What Winter Tyres and What size/model wheels are you using

[Evil_elvis]

Since its getting to that time again...

What winter tyres and more importantly what wheels are people running?

Can you get steelies to fit the 3.0Si?

The BMW website only lists the new shape Z4 and suggests 17 x 8J "Star Spoke" 290 or 270 fitted with a 225 45 tyre. More worryingly they only offer the Bridgestone Blizzak LM25 RSC, which I had on my Mini and turned to marmite at about 12-15 degrees C.
Not the best tyre IMHO.

Assuming the above sizes fit, I imagine I can get a set of alloys off the bay for £150-£200 and this would give me an opportunity to refub my now scabby summer 18's while they're off the car. And for set of four new Dunlop Winter Sport 3D (H rated 130mph), would be £580, so all in £750 and of course i'll get twice as long out of my recently purchased summer tyres....(hopefully 2-3 years)

I suppose I should ask that this please doesn't become another argument about the relative merits Vs "waste of time" of Winter Tyres - thats been done a million times. So lets pretend we've all said our bit and fully understand people's positions

 

[Beetlegav]

I have two kumho winter 255 18 rears for sale if you decide on 18s
Fitted but covered less than 100miles, they don't fit under my arches now I have air ride

 

[Evil_elvis]

Do you have the model number? Thanks

 

[Beetlegav]

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=79430

 

[adam1985]

I have a set of OEM 330 17" alloys the same design as these https://www.popscreen.com/prod/MTYxNDM2NDA1/BMWE9018OEMWHEELSSTYLE189STAGGERED330328325335TPMSE46E36
with a set of Nokian winter tyres which I got for here https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/nokian/wr-d3/225-45-r17-94h-51693
The Nokians get very good reviews http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nokian/WR-D3.htm and much cheaper than other brands

Oh and with regards to your comments about the Bridgestone winter tyres being poor at 12-15 degrees. All winter tyres will be poor at these temps as they are designed to only be used at 7degrees and below.

 

[aquazi]

I have some 108's with winters which i am going to take pics of and put for sale here this weekend... Taken from my old car... Covered maybe 1-2k miles over 2 winters.

 

[Evil_elvis]

I have a set of OEM 330 17" alloys the same design as these https://www.popscreen.com/prod/MTYxNDM2NDA1/BMWE9018OEMWHEELSSTYLE189STAGGERED330328325335TPMSE46E36
with a set of Nokian winter tyres which I got for here https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/nokian/wr-d3/225-45-r17-94h-51693
The Nokians get very good reviews http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nokian/WR-D3.htm and much cheaper than other brands

Oh and with regards to your comments about the Bridgestone winter tyres being poor at 12-15 degrees. All winter tyres will be poor at these temps as they are designed to only be used at 7degrees and below.

Yes I know all about winter tyres thanks and how they work (it's my pet project).... oke:
..... but the Blizzak LM25's grip falls off like a cliff edge when the weather starts to warm an IMHO are dangerous unless you can guarantee extreme cold weather all the time until you swap them.
In comparison I run a set of Falken EuroWinters on my MR2 ALL YEAR ROUND (have done for two years) and they behave very well even in +40 deg C while attacking roundabouts very, very quickly. They remain entirely progressive and never wash out. The LM25's by contrast just wash you straight to the kerb without warning, via extreme understeer - in my experience.

Thanks.

But you are right the Nokians get very good reviews, however they havent come up in the searches i've done for the previously mentioned "BMW" size of 225/45.
I get Dunlop, Michelin, Bridgestone and Goodyear, some of which do a specific Run Flat and "BMW Run flat" tyre option, which I would probably stick with for "insurance" safety (though I agree isn't necessary).

 

[seanaldinho]

Ive got 18" 108s im going to put on and change my 19" CSLs off. They have regulalr tyres on them just now so im going to throw some budget winter tyres on there but im not that sure either what to put on.
Im thinking whatever is going cheap on camskill or black circles online? Im up in the wilds of Fife so theres always snow here. Its the hills in my town which remain a problem.

 

[Evil_elvis]

I always use ASDA Tyres (lol) to check prices (though I've not used them), they seem to be around £120-£155 each for the top makes (225-17") so I guess 18 will be more?

Just be mindful of the speed ratings, I wouldn't put less than a H on mine (130mph) some come out at 110mph, which you could in theory reach in spring/autumn and you'd be in a lot of trouble....

Also, wont the 255 garden rollers on the back be a bit too wide to cut through fresh snow? I tend to go thinner with winters, dont know how important this is though....

 

[Evil_elvis]

.....And they only stock the Bridgestone's for the rear at £175.
and even getting a thinner tyre doesn't yield any results, maybe I need a new website.

 

[Evil_elvis]

Yeah, ok MyTyres.co.uk on 235 40 18 (1.5% error) gives loads of options:
From Sunny at £56!!
Nakangs and Khumos at £90
to Michelins or Nokians at £150

Seems like a good compromise width for winter

 

[mr wilks]

Yeah, ok MyTyres.co.uk on 235 40 18 (1.5% error) gives loads of options:
From Sunny at £56!!
Nakangs and Khumos at £90
to Michelins or Nokians at £150

Seems like a good compromise width for winter

Gotta agree on those Bridgestone LM winters ,
Had a set 6mm all round fitted on my van . They stayed on 2 weeks last Autumn before i sold them . Didn't even get chance to try in cold temps , they were so skittish on damp roads id rate as possibly one of the worst tyres ive tried :?

On 18inch staggered set up you could drop a bit in width but go up a little in profile
Ive run these in all sizes on different vehicles & like them plus they work all year round
225 45 18 fronts https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/vredestein/wintrac-xtreme/225-45-r18-95v-146795

245 40 18 rears https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/vredestein/wintrac-xtreme/245-40-r18-97w-390733

 

[Evil_elvis]

Yeah some good choice and prices there... top tip

 

[Tr1ckster]

I have a set of OEM 330 17" alloys the same design as these https://www.popscreen.com/prod/MTYxNDM2NDA1/BMWE9018OEMWHEELSSTYLE189STAGGERED330328325335TPMSE46E36
with a set of Nokian winter tyres which I got for here https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres/nokian/wr-d3/225-45-r17-94h-51693
The Nokians get very good reviews http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nokian/WR-D3.htm and much cheaper than other brands

Oh and with regards to your comments about the Bridgestone winter tyres being poor at 12-15 degrees. All winter tyres will be poor at these temps as they are designed to only be used at 7degrees and below.

Yes I know all about winter tyres thanks and how they work (it's my pet project).... oke:
..... but the Blizzak LM25's grip falls off like a cliff edge when the weather starts to warm an IMHO are dangerous unless you can guarantee extreme cold weather all the time until you swap them.
In comparison I run a set of Falken EuroWinters on my MR2 ALL YEAR ROUND (have done for two years) and they behave very well even in +40 deg C while attacking roundabouts very, very quickly. They remain entirely progressive and never wash out. The LM25's by contrast just wash you straight to the kerb without warning, via extreme understeer - in my experience.

Thanks.

But you are right the Nokians get very good reviews, however they havent come up in the searches i've done for the previously mentioned "BMW" size of 225/45.
I get Dunlop, Michelin, Bridgestone and Goodyear, some of which do a specific Run Flat and "BMW Run flat" tyre option, which I would probably stick with for "insurance" safety (though I agree isn't necessary).

I sold my MR2 to buy my Z. Love the new car but still miss the low speed antics of the 2

 

[Evil_elvis]

Yeah, it's surprisingly easy to play with, despite being mid engined. I guess it much torque, an LSD and oversized rears helps?