Winter rims/tires - GTA

[SoN][c]

What are you guys doing for winter rims/tires? What are your thoughts on replicas for the winter - I like the stock look but not sure which way to go (is anyone making M4 reps yet?). Who do you recommend in the GTA that's honest and knows what they're doing? Thanks!

[hacxyzzy]

I'm going to downsize to 18" rims but have yet to resolve which tires I'm going to get. I'm down to two primary options - the Michelin x-ice3 or the Blizzak WS-70s. Nokian Hakka's are another option I'm contemplating. Decisions decisions...

One thing I have noticed is a distinct lack of any consensus of opinion. Having survived the polar vortex last winter, I'm after a snow tire with good deep snow traction along with handling icy/snow packed roads. Getting a decent set of rims will be another problem since I'd like to avoid getting them through BMW if at all possible due to their markup (yes I know that's strange after buying an M4)

[farbmw]

I here you guys I have Tuner Motorsport LTW rims that I got for the 335is, they are 18x9 and 18x10, I don't know if I can fit winter tires on them but I know the rims should fit on the M4.

The only reason I am thinking about it, the wife doesn't want me to buy anymore big ticket items.

[Nex]

Same dilemma here. I know I'm getting Nokian Hakkas R2 for sure. Just not sure whether 18 or 19". I keep on hearing that not all 18" fit because of the extra groove in the stock 18" M rims that accommodate for the the caliper pins despite the rims having the proper offsets.
I was going to go with VMR V710 in 18", but may have to step up to 19" if they don't clear the caliper pins.

[hacxyzzy]

Originally Posted by Nex

Same dilemma here. I know I'm getting Nokian Hakkas R2 for sure. Just not sure whether 18 or 19". I keep on hearing that not all 18" fit because of the extra groove in the stock 18" M rims that accommodate for the the caliper pins despite the rims having the proper offsets.
I was going to go with VMR V710 in 18", but may have to step up to 19" if they don't clear the caliper pins.

Yes this will be an issue. Hopefully in the next two months or so options should be available on the market. Being able to downsize to 18" is one of the reasons I elected not to go with CCBs. I also have to get rid of the winter tires for my 335 that I still have in storage. Frankly thinking about this already is depressing

[bobblehead]

anyone can verify 18 can and will the Brembo brakes ? If BMW offers 18", then it's fine. Just watch out those aftermarket wheels out there.

If in doubt, go 19.

btw, if you can, try not to choose winter performance tires, such as Michelin PA4, I had them last and they wear out very fast. Very soft winter rubber compound and decent snow traction.

[Nex]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

anyone can verify 18 can and will the Brembo brakes ? If BMW offers 18", then it's fine. Just watch out those aftermarket wheels out there.

I assume you're asking if 18" rims can clear the stock Brembo brakes? If so, the OEM 18" rims obviously clear them, but they have a groove in them in the barrel of the rim to give it extra clearance for the caliper clips.
Some have tried aftermarket 18" rims with the proper offset to clear the calipers from the spokes, but it still didn't fit because of the caliper clips rubbing on the barrel.
I've checked the price for the BMW OEM Winter 18" rims 640M, and they're asking $2500 for rims only.

[01ON19]

Tirerack has rims and winter tires they say will fit an M3 but currently only 19" or 20". They should have more later. I normally buy from them and either have them shipped here or to Niagara Falls, NY.

BMW will charge you major $$$.

[Shawn Dover]

Originally Posted by Kanuck

Tirerack has rims and winter tires they say will fit an M3 but currently only 19" or 20". They should have more later. I normally buy from them and either have them shipped here or to Niagara Falls, NY.

BMW will charge you major $$$.

I called Tire Rack and was told that the Rial P10 18" will fit. No idea if that's correct...

[bmwpwer]

The best place to go for winter rims and tires in Toronto is Megawheelz Tirecraft on the Queensway. They are awesome and ask for Wayne. They do a lot for the BMW Club of Ontario. I have used them for all my beemers.

[gthal]

I bought a set of Avant Garde M510 in 19x8.5 from Need4Speed (vendor here) and will put a set of 255/35-19 Nokian Hakapelitta R2 on them. Square to rotate yearly as needed. 19's because I think they look the best on the car and there is no worry about clearance issues. Also, the M510 were very reasonably priced and are everything seems to be very high quality.

[Soundstream]

I've said it before on other forums, but the Michelin Alpin PA4 have been the best winters tires I've ever had. Their fantastic performance in the dry is what I expected, which is what 90% of the winter is. But the pleasant surprise was how good they were in ice and snow (for a performance winter tire).

The PA3s we're not that great in snowy conditions, but the PA4s have really improved that one problem they had.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by Soundstream

I've said it before on other forums, but the Michelin Alpin PA4 have been the best winters tires I've ever had. Their fantastic performance in the dry is what I expected, which is what 90% of the winter is. But the pleasant surprise was how good they were in ice and snow (for a performance winter tire).

The PA3s we're not that great in snowy conditions, but the PA4s have really improved that one problem they had.

I hope Michelin did improve the snow performance over the PA3 as you suggest. Glad to hear this. For me, the PA3 performed so poorly in wet snow, slush and ice, I might have a hard time risking buying the PA4. I sold the PA3 after only 1 month because I had no confidence in them in poor weather. Reports like yours might eventually convince me to try the PA4 because, as you mention, the PA3 was great in dry weather and that is most of the time. Unfortunately, I couldn't risk getting caught in bad weather with them and that was the more important issue for me. Maybe after the Nokian's are toast, I might give the PA4 a try if people seem to be happy with its snow, ice and slush performance.

[sunnyboy]

I will probably worry about winters when it gets closer to winter (and after I actually get my M4... hehe). But likely will try to go down to 18"

The place I go to is Steelcase tyres (http://www.steelcasetires.ca/) I have been with them for over 20 years. They know their stuff and are quite honest. You can ask for Dave or Jimmy.

[pokerface]

Just throwing it out there...

I remember the 335i folks complaining anything less than an H rated tire either squirms too much or wears out too quickly due to the soft compound needed for deep snow or ice duty for the torque their cars produce. I'd imagine that effect would be worse on the M

[gthal]

Originally Posted by pokerface

Just throwing it out there...

I remember the 335i folks complaining anything less than an H rated tire either squirms too much or wears out too quickly due to the soft compound needed for deep snow or ice duty for the torque their cars produce. I'd imagine that effect would be worse on the M

True... but it comes down to whether you need/prefer great traction in bad conditions or great traction in cold/dry conditions. Everything is a compromise.

For me, I need to know that if I need to get somewhere and the weather gets bad that the tires will perform. If that means more squirm and shorter tread life, so be it. Others care far more about dry road performance.

[farbmw]

Originally Posted by gthal

True... but it comes down to whether you need/prefer great traction in bad conditions or great traction in cold/dry conditions. Everything is a compromise.

For me, I need to know that if I'm need to get somewhere and the weather gets bad that the tires will perform. If that means more squirm and shorter tread life, so be it. Others care far more about dry road performance.

+1

[bobblehead]

Really ?

How come when I asked for and wanted certain tires, they kept on pushing me towards only the second tier brand name tire ? Those guys even said the other national brands that I asked for were real bunch of craps.

Funny thing was a couple years earlier, they were raving those exact national brands they were selling. What changed ? Oh! I know. It was because they bought a few truck loads of tires that they needed to unload onto the buying public.

Sorry. My experience was a total opposite of yours.

Originally Posted by sunnyboy

I will probably worry about winters when it gets closer to winter (and after I actually get my M4... hehe). But likely will try to go down to 18"

The place I go to is Steelcase tyres (http://www.steelcasetires.ca/) I have been with them for over 20 years. They know their stuff and are quite honest. You can ask for Dave or Jimmy.

[sunnyboy]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

Really ?

How come when I asked for and wanted certain tires, they kept on pushing me towards only the second tier brand name tire ? Those guys even said the other national brands that I asked for were real bunch of craps.

Funny thing was a couple years earlier, they were raving those exact national brands they were selling. What changed ? Oh! I know. It was because they bought a few truck loads of tires that they needed to unload onto the buying public.

Sorry. My experience was a total opposite of yours.

Sorry to hear about the bad experience. I guess it depends on who you spoke to. They have spoken to me about second tier but they never said the national brands were crap. They just gave me compatible options that were 1/2 the price.

[WVUDrJay]

I got these snow tires.

[Soundstream]

Originally Posted by sunnyboy

The place I go to is Steelcase tyres (http://www.steelcasetires.ca/) I have been with them for over 20 years. They know their stuff and are quite honest. You can ask for Dave or Jimmy.

I've been buying tires with them for 20+ years too. About a set a year (between multiple cars, winter and summer, etc).

They will occasionally push brands other than what you suggest, but that is because they are often more focused on getting you a great deal in a reasonable timeframe.

Push them on it and what you'll normally find out is that the reason for their alternate suggestions is due to low availability, long wait times, or high prices, on the brands/models you have specifically requested.

Yes, they are a business and perhaps lean a little towards higher margin items too. But if you are set on what you want, they will get it for you.

[sunnyboy]

Originally Posted by Soundstream

I've been buying tires with them for 20+ years too. About a set a year (between multiple cars, winter and summer, etc).

They will occasionally push brands other than what you suggest, but that is because they are often more focused on getting you a great deal in a reasonable timeframe.

Push them on it and what you'll normally find out is that the reason for their alternate suggestions is due to low availability, long wait times, or high prices, on the brands/models you have specifically requested.

Yes, they are a business and perhaps lean a little towards higher margin items too. But if you are set on what you want, they will get it for you.

Well said, exactly what I meant.
I couldn't have put it better myself ... and obviously I didn't...