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M2 Technical Topics > Wheels / Tires -- Sponsored by The Tire Rack > 19" Snow setup vs 18"

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      11-16-2016, 09:28 AM   #1
Nicname
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19" Snow setup vs 18"

Hey guys,

Looking to purchase a winter setup this time around and wanted to know the biggest disadvantages of going with a 19" setup? I have the wheel and tire insurance and I know this doesn't cover the winter tires but will cover the stock wheels. Back when I had an e92 M3 I ran a 19" setup and did just fine. However, this time I purchased the M2 and want to know if I should just invest in a whole 18" setup and cancel my wheel insurance to pay for the winter setup.

Also, if I do go witht he 18" setup, will the BBS SR Anthracite package from tirerack fit perfectly without issues?
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      11-16-2016, 09:38 AM   #2
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18's provide more wheel gap whereby allowing snow to evacuate from wheel wells better. This is beneficial when driving in heavy snow.
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      11-16-2016, 11:59 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by auf Deutsch View Post
18's provide more wheel gap whereby allowing snow to evacuate from wheel wells better. This is beneficial when driving in heavy snow.
Yep. So if you, like myself, will be driving through 6"+ of snow on a regular basis, get the 18s.
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      11-16-2016, 01:26 PM   #4
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Maybe I'm confused, but generally aren't the overall diameters matched or the DSC would be very upset? So how is there more wheel gap with an 18" wheel and higher profile tire vs a 19" wheel and lower profile tire?
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      11-16-2016, 02:31 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris719 View Post
Maybe I'm confused, but generally aren't the overall diameters matched or the DSC would be very upset? So how is there more wheel gap with an 18" wheel and higher profile tire vs a 19" wheel and lower profile tire?
I was thinking the same as you Chris:

245/35R19 (OEM fronts) = Overall tire diameter of 654mm
vs
245/40R18 (Winter fronts) = Overall tire diameter of 653mm

But I suppose running a square 18" setup would provide a slight increase in clearance in the rear compared to the stock setup:

265/35R19 (OEM fronts) = Overall tire diameter of 668mm
vs
245/40R18 (Winter fronts) = Overall tire diameter of 653mm

So basically a 2.2% diameter reduction equating to about 1/2" (or just 1/4" between the wheel well and the tire).
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      11-16-2016, 03:39 PM   #6
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      11-17-2016, 07:54 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by champ_87 View Post
I was thinking the same as you Chris:

245/35R19 (OEM fronts) = Overall tire diameter of 654mm
vs
245/40R18 (Winter fronts) = Overall tire diameter of 653mm

But I suppose running a square 18" setup would provide a slight increase in clearance in the rear compared to the stock setup:

265/35R19 (OEM fronts) = Overall tire diameter of 668mm
vs
245/40R18 (Winter fronts) = Overall tire diameter of 653mm

So basically a 2.2% diameter reduction equating to about 1/2" (or just 1/4" between the wheel well and the tire).
That little bit makes more of a difference than you'd think.

The other big difference is wall height. The 18's have taller walls, so it allows for slightly deeper tire threads.
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      11-17-2016, 08:53 AM   #8
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Wow. So much misinformation in this thread - not hatin' on you guys, but geeze.

1. if sized correctly there is no difference in overall diameter regardless of wheel diameter, thus no difference in gap. You can run smaller diameter tires if you want to get more gap (though the assumption that more gap is better is dubious - snow will pack up regardless), and if all the tires are the same diameter, it will not mess with DSC
2. Tread depth varies by individual tire and manufacturer, not by wheel diameter.
3. Smaller diameter wheels give you more sidewall which is beneficial for bad roads and reduces the likelyhood of damaging the wheels, but if you have a winter setup, who cares? - more importantly, taller sidewalls slows transient response (called pneumatic trail) which in slippery conditions means you are less likely to wipe out if a non-expert driver.
4. Narrower tires do better in snow than wide tires
5. Tire compound and tread matter a lot

If you get lots of snow, taller sidewall, narrower, dedicated winter tires is a good idea, but a better one is buying a old used Subaru or Audi as a spare car
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      11-17-2016, 01:06 PM   #9
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I'm surprised that no one mentioned lower cost of 18" setup..
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      11-17-2016, 01:30 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andycc View Post
I'm surprised that no one mentioned lower cost of 18" setup..
That's what I view as a key decision point. 19" winter tires dramatically jump up in price vs 18's.
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      11-17-2016, 03:22 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by champ_87 View Post
That's what I view as a key decision point. 19" winter tires dramatically jump up in price vs 18's.
I'll sit down after work and crunch the numbers but would 19" winter wheels be more expensive then a whole new set of 18" rims and snow wheels?
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      11-17-2016, 07:32 PM   #12
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So I pick up my M2 on Monday at PCD and am driving back to Chicago which means I have to get winter tires as soon as I return. I have decided to stick with 19s. I've priced tires and wheels from Tire Rack and decided against 18s and I will be saving some money just buying the 19s (although there is really only 1 option) vs. 18 wheels and tires. It would also be important to mention that part of my decision is that my wife and I carpool to work every day so when it snows, we'll take her car. My M2 will never be snowed on! But obviously the temps are cold enough I need winter tires. Just my $.02.
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      11-17-2016, 11:40 PM   #13
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Honestly, if I had an M2 I would probably go with 19s for winter given the whole difficulties finding good wheels that clear the brakes and seeing that some people on the M3/M4 forum have reported rocks scoring the wheel when they get caught between the wheel and brakes. Mostly with CCB and 19" wheel but it seems like it could happen to 18" wheels and the steel brakes.

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1107233
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