[CoolDude196]

Now I'm back to rwd, I think I really ought to purchase a set of winter tyres. After all, I've heard rwd BMW's are notoriously bad in snowy conditions.
But anyway, to my question. Is it best to buy a 'pre made' set from BMW, or should I buy some alloys and get the tyres myself?
If I were to buy separately, I wouldn't know where to start for my search for wheels? So should I just buy the 'pre made' set?

Thanks

[ikonic]

Don't BMW UK have quite a useful scheme where you "lease" (or buy? - not sure which) a set of winter wheels which they store for you?

When winter rolls around, take your car to BMW, and they swap your wheels for you whilst also storing your summer wheels until you're ready to swap back again.

I remember reading some adverts for it last winter and thinking it was a pretty useful idea.

[PrinceBarin]

Kwik Fit (UK) offered a 'tyre hotel' last year, where they would store your summer/all-season tyres over the winter. I got the impression the marketing guys dreamt this up without speaking to the garage managers, judging by their reaction to having to store endless sets of tyres!

Anyway, I am going to switch to winter rubber in Oct / Nov and will store the tyres in my cellar.

There is something to be said for getting a set of winter tyres AND wheels though.

Firstly, tyres should ideally be left on the wheel once fitted, it doesn't serve them well to be taken off/on/off etc.

Secondly, you can invest in a thinner and smaller rims (and cheaper if you don't like exposing expensive rims to winter weather). Thinner rims are meant to be better in snow, and overall, thinner/smaller rims will make for cheaper tyres - 255/35 profile winter tyres are rather expensive!

Either way, winter tyres are a thoroughly worthwhile investment.

[RobUK]

Originally Posted by ikonic

Don't BMW UK have quite a useful scheme where you "lease" (or buy? - not sure which) a set of winter wheels which they store for you?

When winter rolls around, take your car to BMW, and they swap your wheels for you whilst also storing your summer wheels until you're ready to swap back again.

I remember reading some adverts for it last winter and thinking it was a pretty useful idea.

Yes, they sent me various flyers about this. There's a section on the BMW UK website about it here - http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/owner/wintertyres

I'm definitely going to do it, both for the improved performance of winter tyres in cold weather plus extending the life of my 'summer' alloys

The above BMW UK link doesn't specifically refer to the MY2012 3 Series but does show '3 Series Saloon since 09/2008' and you can get the following for the 320d (I'm guessing costs for the F30 320d will be in the same ballpark).



Wheel : 17"
Dimension : 225/45 R17 94 V
Tyre Brand : Bridgestone Blizzak LM 25* RSC
Part Number : 36 11 2 159 852
Price (inc VAT) : £ 1,600

For an extra £30 they'll store your summer set.

[CoolDude196]

Thanks for the response, whilst £1600 is expensive, what price do you put on your safety? Plus BMW store the tyres for a cheap price, what more do you want!
I'll buy the ones BMW have offered in the 17" category. They don't look too bad!?

[rmnoonan]

Find someone who upgraded stock rims and buy them. Put snows in them.

[F30.ca]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Yes, they sent me various flyers about this. There's a section on the BMW UK website about it here - http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/owner/wintertyres

I'm definitely going to do it, both for the improved performance of winter tyres in cold weather plus extending the life of my 'summer' alloys

The above BMW UK link doesn't specifically refer to the MY2012 3 Series but does show '3 Series Saloon since 09/2008' and you can get the following for the 320d (I'm guessing costs for the F30 320d will be in the same ballpark).



Wheel : 17"
Dimension : 225/45 R17 94 V
Tyre Brand : Bridgestone Blizzak LM 25* RSC
Part Number : 36 11 2 159 852
Price (inc VAT) : £ 1,600

For an extra £30 they'll store your summer set.

How do these tires fit when the 18 tires that come from the factory are 225/45?? If you are moving to a 17" rim don't you have to go to a 225/50???

[remmib]

Originally Posted by F30.ca

How do these tires fit when the 18 tires that come from the factory are 225/45?? If you are moving to a 17" rim don't you have to go to a 225/50???

Yes, the F30 need 225/50/17 tires, the pic above is an e90 hence the 225/45/17 size.

[StealYourFace]

I live in a notoriously snowy city. My e90 is the best car I have ever owned in the snow. I used to have a Subaru WRX wagon with snows that car was good off, but my 330i is better in all situations other than off the line than the Subaru was.

I use Blizzak run flat snow tires. They ride like hell, but are very effective when the snow flies. When those are shot I will go to a non run flat winter tire, but I think those still have at least 1 season left in them.