[ukznmcl]

Hey guys,

It's my first winter with my F30 so I need to get some winter tyres. I currently have 19" Run Flats. Friend of mine was saying that I might be better off getting a complete set of 18" tyres/wheels for winter as it will be cheaper and the run flat tyres do not like being swapped out.

Thoughts/opinions??

[teaston]

Yes that’s definitely the way to go, 400m’s can be bought really cheap these days!

[Mr Burt]

Agree with Teaston. 18" wheels and go non run flats and enjoy the improved ride, road noise and steering response.
I just got some wheel sealant and compressor in the event of a puncture.

[Cero ceto]

I would also recommend a square set up (225s) on all four corners if possible.

[TouringPleb]

Don't think because you've got a F30 you HAVE to get snow tyres.

Depends very much where you are in the country and how bad your winters are. I'm in rural Cambridgeshire and never had a problem in 4 years on standard tyres.

[ukznmcl]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

Don't think because you've got a F30 you HAVE to get snow tyres.

Depends very much where you are in the country and how bad your winters are. I'm in rural Cambridgeshire and never had a problem in 4 years on standard tyres.

I live up north and down south I live in Swindon Sunday - Thursday and Manchester Thursday - Saturday so lots of commuting and driving hence I like to play it safe

[ukznmcl]

Originally Posted by SSIIJAR

I would also recommend a square set up (225s) on all four corners if possible.

Does this not mess up the suspension or anything?? Kinda makes sense as slimmer tyres give better grip in the snow don't they?

[Racing Teatray]

Originally Posted by SSIIJAR

I would also recommend a square set up (225s) on all four corners if possible.

This. I have a set of 18" 397s with the square set-up that go on my 440i in winter. They are one of the BMW OE recommended sets so create no issues.

BMW swaps them on for you, stores your summers, and then swaps them back at the end of winter and then stores the winters through to the following winter. There's a cost to it of course, but it's not especially outrageous given the convenience (they also collect and re-deliver the car).

I dare say that if you have a garage, a jack and the time, you could do it yourself (and I have done so myself in the past). But I don't have a garage to keep the wheels in anymore, so the BMW service is just convenient.

[NanasBack]

Another vote for wheels and Tyres.
Changing Tyres soon knackers the rims. So new wheels required anyway.
As I have found out.
🙁

[999rigger]

Originally Posted by Racing Teatray

This. I have a set of 18" 397s with the square set-up that go on my 440i in winter. They are one of the BMW OE recommended sets so create no issues.

BMW swaps them on for you, stores your summers, and then swaps them back at the end of winter and then stores the winters through to the following winter. There's a cost to it of course, but it's not especially outrageous given the convenience (they also collect and re-deliver the car).

I dare say that if you have a garage, a jack and the time, you could do it yourself (and I have done so myself in the past). But I don't have a garage to keep the wheels in anymore, so the BMW service is just convenient.

As above, I have just ordered a set of 397 alloys from BMW to ensure no problems with warranty or insurance. BMW charge £70 to change the 4 wheels every time which includes storing the other set (which i dont think is bad as i was charged £15 per wheel just to have tyres swapped before).

[ischemic]

What's the cheapest set of wheels/winter tyres I can get for a 435d GC? Picking up the car and buying a house this month so money is tighter than normal!

[jenshb]

Another vote for 18" winter wheels and tyres. I run Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance non-runflats on a set of OEM alloys, and although there wasn't any snow in this part of the world last winter, there were wet roads and icy conditions, and I never felt unsafe. They also sounded quieter than the original 18" Continental Sport Contact 5 runflats that I use for summer.

Jens

[Rbrown]

I have winter tyrs on 19’ wheels. Hard to know if 18’ square set up would be better - but, on xdrive, they have been great. This is my 3rd winter with them.

It is more expensive have 19’s, and TBH, if I had my time again, I would probably go 18’s.

Not sure this helps.

[teaston]

Definitely don’t go 225’s all round unless you’ll be mainly driving on snow, in all other conditions the wider rear tyres are a big advantage.

[sensible]

Originally Posted by teaston

Definitely don’t go 225’s all round unless you’ll be mainly driving on snow, in all other conditions the wider rear tyres are a big advantage.

.....although BMW only recommend 225 winter tyres on 18" wheels. I was in the same dilema and opted to stay with what BMW recommend on their tyre sticker inside the car. (it doesn't list 19" winter tyres at all)

Managed to buy a set of used 18" 400M wheels with 225 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 tyres. Not tried them yet though so Teaston may well be right about he wider tyre being better. Was initially worried about having 225''s on the wider 8.5j rear wheels but they are a suitable size tyre for that wheel and don't look stretched.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by teaston

Definitely don’t go 225’s all round unless you’ll be mainly driving on snow, in all other conditions the wider rear tyres are a big advantage.

The above comment is not correct. I think BMW have a bit more experience and expertise, to why they keep with narrow tyres for winter fitment.

It isn't just snow where the advantages of the narrow tyre's contact patch come into play. Standing water and aqua-planning, heat management, grip levels on irregular surfaces.

Any tyre selection is going to be a set of compromises, BMW will be biased towards the greatest safety advantages.

[sensible]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

The above comment is not correct. I think BMW have a bit more experience and expertise, to why they keep with narrow tyres for winter fitment.

It isn't just snow where the advantages of the narrow tyre's contact patch come into play. Standing water and aqua-planning, heat management, grip levels on irregular surfaces.

Any tyre selection is going to be a set of compromises, BMW will be biased towards the greatest safety advantages.

Not disagreeing with you but Teason does make a fair point.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by sensible

Not disagreeing with you but Teason does make a fair point.

Depends so much on driving conditions. Something as simple as your 'regularly driven' road surface finishes, changes the dynamics completely.

For me, the video is overly simplistic and indicates there is misunderstanding about the 'basics', like the contact patch.

[sensible]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Depends so much on driving conditions. Something as simple as your 'regularly driven' road surface finishes, changes the dynamics completely.

For me, the video is overly simplistic and indicates there is misunderstanding about the 'basics', like the contact patch.

The video is meant to be simplistic to explain it to the layman. Not everyone is a tyre expert.

The point is that wider tyres will provide better traction/braking in some winter conditions.