Tires and Wheels for '06 330i

[morrisond]

Hi Gary,

Does this make sense to you?

I live in Toronto and will go North of here(lots of snow). I want ultimate Winter Traction.

As Run flats go only as narrow as 225's that basically leaves me with non-run flats.

What would you think of some 215/50/17 WS-50's for my situation on a set of dedicated alloys and a can of tire inflator in the trunk?

On the 330i is it real pain to get around the TPMS? What do you do with this in the winter. Is this something I can do myself? I am pretty mechanically inclined.

Thank you.

[Gary@Tirerack]

Hi Gary,

Does this make sense to you?

I live in Toronto and will go North of here(lots of snow). I want ultimate Winter Traction.

As Run flats go only as narrow as 225's that basically leaves me with non-run flats.

What would you think of some 215/50/17 WS-50's for my situation on a set of dedicated alloys and a can of tire inflator in the trunk?

On the 330i is it real pain to get around the TPMS? What do you do with this in the winter. Is this something I can do myself? I am pretty mechanically inclined.

Thank you.

In the USA the 2006 330i does not use pressure sensors, but has an ABS based indirect TPM system which is compatible with any wheel that you choose. There is no extra work required. 205/50R17 would be the recommended minus-size.

The tire inflator is not a bad idea, but you may also want to have a product that can seal the tire as well, like this : http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=accessories/conticomfortkit/index.jsp

[morrisond]

Hi Gary,

Does Canada use a different Tire Pressure system?

[Gary@Tirerack]

Hi Gary,

Does Canada use a different Tire Pressure system?


No idea, sorry.

[morrisond]

I'm pretty sure it's the same as I talked to BMW Toronto this AM and they said they had steel wheels for the 325 which means same system. BTW they want $2,900 CDn ($2,400) US for wheels and tires which is why I'll be ordering them from you.

According to your site 20/50/17 isn't available in WS-50, is there anything else that's as good as WS-50 or should I use 215's in WS-50(45 or 50 what would you recommend?)

[Gary@Tirerack]

I'm pretty sure it's the same as I talked to BMW Toronto this AM and they said they had steel wheels for the 325 which means same system. BTW they want $2,900 CDn ($2,400) US for wheels and tires which is why I'll be ordering them from you.

According to your site 20/50/17 isn't available in WS-50, is there anything else that's as good as WS-50 or should I use 215's in WS-50(45 or 50 what would you recommend?)

We have not fit 215/50R17 on these vehicles, unsure if they'll clear everything. For WS-50, use 225/45R17. A225/45R17 WS-50 would outperform a 205/50R17 Winter Sport M3 or Blizzak LM22/LM25 in snow traction. In other words, the tire tread pattern and compound are more than enough to overcome the slightly wider width.

[morrisond]

Ordered, Thanks Gary.

[Gary@Tirerack]

Ordered, Thanks Gary.

Found it, thanks :thumbup:

[ic]

Does Canada use a different Tire Pressure system?
No

[ic]

We have not fit 215/50R17 on these vehicles, unsure if they'll clear everything. For WS-50, use 225/45R17. A225/45R17 WS-50 would outperform a 205/50R17 Winter Sport M3 or Blizzak LM22/LM25 in snow traction. In other words, the tire tread pattern and compound are more than enough to overcome the slightly wider width.
Hi Gary, will it be true only if Multicell tread compound exits? How does WS-50 compare with LM25 if both wear off the top 55%? Thanks.

[Gary@Tirerack]

Hi Gary, will it be true only if Multicell tread compound exits? How does WS-50 compare with LM25 if both wear off the top 55%? Thanks.

They would be closer when over half worn, but the tread pattern is still more aggressive with the WS-50 despite having a standard winter compound in the final 32nds of wear.

[M34Lnch]

Gary, I have a 2007 328i coupe with Bridgestone Potenzas. My car is a California car. Over the weekend I got a flat which turned into a sidewall breach after I foolishly drove on it for 25 miles. I was stranded in Palm Springs (no one carried this tire).

I am considering the purchase of the ContiComfortKit. Will the ContiComfortKit's sealer damage my tire pressure monitoring sensors? If it does "gunk" it up, as another thread suggested, how do we (or the tire guys) clean it?

Also, I am not sure whether I have direct TPMS or indirect TPMS. What is the difference and which do I have?

[Gary@Tirerack]

Gary, I have a 2007 328i coupe with Bridgestone Potenzas. My car is a California car. Over the weekend I got a flat which turned into a sidewall breach after I foolishly drove on it for 25 miles. I was stranded in Palm Springs (no one carried this tire).

I am considering the purchase of the ContiComfortKit. Will the ContiComfortKit's sealer damage my tire pressure monitoring sensors? If it does "gunk" it up, as another thread suggested, how do we (or the tire guys) clean it?

Also, I am not sure whether I have direct TPMS or indirect TPMS. What is the difference and which do I have?

If you have metal valve stems you likely have the direct TPMS sensors, otherwise you likely have the indirect FTM system.

Conti states that the Conti Comfort Kit is safe for use with sensors, but the manufacturers of the sensors say otherwise. I'd guess that there is a chance that you'd damage the sensor.

[M34Lnch]

Thank you Gary. :) I have metal valve stems. So that means I have direct TPMS? OK. So what is the difference between direct TPMS and indirect FTM? How do they both work?

How are people cleaning the sensors if they get gunked up?

[Gary@Tirerack]

Thank you Gary. :) I have metal valve stems. So that means I have direct TPMS? OK. So what is the difference between direct TPMS and indirect FTM? How do they both work?

How are people cleaning the sensors if they get gunked up?

If you have metal valve stems you likely have the direct TPMS sensors.

See this link for more info

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174116&highlight=TPMS+FAQ