Winter Wheels

[Bigladuk]

Hi Guys,

What does everyone do about Winter wheels/ Winter Tyres ( Tires ) ?

Second set ? Just swop tyre ? Same size wheels all around ?

Just looking for info on what everyone does

Thanks

Si

[Pelo Cat]

Hi Bigladuk, good questions, looking forward to seeing what others post and their own thoughts on this!

I'm currently on 18" rims, so have same size tires all round, not offset as not a problem to do that...bigger rims may mean one has to do offset sizing.

I'm looking to get a set of larger Summer alloys and tires in a month or so, then put Winter tires on the current 18s next Winter. A costly solution but the best of all worlds excepting costs.

If I had a set of 19s or 20s (alloys), I'd likely just swap over tires as needed and use the same rims as they look good and would be a good compromise without excessive costs.

It will be interesting to see if any or quite a few people with the G series 7 do use Winter tires or if they do the usual, Summers will be fine all year long approach that one sees in other models (where potentially the budget and aesthetic are different in priority to those with 7's).

So, hoping I'll be 18s with same size all round Winters this coming Winter and 19/20/21s with Summers on them for the nicer time of the year (offset sizing due to the larger rim sizing likely). While expensive, it provides the nicest looks for me, good comfort in Winter when the roads may be that bit more jarring and unforgiving and with a higher side wall to help the already great suspension to absorb the knocks and potholes that are typical then more than in Summer. In Summer, have the styling look and not quite rubber bands but less forgiving tires on bigger alloys than my current poor man's 18s provide.

What are others doing/considering?

Is the concept different for those with x-drive? (do you just say, I've got 4 wheel so don't need Winters? or would you get some anyway?)

Great topic, what are you thinking of doing Bigladuk?

Hope to see more posts and pics from you in future, great to see another UK based 7 driver. ^

[Bigladuk]

Hi Pelo,

I have 20" factory wheels with summer tyres and I'm torn between getting staggered 20" Winter rubber to swop over ( although at the moment the only tyres of the right size are £350-£400 each ) or getting smaller wheels and having dedicated winter wheels with none staggered tyres which given might be cheaper.

I'm unsure if I can fit 18" wheels to mine as it's the M-Sport, is yours an M-Sport ? If so I think I'll get some 18" Wheels from Germany and put none staggered tyres on

Si

[Pelo Cat]

Originally Posted by Bigladuk

Hi Pelo,

I have 20" factory wheels with summer tyres and I'm torn between getting staggered 20" Winter rubber to swop over ( although at the moment the only tyres of the right size are £350-£400 each ) or getting smaller wheels and having dedicated winter wheels with none staggered tyres which given might be cheaper.

I'm unsure if I can fit 18" wheels to mine as it's the M-Sport, is yours an M-Sport ? If so I think I'll get some 18" Wheels from Germany and put none staggered tyres on

Si

Nice, 20s must look great. Don't think you can go down to 18s due to the disks in front being too large (bigger than mine, mine is not MSport and doesn't have the MSport braking package hence why I can have smaller wheels I believe).

You may be able to find a set of 19s where no staggered / offset tires are needed and hopefully cheaper while still looking nice!

Ouch, those prices are wild...Haven't priced up some Winter tires for the car yet but that may be due to the 20" rim size rather than the Winter component? Hope so! Definitely a grand for set of 4 tires even for Summers on a set of 19s....not cheap is it!

Hope others will also comment and give some thoughts/ideas for you as well.

Safe travels, do let us know what you do in the end as might be useful for the rest of us as well! Thanks.

[325_bucks]

I belive, but don't quote me, that 18s can be put on an msport unless you pay for the braking package which is not standard on msport. Check this site for supported sizes https://www.wheel-size.com but be aware of the smallest you can go based on your configuration, or use realoem or something to check out what's available as standard and then base on that

[FastLaneJB]

Not sure what I'll do but likely won't change tyres. Not so much the xDrive solves everything but unlikely I'll drive it in snow and otherwise for just cold / wet I think the standard tyres will be good enough. Still I might change my mind so we'll see.

Not sure if the regular M Sport has the same brake size at the M760 but I know you cannot go below 20inch on the 760 because they won't fit with the brakes. They are also staggered off the top of my head at 245 front and 275 rear so those sizes should be good. I'm guessing you might be able to go wider on the rear if you don't have 4 wheel steering but don't know for sure. It's just a guess that might force them to slightly smaller width wheels, my M5 is 295 on the rear for instance.

[Bigladuk]

I'd be happy with 19's

These are an option with "some" winter rubber on that might last me a season

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-BMW-Win...gAAOSwWr5Z0Pu5

I do a thousand miles a week ( car has 30k on the clock and I bought it in June 17 ) so go through some rubber

Si

[FastLaneJB]

Originally Posted by Bigladuk

I do a thousand miles a week ( car has 30k on the clock and I bought it in June 17 ) so go through some rubber

Ouch, that's some serious mileage right there. Great place to be though when you must spend so much time in the car.

[325_bucks]

Originally Posted by Bigladuk

I'd be happy with 19's

These are an option with "some" winter rubber on that might last me a season

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-BMW-Win...gAAOSwWr5Z0Pu5

I do a thousand miles a week ( car has 30k on the clock and I bought it in June 17 ) so go through some rubber

Si

50000 miles a year, I remember when I used to do something similar, but that's a hell of a lot of miles. These days I'm lucky if I get to 9-10000 a year. When I get some winters they should last me a while! Those 19s look good though

[Bigladuk]

yeah I think I'll avoid 18's go straight in to 19's as they were the standard size from Factory then get some 19's ( BMW sell Wheel and Tyre non staggered packages that my VIN checks against so I should be all good ) to run for winter.

I'll report back.

Si

[Bigladuk]

Yeah big miles but like you say a great place to spend them.

:-)

Si

[325_bucks]

Part number 36112409010 could be good, this is a set of 19s, the standard 19 Msport wheels that I have, with winter tyres non staggered set.

[Bigladuk]

I'm a little worried about taking 2 sets of front wheels and using them across both axles but thats OK right ?

I just googled that part number and from BMW's Ebay shop they are £850....each LOL

Si

[Pelo Cat]

Originally Posted by Bigladuk

I'm a little worried about taking 2 sets of front wheels and using them across both axles but thats OK right ?

I just googled that part number and from BMW's Ebay shop they are £850....each LOL

Si

Thanks for correcting me 325_bucks, indeed best to check should you or anyone want to consider 18s, maybe you can use them with MSport models, my apologies if this was wrong info.

I've got same size on all four, I believe they are 245 but I'll check and post back, that is still a wide tire and wouldn't be a problem at all for the rear axle. (assuming 245 size, correct me otherwise please!)

Ouch, that is a lot...the 4 on Ebay for that price is a damn good deal...even if they are slightly used. It'd be a grand for new rubber let alone rims.

I can't imagine doing that kind of mileage (especially in the UK crowded road conditions!) My mind boggles, respect to you for that. I did 35k miles one year and I felt as if I was living in the car...I only do about 20k miles a year and that is perfect, I enjoy the car and time in it, but it is not too much.

[Pelo Cat]

Hi Bigladuk, I've checked my tires and the sizes are:

245/50 R18 100Y on all four, so if you were considering that kind of size on 19s then it would be able to take it no problem (when you asked about using front wheels on rear axle as well...)

Hope that helps, I'm in a G11 (SWB) so not sure if this is going to impact G12 (LWB) due to extra weight but wouldn't have thought so (in case that needs consideration!)