BMW winter tyre help
Discussion
Hi all,
Please excuse this post if it comes across as a typical girly one - I’m at a loss and need some steering!
I’ve recently bought a BMW 3 series GT that has 19’ run flats on at the minute - I live in the north of Scotland and have been advised by several people to get myself a set of winter tyres. This is my first rear-wheel drive car so this all new to me.
Finding 19” winters and rims is a nightmare so was wondering if I can simply buy a set of 18” alloys and have the winter tyres fitted to them?
The main questions I have is (here comes the girly bit) can I buy any 18” rims or do they have to be a specific width? I’ve read about PCD and don’t know if that is an important factor? Will running 18” rims affect the car in anyway - I have 19” run flats and the whole electronic tyre deflation whatsy as part of the vehicle set up - will this be affected?
Any clarification you guys/gals can give me would be gratefully received - I’ve been told conflicting info from mechanics so far and I’m sure it’s because they either want to sell me a specific brand or they know I’m clueless - thanks in advance!!
Please excuse this post if it comes across as a typical girly one - I’m at a loss and need some steering!
I’ve recently bought a BMW 3 series GT that has 19’ run flats on at the minute - I live in the north of Scotland and have been advised by several people to get myself a set of winter tyres. This is my first rear-wheel drive car so this all new to me.
Finding 19” winters and rims is a nightmare so was wondering if I can simply buy a set of 18” alloys and have the winter tyres fitted to them?
The main questions I have is (here comes the girly bit) can I buy any 18” rims or do they have to be a specific width? I’ve read about PCD and don’t know if that is an important factor? Will running 18” rims affect the car in anyway - I have 19” run flats and the whole electronic tyre deflation whatsy as part of the vehicle set up - will this be affected?
Any clarification you guys/gals can give me would be gratefully received - I’ve been told conflicting info from mechanics so far and I’m sure it’s because they either want to sell me a specific brand or they know I’m clueless - thanks in advance!!
North.rn.lass said:
Hi all,
Please excuse this post if it comes across as a typical girly one - I’m at a loss and need some steering!
I’ve recently bought a BMW 3 series GT that has 19’ run flats on at the minute - I live in the north of Scotland and have been advised by several people to get myself a set of winter tyres. This is my first rear-wheel drive car so this all new to me.
Finding 19” winters and rims is a nightmare so was wondering if I can simply buy a set of 18” alloys and have the winter tyres fitted to them?
The main questions I have is (here comes the girly bit) can I buy any 18” rims or do they have to be a specific width? I’ve read about PCD and don’t know if that is an important factor? Will running 18” rims affect the car in anyway - I have 19” run flats and the whole electronic tyre deflation whatsy as part of the vehicle set up - will this be affected?
Any clarification you guys/gals can give me would be gratefully received - I’ve been told conflicting info from mechanics so far and I’m sure it’s because they either want to sell me a specific brand or they know I’m clueless - thanks in advance!!
You can buy a set of 18” alloys with winter tyres and have them fitted to your car. Just make sure the alloys come with the RDC sensor as that’s what measures the tyre pressures for the car, without the RDC sensors the tyre pressure warning will likely be on permanently. Please excuse this post if it comes across as a typical girly one - I’m at a loss and need some steering!
I’ve recently bought a BMW 3 series GT that has 19’ run flats on at the minute - I live in the north of Scotland and have been advised by several people to get myself a set of winter tyres. This is my first rear-wheel drive car so this all new to me.
Finding 19” winters and rims is a nightmare so was wondering if I can simply buy a set of 18” alloys and have the winter tyres fitted to them?
The main questions I have is (here comes the girly bit) can I buy any 18” rims or do they have to be a specific width? I’ve read about PCD and don’t know if that is an important factor? Will running 18” rims affect the car in anyway - I have 19” run flats and the whole electronic tyre deflation whatsy as part of the vehicle set up - will this be affected?
Any clarification you guys/gals can give me would be gratefully received - I’ve been told conflicting info from mechanics so far and I’m sure it’s because they either want to sell me a specific brand or they know I’m clueless - thanks in advance!!
In terms of size, I’d probably be looking for a 225/45/18 something like that.
Hey Lass of the North.
Yes find some 18s, or even 17s.
1 - look in your Driver's Manual - this should list the sizes that fit on your specific model. As you said, you need the correct width as well as offset, PCD and centre bore for your specific BMW. Don't be put off by these terms - all easily understandable - look them up.
2 - there may be the same info in the door aperture - not sure which side in a modern BMW.
3 - or use the power of the interweb for good - find your car on something like this website....
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/bmw/3-series/
...and drill down to the correct year, and OEM wheel-size choices should be listed
then buy some wheels - ebay is a good place for 2nd hand wheels, and Paisleyfreight are usually good way of having them delivered.
If you want to post up the year/model of your car, maybe someone will have a look for you.
Then choose some tyres - I would always use this resource to choose some well rated tyres
https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2019-Winter-...
Have fun.
Yes find some 18s, or even 17s.
1 - look in your Driver's Manual - this should list the sizes that fit on your specific model. As you said, you need the correct width as well as offset, PCD and centre bore for your specific BMW. Don't be put off by these terms - all easily understandable - look them up.
2 - there may be the same info in the door aperture - not sure which side in a modern BMW.
3 - or use the power of the interweb for good - find your car on something like this website....
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/bmw/3-series/
...and drill down to the correct year, and OEM wheel-size choices should be listed
then buy some wheels - ebay is a good place for 2nd hand wheels, and Paisleyfreight are usually good way of having them delivered.
If you want to post up the year/model of your car, maybe someone will have a look for you.
Then choose some tyres - I would always use this resource to choose some well rated tyres
https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2019-Winter-...
Have fun.
Check out what style standard wheels your car could have come with - likely 17 or 18 inch wheels. If it’s a 2019 model, you might be able to find this in your dealership sales brochures.
This should at least prove the wheels will go over the brake callipers and offset will be right (and stud pattern).
Find a secondhand set of those wheels on the Bay or elsewhere, or from BM if you’re feeling flush! Using BMW indicated tyre sizes, buy the tyres on blackcircles for example and have them fitted and swapped with your current wheels.
Important to get the rolling radius of the tyres correct or your speedo will be out/gearing strained etc. I’ve done this with my last few cars. Don’t just buy any old set of 18” wheels you like the look of as it’ll be very unlikely they fit right.
This should at least prove the wheels will go over the brake callipers and offset will be right (and stud pattern).
Find a secondhand set of those wheels on the Bay or elsewhere, or from BM if you’re feeling flush! Using BMW indicated tyre sizes, buy the tyres on blackcircles for example and have them fitted and swapped with your current wheels.
Important to get the rolling radius of the tyres correct or your speedo will be out/gearing strained etc. I’ve done this with my last few cars. Don’t just buy any old set of 18” wheels you like the look of as it’ll be very unlikely they fit right.
Having wintered in a snowy country with a BMW I say your friends' advice is sound. It can be expensive to buy 4 new alloys though and many people in countries were everyone swaps to winter tyres use the smallest, cheapest wheels that'll fit their car when they do. It's not uncommon to see black steel wheels on expensive cars from November to March. Or you could buy a set of second hand alloys (which is what I did myself). They'll only get covered in salt anyway, so no point spending too much. It is worth spending on the winter tyres though, they make such a difference on rwd BMWs and good ones will work well in the wet and dry as well as on snow and ice.
This is worth a look:
https://www.mrwinterwheels.co.uk/
You’ll soon get sorted on there hopefully
You could always source a 2nd hand set of alloys for your car & buy the winter tyres from somewhere like Camskill, TyreLeader etc & get them fitted locally or via Blackcircles & the likes
All BMW wheels & their specs can be found here: http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/
Alloys need to be the same PCD, centre bore & ideally the same offset, stick to the OEM spec tyre size too IMO. You just need to ensure that whichever car you have, the alloys will clear the brake calipers
My folks have property in Dunkeld & I run winter tyres on my 530i touring; they’re superb when we’re up there December, Jan & Feb, more so if it’s either cold, wet & miserable, or if it’s snowed hard etc
Wouldn’t be without them!
https://www.mrwinterwheels.co.uk/
You’ll soon get sorted on there hopefully
You could always source a 2nd hand set of alloys for your car & buy the winter tyres from somewhere like Camskill, TyreLeader etc & get them fitted locally or via Blackcircles & the likes
All BMW wheels & their specs can be found here: http://www.bmwstylewheels.com/
Alloys need to be the same PCD, centre bore & ideally the same offset, stick to the OEM spec tyre size too IMO. You just need to ensure that whichever car you have, the alloys will clear the brake calipers
My folks have property in Dunkeld & I run winter tyres on my 530i touring; they’re superb when we’re up there December, Jan & Feb, more so if it’s either cold, wet & miserable, or if it’s snowed hard etc
Wouldn’t be without them!
Edited by d_a_n1979 on Wednesday 9th September 07:46
I used mrwinterwheels for my wheels and tyres nearly 5 years ago. I’ve got 19inch summer wheels but went for 17 inch wheels for winter. They are on the car Nov- March.
If your car has the blue brake callipers, then I believe you can only go down to 18 inch wheels as the 17 inch will not clear the brakes.
If your car has the blue brake callipers, then I believe you can only go down to 18 inch wheels as the 17 inch will not clear the brakes.
On my 3 series touring (2018) I have 19 inch summer wheels and tyres, and big brakes. Went on ebay and bought a set of "400m" style 18 inch wheels, and got a set of winter tyres (225/45/18 fronts, 255/40/18 rears). Works well, and fits over the big brakes, so should fit your car fine.
Let's go back to some basic first principles.
PCD - Pitch Circle Diameter - so effectively the bolt pattern for your wheels. You'll read things like 5x120 (which yours is!) which means 5 bolts x 120mm diameter circle. This a typical BMW size up to 2018 or so. The newer cars are different.
ET - Einpresstiefe (how's your German?) meaning offset. Very important so your new wheels don't stick out - or in - too much. The offset varies depending on the width of the wheel.
Wheel diameter - you're currently on 19's. 18's will also fit, but if your car had the M Performance brakes, usually indicated by blue calipers on a BMW, 18 is as small as you can go. If you don't have Performance brakes, 17's will fit. For winter tyres, the smallest diameter you can fit will give better snow performance.
Centre bore is also important, so the wheels fit snugly on your hubs. If they're genuine BMW wheels you'll be ok.
Open the drivers door on your car, and on the pillar where you have the tyre pressures, the list of permissible tyre sizes are listed. It may even list different sizes front & rear, but ideally for a winter set-up you want the same sizes all round. Something like 225/55-17 on your car (assuming no performance brakes) or 225/50-18 if you do. Your current size should be 225/45-19.
On that same sticker, there should be an entry that says M&S - that's the recommended winter tyre size.
Here's my sticker (not a 3 series GT, but the same principle):
On the tyre sizes, 225 is the width, 45 is the height (profile) of the tyre expressed as a percentage of the width, and 19 is the wheel diameter.
The 3 series GT has taller & thinner tyres than a regular 3 series, but the wheels are the same. I'd be looking at a secondhand set of genuine BMW wheels from a comparable 3 series (or GT), then buy new tyres to suit. The best winter tyre I've ever used was the Goodyear Ultragrip. I currently have Dunop Wintersport 3D's for my 5 series, which will go on in November. I've not really had to test them, but they're ok too.
PCD - Pitch Circle Diameter - so effectively the bolt pattern for your wheels. You'll read things like 5x120 (which yours is!) which means 5 bolts x 120mm diameter circle. This a typical BMW size up to 2018 or so. The newer cars are different.
ET - Einpresstiefe (how's your German?) meaning offset. Very important so your new wheels don't stick out - or in - too much. The offset varies depending on the width of the wheel.
Wheel diameter - you're currently on 19's. 18's will also fit, but if your car had the M Performance brakes, usually indicated by blue calipers on a BMW, 18 is as small as you can go. If you don't have Performance brakes, 17's will fit. For winter tyres, the smallest diameter you can fit will give better snow performance.
Centre bore is also important, so the wheels fit snugly on your hubs. If they're genuine BMW wheels you'll be ok.
Open the drivers door on your car, and on the pillar where you have the tyre pressures, the list of permissible tyre sizes are listed. It may even list different sizes front & rear, but ideally for a winter set-up you want the same sizes all round. Something like 225/55-17 on your car (assuming no performance brakes) or 225/50-18 if you do. Your current size should be 225/45-19.
On that same sticker, there should be an entry that says M&S - that's the recommended winter tyre size.
Here's my sticker (not a 3 series GT, but the same principle):
On the tyre sizes, 225 is the width, 45 is the height (profile) of the tyre expressed as a percentage of the width, and 19 is the wheel diameter.
The 3 series GT has taller & thinner tyres than a regular 3 series, but the wheels are the same. I'd be looking at a secondhand set of genuine BMW wheels from a comparable 3 series (or GT), then buy new tyres to suit. The best winter tyre I've ever used was the Goodyear Ultragrip. I currently have Dunop Wintersport 3D's for my 5 series, which will go on in November. I've not really had to test them, but they're ok too.
That's what I said 
https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/The-differen...
BFleming said:
For winter tyres, the smallest diameter you can fit will give better snow performance.
That was the usual advice, but it ain't necessarily so.https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/The-differen...
Orangecurry said:
That's what I said
https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/The-differen...
Isn't that more about tread width than wheel/tyre diameter - and focuses on the overall footprint each provides?BFleming said:
For winter tyres, the smallest diameter you can fit will give better snow performance.
That was the usual advice, but it ain't necessarily so.https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/The-differen...
If they'd used the same 225 profile on all the wheels (i.e. a 225/50r16 on the 16"), then would the footprint & performance have been closer?
OP, I'd suggest seeing what BMW recommends for your car by putting the VIN number into their online shop or parts catalogue and seeing what winter wheels are shown. If you list your specific model (year & model - e.g. 2018 335i and whether it's X-Drive or not) others might be able to suggest something that will work and fit over the front brakes.
For example, for a 2016 328i GT, BMW list 2 size options for the runflat tyres (of course you'd have to get the correct wheels to fit them to):
- 225/50r18 99V Continental WinterContact TS830P SSR
- 225/55r17 97H in either Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32 RFT or Pirelli W210 Sottozro II RF
You can also put your car details into somewhere like mytyres.co.uk, and see what wheel & winter tyre combo's they offer.
Edited by mmm-five on Wednesday 9th September 12:06
Dear Lass
And Centre-bore is critical, though it seems that all 3-series have had 72.6 since 2011?
Orangecurry said:
If you want to post up the year/model of your car, maybe someone will have a look for you.
...getting really specific advice is great, but we really need to know which year the car is before we do that. There seem to be some subtle differences in the 3-series wheels from 2011 to 2019, and of course a previous owner might have fitted out-of-spec wheels, so making assumptions on what is on the car now isn't ideal.And Centre-bore is critical, though it seems that all 3-series have had 72.6 since 2011?
mmm-five said:
Orangecurry said:
That's what I said
https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/The-differen...
Isn't that more about tread width than wheel/tyre diameter - and focuses on the overall footprint each provides?BFleming said:
For winter tyres, the smallest diameter you can fit will give better snow performance.
That was the usual advice, but it ain't necessarily so.https://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/The-differen...
If they'd used the same 225 profile on all the wheels (i.e. a 225/50r16 on the 16"), then would the footprint & performance have been closer?
If you like, I can pull out the test where the 18" on 225 stopped quicker in the snow than the others, but the key message is...
'the smallest diameter you can fit will give better snow performance' is not correct. It's not as simple as that.
Edited by Orangecurry on Wednesday 9th September 12:07
Orangecurry said:
Who can say? But you are nit-picking. Read what BFleing said, and read what I said.
If you like, I can pull out the test where the 18" on 225 stopped quicker in the snow than the others, but the key message is...
'the smallest diameter you can fit will give better snow performance' is not correct. It's not as simple as that.
I did, and agree that it's not as simple as "smaller diameter = better in all cases" If you like, I can pull out the test where the 18" on 225 stopped quicker in the snow than the others, but the key message is...
'the smallest diameter you can fit will give better snow performance' is not correct. It's not as simple as that.
However, I was pointing out the discrepancy in the 16" tyre tread width. For the test to be purely a comparison of diameter, then everything else should be the same, no? Maybe a 225 in 16" just wasn't/isn't available, but that's not made clear
But without that who knows how a 225/50r16 would have performed. Although I'm assuming it would be slightly better in the wetter/slushier/snowier conditions and slightly worse in the dry. That's the effect I get with the smaller all-seasons on my 330D Touring (17s bought instead of 18s as they were about 30% cheaper for a set)
mmm-five said:
17s bought instead of 18s as they were about 30% cheaper for a set
...which is another key factor - cost and tyre make/model availability. So if 17s fit over the brakes, that would be the way to go, as I suggested way way up top 17" wheels would be cheaper too.
But performance is not governed by diameter (EFClarity), as proved by Jon at Goodyear's testing facility.
If you are aiming for decent alloys and winter tyres, then BMW dealers maybe your best bet. They are not cheap, but are comparable to other prestige wheel and tyre sites. When I changed my 19” summers to 18” summers (for comfort reasons - and when the tyres were worn down), I just used a BMW dealer - prices were comparable. You will get a decent amount of use from then, so you will probably want some decent-looking alloys. If I recall, Continental TS winter tyres did work well in winter, and reasonably well into warmer weather too.
Dear Lass - are you anywhere near Elgin?
IMO - go and see this seller, and test fit (on the front of your car) both sets of his wheels - don't worry about the actual tyre-sizes on the wheels.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/stu191976/m.html?item=2...
I'd buy cheap 2nd-hand wheels, and new quality tyres, and therefore you can buy the correct size tyres for your GT.
Will this post be deleted as it has a helpful link to ebay?
IMO - go and see this seller, and test fit (on the front of your car) both sets of his wheels - don't worry about the actual tyre-sizes on the wheels.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/stu191976/m.html?item=2...
I'd buy cheap 2nd-hand wheels, and new quality tyres, and therefore you can buy the correct size tyres for your GT.
Will this post be deleted as it has a helpful link to ebay?
This is just from the internet, not me or my experience, but rim width, diameter, offset and PCD are all below - IMO use this info to search ebay and ask sellers specific questions.
Having had winter runflats, it seems like a good idea but I wouldn't do so again.
BMW 3 Series 2015 GT 320d
– Generation: VI (F30/F31/F34) [2011 .. 2016]
– Market: EUDM
– Power: 181 hp | 135 kW | 184 PS
– Engine: N47D20, I4, Diesel
– Options: Sport Line, Luxury Line, Modern Line
– Center Bore: 72.6 mm
– Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts
– Torque: 120 Nm
– Thread Size: M14 x 1.25
– Trim Production: [2013 .. 2015]
or
BMW 3 Series 2015 GT 320d
– Generation: VI (F30/F31/F34) [2011 .. 2016]
– Market: EUDM
– Power: 188 hp | 140 kW | 190 PS
– Engine: B47D20, I4, Diesel
– Options: Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line, M Sport
– Center Bore: 72.6 mm
– Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts
– Torque: 120 Nm
– Thread Size: M14 x 1.25
– Trim Production: [2015 .. 2016]
Tire Rim Offset PCD
225/55R17 97V 8Jx17 ET34 5x120
Recommended for winter
225/55R17 97H 8Jx17 ET34 5x120
Recommended for winter
Runflat225/50R18 99V 8Jx18 ET34 5x120
Runflat225/45ZR19 92W 8Jx19 ET30 5x120
Having had winter runflats, it seems like a good idea but I wouldn't do so again.
BMW 3 Series 2015 GT 320d
– Generation: VI (F30/F31/F34) [2011 .. 2016]
– Market: EUDM
– Power: 181 hp | 135 kW | 184 PS
– Engine: N47D20, I4, Diesel
– Options: Sport Line, Luxury Line, Modern Line
– Center Bore: 72.6 mm
– Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts
– Torque: 120 Nm
– Thread Size: M14 x 1.25
– Trim Production: [2013 .. 2015]
or
BMW 3 Series 2015 GT 320d
– Generation: VI (F30/F31/F34) [2011 .. 2016]
– Market: EUDM
– Power: 188 hp | 140 kW | 190 PS
– Engine: B47D20, I4, Diesel
– Options: Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line, M Sport
– Center Bore: 72.6 mm
– Wheel Fasteners: Lug bolts
– Torque: 120 Nm
– Thread Size: M14 x 1.25
– Trim Production: [2015 .. 2016]
Tire Rim Offset PCD
225/55R17 97V 8Jx17 ET34 5x120
Recommended for winter
225/55R17 97H 8Jx17 ET34 5x120
Recommended for winter
Runflat225/50R18 99V 8Jx18 ET34 5x120
Runflat225/45ZR19 92W 8Jx19 ET30 5x120
Edited by Orangecurry on Wednesday 9th September 13:46
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