Winter tire size on 17

phierce · 10-13-2016, 05:54 PM

Currently i have 17 inch winter run flats 205 50 17 that need replacing
Is this the ideal size on a 135? I have a fj cruiser for snow days but on cold dry days my 135 will be my weapon of choice. I was recommended to use 225 45 17 as it would be better for traction.

Thoughts/experiences?

Jeff J · 10-17-2016, 09:58 PM

We've had 225/45R17 for a number of years on our 135, and have had generally good success.

Rudy@tirerack · 10-19-2016, 04:01 PM

205/50R17 is best for winter because the narrow footprint will cut the snow. However 225/45R17 works fine as well.

Rudy@tirerack.com

phierce · 10-21-2016, 08:06 PM

I rather have better dry traction as I won't drive on snow days unless I get caught thus 225 45 is my route thinking of getting blizacks lm001

DarthFader · 11-10-2016, 09:26 AM

With a 135, I would definitely go with 225/45 if you're not gonna be driving much in the snow and favor dry traction. I currently have 205/50 because I live in WI and my car is a daily driver for now. The traction light goes off a lot with 205's.

MightyMouseTech · 11-10-2016, 09:28 AM

If you don't really drive in snow, the 205's are not really required. Might as well get the 225's, and ditch the runflats. This is assuming your wheels are wide enough to install the 225's properly. But remember, the width of the tire does NOT change the size of the contact patch, just the shape. So, the 225 will have better handling, but not necessarily better acceleration grip. Honestly, out of my many sets of tires, the ones that give me the best grip on accel, especially in the wet, are my 205 Hakka R2's. Damp pavement, WOT in first is not an issue. The car just squats and launches like a rocket. Just don't ask them to go around a corner.

VMRWheels · 11-22-2016, 10:20 AM

If you plan on only going out on dry days, the 225 would be preferred, but like Rudy mentioned, 205 would be better for snow conditions. It doesn't sound like you will be seeing snowy conditions, though.

iminhell1 · 12-18-2016, 06:11 PM

I'm on 215/55-17 Blizzaks. Lot of sidewall flex and it makes the car feel very unstable at higher speed (above legal). But that's just fine for Winter as it'll force me to slow down and save the tires.

10-13-2016, 05:54 PM	#1
phierce Private 8 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: T.O. iTrader: (0)	Winter tire size on 17 Currently i have 17 inch winter run flats 205 50 17 that need replacing Is this the ideal size on a 135? I have a fj cruiser for snow days but on cold dry days my 135 will be my weapon of choice. I was recommended to use 225 45 17 as it would be better for traction. Thoughts/experiences? Last edited by phierce; 10-13-2016 at 08:36 PM..
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10-17-2016, 09:58 PM	#2
Jeff J Private First Class 109 Rep 196 Posts Drives: '24 X5M, '18 M2, '09 135i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wichita, KS iTrader: (0)	We've had 225/45R17 for a number of years on our 135, and have had generally good success.
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10-19-2016, 04:01 PM	#3
Rudy@tirerack Moderator 123 Rep 281 Posts Drives: rudy@tirerack.com Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 1-800-428-8355 EXT 4664 iTrader: (0)	205/50R17 is best for winter because the narrow footprint will cut the snow. However 225/45R17 works fine as well. Rudy@tirerack.com
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10-21-2016, 08:06 PM	#4
phierce Private 8 Rep 73 Posts Drives: 135 Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: T.O. iTrader: (0)	I rather have better dry traction as I won't drive on snow days unless I get caught thus 225 45 is my route thinking of getting blizacks lm001
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11-10-2016, 09:26 AM	#5
DarthFader Private First Class 134 Rep 177 Posts Drives: M2, 135i, F23 M240i Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	With a 135, I would definitely go with 225/45 if you're not gonna be driving much in the snow and favor dry traction. I currently have 205/50 because I live in WI and my car is a daily driver for now. The traction light goes off a lot with 205's.
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11-10-2016, 09:28 AM	#6
MightyMouseTech Major General 4338 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	If you don't really drive in snow, the 205's are not really required. Might as well get the 225's, and ditch the runflats. This is assuming your wheels are wide enough to install the 225's properly. But remember, the width of the tire does NOT change the size of the contact patch, just the shape. So, the 225 will have better handling, but not necessarily better acceleration grip. Honestly, out of my many sets of tires, the ones that give me the best grip on accel, especially in the wet, are my 205 Hakka R2's. Damp pavement, WOT in first is not an issue. The car just squats and launches like a rocket. Just don't ask them to go around a corner.
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11-22-2016, 10:20 AM	#7
VMRWheels General 2050 Rep 25,989 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Anaheim, CA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2013 BMW M3 [10.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2013 BMW F30 [0.00] 2014 BMW F22 [0.00] 2013 BMW F06 [0.00]	If you plan on only going out on dry days, the 225 would be preferred, but like Rudy mentioned, 205 would be better for snow conditions. It doesn't sound like you will be seeing snowy conditions, though. __________________ VMR\|Wheels \| 714.442.7916 \| sales@velocitymotoring.com \| www.velocitymotoring.com \| facebook \| flickr \| Instagram
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12-18-2016, 06:11 PM	#8
iminhell1 C2H5OH 3920 Rep 2,145 Posts Drives: 2010 SG 135i auto Join Date: May 2015 Location: Darwin, MN iTrader: (1)	I'm on 215/55-17 Blizzaks. Lot of sidewall flex and it makes the car feel very unstable at higher speed (above legal). But that's just fine for Winter as it'll force me to slow down and save the tires.
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