[S1NGH]

I know we're nearly in spring now, but I wanted to get some views on best options for next winter as I have just been offered a set of BMW 403M's 19" wheels without tyres for £600.

Options:

1, Buy the 19" wheels, winter tyres are about another £600+. Most expensive option but nice to have the 19's.

2, Buy winter tyres for my current 19" wheels and pay for storage of my summers. Cheapest option?

3, Look for 18" wheels with winter tyres.

Which option do you think is best?

Thank you.

[Englishbloke]

18" wheels with tyres.

Smaller wheels are better for snow, narrower treads get more grip. Plus if you do get caught out by a camber, a little more rubber means protection from the kerb. Plus winter tyres are cheaper on the smaller wheels.

Changing wheels means you can do it yourself and no need to balance.

Took my 18's off today and put my summer 19's back on.

[S1NGH]

Originally Posted by Englishbloke

18" wheels with tyres.

Smaller wheels are better for snow, narrower treads get more grip. Plus if you do get caught out by a camber, a little more rubber means protection from the kerb. Plus winter tyres are cheaper on the smaller wheels.

Changing wheels means you can do it yourself and no need to balance.

Took my 18's off today and put my summer 19's back on.

Thanks, I just need to find out which will fit my F30, will only want genuine BMW wheels, which do you use?

[inkiboo]

If you haven't got M brakes then I have a set of official 17" BMW winter wheels that I am about to put up for sale.

[inkiboo]

And to add, 100% get a second set of alloys. Having lived in Switzerland and the States, being able to swap sets without risk of damage to the tyres is 100% worth it. It also works out almost cost neutral as you can sell the alloys when you sell the car.

[zooberoo]

Originally Posted by S1NGH

I know we're nearly in spring now, but I wanted to get some views on best options for next winter as I have just been offered a set of BMW 403M's 19" wheels without tyres for £600.

Options:

1, Buy the 19" wheels, winter tyres are about another £600+. Most expensive option but nice to have the 19's.

2, Buy winter tyres for my current 19" wheels and pay for storage of my summers. Cheapest option?

3, Look for 18" wheels with winter tyres.

Which option do you think is best?

Thank you.

The 403Ms are staggered. That is to say that the wheels are wider at the back than at the front. BMW recommend a square (same width all round) setup for winters.

Open your driver's door and check the label on the B pillar. The winter sizes are shown with "M+S". They will be a square setup.

Narrower tyres with a higher profile are better in snow (as others have already said).

17" wheels don't fit over the M-Sport brakes which are optional on some models. Best to check or just look for 18".

The most important factor is that F3X tyres are normally run-flat. This means that they are more difficult to remove and refit than standard tyres. Some garages will refuse to change them as there is a risk of damage. Therefore, aside from convenience, it is better to have a second set for this reason.

My advice: buy a second-hand genuine BMW winter wheel and tyre set. They may cost more in the short term but will hold their value well. Buy them in the spring or summer if you can. Or, the autumn if you must. But, avoid buying them in winter.

Hope this helps.

[S1NGH]

Originally Posted by inkiboo

If you haven't got M brakes then I have a set of official 17" BMW winter wheels that I am about to put up for sale.

I have got the MSport brakes (blue calipers) so I will go for 18's then, thanks anyway.

[S1NGH]

Originally Posted by inkiboo

And to add, 100% get a second set of alloys. Having lived in Switzerland and the States, being able to swap sets without risk of damage to the tyres is 100% worth it. It also works out almost cost neutral as you can sell the alloys when you sell the car.

Good idea, makes sense. Thanks

[S1NGH]

Originally Posted by zooberoo

The 403Ms are staggered. That is to say that the wheels are wider at the back than at the front. BMW recommend a square (same width all round) setup for winters.

Open your driver's door and check the label on the B pillar. The winter sizes are shown with "M+S". They will be a square setup.

Narrower tyres with a higher profile are better in snow (as others have already said).

17" wheels don't fit over the M-Sport brakes which are optional on some models. Best to check or just look for 18".

The most important factor is that F3X tyres are normally run-flat. This means that they are more difficult to remove and refit than standard tyres. Some garages will refuse to change them as there is a risk of damage. Therefore, aside from convenience, it is better to have a second set for this reason.

My advice: buy a second-hand genuine BMW winter wheel and tyre set. They may cost more in the short term but will hold their value well. Buy them in the spring or summer if you can. Or, the autumn if you must. But, avoid buying them in winter.

Hope this helps.

Great advice thank you.

Mine has the M brakes so I will buy a second set of 18" wheels and tyres, I have seen a couple come up in the classified section.

Many thanks again.

[DaveH28]

I ended up getting some 18's...have a look on Germany eBay site.
I got together some 397s which are the optional upgrade to the regular sport model. Still look pretty good in winter then.
I bought em all off eBay, 2 were in brand new condition, 2 were scuffed but cheap, they're fine for winter though. And I've never had to buy new 19's in 44000 miles. Because the mileage has been shared.

[Englishbloke]

Can't remember the model number but I have these black 18's. Hopefully the pic will work, having trouble with the app.

[Rbrown]

In hindsight I made the mistake of getting winter tyres only for 19 inch wheels; it was before I'd used this forum! I asked my dealer and they were hopeless, so got vredstein winter tyres. But got different wheels and tyres for wife - a lot easier.

For information, my wife's 120d xdrive is on 16 inch wheels and I felt my car felt better in the snow than the smaller wheels. Which surprised me!

However, I've run the vredstein tyres all year round before with great success, so may just leave on. The are non RFT and really make a difference. I don't really want to keeping changing tyres around I case they get damaged. Once they run out, I will probably get 18 inch wheels.

If anybody is selling 19 inch wheels, I will consider them!

[S1NGH]

Originally Posted by Englishbloke

Can't remember the model number but I have these black 18's. Hopefully the pic will work, having trouble with the app.

Thanks, those look good for winters.

[stu14t]

These are my non OEM 18" winters. Fit nicely over the calipers and were bought on here at a bargain price too.

[Fazerfahrer]

Originally Posted by Englishbloke

Can't remember the model number but I have these black 18's. Hopefully the pic will work, having trouble with the app.

...you should go for a got looking set of rims, like the here shown 405M black winter set up.

If you prefer 19" to my opinion it is fine as well. Keep in mind that you will ride the winter tyres for almost 6 month, so choose what you like to see every day like you do for your summer rims. You like to ride a good looking car for the whole year, otherwise you could also bought a Golf

[BMWSKI]

Originally Posted by S1NGH

I have got the MSport brakes (blue calipers) so I will go for 18's then, thanks anyway.

I still have a set of 400M's with winter tyres going spare if you're still interested?

[S1NGH]

What condition are they in, how old and the tread depths please.

Any photos would be great, thanks.

I am still looking, but was thinking of waiting to buy in the summer as maybe cheaper then.

Price?

[Cookies]

hi all,

I have a spare set of style 400s to use as winters but am a wee bit lost as to tyre size, brand, star marking etc.

Is it ok to use a square winter tyre set up on staggered sized alloys?

Sorry for the questions guys - I'm a newbie lol.

Thanks

Cooks

[zooberoo]

Originally Posted by Cookies

hi all,

I have a spare set of style 400s to use as winters but am a wee bit lost as to tyre size, brand, star marking etc.

Is it ok to use a square winter tyre set up on staggered sized alloys?

Sorry for the questions guys - I'm a newbie lol.

Thanks

Cooks

Try this tyre size for rim size width calculator.

[Cookies]

Originally Posted by zooberoo

Try this tyre size for rim size width calculator.

Perfect!

cheers - looks like the 225/45/18 will work on on the 8.5" rears.

[zooberoo]

Originally Posted by Cookies

Perfect!

cheers - looks like the 225/45/18 will work on on the 8.5" rears.

Glad it helped. Welcome to the forum!

[BMWSKI]

Sorry for the delay.
I've had loads of messages regarding these but because they're in storage with BMW I can't answer everything in detail I'm afraid. I will try and get them back asap and then I can measure tread depth and take photos.
Please bear with me...

Originally Posted by S1NGH

What condition are they in, how old and the tread depths please.

Any photos would be great, thanks.

I am still looking, but was thinking of waiting to buy in the summer as maybe cheaper then.

Price?