Winter Tyres for M135i
Discussion
I'm looking to get winter boots on my car, the size of the wheels are 225/40 ZR18 88Y at the front and 245/35 ZR18 92Y XL at the rear.
I'm a total newbie with this stuff, if I buy new wheels do they need to be the exact same size to get over the brakes etc or can I change the size of the wheels? (thinner wheels being better in snow etc)
In fact, can someone just say "buy these"?
Cheers
I'm a total newbie with this stuff, if I buy new wheels do they need to be the exact same size to get over the brakes etc or can I change the size of the wheels? (thinner wheels being better in snow etc)
In fact, can someone just say "buy these"?
Cheers
Shaun, this has been debated a lot over on babybmw.net - here's the highlights.
Most people are running 225 40 18 all around, rather than going for wider rears. Basically because there's not much choice in 245 35 18 size for winters, and it keeps the cost down. These will fit fine on your stock rims.
17" Steel Wheels designed for the X1 are cheap, fit over the brakes and will also mean cheaper tyres.
18" MV1 Wheels from the E46 3 Series are typically available on eBay for £200 (or less if in crap condition) and these fit too. Unfortunately the 18" Style 32 wheels from the E46 3 Series don't fit, so you can't guarantee all E46 wheels fitting.
17" Style 379 wheels from the 'lesser' F20 1 Series do fit.
17" Team Dynamics Imolas fit, and cost about £500 brand new from Wheelbase Alloys.
As for tyres, have a read of reviews - I'm using Continental 810s (or 830s, can't remember) from camskill but they're sold out. Dunlop 4Ds seem to get decent write ups. But basically there's lots of choice once you're sorted on the wheels.
Hope that helps and doesn't leave you more confused!
Most people are running 225 40 18 all around, rather than going for wider rears. Basically because there's not much choice in 245 35 18 size for winters, and it keeps the cost down. These will fit fine on your stock rims.
17" Steel Wheels designed for the X1 are cheap, fit over the brakes and will also mean cheaper tyres.
18" MV1 Wheels from the E46 3 Series are typically available on eBay for £200 (or less if in crap condition) and these fit too. Unfortunately the 18" Style 32 wheels from the E46 3 Series don't fit, so you can't guarantee all E46 wheels fitting.
17" Style 379 wheels from the 'lesser' F20 1 Series do fit.
17" Team Dynamics Imolas fit, and cost about £500 brand new from Wheelbase Alloys.
As for tyres, have a read of reviews - I'm using Continental 810s (or 830s, can't remember) from camskill but they're sold out. Dunlop 4Ds seem to get decent write ups. But basically there's lots of choice once you're sorted on the wheels.
Hope that helps and doesn't leave you more confused!
Edited by essIII on Friday 15th November 16:18
The other option is to find out the BMW wheel codes for the wheels that you have or options for your specific model of car, and then search on E-Bay. I was very lucky in that I had one of the standard wheel options for the 3 series and I very easily picked up a secondhand set of wheels cheaply and then had them refurbished; your search will be trickier, but it's worth looking.
One thing to bear in mind when you go to winter tyres is that if you currently use run-flats and the winters aren't (as is the case with me), then you're effectively reducing the overall damping rate at each corner. I don't really like the way my car rides and handles on the winters as a result of this difference, but obviously winter tyres are a fantastic safety feature to have, and in terms of a rear drive car with a big contact patch such as yours, somewhat essential in the snow! Some people actually prefer the ride of their car without run-flats, but personally I find that it deteriorates when I put the winters on - just something to bear in mind.
One thing to bear in mind when you go to winter tyres is that if you currently use run-flats and the winters aren't (as is the case with me), then you're effectively reducing the overall damping rate at each corner. I don't really like the way my car rides and handles on the winters as a result of this difference, but obviously winter tyres are a fantastic safety feature to have, and in terms of a rear drive car with a big contact patch such as yours, somewhat essential in the snow! Some people actually prefer the ride of their car without run-flats, but personally I find that it deteriorates when I put the winters on - just something to bear in mind.
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