Snow Tire Question

umd318ti · 10-14-2005, 04:33 AM

I'm looking at buying a set of wheels/tires for this winter. I found a used set of Blizzaks sized 225/50R17 with rims. First of all, will these fit alright on a ti? Secondly, are these tires too wide to be functional in the snow? I've heard blizzaks are really good, but these tires are 9.25" wide and i was thinking that might be pushing it.

Snow tires with 17's would look pretty sweet though...i wasnt really looking forward to dropping to 15's for the winter. Thanks for you help.

**1996 328ti** · 10-14-2005, 04:51 AM

A lot depends where you live.
I think 225 17s are a poor choice.
Forget about looks and think practical.
I'm too lazy to see what size my snows are but I bet they are 165 15s.

Blizzaks are great in the snow if your winter is predominately snow.
They suck on dry. I use Vredstein because in my area it really doesn't snow that much. Mor of my driving is on dry roads but I want the comfort of snows.

All tires are tradeoffs.

maxt · 10-14-2005, 05:03 AM

i just picked up a set of 15" steel rims w/OEM hubcaps for my ti for 100$ shipped..check out ebay, good time to buy in the summer, before everyone wants them in the fall. not to mention that 15" winter tires are way cheaper

AlaskaBlue · 10-14-2005, 05:47 AM

I have a set of OEM 15 inch alloys for sale from an active.

L84THSKY · 10-14-2005, 01:08 PM

I was thinking the same exact thing.

I have the original 15" steel rims in the garage (no tires), 15" OEM alloys with Continental all season tires (Winter), and 17" alloys with Dunlop performance tires (Summer).

If I went to M3 brakes in the front, I would need 17" wheels as winter wheels, instead of my 15" wheels. Wider tires do not work well in snow, but how narrow of a 17" all season tire can be had? I checked tire rack. I think 205/40/17 is the smallest, and 215/45/17 is more common.

Quote:

Originally Posted by umd318ti

I'm looking at buying a set of wheels/tires for this winter. I found a used set of Blizzaks sized 225/50R17 with rims. First of all, will these fit alright on a ti? Secondly, are these tires too wide to be functional in the snow? I've heard blizzaks are really good, but these tires are 9.25" wide and i was thinking that might be pushing it.

Snow tires with 17's would look pretty sweet though...i wasnt really looking forward to dropping to 15's for the winter. Thanks for you help.

96cali · 10-14-2005, 02:58 PM

I think 17" used Blizzaks are the wrong coice if you can possibly go smaller. One of the best deals is direct shipping mounted snows on steel rims direct from Tirerack. New, easy and you can get a tire most suited to your climate and driving needs. FYI Blizzaks are about the softest and sloppiest you can buy but they stick like crazee in snow/ice.

BMWVW · 10-14-2005, 03:06 PM

I live in Western New York and we get some decent snow. I used the original 15in steel rims and put Nokian HAKKAPELIITTA Q on them. They are amazing. Only when we get a real blizzard and the snow is over 6inches on the road do I have any problems on hills (i.e. don't stop!!!)
And that is more because my car is lowered. They have been good on ice and snow.

I would prefer not to drive my BMW in the winter if I had a choice, but I did the winter car thing for two years and it was too costly. I just try to treat the BMW nicely whenever I can in the winter (washing, avoid roads with ruts of snow).

I would avoid anything where the tread is too wide. You get less traction in my experience.

Cheers, Paul.

Calgary98TI · 10-14-2005, 05:30 PM

I use my 98 ti to go skiing in the mountains every weekend during the winter, I have BF Goodrich Winter Slalom installed on 15" OEM rims 195/60, I would not go any wider than that, you want good contact with whatever the surface may be. I have been caughty once or twice with my summer tires still on the car when the first snow falls, and the car is completey useless. I know a few people who have used the Blizzak's and they are great for the first winter, but wear very fast.

My 2 cents

L84THSKY · 10-14-2005, 05:40 PM

That reminds me of my Scirocco. I ran summer tires all year, bad idea.

Then 17" rims are out of the question since they aren't available in anything smaller than 205.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgary98TI

I use my 98 ti to go skiing in the mountains every weekend during the winter, I have BF Goodrich Winter Slalom installed on 15" OEM rims 195/60, I would not go any wider than that, you want good contact with whatever the surface may be. I have been caughty once or twice with my summer tires still on the car when the first snow falls, and the car is completey useless. I know a few people who have used the Blizzak's and they are great for the first winter, but wear very fast.

My 2 cents

318technic · 10-14-2005, 05:40 PM

i know we have a five lug pattern, but i don't know if it's 5 by 100 or 5 by 120? my friend thought it was 120 but he wasn't sure. i found a set of snow tires mounted on some steelies that mesure 205/55/16 with a 5 by 100 lug pattern. my summer tires are 225/60/16. does anyone know if these would work on our cars? i don't know if i would need to pick up some uni-lugs...or if that would even help.

any info would be greatly appreciated.

umd318ti · 10-14-2005, 08:10 PM

Yeah i was thinking those tires would be needlessly big. They are being sold with M3 rims too, and that would have looked nice. Oh well...

I think i am just going to go with tirerack.com and probably get some nasty steel wheels or something. I can live with it for the winter.

DustenT · 10-14-2005, 08:40 PM

Bolt pattern is 5 X 120.

318technic · 10-14-2005, 09:16 PM

thanks! i knew someone here would know

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