[voxy]

I have a 2014 550i RWD with M-Sport package and DHP. It has the staggered summer performens OEM wheels and tires.

As i see it, I have the following choices for winter.

1) Mount new 19" All Season RFT's on the existing wheels
2) Mount new 19" winter RFT's on the existing wheels
3) Buy new 19" wheels for 1 or 2 above
4) Buy new 18" wheels with option 1 or 2 above

Obviously option 3&4 will cost more money upfront but might bet the better choice in the long run.

Which one will you recommend and with what wheel and tire combo? Keep in mind that PA does not see a lot of snow but it can be cold for 3 months straight.

Thanks

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Well, as someone about to obtain F'10 I'll chime in.

This isnt one of your choices, but I would get a dedicated set of square wheels for a winter or all season application.

I would not mount and remount RFT tires more than is necessary, they're just too hard and non-pliable for that.

You could probably "get by" with All Seasons with RWD in your part of the country. I personally wouldnt do it.

My own preference would be winter tires with rwd, even in PA. Your choice is snow/ice winter tires or performance winter tires if you go this route.

Remember to ditch the summer rubber when the temp gets in the 30's - they turn into hockey pucks at colder temps and can split.

[Bbb34]

My vote goes to dedicated set of wheels, "size down" from your summer setup.

For areas with minimal snowfall, I'd suggest winter performance tire, though these tend to be more expensive and wear faster. They are quieter on dry and wet pavement, great at high speeds and snow covered roads.

For areas with lots of snow, my recommendation, from personal experience would be in following order.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 (they come in run flats only certain sizes)
Dunlop 3D Winter Sport
Michelin x-ice (no run flats, but decent all around tire in my opinion)

Whatever you do, my advice is not to attempt to "get by" with all seasons and RWD, it's not just the snow, but cold temperatures that affect the grip depending on tire compound.

[thebmwjunkiee]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

My vote goes to dedicated set of wheels, "size down" from your summer setup.

For areas with minimal snowfall, I'd suggest winter performance tire, though these tend to be more expensive and wear faster. They are quieter on dry and wet pavement, great at high speeds and snow covered roads.

For areas with lots of snow, my recommendation, from personal experience would be in following order.

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 (they come in run flats only certain sizes)
Dunlop 3D Winter Sport
Michelin x-ice (no run flats, but decent all around tire in my opinion)

Whatever you do, my advice is not to attempt to "get by" with all seasons and RWD, it's not just the snow, but cold temperatures that affect the grip depending on tire compound.

What he said. A bit more money upfront but will be much more beneficial over time. I'm sure you could find a good deal on the forums or in your area for some used 18" wheels to help with the cost

[Boulder Bill]

This is a no brainer.

I've had several 5 series, 540s and 550s. All RWD. All manual transmission. All staggered summer performance setups.

Get a set of smaller wheels, all the same size. 17'sor 18's. Get a good winter tire, Dunlap SP is a good choice. There are many others.

A setup with RWD and snow tires is vastly superior, in my assessment, to AWD with all-seasons. Wheels aren't that expensive. I'd consider runflats for the snows, though I ditched run flats recently for my summer set up.

Always fun to put those summer shoes back on though!

[TTG]

I agree with Boulder Bill above.

I got a set of Style 235 17" take off wheels and tires from a new 535. I plan on using them as my winter set while the 19's will be dedicated to summer only use.

[voxy]

Originally Posted by Boulder Bill

This is a no brainer.

I've had several 5 series, 540s and 550s. All RWD. All manual transmission. All staggered summer performance setups.

Get a set of smaller wheels, all the same size. 17'sor 18's. Get a good winter tire, Dunlap SP is a good choice. There are many others.

A setup with RWD and snow tires is vastly superior, in my assessment, to AWD with all-seasons. Wheels aren't that expensive. I'd consider runflats for the snows, though I ditched run flats recently for my summer set up.

Always fun to put those summer shoes back on though!

Will 245/45-18 be good for front and back? Essentially how do i determine the 18" wheel size and tire choices?

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by voxy

Will 245/45-18 be good for front and back? Essentially how do i determine the 18" wheel size and tire choices?

Tirerack is your friend...Talk to Mason there. He's set me up with snows across most of the vehicles you see in my sig.

You can run through various configurations on their site too. I've owned OEM winter packages too, expensive new vs tirerack. Watch for a good deal on used in your area.

[Bbb34]

While I'm personally not a huge fan of buying used tires, once you have your sizes sorted out, you might want to check the classified section of the forum here, if nothing, you might find set of OEM rims for fraction of the cost new. Especially if you decide to go with 18", lots of people upgrade from those.

http://f10.5post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=315

[Boulder Bill]

Originally Posted by voxy

Will 245/45-18 be good for front and back? Essentially how do i determine the 18" wheel size and tire choices?

Buy the wheels/tires together - that will solve this problem.

I agree that TireRack is your friend here. Helpful and super cost effective. I'm about to order some new snow tires myself.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Boulder Bill

I agree that TireRack is your friend here. Helpful and super cost effective. I'm about to order some new snow tires myself.

But... TireRack doesn't carry Nokian, I thought we agreed on this ?
Kidding, I know you're set on Dunlop, they are great tires .

[Boulder Bill]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

But... TireRack doesn't carry Nokian, I thought we agreed on this ?
Kidding, I know you're set on Dunlop, they are great tires .

Down in the southern part of the continent, we just don't need that type of superior product.

[Gpfarrell]

I run 17's with snow tires on my '12 550i in the winter.

A little squirrelly on dry pavement but much, much better on greasy stuff!

[krautmeister]

I'm from central PA, but having 20 + years in Rochester, Buffalo, and Cleveland, definitely agree with going smaller on the wheel diameter with snow tires and go narrower. Besides the likelihood of better prices and more tire size choices, its just nicer to have a taller sidewall for the winter. You never know where curbs, parking blocks, debris are hidden under the white stuff. I also find it a bit more compliant with traction as well. You always have the ability to air down if you really needed it.

[lsturbointeg]

so my car never sees snow as she hibernates for the winter but...i thought about using my OEM 356's and putting snow tires on but they're 20" wheels. i don't want to buy new wheels since i'm rolling on my 21" for spring, summer and fall. but for winter i just thought about slapping some winter tires on my 20's and leave it at that?

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

so my car never sees snow as she hibernates for the winter but...i thought about using my OEM 356's and putting snow tires on but they're 20" wheels. i don't want to buy new wheels since i'm rolling on my 21" for spring, summer and fall. but for winter i just thought about slapping some winter tires on my 20's and leave it at that?

It'll be expensive, limited choices, and not enough sidewall for rough winter conditions.
It'll also be pretty wide (you want more narrow tires, less surface to slide on).

I'd go down to 18" if I'm you.
Also I'm looking forward to you actually driving that thing in the snow, time stop babying it.

[lsturbointeg]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

It'll be expensive, limited choices, and not enough sidewall for rough winter conditions.
It'll also be pretty wide (you want more narrow tires, less surface to slide on).

I'd go down to 18" if I'm you.
Also I'm looking forward to you actually driving that thing in the snow, time stop babying it.

my car will never see snow...shoot...i'm mad when it rains! i was just tossing the idea around since my summer tires on both my front 356's have bubbles on the sidewalls! i just don't want to shell out $1k for wheels that's only used for like 3 months unless you guys know online where i can buy a pretty darn cheap set? i'm just afraid of taking her into a ditch

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

my car will never see snow...shoot...i'm mad when it rains! i was just tossing the idea around since my summer tires on both my front 356's have bubbles on the sidewalls! i just don't want to shell out $1k for wheels that's only used for like 3 months unless you guys know online where i can buy a pretty darn cheap set? i'm just afraid of taking her into a ditch

I'm trying my best to hide my disappointment, but, just can't