WTF winter driving

[Bouchedag84]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

The highlighted statement in your quote above is true...you CAN use the same size tires on all four corners...but if you have staggered wheels...then you need to use staggered tires. It all depends on what wheels you have...and we don't know which wheels you have.

Help us help you better...what size wheel are you thinking of mounting winter tires to? If all 4 wheels are the same size (17"/18"/19"?) then mount the same size tires on all 4 wheels. If you are mounting them on a staggered set of wheels (fronts are narrower than the rear)...then you'll also need a staggered set of winter tires.

You can look at the tire pressure label on the driver's door jamb for the BMW recommended tire sizes. The non staggered 17" & 18" tires are all the same on all 4 corners. The staggered 19" & 20" wheels have different sized rear tires (due to the wheels being wider). But if you have 19" & 20" wheels that are all the same size...then you'd run the same size tire on all 4 corners.

You can also google for a tire size calculator and you can see what the recommended tire size is for a wheel rim's width. For instance, one of my favorite tire size calculator is: Tire Size Calculator - Tire & Wheel Plus Sizing

Again, if you input the front tire size...look for the recommended wheel width...if your rear wheel is wider than the recommendation...then I would NOT try to stretch a narrow tire on a wide wheel. It will also change the overall diameter of the tire and if the difference is greater than 3% (+/-) than the other axle...you could cause unwanted issues with DSC & xDrive or DSC-X (can't remember your model year).

I run a staggered set of 20" wheels (275/40/20 fr + 315/35/20 rear) in the spring/summer/fall...and a square set of 18" wheels (235/60/18 all 4 corners) in the winter.

Square 18" Winter Set-up & Staggered 20" Summer Set-up

That's alot of info
Currently I have 285/45R19 on the rear and 255/50R19 on the front.
I haven't found any cheap rims so I am thinking I might just use the same rims for front and rear and just buy new winter tires. Again, some shops said I can use a 255/50R19 for winters on all 4s, and some shops said I cannot because the rear rim is a weird size

[Bouchedag84]

Originally Posted by Clockwork

DBag84 (interesting name by the way) DEFINITELY buy dedicated winter tires for this beast and you'll see a difference.
BUT do NOT buy snow tires. we need an ICE tire around here.
whats the difference? SIPES. you can get sipes put into a normal new winter tire, but a lot of winter tires already have them from factory and are considered an ice tire as the ruber sipes open up and act as a suction cup (more or less) to the ground instead of just a rubber block driving over ice/snow/cold ground. Yes these tires may wear a bit faster, but nothing you'd really care about once you start driving with this confidence level. you can justify the fact that you will only get 3 seasons instead of 4 out of an ice tire.
Nokian Hakaplettiaaergaerga (seriously does anyone know how to actually spell this) are amazing tires and well worth the $1400 from Kal tire.
Nokian AW tires are also sensations from friend reviews as well as internet reviews.
OR buy some used ice tires from Kijiji. great tires and wheels always on there. some on there NOW to be honest.
look for a nice square set-up of 18"x8.5". the tires available for these wheels are endless.
when looking for tires, do not type in "BMW", type in 255 55 18 and you'll see a million sales on Kijiji and then choose a good set of ICE tires.
next set (next year) wil be the Nokian Hak... STUDDED. they make a vehicle perform on ice like nothing else.

Thanks
I've been keeping my eyes on Kijiji but like I said, the whole staggered/non-staggered/rear rim size is throwing me for a loop.
Kal tire quoted me $1984 all in for Nokian Hakunamatatas STUDDED and then Nitto somethings for $1677 non-studded.
Fountain Tire quoted me around $1400 for Dunlop Grandtek SJ6

what about these?
BMW X5 winter TUREN rims with Himalaya Snow studded tires | tires, rims | Calgary | Kijiji
or
255 /55 /18 Pirelli Scorpion Run Flate Winter and Ice tires | tires, rims | Calgary | Kijiji

[Rockit]

Originally Posted by Bouchedag84

God.
I've called 4 different shops now, including tirerack and I keep getting different answers regarding the staggered fitment. Some say I can use the stock front size on all 4 corners and others say I must use a different rear size because of the rear rim width. Not sure what the heck to do or who to believe. Kind of frustrating to be honest. And $1500+ isn't too exciting either :P

I have staggered 19 and I found Hancook makes the ONLY all season tire for my truck. I have to tell you they are not good in the snow. I took off the stock 17 or 19 inch ugly rims and I'm going to put snows on them because the all seasons suck.

I did not follow all your posts so I don't know what size tires you have. Your much better off buying used cheap 17 or 18 inch BMW rims and putting on just snow tires. The only problem with most snow only tires is they don't want you to use them over 50 degrees or they wear right out.

[Joshdub]

You have staggered wheels. You cannot run a square tire setup. The shops don't know if you have a square setup or not.

Tirerack has nothing that'll work for you in original size, not to mention I would run staggered snow tires anyway. I'd highly suggest you find some 18's like you posted and get snow tires for them.

[Bouchedag84]

yeah I am talking to Tiresbyweb.com right now and they are saying the Nokian Hakkaplatttas 7s only come in run-flat for my front size. and they are not run-flat for my rears.
wow, what an ordeal
EDIT:
Awesome. Talked to BMW and all their recommended tires do not come in my staggered fitment. Looks like new rims it is. FML

So for this, what size of rims should i be looking for which will give me the most tire size options? 18" by what?

[Bouchedag84]

should i buy these, and pikcup separate winter tires?
*** X5 BMW Black MATTE OEM 18" Wheels/Rims...$750 OBO*** | tires, rims | Calgary | Kijiji

or these, but get new winter tires as i have read that these are garbage (guy says he'll give these to me for $600)
Bmw X5 Winter Tires and Rims 18" Tunerworks- Great deal $700. | tires, rims | Calgary | Kijiji

[fmugur]

Originally Posted by Bouchedag84

should i buy these, and pikcup separate winter tires?
*** X5 BMW Black MATTE OEM 18" Wheels/Rims...$750 OBO*** | tires, rims | Calgary | Kijiji

or these, but get new winter tires as i have read that these are garbage (guy says he'll give these to me for $600)
Bmw X5 Winter Tires and Rims 18" Tunerworks- Great deal $700. | tires, rims | Calgary | Kijiji

The $600 wheelset is for e70. They will not be good for your e53.
You should be able to find a good winter set ready to go. Getting rims and tires and then install and balance on top it's more expensive.

[Rockit]

Call Bav Auto 800.535.2002 in there catalogue they sell D Force wheels that looks factory for $115 and they will mount and balance a set of Hakkapeliitta snow tires.

They may even have Take Off wheels you can use for just snows.

[SAVant]

something to keep in mind as well - most aftermarket wheels do not have the appropriate load rating for the rear axle of the X5. It's a personal choice to use whatever you want, but it was important to me when I was shopping for winter wheels last year.

I couldn't locate any oem X5 wheels locally and was on a tight timeline so I purchased aftermarket wheels. My first order through 1010tires.com was actually cancelled by them as the wheels I had picked didn't meet the load rating of the X, from there on in I was very carefull picking which ones to buy. It might not matter to you if you are not going to be towing a trailer or loading up the X5 with a ton of stuff, but I was, along with my family to drive across the country.

I ended up purchasing a set through Tire Rack, 18x8.5 square with the Goodyears I had mentioned earlier in this thread. After living through the worst winter in Winnipeg in the last 100+ years, I can say those tires are amazing!

I would also recommend either 17s or 18s to get a taller sidewall because you never know when you may bump into an unseen curb or who-knows-what in the snow.

Good luck!

[fmugur]

Originally Posted by Bouchedag84

So for this, what size of rims should i be looking for which will give me the most tire size options? 18" by what?

Clockwork already answer this: 255 55 18