[BMWX3MDD]

Originally Posted by ianfp

Thanks for that! This side of the pond they will probably be 40% more expensive, as is the cost of the car!
Ian

It is much pricer compare to 17" or 18", 19" (just tires) is about same price to get a set of 17" with some basic wheeles at tirerack...

also the cost to swap the tires on twice a year...

[BMWX3MDD]

how about TPMS should I put that in, or just skip it for winter..?

Any suggestion or experience..!! thx

[E92LNGCGY]

Originally Posted by D3R9

how about TPMS should I put that in, or just skip it for winter..?

Any suggestion or experience..!! thx

Canadian models does not require TPMS. The sensor is built into the hub.

[BMWX3MDD]

Originally Posted by E92LNGCGY

Canadian models does not require TPMS. The sensor is built into the hub.

if I need to get a new set of 17" wheels with winter rubber on..?? Do I??

[E92LNGCGY]

Originally Posted by D3R9

if I need to get a new set of 17" wheels with winter rubber on..?? Do I??

Nope. It shouldn't matter.

[Midwest X6]

Originally Posted by D3R9

if I need to get a new set of 17" wheels with winter rubber on..?? Do I??

Wow - in US vehicles the TPMS is in the wheel and you'd need to ensure TPMS is on your alternate set of wheels too..

[DonC]

Adds $ to the winter set...

[turbotoy4me]

I used my all season tires on the stock 19" M-Sport Wheels through one winter season here in the Colorado Rockies and they did a good job. If you are looking for a winter set up I would go with a 17" or 18" tire and wheel set up. Good luck!

[Francolargo]

Originally Posted by turbotoy4me

I used my all season tires on the stock 19" M-Sport Wheels through one winter season here in the Colorado Rockies and they did a good job. If you are looking for a winter set up I would go with a 17" or 18" tire and wheel set up. Good luck!

Sounds good. I'll go the stock all-season route for '12-'13. Lets remember that winter conditions vary widely, and air/road temperature drastically affects the traction we get on snowy roads. Worst of all is snow in warm conditions, where specialized tires can truly shine. Moderate amounts of cold snow really isn't much trouble, but in deep snow the tire's outer diameter is as much an issue as its tread pattern. Since tire diameters are all the same, the snap-on snow "chains" look pretty interesting. Anybody tried them?

Frank

[Rodion]

I have BMW "replica" wheels, 17" and Nokia Hakkapeliitta 7 as tyres.

This is how it looks: http://i42.tinypic.com/wk3bqg.jpg

And this is how it drives:



Extremly good traction on snow and ice, yet ok to drive on plain asphalt as well. Not too much noise.

AFAIK, you can get these even as size 20"



http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=1...akkapeliitta+7

Of course they have tyres without studs as well, e.g.


http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=1...akkapeliitta+R

[Midwest X6]

Originally Posted by Rodion

I have BMW "replica" wheels, 17" and Nokia Hakkapeliitta 7 as tyres.

This is how it looks: http://i42.tinypic.com/wk3bqg.jpg

And this is how it drives:



Extremly good traction on snow and ice, yet ok to drive on plain asphalt as well. Not too much noise.

AFAIK, you can get these even as size 20"


http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=1...akkapeliitta+7

Of course they have tyres without studs as well, e.g.


http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=1...akkapeliitta+R

Some of the best tires in the world imo ....But you pay a steep price for such wonderful rubber

[Rodion]

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

Some of the best tires in the world imo ....But you pay a steep price for such wonderful rubber

As they say: if you want good and cheap, you have to buy two (ie. the good and the cheap)

[BMWLVX]

I'm having a difficult time finding winter tyres that will fit on the staggered M-Sport 19" setup. I've tried on Pirelli, Goodyear, Michelin, Continental and Dunlop websites so far but none of them do a matching set of winter tyres for the staggered wheels. Any suggestions?

[Rodion]

Originally Posted by BMWLVX

I'm having a difficult time finding winter tyres that will fit on the staggered M-Sport 19" setup. I've tried on Pirelli, Goodyear, Michelin, Continental and Dunlop websites so far but none of them do a matching set of winter tyres for the staggered wheels. Any suggestions?

Check my links to Nokian tyres couple of posts above?

[mooney058]

Originally Posted by Rodion

Check my links to Nokian tyres couple of posts above?

or else, check what your dealer has in stock (or should have as winter sets will start arriving soon).

[Chris55]

Originally Posted by BMWLVX

I'm having a difficult time finding winter tyres that will fit on the staggered M-Sport 19" setup. I've tried on Pirelli, Goodyear, Michelin, Continental and Dunlop websites so far but none of them do a matching set of winter tyres for the staggered wheels. Any suggestions?

I'm sure Pirelli are the only manufacturer that make tyres for that wheel set-up (I've got the same wheels).

They are the:
Pirelli W240 Sottozero S2 RSC 245/45 R19 102 V XL and 275/40 R19 105 V XL.


Though I would not recommend staggered wheels for the winter as you will most likely have handling problems.

I was lucky and my dealer is GIVING me (not kidding) brand new 309s 19" (not staggered) with Dunlop tyres.

Again, I do not recommend staggered for the winter unless you never have snow or slush .

[BMWLVX]

Thanks Chris. I'm curious how I could get handling issues. Would you care to enlighten me please?

[mooney058]

Originally Posted by Chris55

I'm sure Pirelli are the only manufacturer that make tyres for that wheel set-up (I've got the same wheels).

They are the:
Pirelli W240 Sottozero S2 RSC 245/45 R19 102 V XL and 275/40 R19 105 V XL.


Though I would not recommend staggered wheels for the winter as you will most likely have handling problems.

I was lucky and my dealer is GIVING me (not kidding) brand new 309s 19" (not staggered) with Dunlop tyres.

Again, I do not recommend staggered for the winter unless you never have snow or slush .

giving in a sence for 0 CHF? not bad, I am jealous, as mine said he could make max 15% from the list price (and nowadays list price for tires at least are well above actual market prices) ...

[Chris55]

Originally Posted by BMWLVX

Thanks Chris. I'm curious how I could get handling issues. Would you care to enlighten me please?

I guess you're pulling my leg... right? Well just imagine the front wheel making it's way through slush/snow, then the rear wheel which is larger making it's way through right after. In addition the rear wheel you're are speaking of (19" M sport) is actually too large to be safe in slushy conditions.

All this is my opinion but if you speak to the dealer or tire people you might hear the same thing. I just think that safety/handling is more important than looks.

[Chris55]

Originally Posted by mooney058

giving in a sence for 0 CHF? not bad, I am jealous, as mine said he could make max 15% from the list price (and nowadays list price for tires at least are well above actual market prices) ...

I know i'm lucky . I was checking on winter options a few days before picking up the car and the dealer offered me 1st 18" but I really wanted 19", so I told him I'd be by that evening to see what he could offer me and at what cost.
That evening he told me that the wheels + tires would cost 4,300 CHF but as we got a car that was loaded (except for the sunroof) he spoke to the boss and was told to give them to us as a gift, for free!!! I can tell you that my wife and I were totally stunned.. but happy!

[lbjgh]

I've used Hakkapeliitta, Blizzaks and IceX tires on my cars and I think I'll go with Blizzaks for the X3 as I've found they provide the best grip IMO.

[BMWLVX]

Originally Posted by Chris55

I guess you're pulling my leg... right? Well just imagine the front wheel making it's way through slush/snow, then the rear wheel which is larger making it's way through right after. In addition the rear wheel you're are speaking of (19" M sport) is actually too large to be safe in slushy conditions.

All this is my opinion but if you speak to the dealer or tire people you might hear the same thing. I just think that safety/handling is more important that looks.

Thanks. No I wasn't joking. The first time I've had a car with staggered setup so I didn't really think this would make a difference really. So I take it that you've already driven your staggered setup in snowy conditions? I'd be a bit disappointed if the X3 was throwing wobblies over a few cm of snow extra for the rear wheels.