BMW 320D Winter Tyres

BMW 320D Winter Tyres

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Discussion

scdon

Original Poster:

2 posts

101 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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Hi Guys,

Wondering if I could get some opinions on fitting winter tyres on my 320D M Sport E91.

After I nearly came a cropper on more than one occasion last winter with my summer tyres, I've decided this year I'm going to be prepared and get myself a lovely set of winter shoes.

At the moment I'm considering buying a set of steel rims and tyres and storing them during the summer.

I'm running F 225/45/17 R 255/40/17 at the moment but I've read on some forums that it's possible to downsize the rear to 225/45/17 to match the front and run a square set up, this sounds like a good option as 225's are a fair bit cheaper than the 255's, easier to find and surely would offer better grip in the snow??

Does this sound like a good idea? I've spoken to a mate of mine who is in the tyre business and he's told me that he wouldn't recommend it and it could cause issues.

What are your thoughts,

Cheer SCD

blueST

4,380 posts

215 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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I went from staggered to square on my X1 with no issues. In fact that was the recommended size for winters. Isn't the 320 sold with a square setup anyway on some trim levels? What does it say on the tyre pressure plaque about winter tyre size?

pauldavies85

423 posts

185 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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It's recommended to have a square set up, though you've got to have right alloy widths. I've done this on both f30/31 models, my current ones are 225 18's, I've got m sport brakes so can't go smaller. The inner clearance is handy to out chains on if ever needed, and stops snow etc making too much of a clog

I run a second set of wheels, not BMW but don't look awful and keep tyre costs down long term.

Maybe some 16's /steels? That's what the euro guys do. They'll fit most models unless got big brake kits or 335/330.

I've used Dunlop winters - very good and good in the wet etc.

My current are cheapish nankang winters, probably not such a good all round tyre. HOWEVER, I have used them on pretty hairy mountain ascent/descents in the alps with a lot of snow and ice. I did also have chains on one occasion - not one issue getting up a previously closed road lined with cars that were stuck. Still no match for the local crap french cars with tiny wheels that fly around!

In the resort at 2000m + on hard pack snow, an AWD audi estate span all it's wheels on a slight incline as it was very slippery, we had to get loads people to push. My rear wheel drive auto 325 touring went up with only a bit of slippage. Winter tyres are very very good, surprisingly so.
So in short, you don't need the 'best' tyres, but in uk, you may find the premium ones are better through out winter so general cold weather/wet.

Prefabs check the internet for some steel tyre packages? Save the nice alloys from poor weather and can swap yourself in 30-40mins, clean up wheels and calipers at that time. Plus not paying to swap tyres every 6 months pays for the wheels soon enough.
I think verstrans are very highly regarded in Europe. Those or Dunlop's would be my top choice, but I'm sure plenty of the others are good.


Edited by pauldavies85 on Thursday 8th October 21:43

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
quotequote all
blueST said:
I went from staggered to square on my X1 with no issues. In fact that was the recommended size for winters. Isn't the 320 sold with a square setup anyway on some trim levels? What does it say on the tyre pressure plaque about winter tyre size?
Sound advice - my 123dSE Dynamic had the M-Sport suspension but "only" 205/50 x 17 front and rear, whereas the M Sport at the time had 205/50 x 17 front and 225/45 x 17 rear even though the suspension was the same!

Winters usually tend to be smaller anyway so they "dig in" a bit better. Smaller also usually means cheaper, so maybe your mate is concerned about less margin for him on cheaper tyres!!

scdon

Original Poster:

2 posts

101 months

Thursday 8th October 2015
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I've decided to order a set of 17" 7.5J steel rims.. The website claims they are 'guaranteed to fit' or my money back, so I'm assuming there is no problem with going from the factory 8.5J's I have just now to 7.5J. £200 for the set, which is not bad and I kind of like the look of the black steels..

I had a look at the door plaque and it actually recommends the 225/45/17 M+S so no worries there.

I've had a look at the Vredestein Wintrac Xtremes which I've seen rave reviews of, they are £80 a piece. So I reckon that's the set up I'll go with.

It can't be worse than last winter on the Bridgestones, which were diabolical, even in a light dusting of snow.

ladderino

727 posts

138 months

Friday 9th October 2015
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For an extra £200 you could avoid the steelies and get some original alloys instead - http://www.bmautosport.co.uk/showroom/product_info...

Advantage of doing this is that you'll probably be able to sell these wheels on afterwards if you sell the car, whereas I'd imagine there will be less of a market for used steelies.

I bought my winter wheels from BM Auto Sport and was very impressed with the service.

Billyray911

1,072 posts

203 months

Friday 9th October 2015
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Vredestein wintrac extremes are a fantastic tyre.Ive had them on my touring for a few years and they've been great in some deep snow,ice and generally crap winter weather.
I've also got a square setup-on 18" mv3 alloys though.

carl_w

9,155 posts

257 months

Friday 9th October 2015
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FWIW I put 16" steelies on my E92 M-Sport. They're even listed as a permissible option on the tyre pressure sticker on the door jamb. Will be up for sale soon as I've sold the car now.

helix402

7,832 posts

181 months

Friday 9th October 2015
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Try 205/55H/VR16s on a 16" rim. E46 rims fit, though the offset isn't quite the same.