Looking for a Winter Setup
 

Sorry for the new thread on a popular topic...

I'm faced with the same dilemma as most; I'm running 214's on my 2013. I had 19's with the Bridgestone Deulers for my winter setup on my '09 but never felt that they did that great.

So, my two questions are:

1. What tires do you recommend that are still run flats?
2. Anyone looking to sell their 18 or 19's that would fit my X?

my winter setup are Michelin winter RFT mounted on 18's 210's it makes a great jobs here in our severe Montreal winters.

I rarely see (or read) anyone complaining about the michelin latitude 19 ZFTs.... Ive had them on 2 cars, 44k total miles....

I had the 18" Dunlop Grandtrek WT M3 (RFT) and they worked excellently.

I had a set of the Grandtrek M3's on my E90 and loved them. Great tire.
I'll be running the Hankook IPike on the X5... This will be the first winter, so I'll have to update once we get some snow. They are 19's on a Bayern Mesh wheel.
Picked up the entire set, with new tires and TPMS for $1000. :D

Did you buy them online or locally? I have priced different sets on Tire Rack (18's around $1350 and 19's around 1800).

I'm also interested in where you found that deal! I'm even more interested to know how your setup works this Winter season, especially in central PA (originally from Altoona)!

I bought Michelin Latitude Alpin NON run flats for $200 per tire from Knauz BMW. They were excellent last winter. That was competitive wit.h Tire rack. I have a spare on my 2011 X5 35d

I have the stock RF Conti Contact 4X4 SSR tires - I don't like the tires. So I have made a decision to get out of run flats entirely by:

Step 1) Installing a non RF dedicated winter (emphasis on snow) tire on my BMW 19" 335 wheels

Step 2 - this Spring I plan to purchase a set of (gorgeous - yet to be determined) staggered 20s and install the best (within reason) non Run Flat summer tire I can find

So, to get Step 1 going, I just ordered a set of Vredestein Wintrac 4 Xtremes in 255/50/19 to be installed on the BMW 335 Wheels. Note - Ilive in Colorado and plan to go skiing as often as there is good snow and funds permit!

Before making my decision I considered:

Hannkook I-Pike (have these on my 2012 F250 Super Duty and they are great)
Michelin X-Ice XI-2
Pirelli Scorpion Snow & Ice
Blizzak LM-60
Nokian Hakkapeliita R

I chose the Wintracs because it is my hope they will offer better than average handling with the snow & ice capabilities of a true snow tire. We shall see!!!

I will have about $1,200 invested after mounting and balance - not the cheapest setup, but hey, this X5 wasn't inexpensive, and for a few hundred dollars more, I want to wring every bit of enjoyment out of the car that I can!

Pirelli
 

Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow 18" tires are great!