Winter Package necessity

[El Conquistador]

Hello,

I am relocating from Europe to Maine, I just recently took delivery of my X5 without experiencing the benefits of the XDrive system during winter.

Upon making contact with the BMW center (Stratham, Maine), I was recommended an 18' wheel package (Style 69) with Continental Winter tires for $2,300 not including intallation fee and wheel alignment/balancing.

I currently have 19' Wheels (Sport Package) and I can't locate snow tires. Is it really necessary to buy new wheels for snow tire compatibility. If so, does anyone have any recommendations? I don't want to be ill equipped.

-Thanks in advance for assistance.

-Jonathan

[cmyX6go]

Hey Jonathan,
:welcome: to The World.

As far as the wheels, I change from 19s to 18s for the winter. I think (remember, I'm a girl), it has to do with the area of contact difference between the two sizes. One of the guys will explain it the right way..

[Zulu95]

Yokohama Geolanders. 18" "higher" profile less broad tires works better in snow.

[Thunder22]

http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/...urrentpage=122

always drop by -1 or even -2 depending on the type of roads you'll be on. Considering you'll be in Maine, it's not unheard of to drop to 17's from the 19's. I can tell you that 19's in NY 3 years ago were horrible and my '01 X was a sled. My '04 had 18's and were narrower and the X was incredibly better in the snow/slush.

Blizzaks are a good tire to check out.

[yeowzer]

Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow has 19inch tires. I live in Denver and my friend runs Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow in 20s on his 4.8is and has no problems and we are driving to Vail every weekend in blizzards and slush. His 20s are as good as my 18s in the snow. Check ebay for some wheel and tire packages. GL.

[El Conquistador]

Thanks for your help guys,

It's a pleasure to be part of something that is governed by self-interest. Ms. X will receive snow shoes upon arrival and will accompany me to the slopes.

-Thanks again

Jonathan

[the head]

You can get pirelli scorps and oz canyon rims in 18 mounted,balanced and shipped to your door from tirerack for 1700 I bought a set last year and they are excellent in the winter

[motordavid]

El Conq...
Welcome to the board and, what they all said above.

I'd skip the Stlr's offer, buy a set of 18s or, even 17s
from this board, or a set of junky steel wheels and a
set of tires. Traction vs. "looks", in a Maine winter,
should be your goal,imo.

TireRack, as Gresch noted, is the place to look.
Personally I have run Michelin Alpins, now called
"X Ice"?, and I ran Bridgestone Blizzaks for several
winters in upstate NY snow. They were titz, but
wore quickly on dry pavement.

GL and welcome to TheBoard.
BR,mD

[X5Flyboy]

Dealer Price is`way too high - I went with 17" 130 rims and Pirelli snow n ice for $1600 - I know storing an extra set of wheels can be a hassle, but change over is quick (and usually free) and you still have to store your tires, so why not a wheel set? - Everybody here has a "favorite" setup, but I'd listen to people in your area for the best advise - A narrower tire will help driving in snow - I like the "extra" cushion 17" gives me for driving on unplowed roads - 9" and 10" wide just does not dig down thru the snow and slush to provide good traction - The person I bought my '01 4.4 sport from refused to replace the 19" sport setup and found driving up to the mountains to ski almost impossible, certainly unsafe.