07 x5 4.8 Winter tire question.

[DANTENING]

Hello Guys:

I have a 07 x5 4.8 sports pkg with 19' rim and I'm considering buying a new set of 18' + snows for the winter. Here are some questions and plz help out:
1. Is aftermarket BMW replica really not good? I've heard that they crack on highway causing terrible accidents.(From dealer, not sure they told me that just want to sell me the winter tire pkg at 3,500+ tax..)
2. How do I know if I've got TPMS on my current 19' and all season RFTs?
3. If I'd go with replicas, do I need to buy TPMS and put them in with snows?
4. I want to buy a set of spare tire and jack kit,(Canada model don't have it..) where's a good source? Dealer doesn't have it for sale.

Thanks for any inputs, and happy holidays

[m34vert]

I'll try to add as much value as i can here, don't have all the answers....

I haven't heard of cracking on replica rims, sounds like a stealer ship story. IF that were the case the likes of tirerack wouldn't exist. I think you'll find they bend easier, they don't stay balanced as long. Look around you can often find people selling their 18"s as they're putting after market rims on. That also solves your TPMS issue as most have that system.

If you have the TPM system installing rims w/o TPMS will generate warnings on your dashboard. That's no fun! How to check, not really sure. I know mine has it because I had a tire with a nail in it and it gave me air pressure warnings.

I found a set of 18" e70 rims with snow tires on craigslist about a month ago for $600 USD. The tires are okay, have one more season left. the first snowstorm we had I was out with regular Michelins as it was October and they did remarkably well, granted I have the 3.0 with "all-season" tires. I'm going to swap rims this weekend as we're just getting to winter weather finally!

[DANTENING]

Thanks, I'll try to look for 18 oem locally, got the same stealer ship story feeling on replicas, too, can't believe what can ppl do these days just to sell u something.

[Denalio]

Let me add something here. If you have a Canadian spec car (I see you are in Toronto) and it is an 2007 MY you do not have TPMS sensors in the tire. The Canadian model used a different system using an external tire rotation sensor system rather than one installed in the tire like the U.S. spec. cars. So you would not need the TPMS sensors. Now the way to check is by looking at the valve stems, if they are aluminum and rigid with a small hex bolt at the base of the stem that is a TPMS sensor in the wheel (Beru is the maker) If you have regular rubber type stem your sensor is not in the wheel.

[DANTENING]

Thanks a lot on the TPMS input Denalio, Saved me some $ here. lol

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by DANTENING

Thanks a lot on the TPMS input Denalio, Saved me some $ here. lol

NP. I went through this when I bought new.

[m34vert]

**Update**

I'm now convinced even the 3.0 needs snow tires. I took mine to SC from NH so I put my regular Michelins on as to not chew through my winter set. I was planning on swapping back this weekend but we received snow today, figures!

With regular tires the car has no issues accelerating. It had no issues getting out of intersections. The one time it bogged I was being an idiot and fed it too much throttle and TC took over and ended the fun.

Turning into driveways streets is a challenge, the car will push through the turn unless you feed it some gas. Gives you a little oh crap factor if you're not ready for it.

What's scary as all sh*t is braking. 1. the distance to stop is stupid long, the car really struggles to come to a stop. 2. if you are forced into evasive manuevers, be prepared for the back end to take the lead on a counter steer. I found a parking lot to play in so it wasn't the end of the world but I had to get off the brake back on the throttle to pull the rear end back. Had I been trying to avoid a wrecked vehicle or such I clearly would have ended up in oncoming traffic with what I had to do to recover. I was surprised the stability control didn't prevent it. It was very easy to reproduce as I managed to swing the back end 2 or 3 times. The third one though I just went with it mashed the throttle and went around for the fun of it!

Could be rust, it's been a while since we've had snow, could be inexperience with this vehicle as I'm used to a fwd sedan. My initial impression is that the rear brakes are being applied too much so and allow the back end to slide out. Could just be the 255 width with no sipps. Curious to see if anyone else agrees or has had similar experience. The only way I could get my last two cars to do that was to rip the e-brake and induce a slide.

My intention was to go throw the snows back on and go out again and check how it preforms but work is calling. My guess is the braking and lateral moves will be better given the tread compound and block construction. I only picked up the set as they were cheap given some of the quotes I've seen other people mention. Certainly glad I did.

[motordavid]

[QUOTE=m34vert;860372
...I'm now convinced even the 3.0 needs snow tires.

...My intention was to go throw the snows back on and go out again and check how it preforms but work is calling. [/QUOTE]

The IL 6 needs snows, too. Engine size, (other than heavier V8), should not improve/deteriorate need for snows in snow.

Put your dedicated snow tires on: it will be like night & day, imo.
GL, mD

[m34vert]

Originally Posted by motordavid

The IL 6 needs snows, too. Engine size, (other than heavier V8), should not improve/deteriorate need for snows in snow.

Put your dedicated snow tires on: it will be like night & day, imo.
GL, mD

My thoughts were more around the tires that the 3.0 has vs the 4.8. Most of the 4.8's I've seen are running 20"s with performance tires upwards of 275 in width that can't perform in snow. Not to say that all seasons are great in snow but I've been impressed by my wife's all season Primacy tries on her car. No need for snows with that, was hoping the X would be the same but I hedged my bet right by picking up an inexpensive set of change overs!