[Kimo]

Ninety degrees in DC this weekend and I'm asking about winter tires, but it's part of our X3 pre-purchase considerations.

Will probably trade the Z4 this week for a nice 2012 F25 CPO with standard stock 245/55-17s squared all around, and we already have in storage two separate sets of four dedicated wheels and Blizzak WS70s that were (barely) used for an E46 and E90 respectively.

The Blizzaks are 205-50/17s (no longer made in that size) with less than 5k on each set. The aftermarket winter wheels that the snows are mounted on will definitely fit, but I'm wondering if I can also safely re-purpose these tires for the X3. The variances are quite a bit more than as between these snows and the E46 and E90 Sport wheels/tires, but I'm not sure how much variance is just too much variance.

I understand that the speedo will be -6mph off, the TPMS will illuminate, and I'll lose about 1-1/4" of ground clearance - but I suppose can live with both as a tradeoff for not having to purchase new Snows right now.

Appended below is the tire calculator comparison between F25 X3 stock and the proposed Blizzak snows (Stock tires on left, Blizzaks on right).

What do you think? Can I safely get away with this?

Thanks

[Tjalle]

My concern would be if the tires can take the load - we are talking 1.9 ton= 1900kg= 4000+ lbs.

My reading would be - yes, you can get away with it - but not safely.

And it will look like a toy car

[Kimo]

Originally Posted by Tjalle

My concern would be if the tires can take the load - we are talking 1.9 ton= 1900kg= 4000+ lbs.

My reading would be - yes, you can get away with it - but not safely.

And it will look like a toy car

Thanks for the thoughts Tjalle.

Max load spec for the Blizzaks I have is 1433 lbs. per corner - so I think that's OK.

Toy car? - LOL - that would certainly be a deal breaker. But why do you think that? - the 2-1/2 inch diameter loss?

[gIzzE]

Winters would be 225.60.17 or 205.65.17s ideally.

I would quickly swap them over if the rims they are on will fit the X3 and see what you think?

[Kimo]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

Winters would be 225.50.17 or 205.55.17s ideally,

Thanks for responding . . . can you tell me where you sourced those 17" size recommendations from, as they are not THAT far off from the Blizzaks that I have?
If these recs are from some official BMW-source or similar, I'd feel more confident in using the Blizzaks - but most on this forum seem to prefer the 17s in the 225/60 flavor.
Thanks

[gIzzE]

Sorry, going the wrong way, I mean 225.60.17 or 205.65.17.

[Kimo]

Originally Posted by gIzzE

Sorry, going the wrong way, I mean 225.60.17 or 205.65.17.

Gotcha, thanks.

[gIzzE]

Why not sell the two sets you have on ebay and buy a used set from there.
I have often bought winter tyres which have a manufacturer date of less than 12 months and 8mm on them for very little money.
I'm sure many buy them for a new car, use them for one ski trip and then sell the car before the next winter and need a different size.

[mge92]

Those tires are gonna be a bit too narrow and a bit too small. Tire rack recommends 245/55R17 for the x3. I would suggest selling the set and getting another set for the x3. Also tires that are more than 6 years old from the production date are dangerous because the material can deteriorate and can cause blowouts.

[gIzzE]

At lest when buying used tyres you can check the manufacture date, it is printed on every tyre.
I would however try and buy off a private seller that can tell you why they are selling them.

[Kimo]

Thanks guys.

[Andy_o]

I don't know what the position is in your jurisdiction re insurance

In the UK putting those tyres on which are not the correct size would likely invalidate your insurance.

I just sold my X1 and the winter wheels for it will be going up for sale once the summer is over

I picked up a genuine BMW wheelset for the X3 secondhand for a very good price .. Selling the X1 wheels will make it cost neutral

Personally I wouldn't take the risk for safety/insurance etc

[gIzzE]

This shows what BMW recommends for tyre size....

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part...-X3+20dX&mg=36

[Kimo]

Again, thanks for all of the thoughts.
Car currently has the Style 306s (would not have been my first choice), with new (for CPO certification) Bridgestone Duelers (again, would not have been my first choice) - both 17" - so I need to first decide if I'm sticking with 17" for both summer and winter shoes. If so, the swap out with proper sized winters would be more economical (4 wheels, 4 tires, 4 TPMS sensors) but if I go to 18" summers I'll need 4 18" wheels, 4 TPMS and 8 total tires (4 17" winters and 4 18" summers).

[Lotus99]

Go to any tire sizing website like willtheyfit or 1010tires and if your Diameter is more than a few percent of the original, then it's a no go. Dead simple