Dumb Question on Winter Tire Sizing...

[BloodRedHog]

OK, my 535i has OEM tires and wheels of the following sizes:

Front--
245/40/18
18x8 wheels

Rear--
275/35/18
18x9 wheels

Do I buy two front winter tires sized 245 and two rear sized 275?

Or do I get all four the same size? If so, 245 or 275?

Why? What difference would it make?

[HPIA4v2]

OK, my 535i has OEM tires and wheels of the following sizes:

Front--
245/40/18
18x8 wheels

Rear--
275/35/18
18x9 wheels

Do I buy two front winter tires sized 245 and two rear sized 275?

Or do I get all four the same size? If so, 245 or 275?

Why? What difference would it make?
I am in the same boat and from my little research you can but it's going to cost you more than necessary (assuming wheel + tire set).

You are trading between look and performance on snow IMO.

[wag-zhp]

Generally speaking winter/snow tires should be narrower than the regular season tires. The idea is that a really wide tire will not displace the snow/slush enough to get down to the pavement and will offer less traction. I think the tirerack has info about winter tire size selection.

[wag-zhp]

Yep, here it is: http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=126&currentpage=120

[Gary@Tirerack]

If you're using your OE wheels, you can mount 245/40R18 on both the front and rear wheels with no problem. Yes, going more narrow is suggested for better snow performance.

[BloodRedHog]

If you're using your OE wheels, you can mount 245/40R18 on both the front and rear wheels with no problem. Yes, going more narrow is suggested for better snow performance.

Thanks Gary...you are the man.
So 245/40/R18's will fit on both 18x8 and 18x9?

[Gary@Tirerack]

Thanks Gary...you are the man.
So 245/40/R18's will fit on both 18x8 and 18x9?

That is exactly right.

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