[NoTurnSignals]

Hello BMW brain trust,

I'd like to get a set of winter wheels/tires because I live in New England.

As we know from physics, the smaller the tire the better it is - generally speaking - for driving in snow.

What is the smallest wheel I can put on a 2021 X7 40i ?

[Phasers]

Originally Posted by NoTurnSignals

Hello BMW brain trust,

I'd like to get a set of winter wheels/tires because I live in New England.

As we know from physics, the smaller the tire the better it is - generally speaking - for driving in snow.

What is the smallest wheel I can put on a 2021 X7 40i ?

Are you talking about rim size or tire size?

Tire size is very much based on rim.

[Bigjoe17]

Originally Posted by NoTurnSignals

Hello BMW brain trust,

I'd like to get a set of winter wheels/tires because I live in New England.

As we know from physics, the smaller the tire the better it is - generally speaking - for driving in snow.

What is the smallest wheel I can put on a 2021 X7 40i ?

I believe the thinking is that you will have better traction in snow with a narrower tire vs a wider one. It has nothing to do with the diameter of the wheel/tire set up.

I think most people go with a smaller winter wheel is to save money on the tires themselves. 22" snow rated tires are very expensive and the smaller you go the cheaper the tires are.

For example a 285/40/22 tire would have better traction than a 315/35/22 tire.

[Qsilver7]

BMW lists recommended wheel/tire sizes in the owners manual. Turn to the section that lists tire inflation PSI/bar info. You will see all the recommended tire sizes and tire inflation recommendations for various size wheels.

The ones that say M+S (mud + snow) are the recommended wheel/tire sizes that will fit your X7.

EDIT: see info below from the owners manual…two sizes are listed which would depend on the width of the recommended 20” wheels. If staggered you would get two of each size listed…if you go with a square set-up then you’d get 4 of the same based on the width of the wheel you go with.

[NoTurnSignals]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

BMW lists recommended wheel/tire sizes in the owners manual. Turn to the section that lists tire inflation PSI/bar info. You will see all the recommended tire sizes and tire inflation recommendations for various size wheels.

The ones that say M+S (mud + snow) are the recommended wheel/tire sizes that will fit your X7.

EDIT: see info below from the owners manual…two sizes are listed which would depend on the width of the recommended 20” wheels. If staggered you would get two of each size listed…if you go with a square set-up then you’d get 4 of the same based on the width of the wheel you go with.

Thanks for the info!

[dmanb2b]

Originally Posted by Bigjoe17

I believe the thinking is that you will have better traction in snow with a narrower tire vs a wider one. It has nothing to do with the diameter of the wheel/tire set up.

I think most people go with a smaller winter wheel is to save money on the tires themselves. 22" snow rated tires are very expensive and the smaller you go the cheaper the tires are.

For example a 285/40/22 tire would have better traction than a 315/35/22 tire.

Not just $, but also more sidewall. Winter weather = plenty of potholes

[NVRfollo]

Tirerack says you can go as small at 18s for non Msport.

[crackerjack15]

I have 19" wheels with 275 width blizzacks. Car has towing package, which has larger rotors. I would not go any smaller wheel.