Almost wintertime.....

[Michael_s]

Originally Posted by quackbury

Tire Rack

Thanks I saw that. However, when I put in BMW X5 I don't get any hits for wheels that fit. I will give them a call.

[RJHD3]

Originally Posted by quackbury

Adding fuel to the fire:

OR you could get Pirelli Scorpion RFT's on 18" Moda EB1 wheels, mounted and balanced for $1,500/set.

I would agree the economics make sense. I am likely going a route very close to that, just with the factory 18" rims and a new set of 20" wheels in the spring.

My question is whether run flats or standard tires have much of an impact in winter conditions. I know the firmer sidewall impacts ride harshness; but I am curious about your experience with them in winter conditions. Any discernible pro or con with a RFT in winter.

[quackbury]

Originally Posted by RJHD3

My question is whether run flats or standard tires have much of an impact in winter conditions. I know the firmer sidewall impacts ride harshness; but I am curious about your experience with them in winter conditions. Any discernible pro or con with a RFT in winter.

We have run NON-RFT's on both our 2007 and 2008 X5's with no problems at all. We use the factory TPMS (which need a gasket kit each time we change tires on the standard Style 210's). Both X5's have a spare, so no worries there. (Came standard on the 2007, was a $150 option on the 2008)/

We have NEVER had a flat on a snow tire, on 11 cars (and counting). Nails, yes, flats, no. Summer performance tires are another story, but never on a snow. (Prolly just jinxed myself!)

So based on my experience, I can't think of any good reason to mount RFT winter tires on an X5 (provided you have a spare). And with BMW Assist, you don't even need to get yourself dirty changing the tire.

[Syndicate]

So I contacted the dealership about winter tire recommendations today. They got back to me with the same summer size of 275f/315r. They didn't say what tire they were offering, but the quote was 3,680 swiss francs. I'm not lying, and this is just for some tires. I've done some independent searches and that quote is about 2000 more expensive than the Pirelli Ice and Snow RFTs. The dealership is having a laugh.

Anyhow, regarding the 275s on all corners, I saw that the maximum recommended width for a 275 is 10''. The rear wheel is 11''. Anyone have a comment on this?

[Whizzo]

Not knowing how much winter weather to expect in my first year in Germany, I decided to risk running on the all season standard Bridgestones. After a few "all-wheel ice skating lessons" and a greater than normal snowfall in southern Germany, I decided to use Tire Rack's recommended package this year. (In an odd bit of trans-Atlantic economics, I saved US $150 to air freight through USPS, rather than purchase the same package locally!) I have the standard, non-Sport OEM 18 inch setup.

These are Bridgestone Blizzak 255/55-18 runflats on Moda 18x8 model EB1 rims. Other than more tread noise, the dry performance has been almost identical to the standard tires on the twisty valley roads. Of course, after spending $1450 to prepare for snow, we'll probably have a mild winter!

[8ball]

Originally Posted by rrental

Only 10 Celsius tonight.....Time to get winter tires ready.

I would like to use the stock 19" but looks really stupid with the extended flares.

Any body got an idea how to make the wheels stand out a bit?

I'll keep the 215's on for the winter

[rrental]

Thanks, but those prices do not apply in Switzerland. The mounting and balancing Can the 11'' rear fit on a 275 tire? or would one have to step up to a 295 for the rears? Thanks.

You have to be careful. If you reduce the width of the rear tire you have to adjust the front as you go. Its a 4 wheel drive so all wheels should have the same diameter.

[MRV99]

Originally Posted by rrental

You have to be careful. If you reduce the width of the rear tire you have to adjust the front as you go. Its a 4 wheel drive so all wheels should have the same diameter.

You may not have to adjust the front. You will have to adjust the profile of the tire. by looking at the std tire equation, the profile number is a percentage of the width. If the tire width gets smaller, you i will need a larger profile to make up the difference. Example. On my 545 I have 245/35/19 on the front and 275/30/19 on the front. different widths, different profiles, same size.

[Syndicate]

Originally Posted by MRV99

You may not have to adjust the front. You will have to adjust the profile of the tire. by looking at the std tire equation, the profile number is a percentage of the width. If the tire width gets smaller, you i will need a larger profile to make up the difference. Example. On my 545 I have 245/35/19 on the front and 275/30/19 on the front. different widths, different profiles, same size.

That is the same setup I ran on the M3. Not sure about the 545, but going with a 285/30/19 in the rear was actually closer to the original ratios for the OEM M3 tires. Maintaining that ratio helps with the traction control system and not throwing off your speedometer.

I'm not saying I'll go with a 295 rear. I'm just trying to see what tire sizes people that run 20''s in the winter are utilizing. Basically a simple : I run 20''s in xxx/xx/20 in the front and xxx/xx/20 in the rear would suffice. Thanks.

[rrental]

Tirerack sells a Pirelli snow & Ice setup 315 rear and 275 front. Don't think you will notice any difference if you go from 315 to 295. Might as well stick with the original sizes if you stay on the 20"