X5 winter options - new tyres and wheels or just tyres?

[mcgroa]

So I know the big thaw is on but still wondering folks views on the following

I have 19s with the 9j front 10j back, on my E70 with summer tyres having downgraded from 20s and replaced the flared arches.

Should I swap only the tyres for winter versions ( ie how much b/s is it that says refitting runflats not possible)?

Or should I go for a set of all round 9j 18s or 19s alloys plus winter tyres instead.  I read that 285 rears not as good as 255s for winter tyres.  And there's some not bad sets on ebay.de.

Any experiences in this area appreciated. 

[MJim]

I have an M Sport with the 19s for summer.  Having seen one of the tyres replaced following a puncture, they take one heck of a lot of abuse to get off and on given the strength of the sidewall.  I could be wrong but certainly made me believe that doing that twice a year would not do the tyres any good.

I went for the wheels / tyres recommended by BMW, the style 177 18s. You can't say that the 19s wouldn't be fine but clearly the 18s will be better.  Personally, for UK use I would be happy with 19s, but as I have driven to the Alps in winter a couple of times have been glad to have gone for snow/ice performance over the aesthetics.  They've coped brilliantly with some extreme conditions, and I actually like how they look.  In Switzerland seemed to be the favoured X5 winter wheel choice.

I bought them second hand (mint condition) from the German eBay site and paid c£1,000 rather than the £2,000 rrp.  Couldn't be happier with them.

[IvanG]

I too would go with new wheels and tyres rather than new tyres alone. Runflats are difficult to remove and you risk your alloys being damaged every time the tyres come off/go on! I got my set off ebay too

[Don Coffey]

I would and indeed have a completely separate set of winter wheels/tyres.  That said, independent test by the likes of Auto Express (I believe) found that although there is a massive advantage to having winter tyres fitted in the winter, the disadvantage in the summer months is minimal. They also tend to cover more miles before reaching the legal limits.  So it maybe a consideration to change tyres on existing wheels and just leave them on all year round. 

If it was me, I would consider how much driving is done on untreated roads, hills etc.

Don

[leosayer]

I've got all season Conti 4x4 Contact M+S tyres on my 18" wheels which have been great during summer, winter and the recent snow.

They're a compromise, but a really good one in my experience.

[IvanG]

[quote="Don Coffey"]
I would and indeed have a completely separate set of winter wheels/tyres.  That said, independent test by the likes of Auto Express (I believe) found that although there is a massive advantage to having winter tyres fitted in the winter, the disadvantage in the summer months is minimal. They also tend to cover more miles before reaching the legal limits.  So it maybe a consideration to change tyres on existing wheels and just leave them on all year round. 

If it was me, I would consider how much driving is done on untreated roads, hills etc.

Don
[/quote]

That was tempting for me, but winter rubber for my 20" M Sport wheels was about the same price as a set of original BMW 19" wheels with tyres from eBay so I went for the latter

[kkodal78]

It has been 2 winters since i own the 18" wheels with snow tyres and not having had the time to get any use out of them on my E53 4.6is so i might as well sell them i guess. I was looking forward to using them but i am always late to get them installed and don't do enough mileage to justify having them. If anyone would like a set of 18" winters with pirelli scorpions on them with very  good thread on them send me a pm me. If the price is right i can include the oem bmw wheel covers as well. I hope i did not hijack the thread. I apologise if i committed hijack offense

[mcgroa]

Thanks all great feedback. I did wonder about all year use of winters as an experiment. From prev experience they are a bit squirmier when it's warm.  I suppose it's not that difft to having "all terrain " tyres like unsee slapped on discos all the time. 

I had also noticed the bargains available on ebay.de. Much cheaper than the stealer here

I think I'll thought out and pickup set of wheels and tyres in summer unless I find a bargain

Got to replace summers again after 16k with the well known outer edge scrubbed on fronts and inner edge baldness on rears. So pennies might need to go there.