[cooks02]

Hello All, I am wanting to enjoy my i8 Roadster this winter in Northern Michigan and am wondering if I can get recommendations on the proper / best winter tire w/ rim option. Thoughts???

[F5506m]

BMW has a winter wheel/tire package for the i8 for around $4k.

[cooks02]

Originally Posted by F5506m

BMW has a winter wheel/tire package for the i8 for around $4k.

Thank you! I did see that but the rims are not my favorite. I may have to use them though if that's all I can come up with. Thank you again for your info!

[iceberg543]

You will be fine even without winter tires, since it's AWD...personally living in the NEK where winter is a just disaster.

[Epirali]

Originally Posted by iceberg543

You will be fine even without winter tires, since it's AWD...personally living in the NEK where winter is a just disaster.

Actually this is not true. If you have summer performance tires the compound will break down and we damaged even and cold temperature, much less in contact with snow. So it’s not just about traction but it’s about protecting the high-performance tires.

[F5506m]

Originally Posted by Epirali

Actually this is not true. If you have summer performance tires the compound will break down and we damaged even and cold temperature, much less in contact with snow. So it’s not just about traction but it’s about protecting the high-performance tires.

The summer tires should not be used when the high temp falls below 40F.

[evanevery]

Tirerack.com is your friend.

Just ask their website to pick a winter tire/wheel package for your i8.

For example:
- Pirelli Sottozero 3 235/45R19 ($214 ea) on
- Ultraleggera HLT Gloss Black 19x8's ($458 ea)

They will mount them (inc TPMS), balance them, and ship them directly to you...

[vance]

Originally Posted by evanevery

Tirerack.com is your friend.

Just ask their website to pick a winter tire/wheel package for your i8.

For example:
- Pirelli Sottozero 3 235/45R19 ($214 ea) on
- Ultraleggera HLT Gloss Black 19x8's ($458 ea)

They will mount them (inc TPMS), balance them, and ship them directly to you...

Unless this is EU specific or something, the i8 uses 20” rims/tires

[evanevery]

Originally Posted by vance

Unless this is EU specific or something, the i8 uses 20” rims/tires

You don't NEED to use 20 inch rims. 19 inch rims will fit just fine...

20 inch rims are used for mounting "pretty" low profile tires. However, no one makes snow tires in a low profile application. Snow tires almost always require a smaller rim (especially on "sport" vehicles). Nothing wrong with mounting 19 inch rims on your i8 to accommodate Snow Tires... They will fit just fine.

Go to TireRack.com and run the query for a winter wheel/tire combo...

[evanevery]

Originally Posted by iceberg543

You will be fine even without winter tires, since it's AWD...personally living in the NEK where winter is a just disaster.

NOT SO...

I took my i8 out this weekend after a dusting of snow just to see how it handled. I'm sure the car is quite capable with PROPER tires, but my factory summer rubber was completely out of control. I wasn't pushing it at all and the car had great difficulty completing slow speed turns and even coming to a stop in a parking lot! (Maybe 1/2 inch of snow). I wasn't really expecting much, but those summer tires are absolutely dangerous with even a dusting of snow!

It doesn't make much difference if the car is AWD if the tires can't get any traction!

[evanevery]

Here's a screen shot of an i8 Winter Tire/Wheel combo from TireRack. $2833.20 including TPMS, Lug bolts, lug bolt adapters, centering rings, Mounting, Balancing, and Shipping. Everything you need... Done! (Note that TireRack even lists cheaper wheel options):