Just bought a set of 17's for my 4.4i and wrapped them in General Altimax Artic's (235/65/17). Lovin them. Quiet, smooth, better than expected handling (typically ride 19's), and beasts in the snow.
I recommend them if your looking for good, inexpensive snow's

My advice would be to get a set of 18's (BMW replicas if money is a concern) and put a set of Nokian Hakkapellita 5 SUV studded tires on them. IMO there is no better solution.

I drive about 3,000 miles in the snow and ice each year. For about 30 years now. I've driven on all kinds of studless and studded tires. Three years ago I talked myself into going back to studless tires on my, then, 17's. They were awful. I couldn't get them off the X fast enough. I switched back to studded Hakka 5's on my 18's. The traction and cornering grip is far beyond the other setup.

Only offering my opinion. Definitely don't want to dis other's choices. But imho the two set ups aren't even close. I'll never go back.

The Hakkas use 'eco studs' which are MUCH friendlier to the roads and are a third quieter. And, they absolutely will not pop out. They'll last the life of the tire.

Narrower tires work 'a little better' if you are driving on un-plowed roads in a foot of fresh snow, but that's about it. On 99% of all road conditions (plowed by machine, or packed down by other cars) a wider tire will always provide more traction and cornering grip. I drive my X hard on snowy and icy roads. The 18's are much better.

Also, grip and traction aside, the 17's will completely ruin the X's handling. Especially in a snow tire, as these tires have deliberately softer side walls and poorer turn in.


Oh look.. there's an X5 pictured in this Hakka link. :D
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 SUV

I notice the tracking isn't as nice as the bigger wheels. But when you hit snow you want smaller wheels with good snows. Running at speed isn't a prob. Go for it!

Here's some good reading for you if you are interested:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...endations.html

Ive got a 19" for some reason, but as they are virtually identical rolling circumference, it really won't make much difference if you use a 19" or a 17" as a spare.

I am running kumho something 17'' factory rims they are the SHIT in the snow drives amazing

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/a...ons143/046.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/a...ons143/044.jpg

I also drive very hard on snowy roads, dont drive much on ice or I would def go with a studded

Hi Fraser,
I checked the spare yesterday and its a brand new 17". While I'm on the 17" Winter Tyres it is a good time to get the 19" wheels refurbished!

Still impressed with the Kumho Road Venture AT Tyres (KL78) in the snow and ice - it's nearly 1 foot deep at home and it just powers through, even on a steep slope. The hill descent mode is brilliant too, just have to remember to keep my foot away from the brake and let the car do its work!

Nokian R SUV 255/55-18
 

I run this tires, they are ment for real winter driving, I'm not sure if you can get them in the UK, but with these tires you are safe up to 170km/H.
They are buildt for Scandinavia, so may be hard for you to get hold of them.

So your 19 fits into the spare tyre well okay? What size tyre does it have on it?