View Full Version : snow tires on 18s?
BEEMERBOY
06-02-2005, 01:35 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by BEEMERBOY
I have a '06 330i on order. I previously owned a '99 323 and it sucked big time in the snow. The BMW saleman assured me I would be fine with just snowtires and that I DID NOT need to wait for the XI to be released. Has anyone had problems in the snow with snow tires?
Okay, so I got the sports package with upgraded 18" wheels. Anyone thrown snow tires on 18s? Any recos on brands/styles? Many thanks fellas...
In my E46 I got around fine on 17's with 225/45/17 winter tires. I plan on 17's again. Too many potholes in winter to run 18's here.
My '05 330i has been amazing in snow with Blizzak WS50's. I opted for ZHP, so I too have 18" wheels, however I decided it was a lot easier in the long run to just buy a set of winter wheels. I picked up a set of cheap 17" knock offs on Ebay, and mount those on in the winter:
Winter:
http://www.ef-honda.com/gabe/bmw/DSC01129.jpg
Summer:
http://www.ef-honda.com/gabe/bmw/DSC01053.jpg
AMarone
06-02-2005, 09:49 AM
My advice is to look for another vehicle just for snow. I too had a 99 323 and it was awfull in snow. I just picked up a new 330I with sport & premium package last week and I don't see any reason to think it will be better than the 323. I bought a used explorer for those snowy new england days!
Artslinger
06-02-2005, 10:45 AM
My advice is to look for another vehicle just for snow. I too had a 99 323 and it was awfull in snow. I just picked up a new 330I with sport & premium package last week and I don't see any reason to think it will be better than the 323. I bought a used explorer for those snowy new england days!
I have snow tires for my 325 w/sp and it handles just as good as any other car on the road during the winter months. Sure not as good as a 4x4, but when I spend BMW money for a car I want to drive it for more than 6 months out of the year. Might as well go out and buy a X3 or X5.
My advice is to look for another vehicle just for snow. I too had a 99 323 and it was awfull in snow. I just picked up a new 330I with sport & premium package last week and I don't see any reason to think it will be better than the 323. I bought a used explorer for those snowy new england days!
Your problem isn't the car, it's the tires. Get some snow tires. It will change your life.
Maximus57
06-02-2005, 05:58 PM
I don't think the Germans are leaving their beemers in the garage because of a little snow and I highly doubt if they are all driving Xi's. Fat tires will not cut it in the snow. The 18's are probably going to be too wide. I'm opting for cheap 17's and Blizzaks.
I don't think the Germans are leaving their beemers in the garage because of a little snow and I highly doubt if they are all driving Xi's.
Exactly! Nobody mentions the fact that Germany gets a lot of snow, so of course the cars are designed to handle it. :D
To the original poster: You could get 18" snow tires, but you would run into several issues.
#1 Selection is very limited in 17" sizes, let alone 18".. You might not be able to find some of the better tires in that large of a size
#2 18" snows are going to be very expensive compared to 16 or 17". Even tually buying cheap steelies or used oem rims will negate the cost difference.
#3 you have a better chance of bending a rim if you were to drive/slide into a snow covered curb or something than with 16" or 17" rims.
Hope this helps
Josh
edit: also, having a dedicated winter set will be a lot easier and cost effective for you. It is a lot less for a tire shop to change out wheels than to remove a tire from a rim and put on a snow tire, then the reverse in the spring.
italia90
06-20-2005, 08:17 AM
I don't understand the debate on xi vs. i with snow tires. If you live in snowy climate, why wouldn't you get the xi? Yes, I know they say it loses some performance but come on, do you really think you'll notice this? Also, for the amount you'll be paying for snow tires, you might as well pay the little extra for AWD. I know it will give me more peace of mind. Then again, I live in Calgary and we have a more severe climate than most Americans. Does anyone agree?
zcasavant
06-20-2005, 11:10 AM
I don't understand the debate on xi vs. i with snow tires. If you live in snowy climate, why wouldn't you get the xi? Yes, I know they say it loses some performance but come on, do you really think you'll notice this? Also, for the amount you'll be paying for snow tires, you might as well pay the little extra for AWD. I know it will give me more peace of mind. Then again, I live in Calgary and we have a more severe climate than most Americans. Does anyone agree?
No, nobody agrees.
If you live in snowy climate, why wouldn't you get the xi?
The i handles better than the xi. 90% of the time in winter the roads are dry. The xi's only advantage in winter is starting on steep hills and the extra ground clearance to slog through deeper snow. The big disadvantage of the xi in winter is the added weight. The i will stop better in winter conditions. Since I don't have a problem with steep hills, nor do I drive when there are unplowed roads with deep snow, the xi is a waste for the few days a year I would need it. On those days I see no value to be out driving anyway.
italia90
06-20-2005, 06:18 PM
Thanks ObD, that's very well thought out reasoning, unlike zcasavant's response. You're right, the streets are plowed most of the time in winter. I just hate the idea of getting stuck on a driveway or something. Have you heard any more on the new e90 having a better AWD system than the previous model? I'd like to talk to someone who's driven the new 5 series xi and see if they think it's better now. I think I'll post that as a new thread!
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