HELP!! - Snows for a 335

[HBAR1]

Went down to the local tire dealer today to start pricing snow tires for 335i coupe w/sport package. I don't want to buy dedicated winter wheels (leased vehicle), I simply want to swap out the summer rubber for winter tires. Since the original Bridgestones are run-flats, I assumed that at least a couple manufacturers would produce a winter run-flat in the correct sizes (255/35-18 rear, 225/40-18 front). No such luck, tire dealer said they don't exist. Anyone in a similar predicament? Suggestions?

[paul e]

First off, you have no 'predicament'! You have a 335 Turbo.. one of the first in the world, so consider yourself L U C K Y!! :D

Second, you live in Bedford.. I used to live in Bedford.. One of the most beautiful communities youll find..

Now, runflats are still pretty rare, and Id be surprised if you found a set of winter runflats. What I think Id do if I were in your shoes is consider selling your new summer tires, and buy a set of Kumho ASX which are classified as Ultra High Performance all seasons, and come in your front rear stagger fitment, and mount them up to your rims and run them year round. Provided you dont drive in a lot of deep snow, theyll do fine for you, and you wont be giving up much in the way of summer performance, unless yours is a dedicated track machine. Theyre not runflats, but just carry a can of fixaflat or some such in the trunk and be done with it.

Enjoy.. Youve got the car I was fantasizing about for a while....

[HBAR1]

Thanks for the advice Paul E - After spending a couple hours researching the issue, I'm thinking I'll just buy non-runflat snows, throw a can of fix-a-flat in the trunk and use the BMW Assist button if I have a blow out or something. I called Tire Rack and they said that Pirelli had planned to build an appropriate snow tire for this application, but they haven't produced any yet.

By the way, sweeeeet ride you've got there. I work in Valhalla, maybe I'll bump into you some day.

[paul e]

>>After spending a couple hours researching the issue, I'm thinking I'll just buy non-runflat snows, t<<

Well, your problems arent quite over yet.. If youre determined to by winter tires, theres only one model which comes in your rear 255x35/18 size: Bridgestone Blizzak in the high performance winter class.. BUT.. it doesnt come in your stock front size!! You can get the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 model from the regular performance winter class in the 225x40/18 size, but not in the 255x35/18 size!! So, youre going to have to either mix and match, hunt for a different size mix, or just screw the winter tires and go with good ultra hi performance all seasons which Do come in your sizes like the Kumho asx option.

BTW, I ran the winter search in your size and it returns the following:

"Matched tire sets for 225/40-18 (front) and 255/35-18 (rear) (Winter)
Sorry, no tires match your current search criteria"

[HBAR1]

Damn - I just found the same thing. I've tried the all-season thing before with my Audi and was seriously disappointed with its performance in the snow, even with the Quattro, until I got some Pirelli 210 snows. Unfortunately, the 335 is my daily driver (audi sold 2 weeks ago), so I'll need to figure something out here. Wondering if I could put the LM-22's on rear and LM-25 on fronts? How different could they be?

[paul e]

Damn - I just found the same thing. I've tried the all-season thing before with my Audi and was seriously disappointed with its performance in the snow, even with the Quattro, until I got some Pirelli 210 snows. Unfortunately, the 335 is my daily driver (audi sold 2 weeks ago), so I'll need to figure something out here. Wondering if I could put the LM-22's on rear and LM-25 on fronts? How different could they be?


YOu could mix and match them even though its not recommened.. Id never mix and match my summer setup, but dont tell anyone, but Ive got different winter tires on the front than the back, and Id never know the difference!

So you have that option.. and you could also do this.. depending on the size of your rear rims, you could go with the LM-25s 225x40-18 up front and 235-40/18 in back. The overall diameter of your stock setup is 25". If you use this option, your rears will measure 25.4 which I would consider an acceptable departure. Less than half an inch usually wont screw you up too badly wrt mileage estimates etc.. Ithink the fronts are used for that so it probably wouldnt effect you at all.. Somebody might bring up Tracs issues, but again I dont think this is a big enough departure to hurt you.

Also, depending on rear fender clearance, if you can fit a 265 rim back there without too much fender rolling, that tire also comes in a 265-35/18, and that measures even closer to stock at overall diameter of just 25.3". And, that will fit your rear rims with no problem, So thats another possibilty for you.

So there you go ... three possible options on an awesome car.. And say hi to the Bedford Green for me :)

[DrDomer]

I contacted BMW Wheels fitment specialist who said they know of no runflat winter tires that will fit a 335i coupe 18" wheel. They suggested nonrunflat or new wheels and tires. I will be getting 17" wheels and Blizzaks. Although I have seen runflat Blizzaks, I'm not sure how it works with different than stock wheels. Gets kind of complicated.

[stefang]

Why not just get a 17" tire & wheel package? I know you said it's leased, but so what. The savings of 17" tires vs 18" will make up for the wheels and just sell them when you give the car back and get a few $100 back.

Stef

[EvanL]

Just run a 225/40 18 all around. I'm putting those on my stock wheels.

-Evan