Snow chain issues with M Sport Blue brakes?

[Vroomer]

I've just bought a new winter wheel/tyre set from BMW for my 2019 F31 with blue M Sport brakes. The original wheels are 19" and the winters are 18".

Is anyone aware of any issues relating to snow chains which I have to buy to drive in the Alps? I'm thinking about problems with ABS or auto gear changes etc.

[ATM]

I cant imagine how the brakes would affect or be affected by snow chains. The snow chains attach over the wheel and tyre right. Unless they have fixings which go through the spokes of the wheels - but that would damage them so I cant imagine that. No they just clip or attach around the outside and that's that.

[naturalaspiration]

Provided the tyre size is 225/45/18 you should not have issues. Having a jack handy and lifting a car a bit makes it much easier to reach behind especially if the car is loaded / has lowered suspension. Practice makes perfect - ideally not practised for the first time in the middle of the night (and snowstorm), stuck half way up the hill in the middle of nowhere in the Alps fully loaded, at -15 C.

RUD chains are top quality and BMW OE supplier.

I would also chuck in the box a couple of life savers such as a torch and a pair of waterproof winter working gloves - no too thin so as not to provide protection against frost bites and not too thick to turn you hands into paws.

[Vroomer]

BMW are quoting me £296 for RUD chains which seems a helluva lot compared to basic sets at £60.

[Caddyshack]

Where are you to need chains? My M135i on winters with an lsd was as good as my Range Rover in the snow.

[Vroomer]

Caddyshack said:

Where are you to need chains? My M135i on winters with an lsd was as good as my Range Rover in the snow.

Don't think you read the OP?

[naturalaspiration]

To answer the OP question, no there is no issue whatsoever with neither auto nor ABS. Take your pick:

https://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rchain.pl#

If you are struggling with clearance go for thinner chain.

Edited by naturalaspiration on Tuesday 19th November 19:56

[monty999]

Vroomer said:

I've just bought a new winter wheel/tyre set from BMW for my 2019 F31 with blue M Sport brakes. The original wheels are 19" and the winters are 18".

Is anyone aware of any issues relating to snow chains which I have to buy to drive in the Alps? I'm thinking about problems with ABS or auto gear changes etc.

Glad you got sorted with the wheels/tyres mate. So you went dealer route in the end instead of 2nd hand genuine or non-gen mr. winter wheels. Good luck in the Alps.

[Vroomer]

It was BMW saying that non OEM wheels could affect the warranty that swayed me – I've paid the extra for peace of mind!

[BFleming]

Vroomer said:

I've just bought a new winter wheel/tyre set from BMW for my 2019 F31 with blue M Sport brakes. The original wheels are 19" and the winters are 18".

Is anyone aware of any issues relating to snow chains which I have to buy to drive in the Alps? I'm thinking about problems with ABS or auto gear changes etc.

Thule or Rud chains are both good. If your car is an X Drive, people recommend 4 chains. There won't be any issues with clearance.

[naturalaspiration]

That should be some really steep uphill coupled with serious snow/ice for a 4 wheel drive to get stuck (provided rubber is good), even in Alpine terms.

[BFleming]

naturalaspiration said:

That should be some really steep uphill coupled with serious snow/ice for a 4 wheel drive to get stuck (provided rubber is good), even in Alpine terms.

I know from having been around this area, carrying of snowchains is compulsory on some routes - so I imagine that's where the question is coming from, not whether or not they will ever truly need to use them. Not my image, but a common sight:

Edited by BFleming on Thursday 21st November 12:47

[naturalaspiration]

OP states Alps which is a very broad term. For example Austrian law says winter tyres are required on all wheels when road conditions require that (so called winterlichen Fahrbahnvehältnissen). No snow chains mandatory but then again if the road conditions deteriorate Police may stop you and ask to mount them - after first having checked your tyres. If you do not have them you will have to turn back, but there is no fine for not having them. 4 wheel drives are usually let drive pass without having to mount chains it's the 2 wheel drives that are their focus. In practice this is reserved to some mountain passes during the snow blast, such as Katschberg pass near (very busy) Tauern tunnel - if the latter closes (accident) the only detour is the said mountain pass.

Edited by naturalaspiration on Thursday 21st November 14:29

Also 2 chains are enough on a 4 wheel drive (4 are better of course but maybe an overkill for a single trip to Alps). You may only ever need them if things get really steep - if going up put them on the rear axle, and if going down on the front axle. Remove as soon as you are back in the walley unless your winter tyres are very worn (and keep on rear axle as xdrive has rear bias)

Edited by naturalaspiration on Thursday 21st November 14:35

[BFleming]

naturalaspiration said:

Which area is that? Nordics?

Such signage / rules are common in the Alps (and all the countries they traverse). The OP mentioned the Alps too. I've not been to the Nordics.

[monty999]

Vroomer said:

It was BMW saying that non OEM wheels could affect the warranty that swayed me – I've paid the extra for peace of mind!

That's exactly why I went down the same route eventually..... and they also still look great on the car !!