (blizzak or Hakkapeliitta). But either way you 'need' a winter tire.

As it happens if you lease your car you're better off getting winter tires because you end up putting half the mileage on the tires you will return with your car and won't get hit with an excessive wear fee. You also will get money for your used winters since there is a large market for them and may be ahead financially than those who didn't

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      03-13-2019, 11:59 AM   #17
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Ditto on the vote to get snows; and FWIW, Continental Wintersports have been fantastic for me, so worth a look. Surprisingly good wear if driven in warmer weather, so less worries about timing the changeover.
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      05-07-2019, 05:37 PM   #18
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This should answer it:

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      05-13-2019, 12:01 PM   #19
sethwas
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetalMK View Post
should I get winter/snow tires
yes.

Quote:
what size
smallest rim that will clear your brakes. so 17" on non M and 18" on M. Also get narrower rim/tire combo than you are used to if possible. Cuts through the slush better.

There are two kinds of winter tires, those designed for snowpack and those designed for icy roads. Sounds like they plow by you or clear the roads well so get the latter. (Michelin X Ice for example)

Seth
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      05-14-2019, 01:59 AM   #20
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check on Snowbird's posts on 17" wheels

Quote:
Originally Posted by sethwas View Post
yes.


smallest rim that will clear your brakes. so 17" on non M and 18" on M. Also get narrower rim/tire combo than you are used to if possible. Cuts through the slush better.

There are two kinds of winter tires, those designed for snowpack and those designed for icy roads. Sounds like they plow by you or clear the roads well so get the latter. (Michelin X Ice for example)

Seth
17" should work on most M235i and M240i. It's (i.e 17x7.5) what I ran on my M235i every winter. I also ran 17" wheels on summer performance tires on the M235i. Snowbird has done some nice posts on the merits of 17" wheels over larger diameters.

The 17" wheels probably won't work if you have the optional M Performance Brakes. This is an expensive option or after the purchase addition, so I haven't seen many opt for this.

I ran Bridgestone Blizzaks on my M235i and also on my AWD truck. They are great in either ice or snow.
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      05-14-2019, 11:09 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MerlinMc View Post
17" should work on most M235i and M240i.
Yeah, in the winter I'm running BBS SR 17X7½ ET35 with 225/45-17 Michelin X-Ice Xi3.
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      05-14-2019, 11:22 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MerlinMc View Post
The 17" wheels probably won't work if you have the optional M Performance Brakes. This is an expensive option or after the purchase addition, so I haven't seen many opt for this.
Yup - those are what I meant - but glad to hear it works over the other brakes as well.

Seth
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