Winter Tyres

[darkseid2k]

Has anyone decided to downsize to an 18" winter tyre selection? If so, can you let me know what tyre option you went with? I have a preliminary quote for an 18" set of Blizzaks LM25 (255/55/18) w/ Moda EB1 rims for $1850 CDN.

Doesn't seem too bad but I'm wondering what other options you guys have chosen already.

Thanks.

[darkseid2k]

Thought I'd follow up on this - I purchased and mounted a set of 18" Hankook RW11 on M5 Replica wheels. I went 255/55/18 all around, much skinnier than the 315 summer set. So far handling is good - driving on dry roads at present.. I've read positive reviews of the set. I'll post an update once snow hits.

[thooooorgal]

do you have pics of your car with 18' ?

[scottyv]

I've done my homework & here's the solution:

I've got a set of four 20" x 9.5" replica style 214 alloy wheels, they look identical to the OEM's (exept not staggered). $1069 delivered for four with BMW centers.

These will give you the Y-spoke 214 sport look wheel on all fours at a 9.5" rim ever so slightly narrow(than fronts) by my design (factory front is 20 x 10 front, 20 x 11 rear). They are also supposed to be lighter than the stocks too.

You see I'm putting 275/40/20 Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snows ($850 a set) on all fours and the extra 1/2 narrower wheels will be just enough to put enough rubber in front of lip of the wheel so I can go thru a car wash & have a little more scuff padding too.

I have the 20" star spokes now staggered and the 10" front rims have next to nothing of rubber in front of rim due to the fact that you have a 10.83" tire on a 10 inch rim.

If you look at the rear tires on the staggered setup you will see on the rear 315's you have more rubber over the face of them (than fronts) because you have a 12.41 inch tire on an 11 inch rim.

So with my setup you will have a 275mm (10.83") tire on a 9.5 inch rim which will give you almost the same margin now as the rears do, and me looking at the rear I'm comfortable with the car wash with the margin it will make. It is a small amount but it make a big difference from what I'm seeing.

275's on a low pro tire will not work like a 255 on an 18" will to be sure as far as snow goes, but I will have a badass looking car with way better handling all year round and have darn good winter traction with the Scorpions, all in all a fair trade.

The Pirellis by the way are the only 20" OEM exact fit snow tire in a 275-40-20. Blizzaks are available in a 275-45-20 but would be a little taller and more snow grabby but they wont handle & wear as good as the Pirellis. In Michigan we get a fair amount of snow but its not Colorado.


This car does not really look good with anything less than 20's and I'm not willing to castrate it for winter. Under 2k to look this good is a bargain.

The wheels were ordered today and are coming from Cali so it will be a week, once I put them on I'll post pictures and let you know on the quality of the replica rims. I feel pretty confident they will be the ticket.

[watoowatoo]

I have 20in staggered rims but still I am going 275/40 all around. Tire spec says will fit 9" - 11".
Any thoughts?

[eg3]

Originally Posted by watoowatoo

I have 20in staggered rims but still I am going 275/40 all around. Tire spec says will fit 9" - 11".
Any thoughts?

275/40 will be too much of a stretch on the rear wheels. It will fit but your wheels will stick out more than tires. It's easy to damage the wheels that way..

[TTBear]

Originally Posted by eg3

275/40 will be too much of a stretch on the rear wheels. It will fit but your wheels will stick out more than tires. It's easy to damage the wheels that way..

275 is fine on the OEM rears. You MAY run a higher risk of curbing your wheel, but that's why we're ALL so, extremely careful not to curb them, right???

I have confirmed that 275 is OK on the rears, with Tire Rack. This is a better solution than 315, for the winter. Ideally, one would go with 255 and a new set of rims, but if this is not an option, going with 275 is an OK substitute.

[darkseid2k]

Originally Posted by thooooorgal

do you have pics of your car with 18' ?

Took a few quick photos while it was crappy outside, I'll take some better photos later but it should give you an idea.

Photos here

[IUandUofM]

I just ordered the 275s (for all 4 wheels) from Tirerack.com just now, they also confirmed that they would work on the 20" rears with are 11 inches wide (for my X6M).

[scottyv]

They will work but you will have to hand wash those puppies most likely, no car wash.

275 mm tire on a 279.40 mm wheel (11" x 25.4mm/in) = no margin for error