Snow Tires are Challenging Dealers

[Metro TT]

Getting snows for sport package has been a real challenge for the dealer and tire stores here. First could not find rims to fit the giant brakes, then a few scrambled to get tires but had a hard time finding sizes that suit.
Finally one was willing to resolve this for me.
Got me 4 BMW style alum. rims (18") with
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 P255/55R18 tires.
So far combinations seems really good and no noticeable difference in the ride, plus the Blizzak's are great in the snow. Total cost $1850 CAD, this is a pretty good value since dealer wanted $4600 but were not sure if they could get a wheel/tire package to fit.

[yyzx6]

Originally Posted by Metro TT

Getting snows for sport package has been a real challenge for the dealer and tire stores here. First could not find rims to fit the giant brakes, then a few scrambled to get tires but had a hard time finding sizes that suit.
Finally one was willing to resolve this for me.
Got me 4 BMW style alum. rims (18") with
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 P255/55R18 tires.
So far combinations seems really good and no noticeable difference in the ride, plus the Blizzak's are great in the snow. Total cost $1850 CAD, this is a pretty good value since dealer wanted $4600 but were not sure if they could get a wheel/tire package to fit.

Which dealer? And what is the style of the rims? I'm in the market for a set next week.

[Deda]

Interesting,i think that standard size for X6 is 19 inches rims...post some pics,please.

[Metro TT]

Originally Posted by yyzx6

Which dealer? And what is the style of the rims? I'm in the market for a set next week.

Active Green + Ross
2639 Dundas St. W. (at Annette)
416-769-2378
Speak to Marco, he is the owner and is very helpful.
I came by during the week to make sure that the wheels fit, came by on Saturday. The new tires were already mounted and balanced on the wheels waiting for me.

He told me he also received a set of Michelin snows that fit the X6 in stock that were a bit more money. Now that he knows to work on this model, he'll be very helpful. Just mention to him that you were referred by Eli with the Red X6 and he'll look after you with a bit of a break on the package.

Let me know how you made out.

[Metro TT]

Originally Posted by Deda

Interesting,i think that standard size for X6 is 19 inches rims...post some pics,please.

Sport package comes with staggered 20" here in Canada. Check at BMW.ca

[Deda]

Yes,i know..you didnt understand what a wanted to say.....i am just affraid isnt it a 18inches small for X6?

[Metro TT]

Originally Posted by Deda

Yes,i know..you didnt understand what a wanted to say.....i am just affraid isnt it a 18inches small for X6?

No, actually just looks a little less filling of the fender well, but since its a higher tire side wall, the exterior diameter I am told is about same.
No difference in the ride.

[akraptor]

Winter tires available in Romania:

[akraptor]

These are the tires available in Romania, from this supplier.

RON/USD Exchange Rate: 2,9135 (as of today, Monday, Nov.11, 2009) Divide the price in the pics by this rate and you get the USD price, VAT included (19%) and home delivered.

[akraptor]

Correspondent sites for the Ro. local supplier:

http://www.tires-easy.com/ US

http://www.gommadiretto.it/ Italy

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/ UK

http://www.dackonline.se/ Sweden

http://www.shiny-online.ru/ Russia

http://www.tires-easy.ca/ Canada

http://www.gume.com.hr/ Deda (Croatia)

http://www.reifendirekt.com/ EU (All Europe)

[xDrive50i]

Originally Posted by Metro TT

Getting snows for sport package has been a real challenge for the dealer and tire stores here. First could not find rims to fit the giant brakes, then a few scrambled to get tires but had a hard time finding sizes that suit.
Finally one was willing to resolve this for me.
Got me 4 BMW style alum. rims (18") with
Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 P255/55R18 tires.
So far combinations seems really good and no noticeable difference in the ride, plus the Blizzak's are great in the snow. Total cost $1850 CAD, this is a pretty good value since dealer wanted $4600 but were not sure if they could get a wheel/tire package to fit.

BMW Canada has a winter tire package for the X6 with 19" rims and rubber that fits them and is obviously approved by them. This is from the Winter 2008/2009 flyer:



X6
Star Spoke 232
19” Alloy wheels with Continental 4x4
WinterContact run-flat winter tires

$4600 sounds a little steep though, who gave you this pricing info?

BTW: Did you buy the optional tire warranty when you purchased your X6? If so, check if this will cover non BMW approved/manufactured rims/tires, I doubt it does!

[Deda]

Originally Posted by xDrive50i

BMW Canada has a winter tire package for the X6 with 19" rims and rubber that fits them and is obviously approved by them. This is from the Winter 2008/2009 flyer:

Attachment 202333

X6
Star Spoke 232
19” Alloy wheels with Continental 4x4
WinterContact run-flat winter tires

$4600 sounds a little steep though, who gave you this pricing info?

BTW: Did you buy the optional tire warranty when you purchased your X6? If so, check if this will cover non BMW approved/manufactured rims/tires, I doubt it does!

I have order it for my winter rides!

[Metro TT]

Originally Posted by xDrive50i

BMW Canada has a winter tire package for the X6 with 19" rims and rubber that fits them and is obviously approved by them. This is from the Winter 2008/2009 flyer:

Attachment 202333

X6
Star Spoke 232
19” Alloy wheels with Continental 4x4
WinterContact run-flat winter tires

$4600 sounds a little steep though, who gave you this pricing info?

BTW: Did you buy the optional tire warranty when you purchased your X6? If so, check if this will cover non BMW approved/manufactured rims/tires, I doubt it does!

The dealer is gouging on this winter flyer package. I don't know why one needs the optional tire warranty. All optional warranties are just pure profit for the dealer/mfgr. I'm interested if you find an alternative package at a reasonable cost out there. One of the big issues is the shortage of size specific snows in Ontario because many are shipping to Quebec since they now have a mandatory snow tire law. I highly recommend you contact Marco if you have trouble getting a wheel/tire package at a reasonable cost elsewhere. The quote I got of $4600 was from Toronto BMW, but even they suggested to try elsewhere because they did not have the rims/tires available at the time of my inquiry.

[Anteater]

I've just ordered the following package from Tirerack yesterday:

4 255/55R-18 Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow RFT RunFlat XL
4 Mount and Balance (No Charge)
4 18x8 O.Z. Canyon Bright Sil
2 Required centering ring
2 Required centering ring
4 433MHz Tire Pressure Sensor
4 Required Valve
1 Griot's wheel care sample kit

Total cost is $2,359.66. I could have bought cheaper rims (made in China), but decided to buy OZ as they are really good quality, well made (in Italy) and these particular ones were reduced on closeout - and anyway there is no point skimping on wheels and tire quality IMO.

**NOTE:** Apparently the hub size is different front v back (72/74MM) on the X6 which is a watch-out - Tirerack have the details on the centering ring sizes required and have said they will make sure the wheels are marked up front/rear prior to shipping. This is also important to mark up when you eventually switch back to the summer tires as you won't remember which is front and which rear when you come to dust them back down next fall!

These shipped today so should get them delivered and then fitted within the next week. I'll advise as to how it went once installed.

Cheers, Anteater

[akraptor]

Anteater, put some pics with the Ozesses.

[Deda]

Originally Posted by akraptor

Anteater, put some pics with the Ozesses.

+1!

[Anteater]

Will do guys - once they are fitted I'll post pics and an update on how fitting went.

Cheers, Anteater

[Suzie's Dad]

Anteater: Buy some spare centering rings! They have a habit of getting damaged when you install them the second or third time, and they are often wheel-specific, which means if the wheel becomes discontinued you will have great difficulty finding the rings in the future.

Does it sound like I'm speaking from experience here?

[Anteater]

Originally Posted by Suzie's Dad

Anteater: Buy some spare centering rings! They have a habit of getting damaged when you install them the second or third time, and they are often wheel-specific, which means if the wheel becomes discontinued you will have great difficulty finding the rings in the future.

Does it sound like I'm speaking from experience here?

Thanks SD - it does indeed sound like you are speaking from experience! Good call - I'll ping my Tirerack salesman and ask him to sell me a couple of spare sets.

Cheers, Anteater

[Burgh]

I was on the web page "tires-easy.com" from the list above by akraptor, and in the winter tire section, put in the size for x6 sport package (315/35R20 and 275/40R20) and they have winter tires "Toyo Open Country G-02 Plus". Does anyone know if we can use these winter tires on the X6 50i...???

[Anteater]

Originally Posted by akraptor

Anteater, put some pics with the Ozesses.

OK - had the Scorpion S&I RFT's and OZ's installed today - pictures are attached. Overall wheel & tire diameter is actually a half-inch bigger then the OEM 20" wheels with the Dunlop SP Sports Maxx's although they don't look it once fitted - I presume this is because the 20"ers are anyway wider (10/11" v 8" on the OZ's) and also the OEM rears are offset too, which makes them look bigger again. Good view of the brake calipers through the wheels however - I think they look pretty neat for the winter months and I'll now have plenty of time to clean up the 214's before refitting next spring....!

Cheers, Anteater.

[Deda]

Originally Posted by Suzie's Dad

Anteater: Buy some spare centering rings! They have a habit of getting damaged when you install them the second or third time, and they are often wheel-specific, which means if the wheel becomes discontinued you will have great difficulty finding the rings in the future.

Does it sound like I'm speaking from experience here?

good info!

hey what about yours merc ml,any news?