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[OhDasCrazy]

Just wanted some opinions on winter tire setups. Sizes and Brands

Ill be getting my car around September or October, so winter tires will be one of the first changes to the car. Planning on getting whole new set of rims with them, more than likely 17s.

Thanks

[jkp1187]

I have Blizzaks on some inexpensive 17" wheels from Tire Rack. They got me through the blizzard well enough in February. Blizzaks definitely worked well.

[Feyd]

How much snow do you get there?

I've got Blizzak WS60s and I love them in snow.. they are certainly not a high-performance snow tire though. If you live in an area where you only get 1"-2" as an average snow fall there are some more performance oriented winter tire options that might keep your car in a more "sporty" form. However If you get 4-6 inches as an average snowfall (and it doesn't get cleaned up right away) the WS60s are hard to beat IMO, I've litterally plowed snow with my front bumper with my Bilzzaks.

I run 225/45s on 17x8 wheels.

Bad pictures, but here they are...

[Tom K.]

Feyd's points are well taken.

An aggressive winter tire like the WS60 or the Pirelli Winter Carving will give good snow & ice grip but will feel somewhat jelly-like on warm, dry pavement. A "performance" (H or V rated) winter tire such as the Dunlop 3D or the Blizzak LM60 won't do as well in snow/ice but will handle much better on dry roads.

Tom

[desty]

i have the pirellis sottozero, pretty good tires.

[Dackelone]

I bought the factory snow wheels/tires/TPMS from my local BMW dealer. List price 1,500 euros. I paid 1,280 euros without the 19% sales tax here.

I have 7j x 17 wheels with 205/55HR17s (GoodYear M&S) all around(4). This way you will not need an extra set of wheel bolts either. Just reused your OE ones. You can either get the 17" wheels from the 128i or the W-spoke ones. I opted for the W(or V spoke, as BMW calls it) spoke. Love my snows!!! It was only slightly cheaper going the Tire Rack route... and I like the high OEM quality BMW alloys. When you consider the high costs for shipping to an APO and the hassle IF anything is bad/wrong.... this is why I went thru BMW.

[OhDasCrazy]

So...Thinner or wider? 205, 215, or 225?

[Feyd]

Lots of people are running 225s even though the recommended size is 205. Not sure if you've looked or not, but there is a lot of info in the wheel/tire section as there is a sticky for winter setups.

Consensus is that you don't want staggered setups (wider in rear) and you can't fit anything wider than 225s (typically).

[MA128]

I commute 60 miles (95 kilometers) each day in my 128. Other posters are correct that the Blizzak WS60 is terrific in deep snow. However, they are horrible on a dry road - all squishy and greasy. Exchanged them after one week for the Dunlop 3D, which is a terrific tire. They are good on ice and in moderate snow if you drive reasonably. When the road is clear, they have the responsive feel of a performance tire with a quiet and comfortable ride. Definitely recommend the Dunlops (unless you need to plow snow).

[UdubBadger]

what offsets are people running on 17" rims to clear the front brakes on the 135's?

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

what offsets are people running on 17" rims to clear the front brakes on the 135's?

44mm ET - 17x7.5" wheels with 225/45-17 winter tyres all around. No clearance or rubbing issues.

[KingOfJericho]

I have the Dunlop 3D snows (17" on ASA GT1). They are AWESOME. I had them on a previous car as well and they were also fantastic. My ex had an STI with Blizzaks and I could get around easier with my Altima SE-R on Dunlops. I was VERY unimpressed with the Blizzaks.

I may be selling my whole setup which was only used for 1 season (about 3,000 miles). Going to be picking up an SUV for winter duty so if anyone wants a nice deal just shoot me a PM. I paid $1,485 and they have TPMS.

[tgxmike]

I have Sport Edition CE's 17x7.5 et42 on my 128i w 205/50 and I'm sure 225/45 would work. Although tirerack does not list the CE's as a 135i wheel???

I run the General Artimax. They are great in the snow.... Like really Fing great. They don't plow my back road for days sometimes, and I def had to pull the Rav4 that live next to me up the road last year...lol

But they suck just as much on dry pavement. They are Jelly. Over 75mph and you start to wonder if the tire is melting beneath you.

[Trowa]

Micheline X-Ice 2 are good too.
I have them on M5 replicas

[cvandenhaute]

Originally Posted by Feyd

Lots of people are running 225s even though the recommended size is 205. Not sure if you've looked or not, but there is a lot of info in the wheel/tire section as there is a sticky for winter setups.

Consensus is that you don't want staggered setups (wider in rear) and you can't fit anything wider than 225s (typically).

Sorry for my dumb question, but could you tell me why not having them staggered? My 128i is a sport package and I was planning mounting the winter tires on original wheels (that gives me the occasion to balance the wheels and tires tice a year), since the sport pack is 205 in front and 225 rear (7" and 7.5" wheel width), would it be a "physical" problem or is it just because you cannot swap front and rear?

[mpukas]

Originally Posted by cvandenhaute

Sorry for my dumb question, but could you tell me why not having them staggered? My 128i is a sport package and I was planning mounting the winter tires on original wheels (that gives me the occasion to balance the wheels and tires tice a year), since the sport pack is 205 in front and 225 rear (7" and 7.5" wheel width), would it be a "physical" problem or is it just because you cannot swap front and rear?

I think what Feyd is saying is that if you want to run all four tires the same size, your limited to 225's, because you can't fit anything wider on the front of a 1 series (without fender mods).

I ran Hankook Icebear W300's (in-stock from Discount Tire), v-rated, 225/40-18 front and 255/35-18 rear on stock 135i wheels this past winter. All in all, they are decent tires for the money. Not too expensive, and quite good all around, but not great at anything. Decent dry road handling, very quiet & comfortable, but certainly not sporty - can't be pushed too hard, particularly breaking. Good in ice and snow, but not as good as a specialized studded snow tire.

Personally, I wouldn't run anything smaller than a 225 on the 135i - too much power for tires thinnner than that, IMHO. I know the general consensus is thinner is better for snow conditions, but I didn't have much problem w/ my 225/255 set-up (well, as much as can be expected f/ a RWD car in winter). I've found thinner is better, particularly on the fronts, in deep snow conditions, but for icey/slick/packed snow surface traction, wider is better for more surface contact on the rears. Personal preference to some degree... mpp



edit - actually, may not currently be available in 225/40-18...

[cvandenhaute]

My intention was to use the original size (205/17 at the front and 225/17 at the rear), not four identical, and certainly not increasing the width. Is there any traction limitation in using a staggered layout for winter?