Winter tyres vol 2

[jon-]

fredd1e said:

though in hindsight a squarer tyre setup would have probably help rear traction (maybe) .

I've just published a video on this very subject It's a bit of a boring video, so I'll save you the trouble of watching, the short answer is in the snow there's very little between a 205 and 225 wide tyre. The biggest differences are in the dry.

If you want the long version, this is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhQh3IfXac0

[jagnet]

jon- said:

It's a bit of a boring video,

Have to disagree there

Another very interesting and very watchable tyre video from you. My experience with the difference in NVH between 16" and 17" winter tyres matches yours. A very very noticeable improvement with the 16".

[sjj84]

stuart_83 said:

Yep, I've got to fit alloys on my 4 series if I want winter wheels - plus I've got the upgraded brake kit so I need extra clearance.

Been looking at these guys : https://www.mrwinterwheels.co.uk

Might be worth having a look there. Seem pretty reasonable.

I bought mine from there last year, would happily use again.

[gizlaroc]

jon- said:

I've just published a video on this very subject It's a bit of a boring video, so I'll save you the trouble of watching, the short answer is in the snow there's very little between a 205 and 225 wide tyre. The biggest differences are in the dry.

If you want the long version, this is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhQh3IfXac0

Good video mate.

[anarki]

RicksAlfas said:

anarki said:

I'm still undecided on what all-seasons to go for, I keep procrastinating, reading various reviews and going back to square one - undecided.

With it being 5'C this morning, my current ditchfinders (came with the car I hasten to repeatedly add) were very skittish. To be fair their ste in the dry as well, it really is crunch time, I'm going for the Bridgestones, no wait the Goodyears, no wait the Michelins, gah!

Tricky isn't it? Just had the same thing deciding on some for my Mum's car. Went for the Goodyears as she lives in North Yorkshire so I wanted something more wet/winter biased than the Michelins.

Have you watched this review? It might help you get your head round it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe-gkTCOs7E&t=...

Yes I'd seen that video before thanks.

I've bit the bullet and just ordered the Vredestein quatrac 5's, getting fitted Thursday afternoon.

To be frank they haven't got to do much to impress me over a Jinyu, an Arrowspeed, a triangle and a Wanli*

Time to do some full bore standing starts off of traffic lights to wear out the remaining tread on those buggers**

* I have at least a Jinyu currently, unsure of the other 3 brands so I picked some at random
** I shan't be doing this as I'm fond of my clutch

[emicen]

jon- said:

I've just published a video on this very subject It's a bit of a boring video, so I'll save you the trouble of watching, the short answer is in the snow there's very little between a 205 and 225 wide tyre. The biggest differences are in the dry.

If you want the long version, this is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhQh3IfXac0

Very timely, I was just debating whether to buy another set of 19s or drop to 18s for winter use.

[jon-]

I'd save the nice wheels on a daily if you can get the smaller wheels over the brakes

[Mr Tidy]

fredd1e said:

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Yet - my neighbour has not been so fortunate.

Having moved out her to the sticks of North Yorkshire I sold him how having winters are great.

He has an M5 but thought a set for the wife 1 series would be a good shout.


We found a set of BMW steelies / winter combo on ebay and he tried to fit yesterday.
Backs went on fine, fronts fitted but wouldn't turn - fouling 'just' on the front callipers. Odd.

So it appears the 123d has slightly bigger brakes up front and the wheels / tyres are not suitable

a - that means there is a set in the shed here in North Yorkshire

b - it also appears thew 123d MUST have Alloys fitted, and the tyrres are different front to back.
A right buggers muddle.

Buying some more BMW wheels tyres from the main dealer is crackers expensive.
Getting a set of Alloys and a set of Winters (different front to back) sounds convoluted,,,


Anyone else got experience in this ?

On my old 123D I used e46 M3 17" sundial (?) alloys as my winter wheels. I found a set cheap on ebay and fitted them with staggered fit Nokian WR3s tyres. I went with the M3 sundial stock tyres sizes though in hindsight a squarer tyre setup would have probably help rear traction (maybe) .

I had an E87 some years ago and remember that even in SE spec (like mine) they had 17 inch wheels because the 123d and 130i were the only 2 models that had bigger front brakes.

I'd be looking for a used set of 17" wheels with winters already on - as well as the usual places maybe try babybimmer.

Failing that maybe look for a scabby set of cheap 17" wheels and put winter tyres on them.

The wheels don't have to be off a 1 Series - most BMWs use the same stud pattern. Just check the rim width and offset (or ET, or even IS in BMW-speak) to avoid rubbing.

Good luck!

[emicen]

jon- said:

I'd save the nice wheels on a daily if you can get the smaller wheels over the brakes

My current ones were refurbed and painted before I bought the car (as supplied they are diamond cut, but the previous owner clearly parked by feel and re-diamond cutting never really lasts).

There’s a set come up, complete with tyres, that’s been swapped out at the dealers on a new car so have done ~30 miles.

So I could get some new summer wheels, use my painted ones with winter tyres and pocket a fresh set of summer tyres at the same time.

Man math at its finest

Only thing making me pause for thought is I was really wanting a set of M4 19in rims for summer wheels.

[FiF]

Excellent videos there jon- , subscribed.

[RammyMP]

I’m taking my winter wheels for a refurb tomorrow with a view to swapping them on to the car in a fortnight

[SlimJim16v]

What is it with all you people swapping in, out, off, up, down, sideways

[Captain Smerc]

Traction is the attraction .

[RichardM5]

Winters on today. Smallest wheels that will fit over the brake calipers are 20 inch, which I had refurbished by Lepsons over the summer.

[belleair302]

Loving the colour of the BMW. A car on my list when I get around to a replacement.

[Theoldman]

In the past had winters on a couple of cars, so know how good they are.

Last year my RR with the standard Pirelli Scorpions saw me through a rather mild winter.
The one day I had to drive in the snow they were very good, but now right at the min wear limit!

This year I also have an old Allroad on Michelin Cross Climates, I have been driving this all summer.
Summer use has been exceptionally good, so hoping for the same this winter on these all-rounders.

However the Cross Climates are not especially great in heavy rain surface water situations.
Anyone else found this??
Also, how are they in snow??

[Mr Tidy]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Update - a set of Alloys / Tyres found on the Bay from a 123d have been Won.

A set of BMW 16inch Steelies cw Trims and Winter Tyres sat in the shed will be photo's and put back on the Bay, or notice board at work.

Convenient Snow fall this morning should sharpen the minds......

Result!

Hopefully the 16" steelies will get much of the cost back.

I've got to sell my 16" E46 wheels with winter tyres now I've sold the E46! I've just been waiting for colder weather.

[anonymous-user]

Theoldman said:

However the Cross Climates are not especially great in heavy rain surface water situations.
Anyone else found this??
Also, how are they in snow??

I found this in the end didn't replace them when worn. in snow ok, ice and slush no real difference to summers.

[RammyMP]

Picked the wheels up yesterday after they’d been refurbed. 2 tyres had 7mm tread, 2 had 5mm. Looked at the this morning the numbties have put 7mm tyres on the offside, 5mm on the near side (tyres are directional). I’m going to sound like a right anal tt when I ring them tomorrow to tell them they’ve fked up. Car is 4 wheel drive so I think it will cause issues if I run them as they are, plus I’ll have 4 tyres all with different tread wear!

[RicksAlfas]

RammyMP said:

Picked the wheels up yesterday after they’d been refurbed. 2 tyres had 7mm tread, 2 had 5mm. Looked at the this morning the numbties have put 7mm tyres on the offside, 5mm on the near side (tyres are directional). I’m going to sound like a right anal tt when I ring them tomorrow to tell them they’ve fked up. Car is 4 wheel drive so I think it will cause issues if I run them as they are, plus I’ll have 4 tyres all with different tread wear!

That’s annoying. Some four wheel drive systems have a bit of a wobbly if the tyres aren’t identical in size. If your car is predominantly front wheel drive biased I would put the big ones on the front to try and even them up.