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      07-22-2012, 03:30 PM   #1
j335is
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Winter Tires - BMW packages worth it?

Hey guys, with winter not too far away (yay, Canada!) - it's probably time to start thinking about purchasing a set of winters before everyone else gets the same idea.

What's your thoughts on the Cold Weather Wheel Packages from the dealer? Are they worth the price / is there in fact extra safety by having BMW inspect and approve each model they sell?

When it comes to my new baby, I don't want to cheap out vs. rear ending someone over a sheet of black ice to save a few bucks.

Thoughts?

Thx!
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      07-22-2012, 03:46 PM   #2
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Tires are good quality, but you can save a lot of money by going with aftermarket rims vs. OEM...

PS. Winter is still far far away
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      07-22-2012, 03:49 PM   #3
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It's good to plan ahead, but i wouldn't go to the BMW stealership for that.
I personally would pair a set of 18" enkei RPF1 with some dumlop or pirelli snow tires.
Reason i am going with 18" is becuz i have the performance callipers installed plus i like the look of the 18"
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      07-22-2012, 06:36 PM   #4
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Planning for winter already?

The dealer prices are at a premium. Try TireRack (forum sponsor). They will have some good winter options available (tires only or tires and wheels) but not for two or three more months.
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      07-22-2012, 07:14 PM   #5
j335is
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptChaos View Post
Planning for winter already?

The dealer prices are at a premium. Try TireRack (forum sponsor). They will have some good winter options available (tires only or tires and wheels) but not for two or three more months.
Yeah, I have to pre-plan this early, it's Calgary.. winter could happen tomorrow!

I looked around at Tire Rack, figure out what would be involved in getting them here - travel cost, hassle factor..nevermind finding someone to put them on. I just don't know if I want to put that much effort into it.

The dealer might be a bit higher priced, but then I only have one place, one person, and one business to go to in order to have _everything_ done at. I guess it's more for a matter of convenience and time which would sway me to go that way.

I still have time though, if this fall is a repeat of last year, I won't need the tires until January... here's hoping.

Thanks for your input guys, appreciate it.
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      07-22-2012, 08:02 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by j335is View Post
The dealer might be a bit higher priced
To each their own, but the dealer is not a bit over priced, they are A LOT overpriced. $3000 I think for their set?
You can have TireRack mount and balance the tire and wheels, ship to any local tire place (they have recommended places as well, though maybe not in your area) and have that place do the install. Pretty easy, and even with shipping and duty it's still gonna be under $2000.
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      07-22-2012, 08:04 PM   #7
j335is
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They had a set online - 16's for just over $2400 and the 17's were $3000 plus a bit of change.

What is the ideal winter size for a 335IS? Perhaps that's the question I should be asking..
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      07-22-2012, 10:34 PM   #8
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I would go with a square 18" setup such as 225/40/18 with offsets in the ET35 ish range. Wide winder tires actually reduce deep snow traction (think snowshoe analogy) plus you can rotate them which helps conserve tire life as you will burn through your rears much quicker than the fronts.

If you are concerned with looks I would source out a set of wheel spacers to flush up the rears because a square setup will most likely have your rears sit well inside the wheel arch, which looks like CRAP.

To answer your original question i would stay away from so called "performance" snows tires. These tires sacrifice snow traction for cold pavement grip. The purpose of snow tires is to handle actual snow and when it inevitably arrives in Calgary I would want to know I had the best "snow" tires.

Any of these would be a start:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=135

Last edited by Volasko; 07-22-2012 at 10:41 PM..
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      07-22-2012, 11:59 PM   #9
j335is
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It looks like I have a little bit of research/pricing before jumping in head first into purchasing a set of winters -- being rather new to the auto world, I have to make double sure that I'm buying the right product for my vehicle.

If I chose to "DIY" with Tirerack, I'm looking at:

- $1000 bucks (inc shipping to YYC) to get the tires to the installer,
- $100-$200 spacers for the back,
- rims ($?),
- installation/+fees

Does that look about right?
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      07-23-2012, 01:01 AM   #10
j335is
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Not a bad total price...
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      07-23-2012, 02:38 AM   #11
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I've got a set of almost new Michelin X-Ice's that fit the stock 18" wheels for $450, too bad you're in cow town.
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      07-23-2012, 06:44 AM   #12
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For tire, the new Michelin PA4 is supposed to be even better than Pirelli.
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      07-23-2012, 07:29 AM   #13
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I got a set of Blizzaks + M wheel replicas for OKTire (keep in mind, this is in the GTA so prices/availability will vary) for $1600 last year. Mounting, balancing, taxes and all fees included. The price difference between that and what TireRack gave me was about 100-200 bucks, which is what I would have expected to pay for border taxes.
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      07-23-2012, 07:11 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by j335is View Post
It looks like I have a little bit of research/pricing before jumping in head first into purchasing a set of winters -- being rather new to the auto world, I have to make double sure that I'm buying the right product for my vehicle.

If I chose to "DIY" with Tirerack, I'm looking at:

- $1000 bucks (inc shipping to YYC) to get the tires to the installer,
- $100-$200 spacers for the back,
- rims ($?),
- installation/+fees

Does that look about right?
Just IMHO, but I wouldn't waste money on spacers for the rear. They'll look fine without, unless you're REALLY concerned about a few centimetres...

Also, unless things have changed (and they might have, somebody please correct me if so) in Canada BMW uses the ABS sensor for the TPMS, not a true stand alone TPMS system, so you don't need the TPMS sensors in your order.
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      07-23-2012, 07:51 PM   #15
j335is
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Awesome, just awesome. Great responses.. I think I'm definitely more well armed to make a great selection!

Hopefully someone can confirm the TPMS mystery - and I heard I might not even need the spacers as the 335IS by default has an offset rear which eliminates the need for the extra cost.
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      07-23-2012, 08:35 PM   #16
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If you've got rubber valve stems then chances are you do not have/need the TPM sensors.
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