Snow Tire Question: Size and Handling - XBimmers

bluesmachine · 11-21-2011, 05:06 PM

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.

fedinand · 11-21-2011, 05:29 PM

The taller snow tire will give you a softer ride and less precise handling and braking..

Le Chef · 11-21-2011, 06:58 PM

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.

fedinand · 11-21-2011, 07:47 PM

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.

Hoppyjr · 01-04-2012, 01:48 AM

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.

11-21-2011, 05:06 PM	#1
bluesmachine Private First Class Drives: 2011 X3 35i White / Chestnut Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: N'England Posts: 131 iTrader: (0)	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, 05:29 PM	#2
fedinand Major Drives: '11 X3, '11 GTI Join Date: May 2007 Location: MN Posts: 1,271 iTrader: (6)	The taller snow tire will give you a softer ride and less precise handling and braking.. __________________ The X3 The GTI The Birds The Dogs

11-21-2011, 07:47 PM	#4
fedinand Major Drives: '11 X3, '11 GTI Join Date: May 2007 Location: MN Posts: 1,271 iTrader: (6)	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. __________________ The X3 The GTI The Birds The Dogs

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11-21-2011, 06:58 PM	#3
Le Chef Banned Drives: BMW X3 35i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 412 iTrader: (0)	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.

01-04-2012, 01:48 AM	#5
Hoppyjr Private First Class Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Washington State Posts: 131 iTrader: (5)	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.