Hey Gary!

[surgtech72@yaho]

Gary,

I have an '06 X3 with stock 17 inch wheels. I am looking to upgrade to 18 X 8.5 inch velocity motoring CSL replica wheels. I am unsure what size tires to purchase. The standard 18 inch tire is 235/50-18, and i recently read a recommendation of yours to put 255/45R18 on all 4 corners. Would you give me the lowdown on pros and cons of each size. If I understand correctly, the 255's are a wider tire, so more tread contact. Any problems putting either size tire on the wheels I want, and does either size change the total diameter of my wheels now?

Any help would be appreciated,

Chris

[Gary@Tirerack]

Yes, either 235/50R18 or 255/45R18 will fit on 18X8.5" wheels with no problem and keep the correct overall diameter for the X3. The 255 size is about an inch wider, so not a huge difference...slightly better cornering depending on the tire selection and a bit less deep snow traction capability.

Tires http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=/tires/index.jsp

[surgtech72@yaho]

Gary, thanks for the info. I am running pirelli p zero nero m+s with no problems now. Had turanzas stock and they were way to noisy. Any recommendations on a good m + s tire in the 255 size? Im not in snow much, so it would be rain I deal with mostly. Im in Northern California so it would be an occasional trip to Tahoe that would test the tires.

[Gary@Tirerack]

For a tire that would maintain the type of grip and handling that you're used to with the Nero M+S I like the Yokohama Advan S4. For a smoother and quieter riding tire with longer wear that still has decent handling (but not quite as good as the Advan S4), I'd take a look at the new Kumho ECSTA LX Platium. Either tire should be fine in light snow.