[cadman50]

I found a good deal on 307's and now need to get 18" winter tires. I have the SAP option with 309's and 19" tires. I like the handling so far. It's not a sport car but it handles great. Will I be disappointed going to an 18" winter tire? I was going to stay with 19" winters but decided to downsize one size based on what everyone says. Will the X3 roll in the corners? Will the X3 feel 'boaty'. I have the DHP.

[02420X3]

I run 18" winter wheels and have no issues. My X3 performs the same as it does with my 18" summer wheels.

[cadman50]

But you don't have the 19" wheels to compare it to. That's what I was looking for. there's more sidewall flex in the 18" wheel but don't know if that plus the fact that the tires will be winter tires will make it noticeably 'sloppier'. I don't expect to take it to the track but don't want to sacrifice good handling either.

[mibmwx3]

I have SAP with 309 summers and 307 winters. I don't have DHP. The 307's have a softer ride, but other than that, I didn't notice any difference in handling.

[Bmwlvr60]

Originally Posted by cadman50

I found a good deal on 307's and now need to get 18" winter tires. I have the SAP option with 309's and 19" tires. I like the handling so far. It's not a sport car but it handles great. Will I be disappointed going to an 18" winter tire? I was going to stay with 19" winters but decided to downsize one size based on what everyone says. Will the X3 roll in the corners? Will the X3 feel 'boaty'. I have the DHP.

I have 19" standard Goodyear LS all seasons and the X3 did very well this past winter. I'm in New Jersey and took the SUV to the mountains for skiing many times. No issues. I have DHP too.

I have read that 18" snows is the way to go if you feel you must. 18" rims on an X3 are too small IMHO

[cadman50]

Originally Posted by Bmwlvr60

I have 19" standard Goodyear LS all seasons and the X3 did very well this past winter. I'm in New Jersey and took the SUV to the mountains for skiing many times. No issues. I have DHP too.

I have read that 18" snows is the way to go if you feel you must. 18" rims on an X3 are too small IMHO

Last winter was the first winter that I had the all-seasons and AWD on a SUV. It was ok for local snow covered roads but felt I wanted the added assurances of AWD and snow tires. I ran 20" snow tires on my previous FX35 and it worked great. But this time I decided to downsize one size partly due to cost and mostly because they say that's the way to go. I got a good deal on 307's and need to get tires and TPMS now. I'm heading to Utah this winter and I know the roads up and down the canyons can be pretty treacherous during snowfalls. Since the tires will be on for about 5 months I wonder how much softer the ride will be but i guess I'll be finding out soon. I just didn't want the ride of a Lexus if you know what I mean.
mibmwx3...what snow tires did you get?
steve

[colson79]

I have 19" 309's on my X3 and I ran with 18" blizzaks last winter. They have a slightly softer feel but over all the handling felt about the same to me.

[cadman50]

Originally Posted by colson79

I have 19" 309's on my X3 and I ran with 18" blizzaks last winter. They have a slightly softer feel but over all the handling felt about the same to me.

Now i need to decide RFT's or not. I may be leaning towards RFT's because of the no-spare option. Thanks.

[mibmwx3]

Originally Posted by cadman50

mibmwx3...what snow tires did you get?
steve

I bought the Dunlop 3D's. They're an okay tire, but nothing special. I would have preferred Michellin's, but there were none available at the time.

[cadman50]

Originally Posted by mibmwx3

I bought the Dunlop 3D's. They're an okay tire, but nothing special. I would have preferred Michellin's, but there were none available at the time.

I had Dunlop's as my previous winter tire. Grandtrek SJ5. They were pretty good. But I think I may try either Michellin's or Nokian's this time. New winter tires won't be released for a little while now.