Winter wheels only needed for M cars?

[V5Ade]

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?

[Allan L]

On the principle that non-winter tyres are poor below 7 deg. I have a set of winter wheels/tyres for my 320d xdrive. I've not had to try it in snow yet (this it its fourth winter) but I'll be happy to have my winter tyres when that time comes.

[E-bmw]

Theoretically everyone should use winter tyres in average temperatures below 7deg c.

If I had the choice of a 4WD car on summers & a RWD car on winters I would go with the latter all day every day.

[d_a_n1979]

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...

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

[DVandrews]

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

[d_a_n1979]

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

[rassi]

Xdrive will only help with traction to accelerate but not to brake or steer - therefore winter tyres will still be required for that

[DVandrews]

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

[ashenfie]

as they say, Xdrive gets you to the scene of the accident quicker

[Mr Tidy]

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!

[320d is all you need]

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%

Your xdrive doesn't help in turning or stopping.

Absolutely worth it if you need to commute often in very bad conditions.

[daver1184]

If you're already used to winter tyre traction in winter, you really should continue the practice on your new car.
When you hit the brakes, X drive or RWD we're all in the same sliding boat...

[V5Ade]

I suppose I should do, but I've keep taking a bath when I sell the car. I'll buy another set once the M5 wheels are sold.