I've had this planned out since last winter...:

Mille Miglia MM11-2 Sport Rims
17 inch: $169 each x 4 = $676
18 inch: $199 each x 4 = $796

Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 Tires
225/50-17: ?
245/40-18: $185 each x 4 = $740

Still trying to decide wether to go 17 or 18 for the winter. Will probably choose the 18s.

Here's a pic of that setup with 17 inch rims:

 

I hope to have my car tucked-in up on blocks hybernating for the winter!

I will drive my Ford all winter to avoid the nasty road salt and dirt.

 

That is some serious devotion. I'm not sure I like the car *that* much..

 

Me neither.. I love my car, but it's still a car and I use it whole year long...

 

Mark, those Mille Miglia wheels are the ones I used on my E39s for six winters. (Actually I had the MM11 that came out before the MM11-2 model. Almost identical in look though.)

I actually still have them 16" and plan to place a classified ad in our local BMW CCA chapter to get them out of my way.

Thanks for posting the pic. I wondered what they'd look like if I chose to get them again for this car. The nice thing about those wheels is the ease of cleaning them in the winter. Very few "nooks and crannies" for dirt to lodge...

 

So Rudy,

If I got those Mille Miglia MM11-2 wheels for winter in either 17 or 18", can they be used without any concern for proper fit. I was reading one thread about some wheels needing spacers for some reason. Under what situations do you need to worry about that stuff, like does the wheel sit properly on the mounting as compared to BMW original wheels, etc?

 

That's what the Tire Rack is for. They do a pretty good job testing many different combinations on different cars to see what fits, etc. They also seem to specialize (or favor) BMWs so there's a good chance they already tested the E60.

I've never had a problem with them and they've never recommended any spacers, etc. to make something fit. They really are a professional organization and they do things right the first time.

 

Cool, sounds like a plan to give TR a call. Those MM-11-2s look actually nicer than my factory 123s (I think that's what comes with 530 w/sports pack).

 

Thanks for all of the help. I have been starting to think about winter tires as well. When do the prices start to go up?

Probably a stupid question - but if I get the rims and wheels do they come balanced? Any concerns for installing them myself?

Thanks.

 

Yes, they come balanced.

There's really no reason why you can't mount them yourself. A couple of things to remember:

1) Pay attention to the tire's orientation. If all four tires are the same size, you need to keep the lefts on the lefts and the rights on the right but you can rotate them front to rear each season. (Depending on the tire, you might have to take note of the proper rotation direction as well when you mount them for the first time.) If the tires are sized differently, you won't be able to rotate them. Just be sure when you remove tires to mark them (LF, LR, RF, RR) so you know where they came from.

2) It's a good idea to invest in a torque wrench. Many people think it doesn't matter if the lugs are properly torqued but it does make a difference!

That's pretty much it! Good luck!!