[363ny]

Curious to know what route people have taken when it comes to snow tires

It looks like BMW sells a tire package that comes with Style 444 wheels and a square set up of 215/45R20 Blizzaks. Does anyone have this set up? Does it use the smaller 215/45/20 in both the front and back?

Thanks in advance!

[F5506m]

I ordered this setup. The package just arrived at my dealership and should be installing them soon.

[Arobotbrain]

I considered them but then decided to go for Nokian WR D4 front and WR A4 back. They have better grip and lower noise. They will be installed this Friday .... feedback will follow.

[Aye-eight]

Originally Posted by Arobotbrain

I considered them but then decided to go for Nokian WR D4 front and WR A4 back. They have better grip and lower noise. They will be installed this Friday .... feedback will follow.

Really curious about your experience with those. I have the standard setup, and it worked well last winter. I've heard that the Nokians are great in really deep snow and really cold temperatures, but less desireable in the moderate winters around Lake Zurich.

[Pitkis]

I currently drive Nokian R2, installed them last weekend (for this season). R2 works perfectly at any temperature. And in deep snow, of course. Don't hesitate to go them. Silent, very nice tyres with best grip available in winter conditions. Available for 444 or 625/470 wheels.

[Aye-eight]

Originally Posted by Pitkis

I currently drive Nokian R2, installed them last weekend (for this season). R2 works perfectly at any temperature. And in deep snow, of course. Don't hesitate to go them. Silent, very nice tyres with best grip available in winter conditions. Available for 444 or 625/470 wheels.

Appreciate the recommendation. But isn't the R2 only rated to 170 km/h? A4, D4, D3 seem to exist in "V" rated versions to 240 km/h. Any experience with those?

[shawnhayes]

Originally Posted by 363ny

Curious to know what route people have taken when it comes to snow tires

It looks like BMW sells a tire package that comes with Style 444 wheels and a square set up of 215/45R20 Blizzaks. Does anyone have this set up? Does it use the smaller 215/45/20 in both the front and back?

Thanks in advance!

I have this package. Fabulous in light snow. Deep snow (once up to the bumper) things get a little dicey. In 12" last year, I got stuck twice. Both were near my house, so I could shovel out, but otherwise the package was flawless.

Shawn

[Aye-eight]

Originally Posted by shawnhayes

I have this package. Fabulous in light snow. Deep snow (once up to the bumper) things get a little dicey. In 12" last year, I got stuck twice. Both were near my house, so I could shovel out, but otherwise the package was flawless.

Shawn

If the snow gets that deep, you can have the best tires in the world - to little avail. The snow compacts under car as you drive and lifts a lot of weight off the wheels. Therefore, no grip. The only real solution is a lot more ground clearance.

[363ny]

Appreciate the information - thanks.

[mikenyc]

just loaded this setup for my winter driving.... I think its not too bad

[363ny]

^ Nice - what kind of wheels are those and what size tires did you go with?

[mikenyc]

Originally Posted by 363ny

^ Nice - what kind of wheels are those and what size tires did you go with?

just tried it for about 6 miles - not bad, no extra vibrations, about the same noise level compared to OEM, have to try it on a hwy next week...

no snow yet in NE, will update you at some point

very smooth transition... delivered in 8 days, also ordered

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BG6IJA0...28360_TE_dp_i1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

change time around 55 minutes, no problems with sensors just quick reset

copy paste from my TR order:

Subtotal $2,284.76 USD - 135$ rebate/ebates

Size & Description Qty Availability Price Each Item Total
19X8 ENKEI TUNING RAIJIN-19 BLK PAINT
4 In Stock $260.00 $1,040.00
REQUIRED CENTERING RING
4 In Stock N/C N/C
235/45R-19 PIRELLI WINTER SOTTOZERO 3 XL
DOWNLOAD WARRANTY BROCHURE PDF
4 In Stock $225.61 $902.44
Tire Rack Road Hazard Protection Included ($70.20 value. Exclusions apply.) $0.00
RETAIL TIRE REGISTRATION CARD
1 In Stock N/C N/C
BASIC LIMITED WARRANTY
1 In Stock N/C N/C
MOUNT AND BALANCE (NO CHARGE)
4 In Stock N/C N/C
433MHZ TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR
4 In Stock $54.00 $216.00

[F5506m]

My Snow Wheels & Tires are here!

[mikenyc]

Originally Posted by F5506m

My Snow Wheels & Tires are here!

4000$ total ?

[F5506m]

Yes plus tax.

[mikenyc]

Originally Posted by F5506m

Yes plus tax.

not sure if its worth paying extra 2k for BMW branded wheels for 3+ months of winter driving

[F5506m]

It all depends on what you want. I did not want to deal with the hassle of any warranty issues by using non-BMW approved products on the car with such a sophisticated drivetrain. We all know BMW and how they handle certain issues. The other plus is I like the looks of the OEM wheels over aftermarket alternatives. I will post pictures once installed next weekend.

[363ny]

Originally Posted by F5506m

My Snow Wheels & Tires are here!

Is that a square wheel set up - all 4 are the same size - which is the front size of our normal summer set up that comes with the car?

TIA

[mikenyc]

Originally Posted by 363ny

Is that a square wheel set up - all 4 are the same size - which is the front size of our normal summer set up that comes with the car?

TIA

yes all 4 - 235/45R-19

[mikenyc]

Originally Posted by F5506m

It all depends on what you want. I did not want to deal with the hassle of any warranty issues by using non-BMW approved products on the car with such a sophisticated drivetrain. We all know BMW and how they handle certain issues. The other plus is I like the looks of the OEM wheels over aftermarket alternatives. I will post pictures once installed next weekend.

BMW cant say anything while you are using same offset wheels and on top of it its size down at '19 ( which is less stress for suspension anyway)... and if they do , that will be my last BMW

another story if you are using heavier rims/tires 21-22s with spacers and etc

they do use 215 for the fronts, but this is purely to increase fuel efficiency and performance wise 215 is a bad idea for any sport car

[F5506m]

Originally Posted by mikenyc

BMW cant say anything while you are using same offset wheels and on top of it its size down at '19 ( which is less stress for suspension anyway)... and if they do , that will be my last BMW

another story if you are using heavier rims/tires 21-22s with spacers and etc

they do use 215 for the fronts, but this is purely to increase fuel efficiency and performance wise 215 is a bad idea for any sport car

Very true but who really has the time to argue and/or worry for $2k. If BMW designed something to be used a particular way, I have no reason to find an aftermarket solution. The only time I would go the after-market route is if there is no OEM solution.

For discussion purposes:

My Summer tires were 215 Front and 235 Rear.
The Winter setup from BMW is 215 all around.

[Emon Crew]

Originally Posted by mikenyc

just tried it for about 6 miles - not bad, no extra vibrations, about the same noise level compared to OEM, have to try it on a hwy next week...

no snow yet in NE, will update you at some point

very smooth transition... delivered in 8 days, also ordered

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BG6IJA0...28360_TE_dp_i1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

change time around 55 minutes, no problems with sensors just quick reset

copy paste from my TR order:

Subtotal $2,284.76 USD - 135$ rebate/ebates

Size & Description Qty Availability Price Each Item Total
19X8 ENKEI TUNING RAIJIN-19 BLK PAINT
4 In Stock $260.00 $1,040.00
REQUIRED CENTERING RING
4 In Stock N/C N/C
235/45R-19 PIRELLI WINTER SOTTOZERO 3 XL
DOWNLOAD WARRANTY BROCHURE PDF
4 In Stock $225.61 $902.44
Tire Rack Road Hazard Protection Included ($70.20 value. Exclusions apply.) $0.00
RETAIL TIRE REGISTRATION CARD
1 In Stock N/C N/C
BASIC LIMITED WARRANTY
1 In Stock N/C N/C
MOUNT AND BALANCE (NO CHARGE)
4 In Stock N/C N/C
433MHZ TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR
4 In Stock $54.00 $216.00

Thanks for that extremely helpful post! Do you know what the offset for our car is front and rear? How did you go about deciding on the enkei raijin's? I'm currently looking into getting some winter wheels and have no idea what our offset is or how to go about searching for some winter wheels (tires are the easy part).