Almost wintertime..... - Page 2

TRAINER · #1 09-05-2010, 05:16 PM

You guys got me thinking seriously about 19's. I always went for 18's but suffered when the roads were dry. I have two very small children though and want the absolute best winter performer when the conditions are very bad. I live in North NJ. We get some sonow and a lot of slush that turns to ice, it's a mess. I also live in a very hilly neighborhood, Palisades on NJ.. Very steap hills.. Decisions decisions..

MRV99 · #2 09-05-2010, 06:57 PM

I can say this. I have winters on both cars and believe they are much safer than anyone on all seasons. Chicago conditions are much like NJ and I also have two children. I am not sure how much better the 18's would be over 19's In the snow because you would be driving more cautious and i am pretty sure you are more worried about the other drivers My concern is having to do an evasive manuver in dry or wet conditions and feel the 19" will perform better. Plus the excellent AWD that BMW has will just complement any snow tire.

rrental · #3 09-05-2010, 08:12 PM

motordavid · #4 09-05-2010, 08:38 PM

Imo, "18s" for winter will not provide any less "performance" in non-winter
conditions than 19s...I suspect it's more about cosmetics and the mental
aspect of bigger is better, for all but real snow.

I had puny style 57s, (17s), with dedicated Michey Alpins, on our X for 5
winters: they performed like a Mtn Goat here on our very steep Mtn roads,
and that was with the old non-X drive. They also ran well on our several
trips up and down the east coast. Sure I like my style 132 19s, but the
performance aspect is way overblown, imo.

And, I realize there are pages of anecdotes like mine, except posters
regale the 19s and, even 20s in snow. Pick your size, pick any decent
dedicated snow tire brand, and have at. But, the rationale for bigger
during those non-winter days is suspect, imo. For serious winter conditions,
more than a few days/weeks per season, higher profile & "smaller", will
almost always out perform "bigger", and real winter tires will kick "all season"
tars' butt.
GL, mD

MRV99 · #5 09-06-2010, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motordavid

Imo, "18s" for winter will not provide any less "performance" in non-winter
conditions than 19s...I suspect it's more about cosmetics and the mental
aspect of bigger is better, for all but real snow.

I had puny style 57s, (17s), with dedicated Michey Alpins, on our X for 5
winters: they performed like a Mtn Goat here on our very steep Mtn roads,
and that was with the old non-X drive. They also ran well on our several
trips up and down the east coast. Sure I like my style 132 19s, but the
performance aspect is way overblown, imo.

And, I realize there are pages of anecdotes like mine, except posters
regale the 19s and, even 20s in snow. Pick your size, pick any decent
dedicated snow tire brand, and have at. But, the rationale for bigger
during those non-winter days is suspect, imo. For serious winter conditions,
more than a few days/weeks per season, higher profile & "smaller", will
almost always out perform "bigger", and real winter tires will kick "all season"
tars' butt.
GL, mD

i will disagree with you on performance. I made the mistake and put a set of 17" down from my 20's on my E53 and it was a huge mistake. The first time I had to swerve to miss a crater on a chicago highway, I was scared because the tire was so soft. I ended up selling the 17" and went to 18" take-offs out of California. I found them cheep and it was a huge difference.

newmanium · #6 09-06-2010, 11:12 PM

The smallest you can go on the E70 is an 18" wheel from what I have read, due to brake clearance.

I'm going with 18" winters accordingly, trying to decide between the Blizzak DM-V1 which sounds like a very soft, non-performance tire, or the Alpin HP non-RFT version for more dry performance.

Edge647 · #7 09-07-2010, 11:01 PM

Looks like those that are using 19's for the winter are recommended to use spacers.

I'm on 20's right now with fender flares.

What is the recommendation for us that are going from 20's to 18's for winter? Spacers or take off the flares?

TRAINER · #8 09-08-2010, 07:07 AM

30mm

Edge647 · #9 09-09-2010, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRAINER

30mm

Any side effects that I should be worried about?

(Other than flares and 18's WITHOUT spacers looking crazy ugly

)

JCL · #10 09-09-2010, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edge647

Any side effects that I should be worried about?

(Other than flares and 18's WITHOUT spacers looking crazy ugly

)

There are additional risks with spacers, because you are loading the wheel bearings, hubs, and wheel bolts beyond what they were designed for. If they are well-made hub-centric spacers, with appropriate wheel bolts, you can mitigate some of those risks, but you won't change the fact that you are loading up the wheel bearings.

Spacers have their supporters, and that is fine. Others won't ever use them, choosing function over appearance. Your call.

Edit: Some more reading for you. See the link I provided in post #7 on this thread: http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...l-spacers.html