Winter wheels only needed for M cars?
Discussion
I normally run winter wheels over the coldest months, I was driving the F10 M5 in the snow without any issues.
The M5 has gone, so I've just stuck the M5 winter wheels on eBay and I was about order a set for the F31 335xDrive, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth to on an xDrive diesel. Should I bother?
The M5 has gone, so I've just stuck the M5 winter wheels on eBay and I was about order a set for the F31 335xDrive, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth to on an xDrive diesel. Should I bother?
V5Ade said:
I normally run winter wheels over the coldest months, I was driving the F10 M5 in the snow without any issues.
The M5 has gone, so I've just stuck the M5 winter wheels on eBay and I was about order a set for the F31 335xDrive, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth to on an xDrive diesel. Should I bother?
Just because its \xDrive doesn't mean it doesn't need winters...The M5 has gone, so I've just stuck the M5 winter wheels on eBay and I was about order a set for the F31 335xDrive, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth to on an xDrive diesel. Should I bother?
My Dad's X3 3.0 XDrive got stuck on the main carpark on Cairngorm a few winters back; stuck in the snow and spinning non-stop; on Dunlop summer RFTs...
My lowly E39 530i saloon on its 16" Turbines with Michelin Alpin A4 winters glided passed with zero issues and we waited in the warmth of the cafe supping coffee whilst my Mum & Dad got pulled to freedom
Ok; that example is far fetched due to the heavy snow and height we were at; but the principle is the same; winter tyres perform so much better in the colder temps; more so when its wet, than summers do...
I've always run a cheaper set of alloys with winter tyres on every car I've had since 2010.
Mrwinterwheels.com is a good website for those with more modern BMWs to sort themselves with winter alloys & tyres etc
Or just get a 2nd hand set of alloys you know fit your car, 1 or 2 sizes smaller and then sort yourself with winter tyres from the likes of Camskill/TyreLeader etc
As above, I run winter tyres originally on my 335i and now on the 440i and the difference they made in snow particularly was dramatic, more traction that a 4WD on summer tyres for sure. Bought the wheels from Tyreleader and tyres from Camskill, by far the cheapest way although some BMW dealers are offering blindingly good deals on winter wheel/tyre combinations.
Dave
Dave
As an example; 18" set here; just need to make sure they clear your brake calipers:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-BMW-F30-F31-F32...
I'd also go for non-RFT winter tyres; unless you really want RFTs etc... You just need a tyre inflation kit and to inform your insurance that you run winter alloys & non RFT winter tyres etc
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-BMW-F30-F31-F32...
I'd also go for non-RFT winter tyres; unless you really want RFTs etc... You just need a tyre inflation kit and to inform your insurance that you run winter alloys & non RFT winter tyres etc
rassi said:
Xdrive will only help with traction to accelerate but not to brake or steer - therefore winter tyres will still be required for that
Spot on.. saw a 4x4 in snowy conditions charging past me on a local dual carriageway, only to career straight into the roundabout as his braking was not up to the same levels as his accelerative traction. Some major humiliation for him as the cars he zipped past trundled past him stranded up on the shoulders of the roundabout.Dave
I've used winter tyres on my non-M BMWs for the last 5 years and for the first 3 didn't really need them.
But then in 2018 the Beast from the East arrived and they were just fantastic! I wouldn't have been going anywhere in that on summer tyres.
So I'll keep using them - I can still remember how hopeless my 1 Series was on summers in the snow we had in 2010!
But then in 2018 the Beast from the East arrived and they were just fantastic! I wouldn't have been going anywhere in that on summer tyres.
So I'll keep using them - I can still remember how hopeless my 1 Series was on summers in the snow we had in 2010!
V5Ade said:
I normally run winter wheels over the coldest months, I was driving the F10 M5 in the snow without any issues.
The M5 has gone, so I've just stuck the M5 winter wheels on eBay and I was about order a set for the F31 335xDrive, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth to on an xDrive diesel. Should I bother?
100%The M5 has gone, so I've just stuck the M5 winter wheels on eBay and I was about order a set for the F31 335xDrive, but I'm starting to wonder if it's worth to on an xDrive diesel. Should I bother?
Your xdrive doesn't help in turning or stopping.
Absolutely worth it if you need to commute often in very bad conditions.
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