2005 X5 4.8is - using smaller wheels / tires for winter?

[joemorelli99]

Hey Guys,

Those of you with the 4.8in with the staggered 20" wheels / monstrous tires...do any of you have an extra set of rims / tires for winter? I am moving to a colder climate...wondering of I should be prepared with smaller thinner set for better snow / mud traction.

Thoughts?

Thanks

[Roadkill]

I use Conti DWS in stock sizes for Tahoe winters. Never had a problem with traction. I just drive cautiously and give people more room.

[joemorelli99]

Hey Dinan e39...

You use Continental ExtremeContact DWS (Dry / Wet / Snow) tires on 20 inch stock staggered rims and you get good grip in snow? Also good year round? Prices aren't too bad either (just over $1000 for set of 4). Thanks man.

EDIT: Woops...lied about the price...$349 each at Sears before all the extra charges. Ouch.

[Roadkill]

Originally Posted by joemorelli99

Hey Dinan e39...

You use Continental ExtremeContact DWS (Dry / Wet / Snow) tires on 20 inch stock staggered rims and you get good grip in snow? Also good year round? Prices aren't too bad either (just over $1000 for set of 4). Thanks man.

EDIT: Woops...lied about the price...$349 each at Sears before all the extra charges. Ouch.

Not as good as dedicated snow tires but I've never been stuck or run out of grip. Keep in mind that the roads in Truckee are plowed on a regular basis when it snows but I've mobbed through 12" and never had the traction control light even flicker. I ended up paying around $1200 for mine out the door.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by joemorelli99

EDIT: Woops...lied about the price...$349 each at Sears before all the extra charges. Ouch.

Don't be ashamed to price shop. TireRack usually have really good prices that you can check out online...then print out the total price and shop locally with it.

My local Discount Tire store will price match...within $10 of TR. Even if they don't sell the brand or have them in stock...they will order them for me. I just did this with my new set of 18" winter tires. I decided to go with Michelin Lattitude X-Ice xi2 winter tires (235/60/18 -thinner width/taller side wall). They perform great in the snow...but what I appreciate even more is how they perform on dry days...especially when temps can creep back up above 45 degrees (like the last few weeks). The X-ice xi2s don't get all squirmy when temps rise up into the 60s...and still handle well on normal dry winter days.

Like others mentioned, a winter set-up allows you to save your nice expensive 20" wheels & tires for better weather/driving conditions. The upfront cost of winter wheels/tires "evens out" the expense as you spread the initial cost over a longer "use" interval.

[SlickGT1]

Yup, lots of us have those tires.

I suggest you check the local tire shops. You might be able to get the tires, mounted, and balanced for less than $1k. Tire distributors have a decent discount, even from tirerack.

[TerminatorX5]

should you wish to go down on the size, you can't go below 18" on the 4.8iS - the brakes ae too big for the smaller wheels...

[X5SND]

Well depending on that you mean by colder climate (which it's most of the US coming from Orlando haha)....if its somewhere that has some decently cold weather and some good slippery roads come winter, there really isn't a substitute for a dedicated winter setup. "all-season" tires are good up to a point when it comes to winter temps, but below that, a winter tire compound will be beneficial. Not to mention running a winter setup will save your rims from all the sand and junk they throw on the roads come winter.

I run blizzaks up here in the winter where we get some pretty nasty driving conditions. Definitely worth every penny.

[SlickGT1]

+1 Term,
+1 x5snd

I too have a set of dedicated snow 18". Just haven't had to put them up in two winters.

[brian5]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

+1 Term,
+1 x5snd

I too have a set of dedicated snow 18". Just haven't had to put them up in two winters.

I have set of dedicated snow 20". Didn't even need them last winter. Just put them on this past weekend -- am hoping for snow We will be going skiing/snowboarding in New England though...