214 rims with dunlop summer tires on michigan snow road
 

I have a 2008 4.8i with OEM 20' wheel and OEM dunlop summer tire. I was going about 35 mph on a 2 inch snow last night. I couldn't STOP at all. It just slid like i was on ice. I would think twice if you are thinking about ordering on the x5 if you are in a snowy state! I am looking for a set of 19' 132 with winter tires to replace the oem 20' 214

I believe it says in the manual that the 20" wheels with summer performance tires are not recommended to be driven on snow. You just need a set for winter.

I am looking into a set of 19' with winter tires:thumbup:

Well, you're right and it has been covered in this forum already.

The 20" wheel and the summer tires are no good in the snow. That did not stop me buying that wheel/tire combination. It just meant that I needed to buy the 18" wheels with winter tires too. BMW has a package on the 19" winter wheels that run around $2,800 - $3,200. There are posts on that too :)

i have the 18" winter set from BMW and they work like MAGIC..:)

may I ask how much did you spend? I just got the car at January and planning to have a set of winter tire for Alberta winter!

i spent 3600+tax CDN for rims, tires, pressure sensors, balancing, install.

I have heard as low as 3200. My guess is one has to pay at least 3000 for them. If you are in edmonton, try Bavaria. thats where i got my X5 but right now i'm in Waterloo Ontario and there is only one BMW dealership here....

I got the winteres in Waterloo so pretty sure i overpaid for them (plus 8% PST :( ).

you can try calgary, both the dealerships (gallery and calgary bmw) are owned by one owner and they are not so welcoming when it comes to dealing prices.

Good luck. I think the tires are definitely worth the investment in deep wet snow that I get here in Ontario, oh and try to get them shortly after the temperatures drop below 7 'C.

It doesn't usually snow in the summer.........

I would also say that 18's should be better than 19's for the snow. If you're going to get a set of winter wheels and tires, you might as well get the best traction possible. I'm sure the 19's are better than the 20's, but maybe not enough.

Isn't the reason 20s are bad only because they are staggered & wider? 19s vs. 18s should not matter as they are both 255 width and only rim sizes differ. It shouldn't have anything to do with the tires themselves (other than less rubber needed for the sidewall height). That's how I've understood it. :dunno: