E90Post
 


Coby Wheel
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > All-Wheel-Drive (Xi / xDrive) Talk > 205's or 225's for winter



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      10-14-2008, 08:19 AM   #1
GBX
Lieutenant
GBX's Avatar
United_States
42
Rep
472
Posts

Drives: 997.1 GT3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: LI, NY

iTrader: (0)

205's or 225's for winter

about to order a winter rim/tire package for my xi. Tirerack is suggestion 205's. While i know they will be better in the snow, i'm not sure how much of a trade off such a narrow tire is performance wise. What have most of you gotten? Planning on getting either LM25's or Dunlop Winter Sport 3D. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2008, 02:19 PM   #2
eltonc
Enlisted Member
3
Rep
45
Posts

Drives: 325XiT
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Kansas City

iTrader: (1)

If you get a lot of snow I suggest going with 205's for winter. I just have one set and running 225's with all season tires. They work ok but probably would have been better with 205's or something even narrower.
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2008, 03:58 PM   #3
UdubBadger
Banned
No_Country
631
Rep
24,685
Posts

Drives: '04 330i ZHP
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Chicago Burbs

iTrader: (22)

Garage List
2004 BMW 330i ZHP  [9.50]
2011 135i  [7.46]
2008 328xi  [8.76]
205s should be good but if you want a go up to 215 or 225 they'd be fine too... I'm running 225 all around for winter on 17's
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2008, 05:38 PM   #4
OverDrive
CHEAT TO WIN!!
OverDrive's Avatar
Canada
98
Rep
1,350
Posts

Drives: E92 M3, 718 GT4
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

I say run 235's all around so u won't ruin the car's appearance with those puny ones. I'm running 235's on 18's
__________________
Current: 2013 E92 M3, 6MT, SSII on Fox Red Extended
Previous: 2008 E92 335xi, 6MT, AW on Saddle Brown
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2008, 06:39 PM   #5
Kev
Critical Care Anesthesiologist
Kev's Avatar
Hong Kong
481
Rep
8,828
Posts

Drives: SMB F83
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Seattle, WA

iTrader: (24)

Garage List
I ran 225/40R18 last winter
__________________
kev { divinum est sedate dolorem }
"your friendly neighborhood critical care anesthesiologist"
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2008, 08:16 PM   #6
UdubBadger
Banned
No_Country
631
Rep
24,685
Posts

Drives: '04 330i ZHP
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Chicago Burbs

iTrader: (22)

Garage List
2004 BMW 330i ZHP  [9.50]
2011 135i  [7.46]
2008 328xi  [8.76]
yeah 225 isn't THAT small... and you won't be able to tell much of a difference between 225/235. plus you'll find WAY more of a selection in 225 than in 235... however I do know that you can get the Dunlop 3D's in 235 if that was one of sets you were considering
Appreciate 0
      10-16-2008, 02:34 PM   #7
Tortfeasor 335xi
Corporate Hack
Tortfeasor 335xi's Avatar
United_States
4
Rep
288
Posts

Drives: '08 335xi Coupe
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Princeton, NJ / Philly, PA

iTrader: (0)

Winter tires are not all about snow grip. You want a winter performance tire to grip in snow and ice, but also to maintain grip at very low temperatures for performance winter driving on dry asphalt. I would suggest going with a set of performance winter tires like a winter sport M3 or Blizzak lm-25 in the stock 225 size so that you will maintain a good contact patch as well as gain good snow and ice traction. I have used 225 sized winter tires on a few vehicles and have never found fault with their traction in the snow.
__________________
New Car: 2008 335xi Coupe
Earlier Car: 2004 STi (got stolen)
Earlier Earlier Car: 1995 Mustang GT (416 whp and a blown engine)
Really Much Earlier Car: 1988 Mazda 626 TURBO
Appreciate 0
      10-16-2008, 03:15 PM   #8
Deda
Major General
Deda's Avatar
Croatia
561
Rep
7,034
Posts

Drives: BMW M5 comp
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Croatia

iTrader: (0)

well 205 is good,but 225 looking better on street.
Appreciate 0
      10-17-2008, 08:35 PM   #9
innovativeit
Registered
United_States
0
Rep
2
Posts

Drives: 2008 335xi
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Circle City

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2018 BMW M3  [0.00]
2014 BMW GT 335i  [0.00]
I used the Winter Sport 3D in the 225 size ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by GBX View Post
about to order a winter rim/tire package for my xi. Tirerack is suggestion 205's. While i know they will be better in the snow, i'm not sure how much of a trade off such a narrow tire is performance wise. What have most of you gotten? Planning on getting either LM25's or Dunlop Winter Sport 3D. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
I used the Winter Sport 3D in the 225 size on a 335xi last winter and they were just fine. As a matter of fact, I just bought the same tires again for my wife's 335 convertible.
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2008, 07:34 AM   #10
TurboFan
Ski bum
TurboFan's Avatar
316
Rep
6,198
Posts

Drives: sideways
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Knee deep in the pow

iTrader: (8)

In NYC, I'd go 225. I'm in Salt Lake City, I'm going to run 225 this winter (RM-22 RFT), and we get a shit load of snow.
__________________

1999 e46 328i Ti Silver / Black[retired]
2007 e90 335xi Jet Black / Black[retired]
2011 e70 X5 35d Vermillion Red / Cinnamon
2011 e92 M3 LeMans / Fox Red extended
Appreciate 0
      10-18-2008, 09:50 AM   #11
GBX
Lieutenant
GBX's Avatar
United_States
42
Rep
472
Posts

Drives: 997.1 GT3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: LI, NY

iTrader: (0)

thanks guys! Went with 225 LM-25's.
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2010, 06:46 PM   #12
BRAISKI
Colonel
BRAISKI's Avatar
Canada
133
Rep
2,517
Posts

Drives: '11 335xi e92 M-Pak
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: GTA/KW, Canada

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
2011 BMW 335xi  [7.00]
Bump!

So I am thinking which one should I get, I will be picking up a set of 17" I think they are the 157 BMW rims.

I am leaning towards 205s since there is more "rubber" I don't really care about the "looks" since my car will be in winter mode with a roof rack

So anyways is using 205s ok? Will there be any issues?
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2010, 07:00 PM   #13
remmib
General
remmib's Avatar
Norway
1566
Rep
29,202
Posts

Drives: 2013 F10 520d M-Sport
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Norway

iTrader: (0)

Go with 225/45/17 on those 17x8 wheels.
__________________

F10 520d M-Sport Alpine White | HRE P43SC 20x9+20x11 | Michelin PSS 255/35+295/30 | KW V3 Coilover | M5 Front Sway Bar + M550d Rear Sway Bar | 3DDesign Front Lip | BMW M Performance CF Spoiler | BMW M Performance Diffuser | BMW M Performance Black Grills | BMW M Performance Pedals |
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2010, 09:52 AM   #14
vase330
Colonel
vase330's Avatar
United_States
102
Rep
2,760
Posts

Drives: 19 E63S; 15.5 RangeRover ATB
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Arlington, Va

iTrader: (1)

I did last two winters on 225/40/18 Blizzark LM-22 all round. One of the winters in a ski-resort up there, and am only 2WD. I was amazed how well they performed. For comparison, I also have a RAV4 4WD and would be far off if I told you on a road, the BMW came close to matching the RAV4's asuredness. Ofcourse RAV4 has all seasons on, and you woundn't dare go far off road even with the Xi since we lack the ground clearance the RAV4 has, but still, that is saying something. I just got a set of 225/40/18 blizzark LM-60 from Gary@TireRack and I am just blown away at just how aggressive the tread on these is. Way better than the LM-22s I bought from him previously. I spent more than a decade up there, so I know your winters well, and you can't go wrong with these or even the LM-22/LM-25. I'd get the newer LM-60 or LM-70 in 225 if I were you. They are better than the dunlops, and IMO you don't need the compromise of the Michellin ice.
__________________
E92 335 | Space Gray | Saddle Brown Dakota | Dark Burl Trim | ZPP | ZSP | AT | Idrive | 6FL | FBO | Dinan CAI | Quaife LSD | STG3 PROCede.
Appreciate 0
      10-09-2010, 01:13 PM   #15
mr p-j
Private
7
Rep
56
Posts

Drives: 330 xd
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: sweden, gellivare

iTrader: (0)

ther is accualy little to no disadvantage to run the 225. modern tyres work differently from old ones that worked better the thinner they are.

for studdless tyres i like the bridgestone blizzak or continental.
the ultimate vintertyre if you ask me is studded nokian hakkapelitta 7 or gislaved nordfrost 5. but i dont know if they sell them in the us.
Appreciate 0
      10-12-2010, 05:51 PM   #16
1QuikWS6
No 55mph
1QuikWS6's Avatar
1616
Rep
8,474
Posts

Drives: F32 435ix MSport
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Blitzburgh, PA

iTrader: (113)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by GBX View Post
about to order a winter rim/tire package for my xi. Tirerack is suggestion 205's. While i know they will be better in the snow, i'm not sure how much of a trade off such a narrow tire is performance wise. What have most of you gotten? Planning on getting either LM25's or Dunlop Winter Sport 3D. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
Strange, when I recently bought my winter wheel/tire setup from TireRack for my 09' 328ix - they highly recommended the Blizzak WS70's for my type of winter driving, the wheels are 17", stock width, and the tire recommended size was 225/45R17

I did not buy RFT's as I am trying to wean the car entirely off them. I didn't buy tires capable of extreme speeds because I normally drive slower in winter. Here in my area of PA we do occasionally get significant snowfalls, but normally it is slight snow combined with a lot of ice. Driving to fast on roads in the winter can jump up and bite you in the ass when you come upon that patch of Black Ice at just the wrong spot...
__________________
F32 435ix//MGM//M Sport-Prem-Tech-Driver Assist-Lighting-Cold Weather-Dyn Handling Pkgs//M4 Black Lthr Int w/M4 Alum Blade Trim//HK w/Bavsound Stg3//763M//M4 Euro LCI Tails//M4 Mirrors w/CF Covers//AWCarbon CF F/R Spoilers-Side Splitters-Diffuser 6WB/ID6 HU+HUD/IND M4 Alcantara Armrest//PURE S2 Turbo//AA FMIC+DP//ER CP+TIC//3.5bar TMAP/TS DV//AWE Tuning Exh w/Blk Tips//Turner MS CF Intake//BM3 Cary Jordan Tune//MPerf Diff//PrecRW Ignition Kit

Last edited by 1QuikWS6; 10-12-2010 at 05:56 PM..
Appreciate 0
      10-14-2010, 09:57 AM   #17
TheRox
Colonel
TheRox's Avatar
117
Rep
2,312
Posts

Drives: 6mt
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Here and there

iTrader: (2)

who cares about looks? Its so cold, your car will be dirty...get what works!
Appreciate 0
      10-16-2010, 08:50 AM   #18
BRAISKI
Colonel
BRAISKI's Avatar
Canada
133
Rep
2,517
Posts

Drives: '11 335xi e92 M-Pak
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: GTA/KW, Canada

iTrader: (3)

Garage List
2011 BMW 335xi  [7.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr p-j View Post
ther is accualy little to no disadvantage to run the 225. modern tyres work differently from old ones that worked better the thinner they are.

for studdless tyres i like the bridgestone blizzak or continental.
the ultimate vintertyre if you ask me is studded nokian hakkapelitta 7 or gislaved nordfrost 5. but i dont know if they sell them in the us.
I would "think" the 205 will be better than the 225 esp when there is snow on the ground. The less snow sticking to the tires the better, I think...
Appreciate 0
      10-17-2010, 08:13 AM   #19
Bimmer Al
Lieutenant
Canada
24
Rep
597
Posts

Drives: 2010 335xi Coupe MSport, 6MT
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by remmib View Post
Go with 225/45/17 on those 17x8 wheels.
__________________
2010 335i xDrive Coupe, Titanium Silver, MSport 6MT
2006 325i Sparkling Graphite Sport Package 6MT Retired
1999 323i Titanium Silver, Sport Package, 5MT Retired
Appreciate 0
      10-17-2010, 10:40 AM   #20
k3m0-330i
Major
k3m0-330i's Avatar
United_States
73
Rep
1,375
Posts

Drives: 08 335xi
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Albany Ny

iTrader: (12)

Garage List
2006 330i  [0.00]
225 dounlp winter sport!
__________________
Current 2008 M6 e63 v10 6mt
Current 2012 e70 x5 35i -jb4
2008 335xi e92- Sold
2007 335i e90 - Sold
2002 Taig / Red / / / M3 - SOLD
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:48 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST