What to do about Winter Driving????

[1Esquire]

I have a 545 w/the sport package and 18 in runflat summer tires. Obviously, I don't want to drive them in the snow, and we get a decent amount of lake effect snow here.

My options, as i see them, are as follows:

1) Get a whole new set of tires/rims for winter (probably 18in, becuase Tirerack doesn't have many rim options available in 17 for my car). Immediate cost of about $1200 from Tirerack.

2) Get a used set of wheels w/tires (probably from an E39 w/centering rings because I can't find any used E60 snows anywhere). Cost $500 to $750.

3) Get 18 in. snows put on my current rims and save the old rubber in the garage. Cost now of $500. Between now and April, look for a good deal on 18 in rims (either cheap rims to put the snows on, or nice rims to put the summer tire on).

4) Get the snow tires put on existing rims now, swap back to the summer tire in April, and then worry about dedicated rims next season.

What do you all think? My main issue is that, since I just bought the car and it's Christmas time, I don't have a ton of extra cash to throw at a really nice set up, so if I bought new, it would have be the cheapest I could possibly find, whereas, if I wait until April, I could get some really cool wheels. Thx.

[1Esquire]

Anyone know anything about AZA wheels from Wheelmax?

They have a set of hyperblack CSL reps in 18in for $90/wheel with free shipping. That's scary cheap (almost too cheap). I found some guys on E46fanatics who have them, however, and they say they are great. I searched the threads here and couldn't find anything on them.

Thanks

[Gary@Tirerack]

I have a 545 w/the sport package and 18 in runflat summer tires. Obviously, I don't want to drive them in the snow, and we get a decent amount of lake effect snow here.

My options, as i see them, are as follows:

1) Get a whole new set of tires/rims for winter (probably 18in, becuase Tirerack doesn't have many rim options available in 17 for my car). Immediate cost of about $1200 from Tirerack.

2) Get a used set of wheels w/tires (probably from an E39 w/centering rings because I can't find any used E60 snows anywhere). Cost $500 to $750.

3) Get 18 in. snows put on my current rims and save the old rubber in the garage. Cost now of $500. Between now and April, look for a good deal on 18 in rims (either cheap rims to put the snows on, or nice rims to put the summer tire on).

4) Get the snow tires put on existing rims now, swap back to the summer tire in April, and then worry about dedicated rims next season.

What do you all think? My main issue is that, since I just bought the car and it's Christmas time, I don't have a ton of extra cash to throw at a really nice set up, so if I bought new, it would have be the cheapest I could possibly find, whereas, if I wait until April, I could get some really cool wheels. Thx.


We're sold out of all 275/35R18 rear winter tires, but the 245/40R18 will fit both the front and rear wheels even though they'll appear a bit stretched on the 9" rears. Since you're planning on upgrading to difference summer wheels later, this route might seem to make the most sense.

Winter http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=/winter/index.jsp

[UFANS]

I'm shocked... I have a 2005 545i Sport and was looking for some winter wheels and did the same search as you... TireRack doesn't have ANY 17" winter wheels in stock that fits my car.

Is that poor planning or just a rare event?

I don't know if the 50/R18 tires would offer enough pothole protection for the DC area.

Now what... It's already Feb...maybe just keep with the 19" A/S tires and look into winter wheels next season.. I will just have to keep my eyes out for pot holes for a few more months!

[1Esquire]

You have 19in all seasons now?

I ended up finding a set of 17s w/snows that were take offs from another E60 owner who turned in his lease. The wheels are the OEM 138s, and the tires are ContiWeather winter tires. I got the entire set for $510 on Ebay. I think it's a great deal, as I have searched forever to find a good set, and all the Tirerack's options are at least a grand.

good luck. I have already had my car in three major snows (6-10 inches deep), and it has handled awesome.