Aftermarket rims vs. BMW rims for winter

torzeck · 10-13-2011, 03:08 PM

I am considering buying Moda Rims for the winter but am concerned about the safety factor.

I have read, probably on this forum, that BMW rims have unique geometry to better secure the tire to the wheel should the tire lose pressure.

Does any one have an educated opinion on this?

Attached are images of the Moda rim I am considering, the BMW 308 rim and a 535 xi sporting these wheels.

The Modas are heck of a lot cheaper than BMW rims and I don't think they look all that bad.

Mako · 10-13-2011, 04:30 PM

just remember that BMW has a large marketing department for a reason and 85% of what they say are "features" are rubbish! did you know that a white iphone has less glare than a black iphone, so you should pay me $50 more for the white model

Apple don't get any ideas with my example!

by the way those rims look nicer on the car picture than on the individual pic. I think this is the case with most wheels, even with teh visualizer that tire rack has, I think a lot of them look bad when looking at a 2D picture online, in person they look much nicer.

as far as generic wheels go, I bought a set for my C63 that actually look a lot like the stock wheels (didn't even mean to do that) they were $600 for the set, have had them 2 winters and no issues! the markup on wheels is insane when you buy factory OEM

torzeck · 10-13-2011, 08:14 PM

Thanks for the response. I hear you.
I know you are looking for a winter set up as well. Have you decided on anything?

Mako · 10-13-2011, 09:45 PM

I am going to go with 18" from tirerack with Michelin winter run flats. Total cost of around $2100. I think for the summer I am going to just leave the all seasons on, hate to do it but I also don't want to spend $1400 for the performance tires and have a set of all seasons going to waste.

02420X3 · 10-13-2011, 10:37 PM

Have you decided which of Tirerack's rims you're going to go with?

caz681 · 10-14-2011, 04:31 PM

In this case, what BMW is telling you isn't rubbish. BMW OEM rims conform to the EH2 (Extended Hump 2) wheel specification, which are specifically designed for run-flat tires. While normal rims have a single ridge (or hump) which holds the inflated tire in place, EH2 rims have a second ridge which holds the tire in place in a zero-pressure situation (such as a blowout). Without this additional ridge, the tire will likely separate from the rim if all pressure is lost.

You'll have to decide if that's an important feature or not. Regardless, without an EH2 rim, if you have a blowout or otherwise lose most of your air pressure, you'll obviously be waiting for the tow truck.

10-13-2011, 03:08 PM	#1
torzeck Lieutenant 52 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i, 2020 X3 30i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Oregon iTrader: (0)	Aftermarket rims vs. BMW rims for winter I am considering buying Moda Rims for the winter but am concerned about the safety factor. I have read, probably on this forum, that BMW rims have unique geometry to better secure the tire to the wheel should the tire lose pressure. Does any one have an educated opinion on this? Attached are images of the Moda rim I am considering, the BMW 308 rim and a 535 xi sporting these wheels. The Modas are heck of a lot cheaper than BMW rims and I don't think they look all that bad. Attached Images
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10-13-2011, 04:30 PM	#2
Mako (Sold) '00 M Roadster '06 M Coupe '16 M3 '20 X3MC 1547 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: '23 M3 comp Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs iTrader: (0)	just remember that BMW has a large marketing department for a reason and 85% of what they say are "features" are rubbish! did you know that a white iphone has less glare than a black iphone, so you should pay me $50 more for the white model Apple don't get any ideas with my example! by the way those rims look nicer on the car picture than on the individual pic. I think this is the case with most wheels, even with teh visualizer that tire rack has, I think a lot of them look bad when looking at a 2D picture online, in person they look much nicer. as far as generic wheels go, I bought a set for my C63 that actually look a lot like the stock wheels (didn't even mean to do that) they were $600 for the set, have had them 2 winters and no issues! the markup on wheels is insane when you buy factory OEM
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10-13-2011, 08:14 PM	#3
torzeck Lieutenant 52 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i, 2020 X3 30i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland Oregon iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the response. I hear you. I know you are looking for a winter set up as well. Have you decided on anything?
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10-13-2011, 09:45 PM	#4
Mako (Sold) '00 M Roadster '06 M Coupe '16 M3 '20 X3MC 1547 Rep 2,588 Posts Drives: '23 M3 comp Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs iTrader: (0)	I am going to go with 18" from tirerack with Michelin winter run flats. Total cost of around $2100. I think for the summer I am going to just leave the all seasons on, hate to do it but I also don't want to spend $1400 for the performance tires and have a set of all seasons going to waste.
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10-13-2011, 10:37 PM	#5
02420X3 Captain 63 Rep 983 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Have you decided which of Tirerack's rims you're going to go with?
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10-14-2011, 04:31 PM	#6
caz681 Enlisted Member 3 Rep 45 Posts Drives: 2011 X3 Xdrive35i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Omaha, NE iTrader: (0)	In this case, what BMW is telling you isn't rubbish. BMW OEM rims conform to the EH2 (Extended Hump 2) wheel specification, which are specifically designed for run-flat tires. While normal rims have a single ridge (or hump) which holds the inflated tire in place, EH2 rims have a second ridge which holds the tire in place in a zero-pressure situation (such as a blowout). Without this additional ridge, the tire will likely separate from the rim if all pressure is lost. You'll have to decide if that's an important feature or not. Regardless, without an EH2 rim, if you have a blowout or otherwise lose most of your air pressure, you'll obviously be waiting for the tow truck.
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