View Poll Results: Both have great All Season tires, which to keep for the Winter?
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll
My Winter Dilema
09-07-2009, 02:56 PM
#11
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My Ride: 04 525i sport, premium, winter, xenon. xm satellite radio, navwithtv dvd system, 1 jl 10w7 sub powered by xtant 1001x amp. 20x8.5/10 on nitto nt555 rubber. acs roof and decklid spoiler, breyton front spoiler.
Park the 5 in the garage and get a cheap SUV for the snow. You don't want to destroy that beauty with salt. 
Whatever u do don't use the 166's
Whatever u do don't use the 166's
09-07-2009, 03:26 PM
#12
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My Ride: 2008 Alpine White 550i Sport, Cream Beige Interior, 6-Sp Manual - retired 9/2011
Originally Posted by nicke60gre' post='1001149' date='Sep 7 2009, 06:26 PM
Leave the fronts alone, just place 12mm spacers (15mm max ....17-18 mm will rub) to the rear and it will be OK
I had 12mm spacers on my ET20 18" winter rims with 245's, and the rears were still pushed in.
09-07-2009, 05:14 PM
#14
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I'm currently going through the same dilemma! 172's not 166...same issue.
I live in Toronto, Canada so winter is not a joke....and it lasts waaay too long. Having said that, the fact it lasts so long makes it very hard to sit on 17" for that length of time and break out the 172's in April after driving on 17" donuts for 6 months!
I'm seriously thinking of finding a 19" option for winter. There's a few options of 19" tires that are available for winter setups and I'd be curious to know how bad they really are?
The size would only seem to be an issue because of the lower profile with a small sidewall and less shock tolerance for bad winter roads and width because of the wide contact surface?
If compared to a slightly less wide 17" or 18", what's the big deal with having a 19" Dunlop Winter Sport or Blizzak vs. the 17" equivalent?
I drove through 2 Canadian winters on 18" Michelin Pilot Alpin with M135 rims and had no problems whatsoever so I wonder how big of a jump it would be to go 19?
Nice rims...make the car! (IMHO) It's a question of whether you can live with the 17" look for an entire winter? I'm starting to think....I can't!
I live in Toronto, Canada so winter is not a joke....and it lasts waaay too long. Having said that, the fact it lasts so long makes it very hard to sit on 17" for that length of time and break out the 172's in April after driving on 17" donuts for 6 months!
I'm seriously thinking of finding a 19" option for winter. There's a few options of 19" tires that are available for winter setups and I'd be curious to know how bad they really are?
The size would only seem to be an issue because of the lower profile with a small sidewall and less shock tolerance for bad winter roads and width because of the wide contact surface?
If compared to a slightly less wide 17" or 18", what's the big deal with having a 19" Dunlop Winter Sport or Blizzak vs. the 17" equivalent?
I drove through 2 Canadian winters on 18" Michelin Pilot Alpin with M135 rims and had no problems whatsoever so I wonder how big of a jump it would be to go 19?
Nice rims...make the car! (IMHO) It's a question of whether you can live with the 17" look for an entire winter? I'm starting to think....I can't!
09-07-2009, 05:57 PM
#15
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Whats there to think?
One is Awesome , other is Lame.. who choose the lame one..
But if your winter is serous.. you can always do like me.. i got a 18 reps sitting on winter tires for winter..
and 19 beauty for summer.
Hope this helps
One is Awesome , other is Lame.. who choose the lame one..
But if your winter is serous.. you can always do like me.. i got a 18 reps sitting on winter tires for winter..
and 19 beauty for summer.
Hope this helps
09-08-2009, 12:24 AM
#16
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Originally Posted by DrLev99' post='1001189' date='Sep 8 2009, 02:26 AM
I can't see how 17-18 would rub, considering the 225 tire and 7.5" rim. Hell, even 20-25mm wouldn't rub.
I had 12mm spacers on my ET20 18" winter rims with 245's, and the rears were still pushed in.
I had 12mm spacers on my ET20 18" winter rims with 245's, and the rears were still pushed in.
That's correct! I'm sorry, I had in my mind my 17" 138s with 245s winter, where the max I could fit was 15mm, while with 20mm it rubs when car is loaded.
09-08-2009, 06:27 AM
#17
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My Ride: 2011, E90 M3 Sedan. Alpine White.Competition package, Keyhole cover, fender reflectors in Alpine white, RPI Exhaust, 19
Howi.. rock the 166's all year long.. look good in that car every single day.. forget that crap.. when the wheels get messed up.. by a new pair.. its only money 
you only live once just my 10 cents 
you only live once just my 10 cents
09-08-2009, 06:36 AM
#18
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My Ride: 2004 530i
premium package/active steering/auto sunshade/tiag/black dakota leather/logic 7
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19' DPE GT7
I say put some proper winter tires on the 17's and then add spacers to fix the look. Its just all around bad to have 19's in the winter, even if you had 19" winter tire option (they aren't that good). Plus i'm not sure what the weather is like in Chicago but where I'm from the wheels would be covered in snow half the time anyways.
09-08-2009, 06:36 AM
#19
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My Ride: 2005 BMW 530d M-Sport TouringExterior: Titansilber Metallic, M5 mirrors, ACS rear roof spoiler, BMW Carbon Fiber rear diffuser, Adaptive Xenon headlights, AngeliBright v.3 Angel Eyes, F1 Autohaus Euphoria 6000K LED license plate lightsInterior: Black
Originally Posted by Pioneer530' post='1001145' date='Sep 8 2009, 01:15 AM
Reading between the lines, it would appear that BMW owners really should not live in cold and snowy climes.
Since 2000, I have had two E46 Tourings, one E39 Touring and now the E61, all of which get driven year round.
I have dedicated winter wheels and tires, and I have never had to resort to studded tires either.
The E61 is the best of the lot as far as winter driving goes.
09-08-2009, 06:59 AM
#20
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My Ride: 2008 550I LOADED, all options except HUD and NV
I voted to put the stockers back on for the winter because why take the risk of messing up those 166's? They are great looking wheels and great for the warmer months, but if you damage them in winter (and I think Chicago uses salt on the roads just like New York) you will never forgive yourself. Keep em looking perfect for the warmer months and you'll be much happier.