Another wheel snow tyre quandary question.....

[Flog]

What about 18's for the technical side but whack on 10 or 15mm spacers to fill the arches and look a bit better.....or is this just a NO!

[gobiman]

I run a 4.8iS on OEM 20s in summer and on 18s in winter (type 99). It doesn't look too weedy.
I wouldn't bother with 20 snow tyres - difficult to find staggered and expensive. I'd suggest something like the rims below -

http://www.tyremen.co.uk/product/11968/ ... 70%29.aspx

I have Vredestein Wintrac Extremes - superb - now in my fourth winter with them and go to the Alps up high 2/3 times a year.
Good luck

[CR55]

I have been on and off this web site for the last few days also, and swithered over 18's versus 19's,

Finally pulled the trigger this afternoon on the 18's with Vredestein tyres,

Very similar to the std 18' SE wheels (style 209)  from BMW, which would have cost circa £1500 alone without tyres,

Currently listed on alloywheelsdirect for £1252 (without tyres)

total price @ £1075 all in, tyres fitted, balanced, new bolts, including delivery to Scotland,

the way ebay was shaping up it was likley to cost same or more for used equivelants,

Not to mention the hassle of visiting the local tyre fitters to have old tyres off and new tyres on,

very good website, worth a look for anyone still looking,

CR55

[quote="gobiman"]
I run a 4.8iS on OEM 20s in summer and on 18s in winter (type 99). It doesn't look too weedy.
I wouldn't bother with 20 snow tyres - difficult to find staggered and expensive. I'd suggest something like the rims below -

http://www.tyremen.co.uk/product/11968/ ... 70%29.aspx

I have Vredestein Wintrac Extremes - superb - now in my fourth winter with them and go to the Alps up high 2/3 times a year.
Good luck
[/quote]

[Flog]

CR55  -  sorry, where did you end up buying? Alloy wheels direct or tyreman? Had a look on alloy and got a price of 1600 for same spec....that's when I found the tyres hiding in the 4x4 section and not the winter!
What do they look like, actually probably too soon if you did mail order. Pics would be good.
Thanks

[CR55]

Tyremen,,,,    Click on the web link earlier in the thread,  same as wheels in the web page, similar to the OEM style 209,

Price was £1075, tyres mounted, balanced, new bolts and delivered,

This price was for 18" with vredestein winter tyres,,,

Good deal as far as I am concerned,,,

Should have them on Wed, if you want a few photos let me know,, but web page will show you also,

Cheers,

CR55

[quote="Flog"]
CR55  -  sorry, where did you end up buying? Alloy wheels direct or tyreman? Had a look on alloy and got a price of 1600 for same spec....that's when I found the tyres hiding in the 4x4 section and not the winter!
What do they look like, actually probably too soon if you did mail order. Pics would be good.
Thanks
[/quote]

[gobiman]

On the alloys from Tyremen, if you remove the Alutec centre caps and replace them with BMW ones (loads on ebay - OEM and cheap knock-offs), they will be virtually identical to the 209s and I suspect only trained forum members would tell them apart.

[Flog]

Well the deed is done...... Went ebay and got 19" replicas with 1000 mile Scorpion snow and ice tyres. If they are 1000 mile hen got a pretty good deal but we'll wait for final comments as they arrive tomorrow.  ::)
Will report and get pics at weekend.

[squeaky2]

I have a set of the alutec design e 18" alloys.  Unused. If someone wants to make a sensible offer . 

[Don Coffey]

[quote="squeaky2"]
I have a set of the alutec design e 18" alloys.  Unused. If someone wants to make a sensible offer .
[/quote]

PM Sent.

Don

[pvr]

That is keen - getting wheels even before you have the car  )

[X5Sport]

Check the centre bores if the wheels are off an E70.  E70 & E71 don't match.  Can't remember which way around the issue is, but I think the X6 rear is smaller because of the clever rear diff.  You might need spigot rings too....

Richard

[Don Coffey]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Check the centre bores if the wheels are off an E70.  E70 & E71 don't match.  Can't remember which way around the issue is, but I think the X6 rear is smaller because of the clever rear diff.  You might need spigot rings too....

Richard
[/quote]

Correct, the X6 has the smaller rear bore so spigot required.

Don

[Don Coffey]

[quote="pvr"]
That is keen - getting wheels even before you have the car  )
[/quote]

In the final stages of negotiation. Fingers crossed will know soon.  Look at winter wheels due to the area I live suffers with bad weather and no gritting or ploughing.

Don

[damian777]

I  have  had  two  X 5s  , a 2006  on 20 " wheels  , and i went through the 2010 winter which was the worst for snow i can remember in 25 years  without any problems. but your tyres need to have 5-6mm of tread,otherwise  you will struggle even tho ' its a four wheel drive  if tyres are worn out !    Run flats  are crap anyway get rid !
Ive  been through two winters on my newer  X 5  2009  M sport  D with 20 " standard wheels  315mm rears  no probs  but the snow was not so bad last year compared to 2010.  I live on a hill  but no probs getting home  or about .
Ive worked in Germany  for  15 years also on and off  , the police wont let you on the Autobahn  unless you have studs or chains on driven wheels , but  i notice  X 5s  seem to get about  . Im not saying there  as  good as a Landrover  /RangeRover  but X 5  cope ok  .    Why dont you buy some  part worn skinneys  275mm /18"  for winter  £70  each on steel rims  and then if you do slide into a curb  its not so painful  . The Germans  dont use  Alloys in the winter  for that reason .