GADGETEMT

Hi, getting a CPO 04 530i with sport and 18" wheels with run flats tires.

Live in North East (some snow & ice) concerned about these tires after the summer is over (if they make it that far???) Drive bout 20k yr.

should I plan on replacing with same size all season (what is best) (and run flat or on run flat)????

or other option would be to pick up a set of std 17" wheels and tires in all season setup for use during winter months.

Any thoughts???

PJMAN

I can't help you with snow and ice as I live in Richmond and thankfully we get very little if any. I am guessing your best bet is 17" wheels with all season tires. For summer driving I would highly recommend tossing the crappy RF's and going with Michelin PS2's.

Hopco

I have a 530xiT and live in Connecticut. I replaced my runflats last Nov with Bridgestone 245/40ZR-18 Potenza RE960AS Pole Position over the Goodyear Eagle NCT5 EMT that came with the car.

In my subjective opinion the Bridgestones:

1) have better turn in
2) are quieter over tar strips
3) cost significantly less ($188 vs. $338 at TireRack)
4) have better projected tread life

As to winter driving - we only had a few snow days last winter. My car (all wheel drive) had NO trouble getting up our drive - something our past cars could not do (Acura TL and E34 M5). In fact the 530 clawed its way up a one inch ice slab (sleet and rain then a hard freeze on 4 inches of snow - yuck.) But i am retired - I do not have to go to work each day - and if I lived in real snow country (western slope Colorado, VT or MT) I am sure I would use winter tires!

Hope that helps.

PS: Be sure your donut spare has air and carry a can or two of aerosol sealants to limp your way to a tire repair station.

wasupdu

I've heard of a few e60 owners who 'get by' in the snow with an all-season set-up, but I prefer not to risk it. I have Michelin Pilot Alpin's installed on my factory wheels and General Exclaim (summer tires) on my other wheels (166's). Even tHough you'll likely only need winter tires for about a dozen days a year, you'll be much more confident with a winter set-up as well. To me, confidence in the winter is 80% of the battle (the tires help a bit too ).

Check out tirerack for winter wheel and tire packages or consider using your stock wheels for the winter and consider picking up a decent set of 18/19/20" wheels and tires for the summer.

uglybear

+1 on Bridgestone 245/40ZR-18 Potenza RE960AS Pole Position