winter tire question re sizing...

[PasPar2]

I know the standard E70 tire size on 18" rims is 255/55/18 but the local retailer recommended I get 235/60/18 for a dedicated winter tire

Whats the opinion on this here? Im worried he may just be selling what he has in stock... but he said narrower is better for winters.

Thanks

[ravenheart]

Your dealer is right - narrow is considered better for winter tires.

However - 255's should be plenty narrow so if you are worried about looks you should get what you prefer If you are worried about grip you should be looking at the type & brand of tyre more than the size.

[motordavid]

The narrower size, (which depending on tire brand, has nearly identical stats inc. rolling circumference), theoretically should offer more bite in snow.

Back at the Winter Ranch, as Ravenheart said, both sizes are decent, and a true dedicated quality brand winter tire, should perform well.

Not knocking dlrs, but unless that dlr is offering a serious discount, with cheap to free quality mounting, I would shop around for brands and pricing.
You can always get your selection mounted at a good tire joint. Mounting/dismounting/remounting is tough on wheels however, unless the tire guy is
very, very careful.

NYC Winter?! You must be planning some upstate or New England winter travel...
GL, mD

[PasPar2]

some upstate travel - yes but only about 2x a winter. Being that my new x5 will come with summer tires (20's), I figured I may as well get winters for the 2nd set instead of all-season since these will exclusively be used say November-march

[JCL]

Originally Posted by PasPar2

some upstate travel - yes but only about 2x a winter. Being that my new x5 will come with summer tires (20's), I figured I may as well get winters for the 2nd set instead of all-season since these will exclusively be used say November-march

Smart move.

Agree with the other posters above that narrower is generally better, but the effect is much less than it was years ago. Old technology snow tires drove primarily from the outer edges, with deep lugs there to grip the snow. Modern winter tires have much softer rubber compounds, and sipes across the tread, so they drive much more from the entire tread surface. A wider tire will still be climbing up more than a narrower tire is, as the contact patch is wider instead of longer, but this recent tire technology is what has made wide winter tires possible. At the end of the day, you will be fine with standard size 18", as long as you get a good (recently developed) winter tire.