[Bayrisch]

I am seeking winter tires for my xdrive35i which has staggered 19" wheels (245/45 front, 275/40 rear). I would like to go with 17" or 18" wheels and a higher profile tire for winter driving. Will this impact handling negatively? I don't plan to do any "performance" driving with winter wheels. Any suggestions or comments on wheel/tire combinations?

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by Bayrisch

I am seeking winter tires for my xdrive35i which has staggered 19" wheels (245/45 front, 275/40 rear). I would like to go with 17" or 18" wheels and a higher profile tire for winter driving. Will this impact handling negatively? I don't plan to do any "performance" driving with winter wheels. Any suggestions or comments on wheel/tire combinations?

Welcome to the forum.

I have the same setup as you do. Many other people also do in the UK because this is a common setup for the M Sport models. From what I can remember this is a standard configuration for the 30d and 35d models that are really fast powerful cars.

It is best to have a non staggered [square setup]set of standard wheels as winter wheels, more so if you are going to drive in snow so that the rear wheels travel in the same track as the fronts.

I purchased a set of 18" standard wheels [square setup] and the car felt the same as it did on the 19" staggered setup even when driven spiritedly.

Note. Although not relevant for you, I remember some time ago when investigating winter wheel configurations, I could not find 19" 275/40 winter tyres in the UK.

[nyalpine90]

square setup is best option

[Bayrisch]

with square setup did you go to 18" wheels? Also did you use runflats?

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by Bayrisch

with square setup did you go to 18" wheels? Also did you use runflats?

Yes to 18" wheels. Yes to runflats, only because I got them at a very good price along with the wheels!

Having said that I have just replaced my summer runflats with non runflats.

By the way the winter runflats on the 18" wheels [square setup], feel just as comfortable and handle very similar to the non run flats on the 19" staggered setup.

You are aware that the rubber compound on winter tyres is different (stickier) and some manufacturer's compounds contain sunflower oil to achieve this?