[TripleBlack]

Would anyone be so kind enough to help select an easy, low price (not cheap) winter set up for me and anyone else who don't have a clue what they're looking for?

I know there are a lot of posts on it but letters and numbers keep flying around with brand names that go in and out of stock or consumer preference.

From my searches I have come to understand that Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta are supposed to be the ultimate buy for the season... ..so I have been using the search button if you don't believe me

I'm driving an E93 335i with 19" 225M wheels with tyre measurements FRONTS: 225/35/R19 88Y
REARS: 255/30/R19 91Y

Its been difficult to find winter tyres in these measurements. Is it possible though?

Ideally I would like a separate set of wheels and tyres I can put away when not in use.
Preferably 18's but 17's would do.

Really all I need is a link or two pointing out a good set of wheels and tyres which most would agree are good value for winter time. £800 is my budget but would love to see something much lower.
The way I see it anything should be better than driving in dry weather tyres.
Thanks in advance.

[davyk31]

I think its Vredestein Wintracs you mean, those you mention are not winters.

Rather than go for 19" tyres I would buy another set of wheels and tyres in 17 or 18". Arguable 17s are best for poor condition but 18s look better so depends whats important to you. You can buy a set of used 17" BMW genuine wheels for about £250-£300 plus tyres after that. In 18s you may be best going for replicas, something like an MV3 rep will set you back about £450.

Either way you may struggle a little to hit your budget but shouldn't be too far off.

Oh and be careful with 17" wheels on a 335, because of the brakes not all wheels will fit. As far as I know all genuine BMW 17" wheels will fir but lots of other brands won't.

[TripleBlack]

thanks; other than the Vredestein, are dunlop or continental winter tyres good enough?

[briers]

Wintracs are almost magical in the snow

Just buy some 17 pref 18inch used BMW alloys off ebay and fit the wintracs. I got a great set for little money.

Sizing, just go by the sizing placard on the door.

[davyk31]

Dunlop or Continental are also premium brands therefore are well rated tyres, just don't be tempted to go for unknown makes of winter tyres.

As regards size if its 17" tyres are 225x45x17 if you can get a set of non staggered original BMW wheels, if staggered then its 255 at rear from memory.
18s will be 225x40x18 if non staggered setup like a set of MV3 replicas, original BMW wheels will be wider at rear, these will be 255x35x18. Brand new set of MV3 replicas is about £400-£450.

[TripleBlack]

Oh so that's what staggered meant. The difference in the widths of the front and rear wheels. I had always assumed its in reference to how each wheel was designed.

After searching online i managed to come up with how to to match a tyre measurement with a wheel measurement. Basically convert the 225 and 255 from millimetres into inches making 8.85 and 10.04 inches. Does that mean if you round it off the rim width sizes I should be looking to match these tyre measurements are 9" and 10"?

I've spotted some rims that are 18x8 and 18x9.5 and some Verdestein's 245/40 R18. Those tyres will only fit the rear 9.5 right? 245mm into inches is 9.64.


(This thread is becoming like the rest)

[HighlandPete]

Tyre and rim combinations are controlled by the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation (ETRTO).

There is a design rim or 'measuring rim' for any given tyre, but a range of tyres which can be used on a given rim width. Car designers uses chosen tyre widths (sections) on given rims to get the characteristics the makers want.

But means there is more than one possibility for tyre fitment. For example for your 225/40 R18; the design rim is 8.0", the fitting range 7.5" - 9.0".

What this means in reality, you can use 225/40 winter tyres both front and rear, on a staggered rim set (8/8.5"), as many have done.

HighlandPete

[davyk31]

Just to complicate matter further you need to be very cautious about wheel offset as the wrong offset may rub on your car or sit completely in or our of the arch. Thats why its best to stick to genuine BMW wheels for the E90/1/2 models or go for replicas specifically intended for these models.

8.5" wheels and 245 tyres will be too much for the front, stick to 8" wheels with 225 tyres and perhaps 8.5" on rear but ideally again stick to the 8" wheel and 225 tyre.

[briers]

if you want the simple path just get some 17" 225/45/17 all round

Easy to get tyres for as well.

Some staggered setups leave you with a limited choice of winter tyres unless you go 1 size up on the tyres and in winter if you get a puncture you will end up mixing brands potentially.

The downside is 17" alloys look a bit pants.

[TripleBlack]

thanks for all your inputs. I think I have gathered enough information now to confidently make a choice. Looks like I'll be shooting way over my budget at the moment.

I want to avoid 17's so haven't looked into prices but if I get desperate, that may be the way to go.
I'm looking at ********.com so they should fit the car.
I'll do some more price matching and come back with a link or details to finish off this thread. Hopefully it will be useful to some without being overcomplicated.

[IanS100]

With a cold snap forecast I've just put my winter setup on, a square set of Riva DTM 18 x 8 & conti TS810. It might not be freezing outside yet but the difference in ride over the old Bridgestone RFTs is a revelation, my e90 feels like a completely different car. The ride is smoother & feels much more controlled, particularly over rough roads, the steering is lighter but more positive and doesn't wander about like the old RFT & the noise level is much more subdued. The runflats have only done about 16k and I had intended to put them back on the car in the spring but there's no way that's going to happen now so I'll be digging deep after Xmas for a set of Conti 5s

[briers]

Originally Posted by IanS100

With a cold snap forecast I've just put my winter setup on, a square set of Riva DTM 18 x 8 & conti TS810. It might not be freezing outside yet but the difference in ride over the old Bridgestone RFTs is a revelation, my e90 feels like a completely different car. The ride is smoother & feels much more controlled, particularly over rough roads, the steering is lighter but more positive and doesn't wander about like the old RFT & the noise level is much more subdued. The runflats have only done about 16k and I had intended to put them back on the car in the spring but there's no way that's going to happen now so I'll be digging deep after Xmas for a set of Conti 5s

They do feel smooth after swapping from the flintstones but on warmer days they can feel like a pudding if you push the car.

Im planning on holding off this year to the point of jacking up the car when the snow or prolonger ice hits

[IanS100]

Originally Posted by briers

They do feel smooth after swapping from the flintstones but on warmer days they can feel like a pudding if you push the car.

Im planning on holding off this year to the point of jacking up the car when the snow or prolonger ice hits

I've been checking the weather forecasts & putting it off too, I thought I'd manage another few weeks the way the weather's been but with wintery conditions predicted by the weekend I thought I'd better bite the bullet & do the job while it's still ok. If I could find another home for the mountains of junk in the garage, so I'd have enough room to work in relative comfort, I probably would've left it to see if the forecasters are right for a change!

[davyk31]

I got a price for MV3 reps from CM a while back, think they were about £450. You should be able to get a set of decent brand 225x40x18 winters for £400-£450 and then you are all ready for the white stuff.

[xs2man]

Cheapest half decent winters I could see were Avon Ice Touring at £470-480 delivered from Camskill or Lovetyres. You then need to add fitting on top, so another £40-£50.

Next best would be Contis at £645 + fitting.

Plus you'll need your wheels on top of that. So then another £450 or so for new reps, or hit up Gumtree for local bargains. Often see genuine MV3's for £300-400 on Gumtree, usually with tyres.

Saying that, I got a set of Conti winters in 235/40/18 with about 5-6mm of tread on them off Gumtree for £180. Bargain.

[davyk31]

Avon or Falken 225x40x18 are £105 each on Oponeo. Vredesteins are £130 each.

Didn't search any other online retailers but there are plenty there.

[briers]

Just checked mytyres and they have the wintracs for £130 too, plus the Nokia WR G2's which are great winter tyres, i think £115 - £120.

These prices will rocket in Nov.

Don't forget when pricing winter tyres they are on for 4 - 5 months which saves on wear and tear of the much more expensive summer tyres plus you will most likely recoup your cash when selling the alloys on providing you buy second hand. They dont drop in value.

mytyres are idiots but do have tonnes of european stock and good prices.

[TripleBlack]

I'm liking these prices, I better move quickly.
The last thing I'm trying to figure out is the factory offset for 225M wheels. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Which is it?
front et37, rear et39 or et35 all around?

[TripleBlack]

the worldwide web seems to correlate to F=et37 R=et39, unless 'the blind is leading the blind'.
Done all the maths and it seems everything will work out.... Except the price. I'm worried about performance quality and dont want to choose a cheapo brand and find that they perform the same as non winter ones on the snow. It looks like I'm looking at £1100 or so.

now, just found out my wheels are out of stock for 3 weeks

[Hotcoupe]

Originally Posted by TripleBlack

the worldwide web seems to correlate to F=et37 R=et39, unless 'the blind is leading the blind'.

Yep,those are the correct offsets for the 225M wheels.