[Kermez]

Could anyone share their experiences with alternatives to stock 245/50/19 tires on factory 7.5 rims? Unfortunately for this size tires selection in my country is poor so any advice and proven alternatives are more than welcome.

[asyvan]

Originally Posted by Kermez

Could anyone share their experiences with alternatives to stock 245/50/19 tires on factory 7.5 rims? Unfortunately for this size tires selection in my country is poor so any advice and proven alternatives are more than welcome.

Winter or summer?
I had 245/50 19" Continental Ice Contact 2 for about 1300km and they are really good. They are studded, not sure that is commonly used in Switzerland or not.

[Kermez]

Thanks and I need winter ones. Only model I can find in 245/50 r19 are runflat and I want to avoid them if possible.

[asyvan]

This is in Swedish, and showing the most common winter tires for Nordic conditions. Not sure you are looking for that, or if you are looking for European friction tires.
Anyway, there are a couple to choose from.

[Kermez]

Let's just say that offer in Sweden is much better then here

[docal]

Originally Posted by Kermez

Thanks and I need winter ones. Only model I can find in 245/50 r19 are runflat and I want to avoid them if possible.

Best and most abundant option is to go 235/55/R19 in non run flat which you can get from multiple manufacturers (Michelin, Continental, Swedes). I'm going with Continental Viking Contact7's on TSW rims

[Kermez]

Originally Posted by docal

Best and most abundant option is to go 235/55/R19 in non run flat which you can get from multiple manufacturers (Michelin, Continental, Swedes). I'm going with Continental Viking Contact7's on TSW rims

Thank you very much, this is exactly advice I was looking for! If I understand correctly, you are using 235/55 without any issues?

[Yellowmattei]

That's the size I am using - 235/55R19, which are a size down from the stock 20" wheels I ordered with my car. I got the Vredestein Wintrac Pros, which are a German tire, and I imagine you'd be able to find quite easily there in Switzerland. They fit perfectly, and I have to say, though the ride is just a bit softer in the winter tire, they still have retained a good bit of sporting feel. I love the way they drive in dry conditions, and they don't feel as soft and mushy as I'd imagined they would. I'm very happy with them so far, but we haven't had much snow here in the NYC area yet, so I have no comments about how they perform in the snow. The reviews have been very good however, and I'm pretty sure I'll be happy with them when the weather turns bad.

Also, the Nokian winter tires should be easy to find there as well. You're in the right neighborhood.

Good luck!

[suby01]

For winters I have continental vikingcontact 7 235/55 r19
Stock size on my X3 245 50 19

[Kermez]

Thank you suby01 and Yellowmattei, you really helped me a lot!

[docal]

Originally Posted by Kermez

Thank you suby01 and Yellowmattei, you really helped me a lot!

Yes. The 235/55/R19's are placed square and research shows narrowing on winter tire paradoxically improves traction. My summers are also 20 inch. All good.

[asyvan]

Originally Posted by docal

Yes. The 235/55/R19's are placed square and research shows narrowing on winter tire paradoxically improves traction. My summers are also 20 inch. All good.

The main reason for this is that there is heat generated between the tire and the ground due to rolling resistance and friction. This heat melts snow and ice and is why you have less grip on snowy and icy roads. The larger the tire width, the more heat is generated.

But on dry roads, roads with already melted snow and ice (salted roads), the wider tire will have better traction.

Another pro for the narrow tire is the fact that it will roll much better in deep snow where the wider tire will "plow" with low traction and less steering capabilities.

[Alex C.]

Originally Posted by Kermez

Could anyone share their experiences with alternatives to stock 245/50/19 tires on factory 7.5 rims? Unfortunately for this size tires selection in my country is poor so any advice and proven alternatives are more than welcome.

Got rid of the garbage stock pirelli cinturato all-season runflats for non runflat all season Michelin pilot sport as3+ Rides much better imo since they're non runflat and seems like they handle much better too. The stock pirellis have horrible treadlife. Im located in the US and at my local mr tire cost me about $1100 installed plus it came with a $100 rebate.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Kermez

Thank you very much, this is exactly advice I was looking for! If I understand correctly, you are using 235/55 without any issues?

50 profile would be better than 55, much closer to the stock rolling circumference.

[Kermez]

Originally Posted by teaston

50 profile would be better than 55, much closer to the stock rolling circumference.

Thanks for suggestion. I already ordered tires and hope everything will work well