17" Stock Rims & Continental ContiTouringContact CV95- Average

Do all Non-Sport 17" rims come with Continental ContiTouringContact CV95 tires (like my 530xi did)?

I researched these tires a little more & they are considered Grand Touring All Season Tires and the ratings at Tirerack for this tires is just so so, nothing spectacular.

I would expect that BMW would offer a better tire (how about a High Performance All Season) for their vehicles. I am not asking for the awesome Michelin Pilot A/S, but it does have better snow traction than this Conti tire. I guess I am assuming the money spent on this vehicle should come with a higher caliber tire.

Heck I am even thinking about upgrading to the 18" BMW sport rims and slapping some Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on them, instead of usual Runflats and I think it could be just as good as my current 17" rims with the so so Conti tires ALL YEAR ROUND - even in snow?

Your comments would be much appreciated.

Originally Posted by bmwguynj

Do all Non-Sport 17" rims come with Continental ContiTouringContact CV95 tires (like my 530xi did)?

I researched these tires a little more & they are considered Grand Touring All Season Tires and the ratings at Tirerack for this tires is just so so, nothing spectacular.

I would expect that BMW would offer a better tire (how about a High Performance All Season) for their vehicles. I am not asking for the awesome Michelin Pilot A/S, but it does have better snow traction than this Conti tire. I guess I am assuming the money spent on this vehicle should come with a higher caliber tire.

Heck I am even thinking about upgrading to the 18" BMW sport rims and slapping some Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on them, instead of usual Runflats and I think it could be just as good as my current 17" rims with the so so Conti tires ALL YEAR ROUND - even in snow?

Your comments would be much appreciated.

I think if you step up to the 18" rims, you should keep the 17's and put a set of snows on them, and then get a set of summer tires for the 18's. Then you will have an optimal set-up year round, and you won't have to deal with any of the compromises of the all-seasons. Just my .02.

Originally Posted by Me530

I think if you step up to the 18" rims, you should keep the 17's and put a set of snows on them, and then get a set of summer tires for the 18's. Then you will have an optimal set-up year round, and you won't have to deal with any of the compromises of the all-seasons. Just my .02.

That's a good idea I was also thinking of, however the Michelin Pilot A/S are an Ultra High performance All Season, so maybe I can get away with it year round and still have the great handling, etc.. (obviously not as good as a Summer / Performance Tire) and then sell my 17" rims, since I don't like changing them out all the time when winter comes around. The only problem is 18" rims in snow is a large rim to be driving around in, even with good tires. Traction has to be lost somewhere.

I have a friend in Albany, NY who had the Pilot Sports A/S on his S4 year round. The A/S tires do give up some dry grip but they are an overall great tire for a high performance awd car when the owner doesn't want to mess with two sets of wheels and tires. But I agree with me530 - a dedicated snow tire would be best on the 17s and then you'd have the look you want in the summer with the 18s.

Originally Posted by reb03

I have a friend in Albany, NY who had the Pilot Sports A/S on his S4 year round. The A/S tires do give up some dry grip but they are an overall great tire for a high performance awd car when the owner doesn't want to mess with two sets of wheels and tires. But I agree with me530 - a dedicated snow tire would be best on the 17s and then you'd have the look you want in the summer with the 18s.

Since I am in NJ, it either snows a lot during the winter or doesn't snow that much. However in general it will snow, but not as much as the New England States or even upstate NY like Albany. So 18" with Pilot A/S may be very doable in NJ all year round. I will probably make the changeover after this winter is over. I still wish BMW would outfit this 5 series with better tires. Afterall it's a sporty car, why not put at least High Performance All Season tires on it?

I had the contitouring's on my audi '00. They're ok in the wet and manage somewhat in the snow (with careful driving/xi/quattro etc). You won't get stuck. I would just wear them out.

OTOH, I now have dunlop m3's on my 330 and the braking/handling on snow/slush/ice has improved drastically. My quattro with all-seasons (now sold) would still be better at not getting stuck though... BTW, I'm in the NYC/NJ area and do one or two winter drives to New England per year.