Winter Tires + Wheels

[jls330ci]

Hey Everybody,

Newbie here looking to buy winter tires and steelies for my 2001 330ci.

I've got a few questions:
1. Where is a good place to get them?
2. I've got my eye on the blizzak WS-50 (225/45R17). Anybody have experience with these?
3. Can the 330ci handle 205/50R17? If so, can anybody suggest good winter tires of this size?

I don't care so much on the speed rating or the noise level of the tires.

Thanks! :)
James

[Regin8r]

1. Where is a good place to get them?
Wait for the winter tire group buy.

2. I've got my eye on the blizzak WS-50 (225/45R17). Anybody have experience with these?
The first 55% of the Blizzak WS-50 tread depth features the Tube Multicell Compound while the remaining 45% features a standard winter tire compound. This means that after 1/2 the tread life is gone, they basically are only as good as ALL-SEASON tires.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+WS-50

I suggest the LM-22 or the new LM-25 since they have the same uniform composition throughout.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+LM-22

Read this article:
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/blizzfaqs.html#lm22

3. Can the 330ci handle 205/50R17? If so, can anybody suggest good winter tires of this size?
Yes, that size will fit.
I have read good review of the Dunlop Winter Sport M2 and they are not as expensive as the Bridgestone LM-22.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Winter+Sport+M2&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=05R7WSXL&fromCompare1=yes

[J_Jr]

1. Where is a good place to get them?
Wait for the winter tire group buy.

2. I've got my eye on the blizzak WS-50 (225/45R17). Anybody have experience with these?
The first 55% of the Blizzak WS-50 tread depth features the Tube Multicell Compound while the remaining 45% features a standard winter tire compound. This means that after 1/2 the tread life is gone, they basically are only as good as ALL-SEASON tires.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+WS-50

I suggest the LM-22 or the new LM-25 since they have the same uniform composition throughout.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+LM-22

Read this article:
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/blizzfaqs.html#lm22

3. Can the 330ci handle 205/50R17? If so, can anybody suggest good winter tires of this size?
Yes, that size will fit.
I have read good review of the Dunlop Winter Sport M2 and they are not as expensive as the Bridgestone LM-22.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Winter+Sport+M2&vehicleSearch=false&partnum=05R7WSXL&fromCompare1=yes


Hey Reg,

It's Joe from back in the days of U of T... Didn't know you were an active member on this site... Just joined recently...

As for winter tires...
I took a look at Consumerreports.org although you have to pay to access the info... As well as Tirerack.com and 1010tires.com before making my purchase... In the end it was btw, the Perilli's and Toyos

As for Blizzaks, I was also contemplating that purchase but found in other chatboards', ppl complained that the tread tends to wear out very quickly... consumerreports and 1010tires seems to verify theses findings...

It was a tough decision but I decided to get a set of Toyo GARIT HT 205/60/16... about 2yrs ago... b/c of
* Price
* New "Microbit" compound provides even better ice grip.
* Unidirectional tread pattern for excellent snow traction.
* Saw tooth blocks and wave sipes provide extra ice traction.
* 2003 Toyo ranked #1 for 7 years in a row for product quality Tire Review Magazine. And 4 years product innovation
http://www.toyocanada.com/products/GaritHT.html

Bought them at Wheels direct

I would have gone with the NOKIAN HAKKAPELIITTA 2; studed tires... but... illegeal in Ontario... =(

So far no complains; in the snow they had reasonably good traction on a rear wheeled car (although I still wouldn't take the DSC off), excellent handling on cold dry surfaces similar to the perillis, and considerably quieter than the perilli.. Had a set perilli winter 210 Snowsport for my honda a few years back...

Lastly, I know someone who was running on 205/50/17 last winter for his 330Ci, I believe they were 17 Enki alloy rims and some cheap winter rubber... Same price as steels... He didn't didn't have any problems with them during the winter... Irronically we both have the same rims for our winter wheels...

Hope that helps.
Joe

[Regin8r]

Hey Joe,

Yup, been part of the old e46TO, Tuning Emotion, now this board.

I'm not sure if this will influence you, but the dealership (Parkview) sells the Pirelli WinterSport 210 as their winter tire package.

I'm not sure about the wear since I've only had them for one season, but they drive like a tractor through the snow, and the grip they have in the freezing although dry is tremendous as well.

With traction off, you still have reasonable grip. I tested in an empty parking lot. :)

[330i CDN]

I roll on 205/50R17XL Pirelli 210 Snowsport on 17X7 ASA rims (don't know what model, came with the car). These seem to be relatively grippy, and the narrow width definitely helps out for snow traction. The stock size for 330i/Ci is 205/50R17, so you shouldn't have any problems, and narrower is sometimes better for snow.

[jls330ci]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all your input!

Regin8r: I don't know what you mean by the "winter tire group buy". Is it organized by this site? Can you explain?

Thanks,
James

[M007]

Samperit snow sports is all you need. $140.00 each and they can handle alot.

[Regin8r]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all your input!

Regin8r: I don't know what you mean by the "winter tire group buy". Is it organized by this site? Can you explain?

Thanks,
James

http://www.e46toronto.ca/forums/showthread.php?p=8253#post8253