All season tyres question. Does it HAVE to be 91W ?

[Brian Lacey]

I thought this would be simple !
2015 Active Tourer 225i Xdrive and the oem run flat Bridgestones are coming to replacement time so thoughts naturally turned to replacement normal tyres. We live rural and in the past (Subaru/Mitsubishi) I have found all season tyres are just the job.
So I want to do the same on the BMW and replace 205/55/17 91W with all seasons.
Here lies the problem, there is virtually no choice in this size if I stick to the 91W rating. The sort available are old design and tread/grip etc have improved.
There is a more modern choice if I go with a V speed rating but of course this is not the original spec and I rather think it will be a no/no if I contact the insurance to ask and run a risk in using them and remaining quiet.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Brian.

Edited by Brian Lacey on Friday 5th March 20:41

[BFleming]

The W part is the speed rating, and is 168mph. V is 149mph. The top speed of the 225i Active Tourer is 149mph, and that's legally permissible in some places. Not the UK though, so a V rating will be fine for your purposes.
The weight rating is more important. The manufacturer stipulates 91, but in reality this means "at least 91" so you can go higher.
HTH

[Earthdweller]

There is absolutely no issue with insurance as long as the tyres are the correct size

The speed rating isn’t an issue as you don’t need tyres rated for very high speeds

A V rated tyre is perfectly legal and safe to fit and you don’t need to inform your insurance

[Brian Lacey]

Thanks all, that makes life so much easier.
Cheers
Brian.