[martinf79]

Hi All - recently placed my order for MY2013 335i M Sport w/ 19" Starggered M Sport Rims (w/ Summer Rubber).

Obviously need winters (in Toronto). Looking to go w/ 225 19's all around. Anyone else go w/ 19" for winter driving on current/past cars? Any issues with it?

[CurlyFatAngry]

I don't know if 19" is a good idea, the rule is smaller rim size = more rubber surface and better cut in snow and ice that's why people actually go with 17" winters.

[Maz335i]

I was planning to until the dealer told me NOT TO.


I ordered a set of 19" wheels for my new car. I decided to go for another set for winter and the guy told tme that he would HIGHLY recommend I dont go for anything higher than 17". Due to the tread gap and more rubber on the small rims, it is much easier to move in snow.

In the end I decided to order 18" winter tires as that would give me enough thread gap plus look good on my car.

[martinf79]

Originally Posted by Maz335i

I was planning to until the dealer told me NOT TO.


I ordered a set of 19" wheels for my new car. I decided to go for another set for winter and the guy told tme that he would HIGHLY recommend I dont go for anything higher than 17". Due to the thread gap and more rubber on the small rims, it is much easier to move in snow.

In the end I decided to order 18" winter tires as that would give me enough thread gap plus look good on my car.

Thanks for responding guys ... but I'm not sure if I'm following.

Tire width would be the same (225mm width regardless of if its sitting on a 17 or 18" rim)... so are we only talking tire tread depth (i.e. how deep the tread is on a 19" rim). Are we suggesting that the tread wouldn't be as deep as it would be on a 17" or 18" because the sidewall is smaller (and thefore tread depth would suffer)? Wouldn't the tread depth still be the same still (as the side wall would simply suffer)? I'm just not understanding the physics of it? Sorry - not trying to be difficult, I just don't understand.

[Shep1]

This is my first post and I am also awaiting my 2013 335i m sport. I went with the standard m sport wheels for summer and I will need winter tires as well. Has your dealer given you details about winter alloys available for your car? I have asked and I am still waiting to hear from my dealer - curious to know what your dealer has told you, if anything, about winter wheels.

[joew12]

Still waiting for my 2013 335i Mpack with 19' wheels.
I'll go for a square set of Michelin Pilot PA4 in 235/40r19.
You can go for 225 but it look like a bit strech on 8,5 inch wide.

The problem doing that is your tracking will not be the same because of the higher offset of the rear wheels. I personnally have to put 12mm spacers in the back for the exact same tracking.

[metrickid]

I have been running 19" winter wheels for the last 5 years here in Sweden. I guess the climate is similar to Canada. No problem what so ever.

I don't know if they are available in Canada, but I run Nokian Hakka R 235/35R19. Test winner year after year. I will use the stock OEM 19" wheels for the winter and a set of 20's for the summer.

[martinf79]

Originally Posted by Shep1

This is my first post and I am also awaiting my 2013 335i m sport. I went with the standard m sport wheels for summer and I will need winter tires as well. Has your dealer given you details about winter alloys available for your car? I have asked and I am still waiting to hear from my dealer - curious to know what your dealer has told you, if anything, about winter wheels.

I would never buy winter wheels/tires from the dealer ... will cost you 4x as much as you can get from any tuning/tire shop...

[martinf79]

Originally Posted by Rossifumi

I have been running 19" winter wheels for the last 5 years here in Sweden. I guess the climate is similar to Canada. No problem what so ever.

I don't know if they are available in Canada, but I run Nokian Hakka R 235/35R19. Test winner year after year. I will use the stock OEM 19" wheels for the winter and a set of 20's for the summer.

Is this a winter performance tire?

[martinf79]

I just read reviews on the Hakka R ... seems like a stellar option... albeit... very pricey in Canada. Only downside is that they don't have sizing to fit a staggered setup (sizes end up too big or too small in over diameter).

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by martinf79

Is this a winter performance tire?

Originally Posted by martinf79

I just read reviews on the Hakka R ... seems like a stellar option... albeit... very pricey in Canada. Only downside is that they don't have sizing to fit a staggered setup (sizes end up too big or too small in over diameter).

No, as you already know it is a real winter (studless) tire.
It is a really great tire made for real winter, snow and ice and all that. As I said in my previous post. It is the test winner the last 4-5 years here in Sweden.

Is the diameter really that important for you? The speed will be a couple km/h off, it isn't the end of the world. I have used 235/35/R19 both front and rear for 5 years on both 335's, Lexus IS-F, 535d etc. Works great.

[martinf79]

Originally Posted by Rossifumi

No, as you already know it is a real winter (studless) tire.
It is a really great tire made for real winter, snow and ice and all that. As I said in my previous post. It is the test winner the last 4-5 years here in Sweden.

Is the diameter really that important for you? The speed will be a couple km/h off, it isn't the end of the world. I have used 235/35/R19 both front and rear for 5 years on both 335's, Lexus IS-F, 535d etc. Works great.

Just don't know if I need a "real" winter tire (as opposed to a performance winter tire). Don't know how much "performance" I'd be givign up for better snow/ice driving (given how infrequent our real bad winter days are where I live)... ohhh... dilemma’s...

[metrickid]

That is why I go with the studless. Sure, they ain't nothing you take to the track but they work just fine even if there is no snow. I had Nokian WR that is a more performance oriented tire (for Germany and similar climates) and they weren't terrible. But I like to know that I have the best tire suited for snow and take the compromise that I can't push the car hard during the winter.

Last year we didn't have any snow at all really in the south of Sweden, but I go north quite often so I need proper tires. But even then, it is not so bad driving them on dry asphalt. And I love how good the performance summer tires feel when you change them back in the spring!

[martinf79]

Originally Posted by Rossifumi

That is why I go with the studless. Sure, they ain't nothing you take to the track but they work just fine even if there is no snow. I had Nokian WR that is a more performance oriented tire (for Germany and similar climates) and they weren't terrible. But I like to know that I have the best tire suited for snow and take the compromise that I can't push the car hard during the winter.

Last year we didn't have any snow at all really in the south of Sweden, but I go north quite often so I need proper tires. But even then, it is not so bad driving them on dry asphalt. And I love how good the performance summer tires feel when you change them back in the spring!

Thanks Rossifumi ... definitely something for me to consider ...

[bananachipz]

Originally Posted by martinf79

Is this a winter performance tire?

Nokian Hakkapelita's are hands down the best winter performance tire money can buy...


If you can find them that is.. There are places that carry them, but they are harder to find than the usual suspects.

[martinf79]

Originally Posted by bananachipz

Nokian Hakkapelita's are hands down the best winter performance tire money can buy...


If you can find them that is.. There are places that carry them, but they are harder to find than the usual suspects.

They are not winter performance tires (they have a R speed rating + softer side wall), as opposed to say a Blizzak LM-60, which is H rated + stiifer side wall.

Kakka seems to be a great winter tire (even on dry roads), but just to be clear, it is NOT a performance winter tire.

[metrickid]

Originally Posted by martinf79

They are not winter performance tires (they have a R speed rating + softer side wall), as opposed to say a Blizzak LM-60, which is H rated + stiifer side wall.

Kakka seems to be a great winter tire (even on dry roads), but just to be clear, it is NOT a performance winter tire.

Originally Posted by bananachipz

Nokian Hakkapelita's are hands down the best winter performance tire money can buy...


If you can find them that is.. There are places that carry them, but they are harder to find than the usual suspects.

Exactly. Nokian Hakka R and Nokian Hakkapellitta 5/7 are winter tires made for the scandinavian winter.

For continental weather and more performance oriented tires Nokian have the WR-line (4 different options).

[bananachipz]

Either way they are fantastic tires

[rwrwrwrw]

I have 225-40 18 Blizzaks LM25 Snows on Sport Edition beater rims. Got them from Tire Rack. Great setup for winters in Toronto area.