Tires again. 17's or 18 for the winter
11-09-2005, 05:48 AM
#1
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My Ride: On Order for European Delivery
550i SilverGrey Sports, Winter, Prem Pkg, Prem sound, NAV, HUD, comfort seats
I live in the Boston area, we had a lot of snow last yr.
I pick up my 550 in Munich Friday and by the time it gets here, I will need snow tires.
I know nothing about tires.
Should I go with a 17 or 18inch set up?
How much difference is there?
thanks for the advice
I pick up my 550 in Munich Friday and by the time it gets here, I will need snow tires.
I know nothing about tires.
Should I go with a 17 or 18inch set up?
How much difference is there?
thanks for the advice
11-09-2005, 06:21 AM
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Hey Cyclist -
How was your pick-up? Did you have a blast driving your 550 around? Any pics?
I plan to put winter rubber on the stock 550 wheels in a few weeks here in Chicago (and discard the runflats). I think 18" wheels will work fine - even the wide ones in the rear.
I think the most important feature of a winter tire is the rubber compound- it gives you much better grip compared to all-season or summer tires when it's cold outside. Next most-important is driving when it's wet out ... so look for a winter tire with good wet ratings. Finally, snow traction. We don't get that much snow in Chicago (and you typically don't either in Boston), so this is last on my list. Any good winter tire will be fine in the snow, obviously, but when it gets really deep I take the Mrs.' Volvo XC90 out.
I'm looking to get the Bridgestone Blizzak LM25s or Dunlop Winter Sport M3 for my winter tires.
How was your pick-up? Did you have a blast driving your 550 around? Any pics?
I plan to put winter rubber on the stock 550 wheels in a few weeks here in Chicago (and discard the runflats). I think 18" wheels will work fine - even the wide ones in the rear.
I think the most important feature of a winter tire is the rubber compound- it gives you much better grip compared to all-season or summer tires when it's cold outside. Next most-important is driving when it's wet out ... so look for a winter tire with good wet ratings. Finally, snow traction. We don't get that much snow in Chicago (and you typically don't either in Boston), so this is last on my list. Any good winter tire will be fine in the snow, obviously, but when it gets really deep I take the Mrs.' Volvo XC90 out.
I'm looking to get the Bridgestone Blizzak LM25s or Dunlop Winter Sport M3 for my winter tires.
11-09-2005, 07:07 AM
#3
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My Ride: On Order for European Delivery
550i SilverGrey Sports, Winter, Prem Pkg, Prem sound, NAV, HUD, comfort seats
Originally Posted by tachyon' post='195705' date='Nov 9 2005, 10:21 AM
Hey Cyclist -
How was your pick-up? Did you have a blast driving your 550 around? Any pics?
I plan to put winter rubber on the stock 550 wheels in a few weeks here in Chicago (and discard the runflats). I think 18" wheels will work fine - even the wide ones in the rear.
I think the most important feature of a winter tire is the rubber compound- it gives you much better grip compared to all-season or summer tires when it's cold outside. Next most-important is driving when it's wet out ... so look for a winter tire with good wet ratings. Finally, snow traction. We don't get that much snow in Chicago (and you typically don't either in Boston), so this is last on my list. Any good winter tire will be fine in the snow, obviously, but when it gets really deep I take the Mrs.' Volvo XC90 out.
I'm looking to get the Bridgestone Blizzak LM25s or Dunlop Winter Sport M3 for my winter tires.
How was your pick-up? Did you have a blast driving your 550 around? Any pics?
I plan to put winter rubber on the stock 550 wheels in a few weeks here in Chicago (and discard the runflats). I think 18" wheels will work fine - even the wide ones in the rear.
I think the most important feature of a winter tire is the rubber compound- it gives you much better grip compared to all-season or summer tires when it's cold outside. Next most-important is driving when it's wet out ... so look for a winter tire with good wet ratings. Finally, snow traction. We don't get that much snow in Chicago (and you typically don't either in Boston), so this is last on my list. Any good winter tire will be fine in the snow, obviously, but when it gets really deep I take the Mrs.' Volvo XC90 out.
I'm looking to get the Bridgestone Blizzak LM25s or Dunlop Winter Sport M3 for my winter tires.
then straight to the delviery center
11-09-2005, 07:42 AM
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My Ride: '04 545iS 6 spd, bought new via eBay, 11/05; Blk/Gry, Cold, L7, PDC, BMW Rear seatcover for pets.
First "Bumwa" was a new 1971 2002. High performance 5s since 1987. Beamer motorcycles too, currently on an 07 BMW K1200 GT; also a Moto Guzzi 1000 SP III.
Hello All, I am in Albany, NY and am facing the same issue for my 545 iS.
I have just purchased a set of 17" alloys (Bayern, allegedly made specifically for BMWs) from Discount Tire Direct, who swears they will fit. I wanted 17 x 8 at the most, to avoid plowing.
My concern is the Run Flat monitor system, and how it will react to this change. Does anyone have direct experience with switching over to standard tires and wheels? Does it just sample them and be quiet, or is there any dealer reprogramming needed?
I am planning on mounting my 1-season old 235/45/17s from my old 540 6 spd.
Thanks in advance for helping with my first posting.
Ray Hull
I have just purchased a set of 17" alloys (Bayern, allegedly made specifically for BMWs) from Discount Tire Direct, who swears they will fit. I wanted 17 x 8 at the most, to avoid plowing.
My concern is the Run Flat monitor system, and how it will react to this change. Does anyone have direct experience with switching over to standard tires and wheels? Does it just sample them and be quiet, or is there any dealer reprogramming needed?
I am planning on mounting my 1-season old 235/45/17s from my old 540 6 spd.
Thanks in advance for helping with my first posting.
Ray Hull
Originally Posted by Cyclist' post='195696' date='Nov 9 2005, 09:48 AM
I live in the Boston area, we had a lot of snow last yr.
I pick up my 550 in Munich Friday and by the time it gets here, I will need snow tires.
I know nothing about tires.
Should I go with a 17 or 18inch set up?
How much difference is there?
thanks for the advice
I pick up my 550 in Munich Friday and by the time it gets here, I will need snow tires.
I know nothing about tires.
Should I go with a 17 or 18inch set up?
How much difference is there?
thanks for the advice
11-09-2005, 07:57 AM
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My Ride: 2006 E60 530 xi six speed manual/Silver gray-auburn/18inch-style123wheels/premium sound and package/HUD/PDC/sport/coldpackage/Sirius/M-aero kit/Nav/comfortseats/shades/comfort access
tires: 245 40 18 Sottozero Pirelli winters (non runflats)
2004 RX330 Lexus - crystal white - reliable, quiet, and the "beater" car for ski trips, hauling, etc.
1995 E34 540i 6 speed black/truffle interior/alpinemp3/XMradio/M5 alloys (Many tears...sold to a fellow Boston bimmer enthusiast!)
Fellow Bostonian-
in the Nov 2005 R&T they give a pretty good review of an all season RF - Pirelli Zero-Nero Mud and Snow -
problem is, I can't seem to find this Pirelli RF!!!!! you can find the non-RF, however.
Does anyone know where you can buy them? or have they not been released?
For now, I'll try my Potenza OEM RF tires - and see how it goes-if it's tough I will
definitely give the Pirelli ZN MS RF's a go -
Dan
in the Nov 2005 R&T they give a pretty good review of an all season RF - Pirelli Zero-Nero Mud and Snow -
problem is, I can't seem to find this Pirelli RF!!!!! you can find the non-RF, however.
Does anyone know where you can buy them? or have they not been released?
For now, I'll try my Potenza OEM RF tires - and see how it goes-if it's tough I will
definitely give the Pirelli ZN MS RF's a go -
Dan
11-09-2005, 08:02 AM
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My Ride: 2006 550i - silver gray, black leather, anthracite, logic7, cold package, SMG, sport, M Aero, nav, sat radio (due 11/05)
2004 545i, silver gray, tan leather, steptronic, sport, nav, cold package (on its way out...)
I also live in Boston area. Have a 545i with 18" runflats that I take off in favor of 17" snows in winter. Works well. Was afraid of sliding too much with 18" snows. Of course, I also use a truck if there is real snow!
I am awaiting a 2006 550i (this month) and plan to use the same 17" snows I have for the 545 for the winter.
I am awaiting a 2006 550i (this month) and plan to use the same 17" snows I have for the 545 for the winter.
11-09-2005, 08:16 AM
#7
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Originally Posted by Cyclist' post='195696' date='Nov 9 2005, 03:48 PM
I live in the Boston area, we had a lot of snow last yr.
I pick up my 550 in Munich Friday and by the time it gets here, I will need snow tires.
I know nothing about tires.
Should I go with a 17 or 18inch set up?
How much difference is there?
thanks for the advice
I pick up my 550 in Munich Friday and by the time it gets here, I will need snow tires.
I know nothing about tires.
Should I go with a 17 or 18inch set up?
How much difference is there?
thanks for the advice
17" of course is better, but ...also 18" will be acceptable with good winter tires.
I suggest too....AutoSock instead of chain
I tested them last winter on 17": very useful
This winter will be available 18" too
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