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[Why Knot]

Does anyone know why the 135i all-season tire option is different in the US
(205/50 17 on 7" wide wheels) versus Europe (205/50 17 on 7" wheels front,
225/45 17 on 7.5" wheels rear)? Also does anyone know what tires are used on the European all-season tire option? The Goodyear LS-2's in the US are only so-so.

[Why Knot]

I wonder why it is so hard to get these questions answered?

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Why Knot

Does anyone know why the 135i all-season tire option is different in the US
(205/50 17 on 7" wide wheels) versus Europe (205/50 17 on 7" wheels front,
225/45 17 on 7.5" wheels rear)? Also does anyone know what tires are used on the European all-season tire option? The Goodyear LS-2's in the US are only so-so.

What?

Your question is not clear.
What difference are your referring to?
You list the same tire size, but call it "different".

Also, what "option" are you referring to?
I have new Conti DWS all season tires on my 135i.
225/40/18 front
255/35/18 rear
That's larger compared to stock.
No problems.

[Why Knot]

The tires and wheels are wider on the rear than on the front on the European all-season option. The square set-up on the US option is suppose to reduce understeer at the expense of acdceleration, which is okay for my driving. I am just curious why the difference exsits. I also would like to know what all-season tires are used in Europe. As I said, the Goodyear Eagle LS-2's are so-so. They will be replaced with Nokian WRG2's when the 205/50 17 run-flats arrive in the US

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Why Knot

The tires and wheels are wider on the rear than on the front on the European all-season option. The square set-up on the US option is suppose to reduce understeer at the expense of acdceleration, which is okay for my driving. I am just curious why the difference exsits. I also would like to know what all-season tires are used in Europe. As I said, the Goodyear Eagle LS-2's are so-so. They will be replaced with Nokian WRG2's when the 205/50 17 run-flats arrive in the US

The 135i has a "staggered" setup, meaning the rear wheels and tires are of a different size, stock, in the US too.

So, I don't know who is telling you that the all season "option" is square in the US. You can go with whatever you like though.
Going narrower in the rear for winter use has more to do with snow traction, where a narrower tire has an easier time getting through the snow compared to a wider one.
Under steer is not a concern when deciding on what tire for winter use.

A narrower rear tire could help reduce under steer, but it would be doing so by limiting the grip of the rear end, which will also affect acceleration and braking, negatively. I wouldn't go with a narrower rear to try and "correct" the under steer. For the majority of street driving you won't even encounter it to any appreciable level.

If you want to use tires to help reduce any under steer that might be there, then go with 225 in the front and stay with 245 in the rear.
You'll be increasing front grip with a wider front while keeping the stock grip in the rear.

LS2's SUCK for a 135i. Those are simple soft riding, soft handling passenger tires more for a Malibu than a BMW 135i.

The Nokians are winter tires, so again, I don't understand what you are comparing, or where you are getting this wrong size info.

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by RPM90

The 135i has a "staggered" setup, meaning the rear wheels and tires are of a different size, stock, in the US too.

So, I don't know who is telling you that the all season "option" is square in the US. You can go with whatever you like though.
Going narrower in the rear for winter use has more to do with snow traction, where a narrower tire has an easier time getting through the snow compared to a wider one.
Under steer is not a concern when deciding on what tire for winter use.

.

I checked the website, and I can't find anywhere that it actually says what the tire sizes are if you go with the 17" All Season option. I'm not so sure it's still a staggered setup if you choose that.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

I checked the website, and I can't find anywhere that it actually says what the tire sizes are if you go with the 17" All Season option. I'm not so sure it's still a staggered setup if you choose that.

Tire Rack shows all 4 tires as 205/50-17 for the 2010 135i Coupe with 17" wheel option.

Tom

[Why Knot]

If you order the 135i with the all-season tire option in the US, you get 17 X 7 wheels with 205/50 17 tires front and back.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Why Knot

If you order the 135i with the all-season tire option in the US, you get 17 X 7 wheels with 205/50 17 tires front and back.

Ok, so you mean the BMW recommended all season option.
There are a LOT of 135i owners on here who use 225/255 in all season, and non RFT replacement.
I am running 225/255 all seasons. No problems.
Can't speak for how well this will work in the snow, but when it happens I will report.
I'm not expecting to do maximum accel and braking, nor am I expecting to get it. The Conti DWS is rated, by TR, as one of the best if not the best all season tire for snow traction. However, it is still an all season, so you have to understand that it's a big compromise in snow duty.
You have to decide for yourself, based on your particular road conditions, as to what you will need.
Car and Driver's current issue has a decent all season, snow, and winter performance tire test that gives some very interesting results.
Check it out for some good info before making your decision.
Also, remember C&D use the last gen Mich PS A/S, which is decent in snow and ice, and the new "plus" version is expected to be a bit better.
The DWS is an improvement over the "extreme contact" all season, which was rated slightly better than the Mich.
I'm expecting the DWS to do decently, but time and experience will tell the tale.

Yes, you can go with narrower tires, as I said, as it aids in snow traction because they are narrower. However, that does not mean that is the only option that works.
And, that option is not for reducing under steer, it's for helping with snow traction.
Also understand that any added benefit in snow traction with a narrower size will become a negative when the roads are clear, dry, and/or wet where the added size will be a benefit.

Try the BMW option if you like, or go with what others have tried with good and great results.

[ARES45]

I can't imagine this car with 205s in the rear, I went with 225's all around on winter tires all arout and I have noticed a significant increase in wheel spin. I wouldn't know how to drive this car with 205s in the rear. In summation, I recomend something different than the bmw all season option.

[Why Knot]

Once again, I'm only asking if anyone knows why there are differences between the European and US all-season tire options and what all-season tires are used in Europe. Tires, like cars are a very personal subject and what works for me may not work for you and vice-versa.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Why Knot

Once again, I'm only asking if anyone knows why there are differences between the European and US all-season tire options and what all-season tires are used in Europe. Tires, like cars are a very personal subject and what works for me may not work for you and vice-versa.

I can say for me, I don't know why.

I would like to ask, why does it matter to you?
Is it because you're just curious? It is interesting that BMW would chose different sizes.
Or, is it because you're trying to decide what size to go with?
If it's the latter, then I think you've got plenty of answers on this forum already.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by Why Knot

Once again, I'm only asking if anyone knows why there are differences between the European and US all-season tire options and what all-season tires are used in Europe. Tires, like cars are a very personal subject and what works for me may not work for you and vice-versa.

Which European country's BMW configurator / brochure do you see all-season tyres as an option in? In general, all-season tyres are not used on cars in Europe.

[Why Knot]

Originally Posted by RPM90

I can say for me, I don't know why.

I would like to ask, why does it matter to you?
Is it because you're just curious? It is interesting that BMW would chose different sizes.
Or, is it because you're trying to decide what size to go with?
If it's the latter, then I think you've got plenty of answers on this forum already.

The 2009 1 series brochure I got from my dealer lists the 135i no cost all-season tire option as having 205/50 17 on 17 X 7 wheels on the front and 224/45 17 on 17 X 17.5 wheels on the rear (page 55). On page 64 it shows 17 X 7 wheels with 205/50 17 as the no-cost all-season option for the 135i. My sales advisor told me that the staggered size was for the rest of the world and not the US.

I'm just curious why BMW has another "not for the US" set-up. I am also curious what tires are used for the rest of the world. As for me, I'm happy with my 135i with the all-season tire option and will be happier when I replace the Goodyear Eagle LS-2's with Nokian WRG2's.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by Why Knot

The 2009 1 series brochure I got from my dealer lists the 135i no cost all-season tire option as having 205/50 17 on 17 X 7 wheels on the front and 224/45 17 on 17 X 17.5 wheels on the rear (page 55). On page 64 it shows 17 X 7 wheels with 205/50 17 as the no-cost all-season option for the 135i. My sales advisor told me that the staggered size was for the rest of the world and not the US.

I'm just curious why BMW has another "not for the US" set-up. I am also curious what tires are used for the rest of the world. As for me, I'm happy with my 135i with the all-season tire option and will be happier when I replace the Goodyear Eagle LS-2's with Nokian WRG2's.

Your dealer is clueless.

The 205/50-17 front and 225/45-17 rear all-season tyres on style 142 wheels were a no-cost option on the US 135i in 2009, although the 2010 brochure doesn't seem to be on-line at the moment, this looks to be the case for 2010 too. They probably are trying to sell you any car they have in stock, by telling you that the staggered all-season tyres are not available in the US. The 128i should have the non-staggered 205/50-17 tyres when all-seasons are selected.

AFAIK all-season tyres are only fitted on North American BMWs, the rest of the world uses summer tyres compared with the compromised performance with the convenience of all-seasons.

[Why Knot]

Originally Posted by aerobod

Your dealer is clueless.

The 205/50-17 front and 225/45-17 rear all-season tyres on style 142 wheels were a no-cost option on the US 135i in 2009, although the 2010 brochure doesn't seem to be on-line at the moment, this looks to be the case for 2010 too. They probably are trying to sell you any car they have in stock, by telling you that the staggered all-season tyres are not available in the US. The 128i should have the non-staggered 205/50-17 tyres when all-seasons are selected.

AFAIK all-season tyres are only fitted on North American BMWs, the rest of the world uses summer tyres compared with the compromised performance with the convenience of all-seasons.

My car was a factory order. The staggered set-up must be for Canada.
Do you know which all-season tires are used in Canada?

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by Why Knot

My car was a factory order. The staggered set-up must be for Canada.
Do you know which all-season tires are used in Canada?

In Canada, I believe Goodyear Eagles RS-A are the all-seasons typically fitted. We don't get staggered all-seasons here only the 205/50-17 all-seasons on type 142 wheels.

Not sure which option you chose for all-season tyres, but the 2009 US 1-series brochure shows the 135i in the US available with style 142 wheels and staggered 17" all-seasons. Here is the page from the on-line 2009 US Brochure for Standalone Options, showing the all-season staggered tyre option (the right column is the 135i, the left 128i, the triangle indicates no-cost option):