winter shoes for m-sport 328i?

[bscepter]

i'll be needing a good winter tire this fall. my new car has the m-sport package, which includes 18" wheels of different widths, front to back.

would it make more sense to get a set of snow tires mounted on cheaper stock 17" rims for winter rather than getting a set of low-profile staggered tires on my current rims?

if so, can anyone recommend a decent (run-flat) snow tire/rim combination that won't completely break the bank?

thanks!

[mryakan]

Yup, go with a dedicated set of 17s with snow rubber (remember that narrower is better for snow). Check out the tirerack, they have lots of combos, although it is quite early to shop for snows. I'd wait till Sept., usually deals pop up then.

[bscepter]

Yup, go with a dedicated set of 17s with snow rubber (remember that narrower is better for snow). Check out the tirerack, they have lots of combos, although it is quite early to shop for snows. I'd wait till Sept., usually deals pop up then.

My thinking, too. Thanks!

[Tradeup]

I also recommend Tirerack. I bought their 17" Rial Salerno wheels and Blizzak LM-25 tires, including pressure sensors and BMW center caps. Not very flashy, just a stock look in my opinion. They showed up a few days later, mounted and balanced, ready to be bolted on. The total was $1,629 with delivery. That was last fall when ther Salernos were on sale for $119 each. It was a bit more spendy than I intended, but I'm glad I did it as my left front was swallowed by a pothole this spring and I bent one of the wheels. I'm glad it was a "cheap" aftermarket instead of my BMW style 284 wheel.

Strangely, the Salernos don't show up in the search results if you enter your vehicle information as 328i on the tirerack web site. A quick call to Tirerack and I was informed the 17" Salernos will indeed fit my 328i, but it's necessary to enter the vehicle as a 335i on the web site to see the Salernos in the search results. I'm not sure if other 17" wheels have the same issues but you may try looking at the 335i search results, too, as you weigh your options. But if you do that, be sure to give 'em a call to verify fitment before you order.

[bscepter]

i'm now wondering if i should go for 16" wheels/tires. they won't look as cool, but they'll cut through the snow better. plus, they'll be cheaper.

question about tire rack: when i input my vehicle to choose winter tires, does it automatically show only run-flat results, knowing that my car requires those, or do i need to specifically choose run-flats?

[mryakan]

I was thinking of going 16 for winter (had 16s on my previous e90 323), but then decided on 17s for a few reasons:
- Price difference was not that big.
- More chances I can still use the same wheels if I upgrade the car (I am leasing).
- More chances someone will pickup the wheels if I decide to sell them. 16s do not fit 335, so that cuts the possible buyer pool by almost half.

Just things to think about. You can still go 215 width with 17" tires.

[Tradeup]

You can modify your search results on tirerack (left side of the page, I think) to show only run flats, if desired.

[bscepter]

i was also considering an all-season tire (i know, i know). i had a set of Nokian WRG2s for my E46 for four years, and they were amazingly great in the snow. i think they're the only all-season tire to carry the snowflake symbol. after those wore out, i went cheap with a set of continental extreme contact DWS's, which were pretty good - just not as good as the nokians.

what about getting non-runflat tires and just carrying a "mobility kit" or a can of fix-a-flat?

[mryakan]

what about getting non-runflat tires and just carrying a "mobility kit" or a can of fix-a-flat?
Do you really want to do that in the winter? The price difference on 16/17" is not that big for runflat snows, so no reason not to get them.

[bscepter]

Do you really want to do that in the winter? The price difference on 16/17" is not that big for runflat snows, so no reason not to get them.

It wasn't price. There were some high rated snows that weren't available in run flat.

[mryakan]

It wasn't price. There were some high rated snows that weren't available in run flat.
Yes, esp. if you are considering Nokians, which I don't believe make RFTs yet. But for performance snow tires, all the top brands are available as runflat last I checked.

[DRVN2WN]

It wasn't price. There were some high rated snows that weren't available in run flat.

Skip the run flat and just get TyreGuardian. If you decide to get sixteens make sure that they will clear your brake calipers.