328i/335i in the snow...

[daves335i]

I live in Syracuse, and I'm about to pick up a 335i, and plan on throwing on snow tires (getting 17" to replace the 18" run flats).

Coming from an Audi S4, how will the 335i (with 17" snow tires) handle in the snow? In general, if its snowing that bad, I don't go out, but I do need to get home from work. I also do plan on tracking the car, so I'd rather stick with the non-AWD.

Am I stupid in not getting the 335ix?

Thanx in advance for any opinions!

[greenie99]

I live in Syracuse, and I'm about to pick up a 335i, and plan on throwing on snow tires (getting 17" to replace the 18" run flats).

Coming from an Audi S4, how will the 335i (with 17" snow tires) handle in the snow? In general, if its snowing that bad, I don't go out, but I do need to get home from work. I also do plan on tracking the car, so I'd rather stick with the non-AWD.

Am I stupid in not getting the 335ix?

Thanx in advance for any opinions!

Dave, its probably too late to consider whether or not you are stupid!! Anyway, stupid is not the correct word. There is NO 335XI at the present time so it would have been a 328XI. You know what the winter in Syracuse is like and you probably will get through it with Blizzaks. Dont expect the same kind of snow performance you had with the Audi. RWD is not AWD!!!

[daves335i]

I drove the audi the same way I'd drive a FWD car (ie not being cocky with the AWD). Hopefully hills wont be a big problem with a set of LM-22s.

Anyone else with an opinion?

[928drvr86.5]

My wife and i just bought a 2006 330i with the sport package/18" wheels and had the dealership order a "snow wheel" package from Tirerack. Tirerack suggested a Dunlop Winter Sport M3 runflat tire in 225/45/17 for all four corners. We ended up going with an ASA brand rim at $109 a piece, the wheels were actually cheaper than the tires. I really didn't care too much about how the wheels would look as long as they didn't look hideous or anything, but they actually look pretty nice for a winter setup.

As far as handling in snow goes we have not found out yet, but i will be here posting when we do. Iowa winters are not what they used to be, we're lucky if we get decent 2+inch snowfalls 3-4 times in a winter anymore.

[daves335i]

My wife and i just bought a 2006 330i with the sport package/18" wheels and had the dealership order a "snow wheel" package from Tirerack. Tirerack suggested a Dunlop Winter Sport M3 runflat tire in 225/45/17 for all four corners. We ended up going with an ASA brand rim at $109 a piece, the wheels were actually cheaper than the tires. I really didn't care too much about how the wheels would look as long as they didn't look hideous or anything, but they actually look pretty nice for a winter setup.

As far as handling in snow goes we have not found out yet, but i will be here posting when we do. Iowa winters are not what they used to be, we're lucky if we get decent 2+inch snowfalls 3-4 times in a winter anymore.


Did you have to get those tire pressure sensors put on the rims? Do you remember your total cost? Tirerack's suggestion is like $1500 when all is said and done. Looking to spend half that!

[RGRAY]

I live in Syracuse...Am I stupid in not getting the 335ix?...Thanx in advance for any opinions!

Yes, and it's 335xi.

[greenie99]

Yes, and it's 335xi.

Rubbing salt in an open wound???

[daves335i]

Yes, and it's 335xi.
no salt in wounds. havent signed for the car...

[daves335i]

Yes, and it's 335xi.

So, you're saying the non AWD BMWs suck in the snow no matter what?

[RGRAY]

So, you're saying the non AWD BMWs suck in the snow no matter what?

greenie99 go away; you're worse than a fly.

No, not really.

Just having fun with the guys.

BUT, you will need snow tires with a rear wheel drive car.

I don't think I will need snow tires.

[daves335i]

ok, good. you got me paranoid. Getting the best snows I can!

[greenie99]

greenie99 go away; you're worse than a fly.

No, not really.

Just having fun with the guys.

BUT, you will need snow tires with a rear wheel drive car.

I don't think I will need snow tires.

Yeah sure. Whatever you say professor!!!!!!!!

[928drvr86.5]

Okay, now that i can finally post pictures, here is the winter wheel and tire package we went with for our 330i, ignore the rusty rotors it was just washed.

[bmw1001]

Even with snow tires, your going to spin out with rear wheel drive.

try putting something heavy in your trunk to try and stablize it.

[infrno4]

i have just the i model and i was in germany for last winter with my car. handled like a charm as long as you put dtc on full time which is standard with all new bmws. xi of course would handle with charm but i can honestly say i never had problems going up hills with my car. (germans dont clear most their roads)

[GatorM]

Even with snow tires, your going to spin out with rear wheel drive.



Not if your traction control is on. I have nothing in my trunk, snow tires, and traction control. In snow, I regularly outclimb/drive/brake front wheel cars with all-seasons.

[DrDomer]

Hey... Are those the 17" ASA wheels? They look ok. Could you post a pic from further back? That's the setup from TireRack I'm looking at too. I'd like to see what the car looks like before I buy them. The picks on TireRack don't really help. Thanks in advance.

[928drvr86.5]

Yes, they are the 17" ASA wheels listed on Tirerack.com when you do a winter wheel package search for BMW 330's, i am assuming they would be the same wheel for the 335i. I will take some pictures of the car from farther back this evening for you. Actually i think the Car looks decent with them on, but not nearly as nice as the 18" sport wheels.

[928drvr86.5]

Hey... Are those the 17" ASA wheels? They look ok. Could you post a pic from further back? That's the setup from TireRack I'm looking at too. I'd like to see what the car looks like before I buy them. The picks on TireRack don't really help. Thanks in advance.

Have you taken delivery of your 335i yet? If you have not taken delivery yet, see if the dealership will give you the winter wheels from Tirerack at wholesale cost, about $1080 or so, That is what I did. Are you dealing with Kimberly BMW?

[DrDomer]

Yeah Kimberly BMW... Bill S. is my sales guy... The 335i completes production 11/23. I'll probably get it around Christmas. The whole deal with the ASA wheels is that I don't want to "cheapen" the look of my car for 4-5 months out of the year. The close up pics look ok, I just wanted to see how the car looks overall. I thought about waiting and getting a set of the 17" BMW wheels off a non-sport 335i (if someone was selling them to upgrade to 18" or 19"). I figured that would be pretty tough to find though. Ordering an extra set is not an option as the price seems rediculous.

The other reason I was worried is that the 335i is a black coupe... Not sure how those wheels would look. Thanks in advance for any pics.

[SomeBMWGuy]

Honestly, you'll be fine with good snow tires. Last winter I saw an AMG CLS with snow tires in 10" of snow do just fine. I've also driven a X5 4.8is in less then 1" and I was scared to death. It's all in the tire.

[928drvr86.5]

my wife just came home and i snapped a few pictures. I couldn't get too far back with my car in the way but i hope this gives you an idea.

[928drvr86.5]

18" sport wheels they are not, but they look ok to me. If they make the car safe to drive in our Iowa winters and save wear and tear on those 18" wheels and tires 5 months out of the year they're ok in my book.

[DrDomer]

They don't look too bad. Might get a set. I wish the "spokes" (whatever you call them) were a little thicker. Certainly look better farther away. Thanks for the help.

[928drvr86.5]

Thanks for the help.

You bet!

[928drvr86.5]

I wish the "spokes" (whatever you call them) were a little thicker.


Yeah but imagine how nice the those brake calipers and rotor hats would look through those spokes once I paint them.

[Barry626]

my wife just came home and i snapped a few pictures. I couldn't get too far back with my car in the way but i hope this gives you an idea.

Why don't you have BMW center caps? looks way better with them!
I bought this same setup last year from tirerack & included center caps!

[928drvr86.5]

Why don't you have BMW center caps? looks way better with them!
I bought this same setup last year from tirerack & included center caps!

Why didn't you tell me they had BMW centercaps for these wheels? Why?

[jcasale99]

Looking to buy 335i sedan and would like to know what winter tires other Canadian drivers buy.Dealer quotes a tire package for $3000.00. OUCH!! Any suggestions appreciated.

[daves335i]

I just picked up Bridgestone REVO1, 17" ASA wheels. total was $1200 including shipping. although they're Q rates and I can't go > 100mph, I think the car will be pretty solid on the road in the winter.