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      11-21-2011, 04:06 PM   #1
bluesmachine
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2011 BMW X3 35i  [0.00]
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Snow Tire Question: Size and Handling

I have a USA issue 2011 X3 35i with the 18 inch wheels. My local tire place has one tire for the 245/50/18's but has many options for going down one size to:

225 / 60 / 17's... My question is how much will that affect my day to day dry road handling?

I live in New England and drive mostly on plowed roads, but there are occasions where I travel to a ski mountain or drive on packed, snowy roads.

Will the taller tire make my X3 handle much differently then the stock 18's?

Thanks in advance.
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      11-21-2011, 04:29 PM   #2
fedinand
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The taller snow tire will give you a softer ride and less precise handling and braking..
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      11-21-2011, 05:58 PM   #3
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But will also be slightly narrower to cut through the snow better. My understanding is 17" wheels will fit the 35i but some models are a very tight fit over the brake caliper.
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      11-21-2011, 06:47 PM   #4
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fwiw, I went with 235/55/17 instead of 225/60/17 - I wanted a wider tire than 225s on the X3 and thought the 235s were a better compromise for me. They won't cut through the snow as well as 225s, but they will feel better on the many dry/non snow days we have also.
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      01-04-2012, 12:48 AM   #5
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The overall height is less than 1/10" different between 245-50-18 and 225-60-17. Not enough difference to notice. The softer ride, therefore better pothole resistance, comes from having 1" more overall tire sidewall and 1" less wheel diameter.
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