Snow Tire/Wheel question
11-13-2004, 10:39 AM
#12
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If you have potholes during the winter where you live, you should consider the 17's to protect your rims and tires. It's a minor sacrifice in looks/handling but it's well worth it to save you from the headaches of wheel damage and flats in the middle of winter.
11-13-2004, 11:49 AM
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My Ride: 11 550i Sophisto Gray/Oyster Black/Anthracite, Sprt Trns, DHP, IAS, SP, PP1, PP2, CWP, HUD, DAP, AVSP, SF RS, CA, ACC - Euro Del
I bought four 245/40R-18 Dunlop M3 winter perfomance tires from Tire Rack and four BMW 124 alloy wheels, 18 x 8.0, from bmwwheels.com. I will get them mounted next week. Financially I got a very good deal. We'll see how they perform next week. I'll post my comments.
From 18 to 16, I said no way.
11-13-2004, 01:16 PM
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I got 17" mille miglia wheels from Tirerack with Blizzak LM-22s tires. They are supposed to be great with snow, without too much sporty-like loss that some snows compromise on.
I'll probably put them on in beginning of December.
I'll probably put them on in beginning of December.
11-13-2004, 11:55 PM
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no point in putting 18"s on with winter tires. Pretty stupid if you ask me. With winter tires, you should not be running low profle winters, at least you are not getting the most out of your winter tires if you do. Heck, I would even go with 16's. Who cares if they dont look as good. In the winter, it is important your car does not slide out of control and you want to maximize grip as much as possible. In addition to a smaller diameter and higher profile, it is better to buy a narrower tire as well. This is so the car can cut through the snow.
For those who have not bought tires yet for the winter, look into Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22/25 (perf. winter tire, H rating). If you live in a rea with lots of snow, then look into the Blizzak WS50.
For those who have not bought tires yet for the winter, look into Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22/25 (perf. winter tire, H rating). If you live in a rea with lots of snow, then look into the Blizzak WS50.
11-14-2004, 03:05 AM
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My Ride: [i][b][u]Since 19 august 2004[/u][/b][/i]: [color=red][b]530i[/b] High Executive[/color], Silvergray with beige interior, Popular wood, Servotronic, Sportssuspension, electric foldable and dimmed mirrors, dimmed interior mirror, pappelmaser braun wood, cupholders, styling 123 18" wheels, Logic 7, Steptronic, alarm class 3, electric sunscreen in the rear and suncreens for sidewindows, Comfort seats, heated seats, Xenon with headlightwashers, Adaptive corner lights ALC, Advanced airconditioning, lightpackage, Nav Pro, 6 cd changer, side airbags rearseats, bluetooth siemens S55, chrome kidneys, gearlever with wood, voice recognition retrofit, front windshield with green band.
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Originally Posted by tdocz' date='Nov 13 2004, 01:29 PM
18s are better looking the 17s and the ride is not that much different.
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May I ask if you tried this??? I have experience with both 18 inch and 17 inch wheels on my car and the ride difference is hughe! Like I said the car feels much lighter and faster (this is due to the narrower tire and less weight in the rim/tire combo).
Lookwise I love my 18 inch wheels 10 times better then the 17 inch.. But ride wise 17 inch is a major improvement in drivability and comfort.
11-14-2004, 03:17 AM
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My Ride: 11 550i Sophisto Gray/Oyster Black/Anthracite, Sprt Trns, DHP, IAS, SP, PP1, PP2, CWP, HUD, DAP, AVSP, SF RS, CA, ACC - Euro Del
Tire Rack, located in South Bend, Indiana, recommended Dunlop M3s for Chicago over the Blizzaks. We just do not get enough snow to justify the Blizzaks. With my 01 530 Sport, I just left my performance tires on year round because I did not know any better. That actually worked reasonably well. I am looking forward to trying the Dunlop M3s on my new, second set, 18" BMW 124 wheels.
11-14-2004, 04:41 AM
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My Ride: 2005 545i sports package, Nav, HUD, cold weather, Prem sound, Orient Blue, Auburn int. Steptronic
This is such a great forum as there's so much information and opinions 
I did speak with Walt at Tire Rack. What a great guy and very helpful. He recommended that I buy the Dunlop M3's. We debated about 17 inch versus 18 inch. His recommendation was that I go with 245-40X18. He feels that the 18's have better performance on cleared roads. The winters up here in Boston are long and harsh. Lot's of snow/ice and very BIG potholes. But, we agreed that for the most part, roads are clear the vast majority of the time.
I'm still undecided though regarding the 17 versus 18 as the debate goes on here. The great news is I need to make the decision soon as my car is at the VPC in Jersey.
I did speak with Walt at Tire Rack. What a great guy and very helpful. He recommended that I buy the Dunlop M3's. We debated about 17 inch versus 18 inch. His recommendation was that I go with 245-40X18. He feels that the 18's have better performance on cleared roads. The winters up here in Boston are long and harsh. Lot's of snow/ice and very BIG potholes. But, we agreed that for the most part, roads are clear the vast majority of the time.
I'm still undecided though regarding the 17 versus 18 as the debate goes on here. The great news is I need to make the decision soon as my car is at the VPC in Jersey.