[Oldguysrule]

Hi folks! About to take ownership of a 2018 M40i with 13K miles on the clock. Dealer installed new runflats on the 21" rims. Car is in Dallas but I'm shipping it to me up in Wisconsin where it snows! Now I don't anticipate driving in snow if I can help it as I have another car I can take out and get dirty, salty, etc. But if I'm out in the M40 in snow, how terrible will traction really be if I take it easy? I'm used to winter driving and my car is a FWD older Camry. Is it going to be worse than that?

On another note, other than having winter tires mounted on the original rims, is there an all-season option to consider even if I go with a slightly different and more common aspect tire?
Thanks!

[verysideways]

Yes, it'll be worse than your Camry.
On the flat.

With any kind of incline it'll be much worse than the Camry. And if you can get it moving you won't get it to stop in a hurry!

[PerryGunn]

Originally Posted by Oldguysrule

On another note, other than having winter tires mounted on the original rims, is there an all-season option to consider even if I go with a slightly different and more common aspect tire?

Assuming you have a garage etc. to store them in, why not just buy a second set of rims (perhaps 19" for the increased tyre profile), fit them with winter rubber and swap wheels in the autumn/spring?

[Oldguysrule]

Originally Posted by PerryGunn

Assuming you have a garage etc. to store them in, why not just buy a second set of rims (perhaps 19" for the increased tyre profile), fit them with winter rubber and swap wheels in the autumn/spring?

Recently retired, I don't need to go anywhere if there is snow and I have another vehicle plus my wife's minivan with Conti all seasons. A day after a snowfall they have the roads cleaned up here. I like the looks of the car with the 21s and it was a feature I was looking for in the vehicle. I dont3 want to put 19s on it for 5 to 6 months
I'd rather get winter tires in 21 mounted if I drive it in snow. The on/off charges would have to be really high to justify the outlay for a second set of rims.

[Bilbofraggins]

Welcome to my world and also recently retired (early) .....I do my own changeovers

Picking up an M40i with 21” tomorrow, then driving home 600km on hopefully cleared roads with the stock tires.

Yesterday grabbed RTX Scimitar rims 19” for 140 Canadian each and ordered clearance winter tires for 700 CAD (Contis).. I’m sold on the benefits...and like the flexibility even if I don’t put a lot of miles on my X6M in winter up to now.

[Oldguysrule]

Originally Posted by Bilbofraggins

Welcome to my world and also recently retired.....I do my own changeovers

Picking up an M40i with 21” tomorrow, then driving home 600km on hopefully cleared roads with the stock tires.

Yesterday grabbed RTX Scimitar rims 19” for 140 Canadian each and ordered clearance winter tires for 700 CAD (Contis).. I’m sold on the benefits...and like the flexibility even if I don’t put a lot of miles on my X6M in winter up to now.

Congrats on your retirement!! I'm having mine transported up. I thought about a flight and overnight stay at a hotel midway through the trip but transport was cheaper. If it was only 300km I'd drive it.

I'm hoping there's additional tire selection soon, if not in the original 245/275 aspect but even 255/285. I'm not opposed to a second set on smaller rims for winter but that kind of defeats the purpose of having the nice 21s for half the year. I personally think the larger wheel makes a huge difference in how the car looks and for those reasons, I'd rather stick with it. Heck, I'd even consider a mild all-season if there were a good one out there in that size. They will still be wide, but might have a better bite. If there's 8-12" forecast, I'm staying put. The next day, roads here are clear.

[dmicah]

Very few options in the 21" size and none of them snows. Don't drive the car in the snow if you can avoid it.

[Jeepersjoey]

I've lived in the snow country for years.

Get a winter beater. Don't drive the bmw in the winter. The salt in the snow will carve the front of your car. The salt will eat up every surface of the car. Regardless of whether you think they plow within a day, Assume they do not and there will be several days when you need to drive through 2 feet of snow.

I have taught winter driving to 16yr olds (SCCA). Newton's law applies only when you have winter tires. Any other (ie your 21s that are hard as a rock because they are runflats) tires have little to no traction. The Blizzaks are soft in lower temps so that they can do what tires, not wagon wheels, are supposed to do.

If you have winter (ie Blizzaks) tires your car is unstoppable. Watch the tire rack videos for proof where they drive em on an ice rink.

The thing about Newton is....your car will go straight...always. It is only when you turn the wheel that you have problems. I.e. slow down well before turns. Use the engine, not the brake to slow most of the time.

That said, I live in Colorado now. I have a set of winter tires for both of my cars (M40i and SQ5). I also bought winter tires for my Moms focus.

The positive is that I have bought rims for these cars (used) for $100, $375, $1500, and $2000. Yes, I have six sets of rims and tires because I bought them when they were dirt cheap on Craigslist. The $1500 and $2000 were new rims and tires (the $1500 ones were from a 7-series and worth $6k).

The positive is that there are a BUTTLOAD of cars that use the 5x112 bolt pattern. The newer BMW, Audi, and Mercedes do.

If you are going to drive the bmw, get the Blizzaks. Thank me later.

If I were in the area, I would take you out and show you!

Paul

[Bilbofraggins]

Originally Posted by Jeepersjoey

I've lived in the snow country for years.

Get a winter beater. Don't drive the bmw in the winter. The salt in the snow will carve the front of your car. The salt will eat up every surface of the car. Regardless of whether you think they plow within a day, Assume they do not and there will be several days when you need to drive through 2 feet of snow.

I have taught winter driving to 16yr olds (SCCA). Newton's law applies only when you have winter tires. Any other (ie your 21s that are hard as a rock because they are runflats) tires have little to no traction. The Blizzaks are soft in lower temps so that they can do what tires, not wagon wheels, are supposed to do.

If you have winter (ie Blizzaks) tires your car is unstoppable. Watch the tire rack videos for proof where they drive em on an ice rink.

The thing about Newton is....your car will go straight...always. It is only when you turn the wheel that you have problems. I.e. slow down well before turns. Use the engine, not the brake to slow most of the time.

That said, I live in Colorado now. I have a set of winter tires for both of my cars (M40i and SQ5). I also bought winter tires for my Moms focus.

The positive is that I have bought rims for these cars (used) for $100, $375, $1500, and $2000. Yes, I have six sets of rims and tires because I bought them when they were dirt cheap on Craigslist. The $1500 and $2000 were new rims and tires (the $1500 ones were from a 7-series and worth $6k).

The positive is that there are a BUTTLOAD of cars that use the 5x112 bolt pattern. The newer BMW, Audi, and Mercedes do.

If you are going to drive the bmw, get the Blizzaks. Thank me later.

If I were in the area, I would take you out and show you!

Paul

I don't play the winter beater game...just look after what I have...and drive...

[Bilbofraggins]

The tires....on here are a Belgian brand called Minerva Ice-Plus S220....they lasted into the 5th winter before hitting 4/32nds...I just replaced them with same, I like them that much...690 CAD delivered....They have the rim protectors and are the correct speed load/ and XL rating...20" X5 Y spokes....with 10mm spacers on the rear....would still be slightly (-) offset from stock, but I prefer that...in winter...

[Oldguysrule]

Thanks, something to consider. My car won't be here for another 1-2 weeks so we're talking March. By that time, chance of snow is slight so I've got time to look. Maybe I'll keep an eye out for used wheels in a 19" or 20".

[Bilbofraggins]

Originally Posted by Oldguysrule

Thanks, something to consider. My car won't be here for another 1-2 weeks so we're talking March. By that time, chance of snow is slight so I've got time to look. Maybe I'll keep an eye out for used wheels in a 19" or 20".

Why used..these have an Msrp of 460 CAD...normally sold around 230....and clearance at 140 CAD free delivery...can't be beat for a winter set up...I went with 19"

http://www.rtxwheels.com/en/wheels/rtxwheels-scimitar

https://www.1010tires.com/store/shop...155892&lang=en

https://www.tiresandco.ca/car-tires/...-105-v-xl.html

This is the time to pick-up winters...

[Bilbofraggins]

Originally Posted by verysideways

Yes, it'll be worse than your Camry.
On the flat.

With any kind of incline it'll be much worse than the Camry. And if you can get it moving you won't get it to stop in a hurry!

I'll soon find out 600 fun filled km to do tomorrow...

[Scottatah]

Question seems well answered but I’ll chime in to reinforce that at least the 21” altenzas (spelling?) that came on my vehicle are not good in snow/ice. I changed my from winters to the 21” stock last summer a few days before we got a snowfall. I make the same 90 degree turn followed by a short on-ramp lane to get up to highway speeds every day. Winters never noticed an issue, in fact nearly hard for the to get the x3 to break loose. That day with summers was like I was on ice. Car effortlessly fishtailed near sideways and then back n forth a few times. At first I thought it was just slick but after thinking more it was clearly a difference of the stock vs winter tires.

Maybe I rely too much on winter tires in the past few but I certainly wouldn’t trust the stock 21” altenzas In an Alberta winter.

[Bilbofraggins]

Originally Posted by Scottatah

Question seems well answered but I’ll chime in to reinforce that at least the 21” altenzas (spelling?) that came on my vehicle are not good in snow/ice. I changed my from winters to the 21” stock last summer a few days before we got a snowfall. I make the same 90 degree turn followed by a short on-ramp lane to get up to highway speeds every day. Winters never noticed an issue, in fact nearly hard for the to get the x3 to break loose. That day with summers was like I was on ice. Car effortlessly fishtailed near sideways and then back n forth a few times. At first I thought it was just slick but after thinking more it was clearly a difference of the stock vs winter tires.

Maybe I rely too much on winter tires in the past few but I certainly wouldn’t trust the stock 21” altenzas In an Alberta winter.

I thought I would drive home....I'm now rethinking that...Miss Daisy...its all yours...

[Replicant]

Not only are the 21” stock Pirelli’s horrific in snow I’m sure, they are terrible in any inclement weather including rain. I nearly hydroplaned off the highway in them. I was astonished. The same type of rain and location that my Audi with Michelin PS4S would just plow through at a much higher speed while the vehicle weighs a thousand lbs less. I have a tough time believing the BMW AWD is that bad. I’ve hated the Pirelli’s I’ve had on every car. I’ve owned. The Audi handling became night and day. There are snow options for the 21”, but no all season, even when going to 255/285. They are all summer tires. I’m going to at least try the Bridgestone RFT next time. I would like to move to PS4S but I don’t like the idea of no spare and not runflats in a vehicle my wife drives primarily.

[Oldguysrule]

Originally Posted by Replicant

Not only are the 21” stock Pirelli’s horrific in snow I’m sure, they are terrible in any inclement weather including rain. I nearly hydroplaned off the highway in them. I was astonished. The same type of rain and location that my Audi with Michelin PS4S would just plow through at a much higher speed while the vehicle weighs a thousand lbs less. I have a tough time believing the BMW AWD is that bad. I’ve hated the Pirelli’s I’ve had on every car. I’ve owned. The Audi handling became night and day. There are snow options for the 21”, but no all season, even when going to 255/285. They are all summer tires. I’m going to at least try the Bridgestone RFT next time. I would like to move to PS4S but I don’t like the idea of no spare and not runflats in a vehicle my wife drives primarily.

Let us (me) know how the Bridgestones work out. I'll have my car in a couple weeks. New RFTs on it but I honestly don't recall what they are. The bad thing with this car is the tires that fit the 21" rims are $$. The upside is that if you drive it like it's meant to be driven, it won't be long before you can try a new tire!

[PostModernHero]

Originally Posted by dmicah

Very few options in the 21" size and none of them snows.

Not true.... these are available now:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...i&autoModClar=

Almost went with the 20s due to no winter tire choices, but these look like a good option so went for the 21's instead...

[Oldguysrule]

Originally Posted by PostModernHero

Not true.... these are available now:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...i&autoModClar=

Almost went with the 20s due to no winter tire choices, but these look like a good option so went for the 21's instead...

Thanks. Yes, those could work!

[Pray for Mojo]

For the price of winter tires for 21s you can get a set of 19" wheels and tires.

[ThatGreyM40I]

I was sliding all over the place. I live in Victoria, when it snows it snows BIG.

[Aimster82]

I have owned bmw X5s with 20s before my X3 and they had all season tires. While not the best they still performed good enough for me to want to take my car out in the snow and have some fun.

I thought the X3 would be no different. It was a horrible experience and I refuse to leave the house if it snows. I couldnt even make it up my driveway without sliding and this was with half inch of snow. Terrifying actually.