Winter Tyres - not sure what to do?

[TitanTim]

I haven't looked at the jacking points on an E89 but if there anything like on my previous 1 Series the jacking points are plastic with a recess, so if the same you will need a piece of wood or a jacking pad that slots into the jacking point otherwise it will get crushed.

Just something to consider.

Tim.

 

[Mrbodger]

You shouldn't need a low profile jack if your car is not lowered. An ordinary one will do.... Unless you intend to lower it in the future, then get a low profile one. I didn't, and now I can't get my jack under my car :lol:

My standard trolley jack wouldn't fit under my Z4M with factory suspension. I had to drive onto some wood to raise the car. Not a problem really.

 

[markeg]

You shouldn't need a low profile jack if your car is not lowered. An ordinary one will do.... Unless you intend to lower it in the future, then get a low profile one. I didn't, and now I can't get my jack under my car :lol:

My standard trolley jack wouldn't fit under my Z4M with factory suspension. I had to drive onto some wood to raise the car. Not a problem really.

same here, got fed up with moving onto blocks, so bought a low profile. Now have 2 jacks...... At least the standard fits under the rear jacking point

 

[jenifahaych]

I wouldnt bother with winter tyres. This isnt Scandinavia , unless you live in Scotland of course. Have never used winter tyres and dont see the need for them.

I'm in this camp. Out in pretty heavy snow last year one journey & sensible driving got me through that fine on side roads. Spent most of last winter commuting from Birmingham to Bristol on M6/M5 and again never had any issues & I was out really early mornings in icey weather.

 

[TitanTim]

I wouldnt bother with winter tyres. This isnt Scandinavia , unless you live in Scotland of course. Have never used winter tyres and dont see the need for them.

I'm in this camp. Out in pretty heavy snow last year one journey & sensible driving got me through that fine on side roads. Spent most of last winter commuting from Birmingham to Bristol on M6/M5 and again never had any issues & I was out really early mornings in icey weather.

Fitting the correct tyres for the conditions will mean the difference between stopping in time and not. Whilst most muddle through on summers the time they wished they had winter rubber fitted will be too late. Its a classic misconception.

Tim.

 

[Napastar]

I'm always amazed and very envious when I read some posts from people who have no problems in the snow in a BMW. I appreciate that the degree of difficulty depends on the amount of torque and the width of the tyres etc but having spent the last 4 years with an E92 330d on 255s running up a monumental trouser dry cleaning bill, Ive just taken the plunge on winter wheels and tyres for the Z.

As others have said, it doesnt have to cost the earth as Ive just bought a second hand set off ebay for £495. These are the winter wheel package supplied by BMW costing £1600. They have covered 5k miles, have one slight kerbing mark on them and are the same alloys as supplied with my car. Bearing in mind I won't be wearing out my summer tyres throughout the winter, you could view them as being almost free

Seems a good idea...........Can you let me know what the model number of the alloys is?

Sorry for the delay in replying as I have been in the Lakes for a few days.

I'm not sure of the model number - BMW will be able to tell you as they are a package supplied by them.

In terms of jacks etc - Ive spoken to my local Independant garage who will change them all for £15 ( its a 10 min Job on a ramp ) so i'm not going to bother getting a jack as the wheels and tyre package that come from BMW have run flat Winter tyres which is why the are so expensive when new

 

[Nondizzyblonde]

Personally I swear by winter tyres, and simply swap the tyres onto existing alloys. Been doing this for 2 years running on the Pug and she is booked in Saturday to have them done again. I keep the spare tyres in the garage in the meantime. The zed too will be getting a brand new set of winter boots on Sat onto the existing alloys.
Those that say you don't need them as we don't live in Scandinavia, I strongly disagree. It is a fact that 'normal' tyres do not perform as well under 7 degrees. Winter tyres perform much better under 7 degrees and in fact in heavy rain. I'll take any advantage I can get in winter to keep me safe. Also, although I only live 7 miles out of Leicester, our village got snowed in twice last winter !

 

[lovecars]

Thanks for all the advice....I have decided that winter tyres are a must for me. I use the car for work and travel a fair bit using country roads in North Yorkshire. I have had experience of grip problems on a previous BMW and definitely do not want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere. Have decided to purchase a set of alloys along with the winter tyres so that I can swap these as and when I need to each year.

Still reviewing what alloys and what tyres and popped into BMW Dealer to enquire about their package.

Offer is:
4 x Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25 RFT with BMW 290 8x17 alloy wheel = £1600 plus optional swap charge of £48 and optional storage charge £36

So now I have to decide about Winter Run Flats vs Winter Non Run Flats and ensure that what I do does not invalidate the BMW warranty. :?

 

[bigosean]

Try ringing round the dealers and chipping them on the price, I managed to pick up a brand new set of 17inch BMW winter wheels and tyres for £1000 earlier this year. Dealers sometimes have these in stock which could have been knocking around for a while and they are keen to get rid of so just be cheeky when bartering on price, you could be surprised!

 

[Mharv]

For info I went with a set of 4 E89 oem 17 wheels from ebay.de arrived in 4 days then winter tyres from opponeo.co.uk
plenty of oem bmw wheels for sale from Germany delivered to Uk... and cheaper...
saved £700 than buying from UK stealers :evil:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/original-BMW-Z4-E89-Sternspeiche-290-Styling-290-8j-x-17-ET29-neuwertige-Felgen-/140891779483?pt=Auto_Felgen&hash=item20cdcdf19b

 

[Brasseye]

For info I went with a set of 4 E89 oem 17 wheels from ebay.de arrived in 4 days then winter tyres from opponeo.co.uk
plenty of oem bmw wheels for sale from Germany delivered to Uk... and cheaper...
saved £700 than buying from UK stealers :evil:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/original-BMW-Z4-E89-Sternspeiche-290-Styling-290-8j-x-17-ET29-neuwertige-Felgen-/140891779483?pt=Auto_Felgen&hash=item20cdcdf19b

Great price ....... Good find.
We got the exact same with blizzard run flats fitted for this winter.

 

[lovecars]

Try ringing round the dealers and chipping them on the price, I managed to pick up a brand new set of 17inch BMW winter wheels and tyres for £1000 earlier this year. Dealers sometimes have these in stock which could have been knocking around for a while and they are keen to get rid of so just be cheeky when bartering on price, you could be surprised!

Many thanks went to a couple of BMW dealers and got £200 discount but managed to get it down further using de e-bay and my-tyres quote and then surprisingly got it down a further £200 ...so bit the bullet and went ahead.

So now have brand new 17" star spoke 290 alloys with Bridgstone - Blizzak winter tyres waiting to go on.

So when shall I put them on .....might start a new thread?

 

[mick_mcc]

I'm selling these if any use,
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/178848956718909/

Used them for 2 winters before my Z4 met a nasty end (wheels weren't on it at the time)

 

[warmasice]

I'm selling these if any use,
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/178848956718909/

Used them for 2 winters before my Z4 met a nasty end (wheels weren't on it at the time)

These won't hang about. Even with summer around the corner. I'm sure someone will snap them up for next winter.

 

[Mr Tidy]

They are on the forum too:- https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=120643