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BMW 3-Series Tires and Wheels

273 messages,  Last post on Jun 16, 2011 at 8:53 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Tires, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 23 of 28

#219 of 273 AWD vrs Snow Tires by dash5

Aug 19, 2009 (9:03 am)

Conflicted again! I had been assuming I should just get AWD for North East winters in NJ. I had read about snow tires and I am convinced they will make a difference on RWD cars like the BMW 328 I am interested in buying.
 
What I am not convinced on yet:
 
- How big a difference? I owned a 2004 G35 coupe, auto, RWD and stock tires and it was horrible in the snow. I'm guessing that's the worst possible combination outside performance tires though, coupe, auto, RWD, all seasons?
 
- What about in the rain? I dont recall the G35 being that great in the rain either. I did not feel particularly safe at highway speeds. Thoughts on a BMW 328i in the rain in the run flats?
 
- How tough is it to change the tires? I'm not a wrencher. I'm not a car guy particularly. I'm also not dumb and I can learn something as basic as changing tires, it's just a matter of do I want to bother doing that. Is it just a matter of swapping the 2 back tires as if you were changing a flat? May be a dumb question but if you've never done it these questions pop up. I mean... tires are an important safety feature on cars I'm told
 
- How does Manual Transmission factor in? I drove a stick for years, maybe it's time to go back to that.
 
Thanks for any help.

#220 of 273 Re: AWD vrs Snow Tires [dash5] by jicbulk

Aug 19, 2009 (1:18 pm)

Replying to: dash5 (Aug 19, 2009 9:03 am)
Snow Tires make a HUGE difference. With low-profile summer-like tires, the car will literally be undriveable in the snow. With snow tires you will swear the car was AWD. It is that noticable. Remember, AWD only helps you start up from a stop, it can't help you stop any faster. Snow tires will.
 
I have a 328i RWD with RFTs that are practically bald in the rear and they do not slip, even in a raging downpour. The car is glued to the road. No worries.
 
Changing a tire is a matter of lifting the car with a jack and getting off the lug nuts. Not a big deal. Most tire shops these days will give you free tire rotation as long as you buy the tires there. So switching from a summer tire to a winter tire is as easy as that...provided you have another set of wheels. If you want to use the same wheel and switch tires, then it will be quite a hassle, since you'll have to go to a shop (and where to you put the four other tires? They won't all fit in the trunk...
 
If you are buying a BMW, then trust me, you want the Stick...

#221 of 273 Re: AWD vrs Snow Tires [dash5] by venture

Aug 20, 2009 (6:46 pm)

Replying to: dash5 (Aug 19, 2009 9:03 am)
Is it just a matter of swapping the 2 back tires as if you were changing a flat?
 
If you are going to use winter tires, get four of them, not just two for the rear. You would like to go around a corner in the snow too wouldn't you, or stop in a decent distance?
 
Get 4 wheels mounted with winter tires and change them out each spring and fall. You won't regret it.

#222 of 273 New Winter tires on a 335i by qali

Aug 24, 2009 (11:35 am)

I have been reading posts in this board about replacing all-seasons with winter tires of a different size. My 2007 335i has 225/45R17 91 H tires. If I were to put on new rims and winter tires, what would you recommend that I drop down to? Can I put 16" tires and rims?

#223 of 273 Re: New Winter tires on a 335i [qali] by kyfdx HOST

Aug 24, 2009 (4:57 pm)

Replying to: qali (Aug 24, 2009 11:35 am)
You can't go smaller than 17" on a 335i...The wheels wouldn't clear the brakes..
 
You could possibly do 205/50-17 (which is an equivalent diameter), to get a narrower tread.. . but, you can't go down to 16".

#224 of 273 Tire Damage and Steering wheel shake at low speeds by sjthomas

Sep 22, 2009 (9:12 am)

OK. The other day, I removed a 2 inch screw from the side of the tire and the air started to deflate. I took the car to the car immediately to nearby costco about two miles away. I took to costco because I put new tires about 20 months back from the same costco and know that they fix flats for the lifetime of the tire.
 
Costco said as the nail was on the side wall, it's unrepairable and with the road hazard warranty replaced the tire. They said that the tires had only 63% tread left which was surprising for a 20 month old tire. I had to shell out about $50 for the new tire. They are Michelin Pilot Exalto's.
 
Now after changing the rear right tire, I see a shake in my steering wheel at low speeds. This is occasional and doesn't come every time. I know the other three were worn similar to what Costco said: 37% of the tread gone.
 
I am not sure if I have to do a wheel balance or alignment. Does alignment fix this steering shakiness? I will take it to a dealer for the alignment typically.
 
Any suggestions?
 
Thanks for your help.

#225 of 273 are snow tires enough at Indianapolis? by philchen

Sep 26, 2009 (1:54 am)

Hi dear all,
 
I will move to Indianapolis from LA this Dec. I might drive my 2004 325Ci to there. Because this is a RWD, I am thinking to replace winter tires. I hereby have some questions (sorry I never used winter tires/wheels, so I have too many questions):
 
1. Can I just buy 4 winter tires? or is it better to buy new winter tires/rims combo because it will be more convenient to replace?
 
2. I found winter tire/wheel options on tirerack.com. Are their products and service reliable?
 
3. How well do you think these options would fit my 2004 325CI? My current summer tires/rims are 225/45/17 91H
 
225/45R17 Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 Blackwall $137 each
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+W- S60&partnum=245R7BZWS60&i1_Qty=4&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=325Ci%20Coupe&autoYear=2- 004&autoModClar=&vehicleSearch=true
 
17x7.5 Sport Edition A7 Silver Painted $115 each
http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&autoMak- e=BMW&autoModel=325Ci+Coupe&autoYear=2004&autoModClar=&initialPartNumber=JH372P1- S&i1_Qty=4&wheelMake=Sport+Edition&wheelModel=A7&wheelFinish=Silver+Painted&show- Rear=no
 
4. What is the feature of a *winter wheel*? What is its difference compared to my current OEM wheels? Can I use the selected Sport Edition A7 for my summer tires in future?
 
Thanks a lot guys...

#226 of 273 Re: are snow tires enough at Indianapolis? [philchen] by qali

Sep 26, 2009 (4:52 am)

Replying to: philchen (Sep 26, 2009 1:54 am)
I live in Toronto so let me take a stab at your questions:
1. You can get 4 tires and install them on your current rims, however, if you plan on keeping your car and being in Indianapolis for some time, it is recommended you get 4 rims.
2. Cannot comment as I have never purchased via Tirerack but some of my friends who have give it a thumbs up experience.
3. The Blizzak WS-60 is an excellent tire and you can read the reviews on Tirerack. I am going to finalize my decision between the Blizzaks and the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D this week. Just make sure that you get the correct tire size. Have a look at this URL that compare tire categories.
 
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?type=W&VT=C&width=- 225%2F&ratio=45&diameter=17&tireSearch=true&autoMake=BMW&autoYear=2004&autoModel- =325Ci%20Coupe&autoModClar=
 
4. There is no special feature of a winter wheel. It is meant as a replacement to be used in the winter where salt/sand mixtures could damage your OEM wheels which may be more expensive to replace.

#227 of 273 Re: are snow tires enough at Indianapolis? [qali] by philchen

Sep 26, 2009 (11:47 am)

Replying to: qali (Sep 26, 2009 4:52 am)
Hi man thanks for your nice reply.
 
1. Yes plan to keep my 2004 325CI for a while. So probably I will purchase 4 winter tires/rims and install them. Then I can drive to Indianapolis this winter. However, I am thinking do I have to buy 5? cuz I need one as a spare tire/rim.
 
2. Now I lean to Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D a little bit... I read comments and they said Blizzaks is no as good as Dunlop, and its thread wears out very quickly compared to Dunlop.
 
3. I am looking between "studless" and "performance snow". First, I am not sure what "studless" means. Is it a kind of more conservative and safe tires in snow? I will commute one-way 40 miles in Indiana. It is known that the high-way I65 in IN has icy-surface in winter. Not a lot snow because the snow will be plowed as long as it falls to the ground. In my case, I am not sure if I should pick '"snow performance" or a more conservative snow tire. My wife is using a Honda accord 2008. I think I will get her some more conservative snow tires, because she does not care performance. For me, I am still thinking what I should use...
 
4. As you said there is no special features on a winter wheel. However, I see many different sizes 17x7, 17x7.5, 17x8. Here the second number is the width of the wheel? If yes, how can they all fit the same tire (say, 225/45/R17), whose width is the same (225 mm). How should I pick the width of the rim?
 
5. Do I have to do downsizing? Is a 16" snow tire much better than a 17" one?? Tirerack recommends me to use 205/55/R16 for my winter tires. They also cost less ($300-400 less) than a package of 17 inch tires. My OEM tires are sport series and are 225/45/R17. I am thinking to use 17" snow tires for two reasons: 1) my OEM 17" wheels are old. If they broken someday I can use the new 17" wheels. 2) I will drive to IN from LA this winter with snow tires, which is a long trip. If any of my new snow tires gets broken, maybe I can use my OEM tires as a temporary one?

#228 of 273 Re: are snow tires enough at Indianapolis? [philchen] by kyfdx HOST

Sep 27, 2009 (9:55 am)

Replying to: philchen (Sep 26, 2009 11:47 am)
1) I wouldn't buy five tires/rims... you still have a spare, don't you?
 
2) Indy is relatively flat... I'd go for the more performance-oriented snow tire, as you'll be on dry roads 90% of the time (that would be the dunlops).
 
3) I don't think Indiana allows studded tires, any more... Either way, all the tires you are shopping are studless.. (which is what you want). Q-rated tires are basic snow tires... performance-snow tires are usually H- or V-rated.. which is how I would go... for where you live.
 
4) 205/50-17 with 7" or 7.5" wheels..
225/45-17 with 7.5" or 8" wheels..
205/55-16 with 7" or 7.5" wheels (16")
 
5) 16" wheels will give you a little more sidewall cushion, in case of winter potholes, but otherwise not any advantage vs. 205/50-17, other than less money... 17" wheels will look better, considering you'll have them on for 4-5 months... I always stuck with 17", if that's what my car comes with..
 
The 16" and 17" wheel tire/combo is the same overall diameter.. You can use your same spare, or mix one temporarily in an emergency..
 
I like OEM wheels... If you look on the BMW enthusiasts forums/classifieds, you can usually find a set for sale, that won't be any more than buying aftermarket wheels..
 
A lot of these recommended choices are because of where you live.. Relatively flat, and not a lot of snowfall (I live in a similar area, but with hills). If you lived in Minnesota, I might lean towards winter tires with maximum snow performance..
 
regards,
kyfdx
visting host

Messages Page 23 of 28

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