Winter wheels fitted

squeaky2 · Post by **squeaky2** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:32 pm

I have this evening swapped the 20's over to the 18" winters and they look lost in the wheel arches........do i need to have some spacers or something? Im assuming they wont rub on the wheel arch when i put some weight in the car?

davyk31 · Post by **davyk31** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:26 pm

They won't rub, they will be fine. I went from 20" to 19" winters which do sit in a bit and wanted spacers. However I have just kept it as it was and got used to the look, didn't really want to spend Â£130 approx on each set of spacers. One advantage with the wheels sitting in is that the car stays cleaner.

535dboy · Post by **535dboy** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 9:29 pm

Isn't winter over?

Temps climbing above 7 tomorrow!

squeaky2 · Post by **squeaky2** » Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:13 pm

[quote=""535dboy""]Isn't winter over?

Temps climbing above 7 tomorrow![/quote]

Still cold damp mornings so still think its worth it

davyk31 · Post by **davyk31** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:23 am

I wouldn't guarantee that winter has gone yet, we still have March to go which has in the past been bad, we have had snow at Easter before! And there is always next year so winters are a wise investment.

squeaky2 · Post by **squeaky2** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:22 am

Back down to 0c at the weekend

Rear wheels still look lost in the wheel arches.......are the rear wheel arches bigger / flaired on the msport?

davyk31 · Post by **davyk31** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 12:48 pm

Yes an M SPort has bigger arches than an SE unless it has the dynamic kit. However there is a big difference in the offset of the wheels between M Sport and SE and that is what is giving you the difference.

If you really want to solve the problem you need spacers, don't be tempted to buy cheap rubbish as they will give vibrations. You need something like Eibach, 30mm prob on the rear and a bit less on front. When I looked a set of 30mm was about Â£140 which is why I convinced myself it was just fine.

pr1964 · Post by **pr1964** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 3:34 pm

Can you put up some pics?

worsy · Post by **worsy** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 5:10 pm

Mine look the same. MSport 40D usually on 20" but I have 19" for winter and although the front look ok, the rears are recessed in.

Doesn't help that the summers are 315 on the rear whereas the winters are 285 width.

Not bothered with spacers but looking forward to the spring so I can swop them back

squeaky2 · Post by **squeaky2** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 6:46 am

I'll get some pics up next week when I'm home. Car is currently hiding somewhere in gatwick whilst I'm skiing. One thing I noticed on the drive down with 4 of us and luggage was that the car felt quite wobbly. Might have to look at the tyre pressures.

davyk31 · Post by **davyk31** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:41 am

Will be more wobbly, you have gone to a much higher profile tyre by going to the 18s.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 2:05 pm

And four up plus load you do need higher pressures, and the changed height profile will make a difference. More give in the sidewalls n all that....

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 2:20 pm

And winters are not run flats I assume, are your 20s?

MJim · Post by **MJim** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 3:35 pm

The official BMW winters are also run flats. So you really don't want to get a puncture as no doubt no-one actually sells them, and even your friendly BMW dealer would need a few weeks to order one in!

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 4:53 pm

You can get around that by installing PunctureSafe. Seals the hole as long as it's less than 1/4" dia. It's been around for years and doesn't affect the tyre, or annoy fitters by filling the tyre with sticky foam. I used it as a motorcyclist and it is a lifesaver. Many caravanners use it too.

I've had an RFT repaired too with no issues. It was hole dead centre of the tread though, and I did notice a problem (heavy steering) before the pressure warning system noticed and the gong sounded.

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