replacing 335ix

[Bond, James Bond]

Hello good people
I have a 335ix (automatic) that I enjoy dearly , but soon my lease is over and I don't want the new model because it is too big for my taste. The one series is also much nicer for my taste.
Now here is the thing, the 128/135 are not all wheels drive. I live in New jersey and you probably know where I'm going...
I know that the 128i will be OK in careful driving in snow but maybe not with the sport package that Id like to get. Sport package comes with "mixed performance tiers" I called the dealer today and they say that its different size tiers front and back ,but it is "all seasons". If so, will I be OK in light snow conditions?
I don't want to get into changing wheels or tiers twice a year and I am an easy going driver (Ignore my name for that matter...) so I am not interested in high performance tiers. Problem is, that BMW do not offer sport package with the regular tiers. I want the suspension and the seats.
What should I do?
Thanks

[KingOfJericho]

All seasons will be "ok" in light snow. I put dedicated snow tires/wheels on my 135i each winter and it is an absolute beast in the white stuff. You could always buy the car with sport package then buy all season tires immediately and sell the stock summer tires. You can probably make back most of what you spend by doing the swap.

[Bond, James Bond]

Thanks,
I hope that the sport packager tiers are "all seasons" because I prefer not to buy and sell tiers. I did not get the feeling that they were sure about the tiers at the dealer place.

[fun2drv]

TIRES!!!! You will need a dedicated set of winter period. Driving with the stock setup in snow will be asking for trouble.

[Bond, James Bond]

Originally Posted by fun2drv

TIRES!!!! You will need a dedicated set of winter period. Driving with the stock setup in snow will be asking for trouble.

I had a Volkswagen Beetle turbo and Acura tl with no dedicated tiers for snow, they did OK, never got into trouble. I understand that the 128I has rear drive but the weight distribution is 50/50.

[dorkdog]

Originally Posted by Bond, James Bond

I had a Volkswagen Beetle turbo and Acura tl with no dedicated tiers for snow, they did OK, never got into trouble. I understand that the 128I has rear drive but the weight distribution is 50/50.

"Tiers" refers to levels. "Tires" refers to the rubber doughnuts on your car's wheels....

[ejm3]

Just do what I did: Buy an SUV for the winter!

[KingOfJericho]

I think he might be a foreigner...

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I think he might be a foreigner...

Well now he should know the difference.

[gaalforce]

hahaha

[roo97ss]

Originally Posted by Bond, James Bond

I had a Volkswagen Beetle turbo and Acura tl with no dedicated tiers for snow, they did OK, never got into trouble. I understand that the 128I has rear drive but the weight distribution is 50/50.

both of those fwd cars will still be better than the 1 series in teh snow, given equal tires. remember it's about going, stopping and turning and the only thing that connects your car and all of its technology and driver ability is the tires. don't skimp on them, you'll be safer as well as more capable in the snow.

a full set of winter snows and rims from tirerack is probably 700-900; that's not that bad, also you can watch and pick up some used stuff reasonably cheap on craigslist.

[Bond, James Bond]

Originally Posted by roo97ss

both of those fwd cars will still be better than the 1 series in teh snow, given equal tires. remember it's about going, stopping and turning and the only thing that connects your car and all of its technology and driver ability is the tires. don't skimp on them, you'll be safer as well as more capable in the snow.

a full set of winter snows and rims from tirerack is probably 700-900; that's not that bad, also you can watch and pick up some used stuff reasonably cheap on craigslist.

Thanks,
I understand it it now and it makes sense.
I thought it would cost much more to change tires and wheels.

[Bond, James Bond]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I think he might be a foreigner...

I am a foreigner and unfortunately the spelling check did not correct it for me. at least I learned what tier means

[KingOfJericho]

yeah that's the shitty thing about spell check. My in-laws are from Bulgaria and they pronounce tires as "teers" so it was a dead giveaway.

[CDN_135i]

I'm from Canada, you know where we live in igloos and ride polar bears to work, so I hate to break it to you but what you get in NJ is hardly winter A good set of winters will be just fine in all conditions. I would avoid all seasons unless that's all you can afford then it's better than nothing.

[newnmpr0ved]

Just buy winter TIERS when you get your new ride. Sorry, i just wanted to say TIERS

[ptack]

Winter? What winter? I ran my snows for 4 months this year and I could have got by with 3 or less.

Bottom line: if you're serious about driving in a northern climate, have 2 sets of street tires - winter and summer and don't cheap out on either. The car is great in all conditions if you equip it properly.

[Bond, James Bond]

Thank you all !
Any recommendations for a specific brand and model?
what about the rims?
And finally, When I change cars, lets say I go back to a 3 series , can I use the same wheels? or whats good for a 1 series will not fit a 3 series?