Thanks Rudy for the advice.

I have been reading this forum for quite a while now and it is great having people like you willing to share your expertise.

This is my first BMW and I am very happy. Cannot imagine ever going to something else. Amazing to drive and brings a smile to my face every time I sit in the driver seat.

Thanks again.

 

My pleasure!

 

Me too, sans blocks (ouch), and mine's a T-oyota not a Ford.


BTW....... I think the E60 545 will be a winter hell ride!

 

In what way?

 

BMW testst their cars in the hottest and coldest conditions. I cannot imagine them making a car that doesn't handle appropiate in snow or rainy conditions.. With my previous 330 I never had trouble in snow or rainy conditions and I didn't even have wintertires on the car..

 

In what way? [/quote]
Too much power. I find my 545 does not like slow speed. I also find it a little skittish when starting from a dead stop, she just wants to go. Personally I can't see changing to a winter set up in this car. I don't like the looks of different rims with snow tires. I bought the car knowing I'd be putting her away for a few months. I'd rather take the $2K and buy a winter beater.

That said I have a 1/2 mi. commute to work, I have two 4WD vehicles as well so it's a no brainer for me. Im sure it's different in other parts of the country but I'm on the south coast of massachusetts so while it snows, and it can snow a bunch, the plowing is very good and it's only a matter of hours before the roads are cleared. There may be 4 or 5 days total that you would have to "drive in the snow" so the rest of the time I'd be stuck looking at snow tires ..yuck.

I'm sure you have thought this subject through Rudy, givin' your locale and the harsh winters

 

I asked the Tire Rack what size they recommend for the 545 Sport. This is what they told me:
"Our recommendation for snow tires in 18" is a 245/40/18 front and rear. We do not recommend the staggered fitment."

 

Does that mean that the Tire Rack doesn't recommend stepping down to a 17" or does that mean that if you choose an 18", you should use that size?

I guess I'm wondering what they recommend (17" or 18") then, after that, what tire size they recommend for that desired wheel size. If they say it doesn't matter, then I'll just have to price some packages and see what I come up with. I'd love to stay with 18" but if it's going to affect traction in snow significantly, I may opt for the 17" and sacrifice some dry performance.

One of these days I'll get around to doing some shopping on their website and maybe call them after I've done some "homework" on the subject.

 

I have been emailing back and forth with them. They say 17" is better for snow, in that case the non-sport 225/50R-17 is a good size, and Dunlop makes a run-flat in that size. There are no 18" run-flat winter tires.

I think they are re-doing the winter tire section on their web site right now, because most of the winter pages are empty, so you may want to wait a little while before checking. The prices are already going up. A month ago the 17 tire was $155 and it is $161 now.

 

Ahh.... glad i dont deal with this winter/ summer changeover here in Cali...