Winter Setup: Is this a decent option (Wheels/Tires)?

[TomTomTuning]

Hey fellas,

Previous years, I rarely drove the ZHP in the snow. However, this year I will certainly be depending on this car more during the winter. So I think it's time to finally get a set of winter wheels and tires. I hopped on Tire Rack and here are some of my findings. I know 17" wheels are often recommended, but they seem to recommend this 16" option as their primary choice. I don't care for the wheels, so I'm thinking this alternative 17" option may be the way to go. Plus I won't have an concerns with brake clearance. Oh, and they're cheaper too. Thoughts?

Tire Racks initial recommendation:


16x7.5 Generic wheels.
205/55/R16 Blizzak WS80's



http://i.imgur.com/jSTvveS.png

17" Option I'm considering:


17x7 Steel wheels
205/50/R17 Blizzak WS80's


http://i.imgur.com/49twa3Y.png

[az3579]

Definitely 17's if you want guaranteed fitment. Tires are a great choice.

[TomTomTuning]

Definitely 17's if you want guaranteed fitment. Tires are a great choice.
Yeah, I'm thinking it's safely that way. Id hate to pay for shipping and find out those crappy 16's didn't fit. Plus it wasn't till I posted this that I noticed the 17" option was cheaper (because of the cheaper wheels).

I'm guessing it will be hard to beat $59/each for 17" wheels, right? I would considering some OEMs, or OEM replicas if I could find something similarly priced.

[UdubBadger]

looks good to me

[ELCID86]

I certainly like the looks for the A8 vs. the steel wheels. I like my used Blizzaks a lot.

More info to chew on here> http://www.caranddriver.com/features/winter-tire-test-six-top-brands-tested-compared-feature-final-scoring-and-performance-data-page-3

[TomTomTuning]

I certainly like the looks for the A8 vs. the steel wheels. I like my used Blizzaks a lot.

More info to chew on here> http://www.caranddriver.com/features/winter-tire-test-six-top-brands-tested-compared-feature-final-scoring-and-performance-data-page-3
I don't love neither of them, but I don't mind the steelies I guess. I would love a OEM looking set of wheels. However, I'm trying to keep the cost down if possible.

[az3579]

If you're looking to keep costs down, you could just buy a set of winter tires for the wheels you have now and swap 'em over.

[BMWCurves]

Or check out your local Craigslist for used BMW E46 wheels.

[TomTomTuning]

If you're looking to keep costs down, you could just buy a set of winter tires for the wheels you have now and swap 'em over.
I have 18" CSL reps, so tires will cost nearly the same as 17" wheels and tires. Then add the cost of mounting/Balancing tires two times a year, and that little savings will go down the drain.

http://i.imgur.com/1hlmpfB.png

[TomTomTuning]

Or check out your local Craigslist for used BMW E46 wheels.
Good idea! I just found some 17" Style 159 (e90) wheels on CL for $300, I can probably talk them down a bit.

EDIT: Agh, I think they have massive curb rash, hard to tell by the photos. I will ask the seller to send me better photos.
I will also continue to search...

EDIT: There are actually a few wheel/tire combo's on Craigslist that I'm waiting to hear back form now. If it works out, I may be able to land a full set for around $400. Hopefully the tires are still relatively decent.

[Just_George]

I'd go with the steelies... Winter and potholes are hard on wheels, steelies will take the abuse better than alloys. Plus, the extra weight will be an advantage in the snow. Keep your tires as narrow as possible too.

[ELCID86]

^but they look sooo bad.


---
"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46f member

[UdubBadger]

+1 on the "badness"


GoingHAM mobile

[Just_George]

^but they look sooo bad.


---
"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46f member

Agreed! But, if I were to drive my car in the winter (I don't), I'd be far more concerned with how it handled the weather than I would with the looks. And, I'd feel better not having to worry about damaging a nice alloy wheel - then again, our roads here are so bad that could happen any time of year. Finally, I've seen road salt do some ugly things to the finish on alloy wheels, something else I'd try to avoid if I could... Just my opinion, worth what ya paid for it! :cheers

[az3579]

^but they look sooo bad.


---
"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46f member


+1 on the "badness"


GoingHAM mobile


I disagree.
I think they look pretty cool. Got the 'euro sleeper' thing going on... (only without the actual power to match lol)

[Vas]

Check out bmw cca classifieds

https://www.bmwcca.org/classifieds/showcat.php?cat=16

Some options below

https://www.bmwcca.org/ads/83061

https://www.bmwcca.org/ads/83456

[TomTomTuning]

What do you guys think of these? The CL seller is asking for $525. I can probably negotiate them down a bit. Not exactly the tire size I was hoping for, but it could possibly work. The seller said in an email that one pair were used for two winter seasons, while the another pair was used for one winter season (Jan-March).

Bridgestone Blizzak 225-45 R17
ASA Alloy wheels


23321



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ELCID86]

^negotiate and get em!


---
"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46f member

[TomTomTuning]

^negotiate and get em!


I wonder how much of a difference they would be, compared to the 205/50/R17 I was originally considering. However, If I could get them down to say $425-ish, then I just may have to give those 225/45/R17 a try.

[BMWCurves]

I think a few people run that size tire for a winter tire here.

[az3579]

I think a few people run that size tire for a winter tire here.
I have 225/45-17's, Blizzak LM-32's. Zero issues to report.

sent from my Droid Turbo

[ELCID86]

I'm running 225/50/17.


---
"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46f member

[ryankokesh]

Shouldn't have a problem at all with that size, as others have mentioned.

I kinda agree with BP though... don't mind the look of steelies as much as others seem to. Used to hate them, but they make you seem super serious about winter. ;)

[UdubBadger]

Shouldn't have a problem at all with that size, as others have mentioned.

I kinda agree with BP though... don't mind the look of steelies as much as others seem to. Used to hate them, but they make you seem super serious about winter. ;)

#TireRackNerd


GoingHAM mobile

[Karl Lazlo]

...but they make you seem super serious about winter. ;)

If that's the case, I will have to find a set of Compomotive wheels for next winter. Fo' Realz.

[EoSNJ]

I have 225/45-17's, Blizzak LM-32's. Zero issues to report.


Ditto.They're on "17X7.5 MSW TYPE 27 BLK MACH" from Tire Rack. I'd much prefer BMW wheels, but these were $99 each and not steelies.

[WOLFN8TR]

Hi Tom good to see you back!