Is there a reasonable replacement winter tire with H or V speed rating for the 545 Sport Rims 2004; hey are 245/40/18 (8 inch width) and 275/35/18 (9 inch width). I was hoping to use these rims for the winter and I'm having some difficulty locating a suitable tire.

 

I use Dunlop WinterSports M3 and have for about 5-6 years and love them. They are probably the best-performing dedicated snow tires on dry roads but are not as grippy in the snow as Blizzaks. Perfect for a climate with some winter snow but not tons. I use a non-staggered winter setup as greater tire width is not your friend in the snow.

 

Agreed, but i was hoping to use these rims as a first choice. I could get a cheap winter set of rims, but that will be after finding out the tires for the 9 inch rears are not available. I think that the Blizzak LM 25 will meet the size requirement but I am unsure of the speed rating.

I am in a fair bit of snow but I drive few winter kilometers.

Has anyone tried the staggered set up?

 

According to tirerack.com the only available staggered setup with the sizes of your OEM tires are Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60s: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchRe...400&tab=All.

Blizzaks are highly rated by most members.

 

I used Continental ContiWinterContact TS810 Sport tyres a couple of winters ago and was amazed how well they gripped in the cold, they were seemed as good as the Goodyear Eagle F1s that came off the car used through the summer. Never had any other winter tyre though so can't compare with other makes. http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/...ts_810s_en.html I dont think they go up to 275 but they do a 265 tyre.

 

+1

I ran these winter tires on my 550i sport using oem staggered sport wheels but with a modified staggered tire set-up using 245/40/18 fronts and 255/40/18 rears. Worked great.

 

Not that the Dunlops or the Blizzaks aren't great tyres, but I bought a pair of Hankooks last year (non staggered, OEM setup) for my 545i and love them. In the Michigan winter, they handle very well, very little road noise (almost like my Michelin Pilot Sports in the summer) and have great traction through wet and heavy snow. I have found them to be an excellent, cheaper alternative and highly reccomend them. I always used Blizzaks but these were reccomended to me by a friend and I have not had any regrets over the past two years...

 

I have been running the Dunlop winter set for 2 winters now on my original staggered rims. They run great in the Toronto winters with no issues on ice and snow.

 

In the winter I have four Dunlop Winter sport 3D 245x40x18's non run flats on my stock staggered style 124 wheels. the narrower rears fit fine on the wider rear wheels. No problem getting to/from ski slopes in New Hampshire. Very good handling/braking when roads are fine. Don't settle for 225x17's if you like driving a sports car all year round!

good luck,

 

For my winter set up, I use non-staggered OEM 123s. I don't use staggered for winter because, in snow, greater width works against traction. Of course, to me, staggered looks much better than non-staggered.