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[Drj2000]

Waiting for my tire guy to call me back but perhaps I could find out answer here. I would like to purchase a set of winters for stock staggered setup. I live in the pacific northwest so mostly rain odd chance of snow - can I put
225/40's on the rear 8.5" wheels? I did a search on this but could not find the specific answer.

Thanks

[RMH]

Originally Posted by Drj2000

Waiting for my tire guy to call me back but perhaps I could find out answer here. I would like to purchase a set of winters for stock staggered setup. I live in the pacific northwest so mostly rain odd chance of snow - can I put
225/40's on the rear 8.5" wheels? I did a search on this but could not find the specific answer.

Thanks

No problem running 225/40-18 on both 8" and 8,5". I use that on my winter setup

Roy

[TL]

My buddy use to do that for his 08 335Xi....it's way cheaper and a better setup for snow traction. another alternative would be to run 235/40/18 all around

[stamd1]

I just put on 225/40 Blizzak LM 60 rft's on my staggered 162 18" wheels. We are gettting dumped on in Denver and the tires are working well. I was considering getting the Pirelli Sottozero staggered rft winter tires which are much more expensive. I am glad I went with the Blizzaks.

[flip4335]

Originally Posted by Drj2000

Waiting for my tire guy to call me back but perhaps I could find out answer here. I would like to purchase a set of winters for stock staggered setup. I live in the pacific northwest so mostly rain odd chance of snow - can I put
225/40's on the rear 8.5" wheels? I did a search on this but could not find the specific answer.

Thanks

I left my staggered wheels/tires with summers alone and bought a separate set of 8x18-inch winters at 225/40/18 all around from Tire Rack for a Square setup.

[kugasman]

Originally Posted by stamd1

I just put on 225/40 Blizzak LM 60 rft's on my staggered 162 18" wheels. We are gettting dumped on in Denver and the tires are working well. I was considering getting the Pirelli Sottozero staggered rft winter tires which are much more expensive. I am glad I went with the Blizzaks.

Let us know how you like the LM-60's. There aren't any reviews on Tirerack yet except for one with a 335i. In particular I'm worried about dry weather traction as opposed to snow traction which should be pretty good. We get a lot of dry days here in KC. Thanks

[fernande-bmw]

I am in the middle of looking for a winter set to replace the staggered setup that comes with the M Sport Package in the 2010 335i E90.

Tire Rack indicated that using winter tires on a staggered setup and/or 18" wheels is not good for handling. Also, the 18" rims are more susceptible to pothole damage due to the lower tire profile.

They recommended to get a separate set of smaller 17"x8" wheels with 225/45 tires.

I am confused now.

[Gary@TireRack]

Originally Posted by fernande-bmw

I am in the middle of looking for a winter set to replace the staggered setup that comes with the M Sport Package in the 2010 335i E90.

Tire Rack indicated that using winter tires on a staggered setup and/or 18" wheels is not good for handling. Also, the 18" rims are more susceptible to pothole damage due to the lower tire profile.

They recommended to get a separate set of smaller 17"x8" wheels with 225/45 tires.

I am confused now.

Its true that 17" is ideal for winter, but you can still use 225/40R18 on your 18" wheels as many do in light snow areas. The 18" setup, while having the disadvantages that you mentioned have the advantage of better dry grip and faster steering response. Its all about compromise.

Winter
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp

[fernande-bmw]

Originally Posted by Gary@TireRack

Its true that 17" is ideal for winter, but you can still use 225/40R18 on your 18" wheels as many do in light snow areas. The 18" setup, while having the disadvantages that you mentioned have the advantage of better dry grip and faster steering response. Its all about compromise.

Winter
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp

I don't think Milwaukee qualifies to be a light snow area.

So, bottom line, I could mount 225/40R18 snow tires on the 18"x8" - 18"x8.5" staggered setup with the caveat of potential pothole damage to the rims and loss of some handling in packed snow (or is that in any kind of snow/ice condition?). However, traction should stay equivalent? Right?

I am thinking that I could invest more $$$ in a better high-performance snow tire with rim protection and don't buy a separate set of wheels. Would that help with the caveats of the 18" size?

Thanks!

[flip4335]

Originally Posted by fernande-bmw

I don't think Milwaukee qualifies to be a light snow area.

So, bottom line, I could mount 225/40R18 snow tires on the 18"x8" - 18"x8.5" staggered setup with the caveat of potential pothole damage to the rims and loss of some handling in packed snow (or is that in any kind of snow/ice condition?). However, traction should stay equivalent? Right?

I am thinking that I could invest more $$$ in a better high-performance snow tire with rim protection and don't buy a separate set of wheels. Would that help with the caveats of the 18" size?

Thanks!

I didn't want the hassle of swapping tires on a set of rims that I liked, so I bought an inexpensive set from tire rack to preserve my summer rims from the slush and chemicals and potholes and everything else associated with that time of the season.

I spent $1300 for four 18-inch wheels+non-runflats+tpms three years ago and have had no problems in the snow up to six inches on "already plowed" roads. I got performance winters: CONTI 810S, not the SSR (runflats) ...How often will you get a nail on roads that have been plowed?

So, if you like your rims, I would suggest a square setup with inexpensive wheels. It is so easy to swap out the tires as a set....especially for the LIGHT SNOW that we experience here near the Shenandoah mountains of West VA...but....it's your choice!

[fernande-bmw]

Originally Posted by flip4335

...I bought an inexpensive set from tire rack to preserve my summer rims from the slush and chemicals and potholes and everything else associated with that time of the season....I would suggest a square setup with inexpensive wheels

You bring up a good point. I was not thinking about the "abuse" that the wheels would go through during the winter.

[pleahy]

I am using Michelin Pilot Alpin's (non-run flat) on my 335xi Sedan w/ Sport Package style 162 wheels and using 235/40r/18's on all 4 tires. This was recommended by Baron BMW in K.C, and were installed by that dealer (ordered through TireRack). This set up will be covered if you bought the "tire/wheel insurance" when you purchased/leased the car. The tires look great and have a softer ride than the Michelin PS2 RFT's that were stock. I carry a can of fix-a-flat, but can always use BMW Assist if a flat were to occur. I found out later that they do make a 255/40/18 that you could use on the rear if you wanted to.

[ellipsis212]

just a note to those considering putting a square setup (225/40R18) on their staggered sport pkg wheels...the rear wheels will have a little bit a of lip protruding depending on your wheels. i used my stock type 195 wheels for the winter setup and i have to say it looks just a little odd in the rear. that is all.

it's still not a stretch at all to put the 225's on a 8.5" wheel but many of you are even more nitpicky than me