Tire shops are driving me insane...

Dechy · 11-21-2011, 10:49 AM

Seriously... how much friggin misinformation can there be between a dozen different shops?!

Some shops tell me 98 load rating is fine for the X3, some say hell no. Some say 17" fits, some say never going to happen. Some say that I absolutely need RFTs, some say no.

I'm beginning to wonder if some of those shops are even equipped to handle RFT rims/lifting up BMWs with those jack points...

So, I checked a few threads about winters tires, and there seems to be very few people going for 17"; can most rims fit (as long as the offset/etc... are in-spec) or can only specific 17" fit. If most 17" fit, I'd probably go that way with RFTs

If it's too much of a gamble, is 98 load enough compared to the 102 OEM? If it is, I'd get non-RFTs in 19" (Blizzak LM-60 are cheap price-wise and a good performer for that size) with a can/compressor.

Some places here are charging over 600$ a tire for RFT Pirellis... which is completely insane for some rubber & metal lol

Oh, and why is it every place I go their systems say 245/40R19 for the 35i when the LS2 I have mounted are 245/45R19? That's pretty odd...

Thanks.

fiddy yen · 11-21-2011, 12:53 PM

17" will fit, there is a guy on here running 17's on his 35i. However, judging by the photos they are barely clearing the caliper. Personally myself, I am doing 18's just to be safe.

As for tires, shop around... find out which one is the best place... $600/tire on 19's don't seem too bad... but on 17's? complete rip off.

fedinand · 11-21-2011, 03:47 PM

I'm running 17s and yes they barely clear the brake calipers...but they do clear and should not be an issue (I have always downsized for winter wheels and have never had a problem with clearance - I ran the same wheels on a 335xi with the same/similar size brakes). You will get more wheel protection and winter tires seems to do better with more sidewall and 17s will cost less too...

powertech83 · 11-21-2011, 04:42 PM

Here all the X3 came with 17" wheel as standard. So they have to fit

welkerbrads · 11-21-2011, 07:45 PM

My X3 came with 17". I should have gotten the 18. I have been looking at diffenent 17" and I am very limited to what I can get.

GreenW · 11-21-2011, 09:45 PM

This is how my 18" clears on the front wheel of 2012 X3 35i M-sport package. I think it touches the balance weight. I would stay with 19" next time.

Burrnerd · 11-22-2011, 09:28 AM

I just got Hankook Winter i*cept evo W310 tires (245/50R18) on Replika 90B wheels for my 35i. These replace my LS2's on 309 wheels. So far I am very happy with the ride and handling.

I found out later, much to my relief,that these Hankook tires were rated top by Consumer Reports.

11-21-2011, 10:49 AM	#1
Dechy Private 3 Rep 67 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i M Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	Tire shops are driving me insane... Seriously... how much friggin misinformation can there be between a dozen different shops?! Some shops tell me 98 load rating is fine for the X3, some say hell no. Some say 17" fits, some say never going to happen. Some say that I absolutely need RFTs, some say no. I'm beginning to wonder if some of those shops are even equipped to handle RFT rims/lifting up BMWs with those jack points... So, I checked a few threads about winters tires, and there seems to be very few people going for 17"; can most rims fit (as long as the offset/etc... are in-spec) or can only specific 17" fit. If most 17" fit, I'd probably go that way with RFTs If it's too much of a gamble, is 98 load enough compared to the 102 OEM? If it is, I'd get non-RFTs in 19" (Blizzak LM-60 are cheap price-wise and a good performer for that size) with a can/compressor. Some places here are charging over 600$ a tire for RFT Pirellis... which is completely insane for some rubber & metal lol Oh, and why is it every place I go their systems say 245/40R19 for the 35i when the LS2 I have mounted are 245/45R19? That's pretty odd... Thanks.
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11-21-2011, 12:53 PM	#2
fiddy yen First Lieutenant 25 Rep 329 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i Msport Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Skeetsckatchewan iTrader: (0)	17" will fit, there is a guy on here running 17's on his 35i. However, judging by the photos they are barely clearing the caliper. Personally myself, I am doing 18's just to be safe. As for tires, shop around... find out which one is the best place... $600/tire on 19's don't seem too bad... but on 17's? complete rip off. __________________ 2008 335i 6MT - Dinan tuned stge 2 1986 325es - SOLD 2012 BMW X3 35i AW on RB Msport - JB3 @ 4.0PSi over stock, 20x9F and 20x10.5R Stance SC-5ive, H&R lowering springs. - SOLD 2006 BMW 330i - //M rep kit with custom exhaust, H&R springs, 19" VMR - SOLD
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11-21-2011, 03:47 PM	#3
fedinand Major 74 Rep 1,271 Posts Drives: '11 X3, '11 GTI Join Date: May 2007 Location: MN iTrader: (6)	I'm running 17s and yes they barely clear the brake calipers...but they do clear and should not be an issue (I have always downsized for winter wheels and have never had a problem with clearance - I ran the same wheels on a 335xi with the same/similar size brakes). You will get more wheel protection and winter tires seems to do better with more sidewall and 17s will cost less too... __________________ The X3 The GTI The Birds The Dogs
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11-21-2011, 04:42 PM	#4
powertech83 Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 208 Posts Drives: F25 X3 20d Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Indonesia iTrader: (0)	Here all the X3 came with 17" wheel as standard. So they have to fit
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11-21-2011, 07:45 PM	#5
welkerbrads Private First Class 10 Rep 120 Posts Drives: 2011 white X3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: cape girardeau mo iTrader: (0)	My X3 came with 17". I should have gotten the 18. I have been looking at diffenent 17" and I am very limited to what I can get.
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11-21-2011, 09:45 PM	#6
GreenW New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2012 X3 35i carbon black Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	This is how my 18" clears on the front wheel of 2012 X3 35i M-sport package. I think it touches the balance weight. I would stay with 19" next time. Attached Images
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11-22-2011, 09:28 AM	#7
Burrnerd New Member 0 Rep 8 Posts Drives: X3 35i Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Eastern Ontario iTrader: (0)	I just got Hankook Winter i*cept evo W310 tires (245/50R18) on Replika 90B wheels for my 35i. These replace my LS2's on 309 wheels. So far I am very happy with the ride and handling. I found out later, much to my relief,that these Hankook tires were rated top by Consumer Reports.
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