Winter wheels for BMW 1 series

[tbush70834]

Hi

I have a BMW 1 series coupe with 18" wheels. I am considering winter wheels and tyres but have the option of 16", 17" and 18" wheels. Which size would be the best for getting out and about in the snow?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[helix402]

16" if they clear your brakes.

[anonymous-user]

In theory the smallest wheel, with a tyre of the same RR as your summer set will be best. In practice, any of those with a decent winter tyre, will be fine so if you prefer the look of the bigger ones, have them.

[Technomad]

REALIST123 said:

In theory the smallest wheel, with a tyre of the same RR as your summer set will be best. In practice, any of those with a decent winter tyre, will be fine so if you prefer the look of the bigger ones, have them.

I went from 18" RFTs for the summer to 17" non-RFTs for winters - the latter were so good that I kept them on for most of them following summer. Car now sold so winter wheels and tyres are surplus to requirements - pm etc if that's relevant - they're about to go on fleabay.

[tbush70834]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated :-)

[Mustard]

If you look inside the drivers door shut, it'll tell you permissible wheel/tyre sizes, unless it's 135i or possibly a125i/123d gong down to 16' s should be fine.

Any set from an E81 (3dr 1 series) E87 (5dr 1 series) E82 (1 series coupe) or E88 (1 series convertible) should be fine, but not the later shape F21/20 1 series hatch (as ours is)




Summer 18's


Winter 16's

Edited by Mustard on Sunday 1st February 12:04

[gareth h]

I was running my 123d coupe on 18" rims, until I fitted winters on 17" rims, ride was so much better I bought another set of staggered 17" rims and now run the 4 narrow fronts front and rear for winters and the 4 wider rears for summers, works really well

[gareth h]

I was running my 123d coupe on 18" rims, until I fitted winters on 17" rims, ride was so much better I bought another set of staggered 17" rims and now run the 4 narrow fronts front and rear for winters and the 4 wider rears for summers, works really well

[SteveCal]

You will need 17" to clear your brakes on some models, including the 123d. They also look OK and ride well. I have 17" BMW wheels, staggered fitment, not as wide as the summer tyres. As I got them on ebay they are fitted with Nankang tyres but they are at the better end of the Chinese made brands.

If you can fit 16" wheels and like the 'functional' look then you might consider steelies as the cheapest option. Or look out for wheels on Ebay. I believe the fit is the same as the 3 Series Compact!

[Barvaux928]

helix402 said:

16" if they clear your brakes.

+1

btw why winter tyres when winter is almost over? you 'll be traveling with the 1?

[msej449]

Just a point if you take the car to mountain areas, especially in the Alps. You may still want/need chains: e.g. to get out of a snowed-in apartment/chalet/village or when the police simply stop all vehicles without them. If this is the case, make sure that whatever wheels you do get are certified for chains as well (this should be in the handbook, or your BMW service department will know). It's going to be really irritating to get to within a few kilometres of your Alpine destination and be stopped by the police because you don't have chains or, as I saw at our apartment block last week, a departing 320 owner unable to get out of the apartment garage up a steep, snowy incline.

Edited by msej449 on Thursday 12th February 10:59