[hughrd1_e90]

Hey what's up gents, I been considering running a winter wheel setup. Currently running 219m wheels but have my stock 18s 162s. Was thinking what square tire setup I could run with these. Maybe I could get a two more 8 162s so I could run four 8 162s with the tires. Would greatly appreciate your input. Thanks😊👌

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by hughrd1_e90

Hey what's up gents, I been considering running a winter wheel setup. Currently running 219m wheels but have my stock 18s 162s. Was thinking what square tire setup I could run with these. Maybe I could get a two more 8 162s so I could run four 8 162s with the tires. Would greatly appreciate your input. Thanks😊👌

Wouldn't it be ok to run staggered sizes in winter?? As long as you're using winter tires you'd get the benefit of that rubber compound; and, for what it's worth, a little understeer ain't so bad in the snow..

Another option could be 235/35 or 235/40 ??????

[hughrd1_e90]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

Wouldn't it be ok to run staggered sizes in winter?? As long as you're using winter tires you'd get the benefit of that rubber compound; and, for what it's worth, a little understeer ain't so bad in the snow..

Another option could be 235/35 or 235/40 ??????

Would that size be ok in the xi? Also wouldn't that stretch alot with the rear 8.5 rim?

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

Wouldn't it be ok to run staggered sizes in winter?? As long as you're using winter tires you'd get the benefit of that rubber compound; and, for what it's worth, a little understeer ain't so bad in the snow..

Another option could be 235/35 or 235/40 ??????

You actually want narrower tires in winter, ask anyone who's been skiing most their life. Narrower tires have better hydroplaning resistance, and will do better in snow.

We do Mt. Baker all winter, almost weekly (and drove NYC-VT for years to ski), and I'll do 50-70 up the mountain roads when there's many feet of snow on the ground with 225's and good Conti snows. There's absolutely no reason to have any more tread width in winter if you see lots of rain & snow. Just get proper tires.

As for staggered, these cars understeer from the factory as it is. staggered setups only aggravate an already bad characteristic. Square setups are much better balanced, especially if you are in a 325/328/330. Staggered in a winter setup is just plain stupid.

I run 245's square in the summer.

[hughrd1_e90]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

You actually want narrower tires in winter, ask anyone who's been skiing most their life. Narrower tires have better hydroplaning resistance, and will do better in snow.

We do Mt. Baker all winter, almost weekly (and drove NYC-VT for years to ski), and I'll do 50-70 up the mountain roads when there's many feet of snow on the ground with 225's and good Conti snows. There's absolutely no reason to have any more tread width in winter if you see lots of rain & snow. Just get proper tires.

As for staggered, these cars understeer from the factory as it is. staggered setups only aggravate an already bad characteristic. Square setups are much better balanced, especially if you are in a 325/328/330. Staggered in a winter setup is just plain stupid.

I run 245's square in the summer.

Ok so I should probably get the two 162 8 rims for the rear and run a 225 40 18 square? I'm xi

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by hughrd1_e90

Ok so I should probably get the two 162 8 rims for the rear and run a 225 40 18 square? I'm xi

You should run 225 45/17 square. In winter you need more sidewall compliance, not less.

If you don't need 18" rims for brake clearance, running them is profoundly counterproductive. Not only is the wheel/tyre combination heavier, you have far more risk of damaging a wheel if you hit a pothole, etc. This liklihood is far higher in limited visibility in winter with reduced hours of sunlight.

Honestly I don't even run 18's in summer, as my summer tyres have more than adequate sidewall stiffness.

17x8.5 in summer & 17x8 winter is almost ideal on our heavy cars with no real power. Everything else is just posing.

[hughrd1_e90]

I need at least 18s for brake clearance. I wont be running stock calipers

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by hughrd1_e90

I need at least 18s for brake clearance. I wont be running stock calipers

Hmm.. my Audi RS4 had 355's up front and 330's rear under Enkei RPF-01 17's, no issues.

Either way, square 225's on 8's for winter at the widest. I ran 205's in deep snow back east and that was better than 225's by a country mile. You may not be driving to killington every weekend, so 225's may be the way forward. No wider.

[CanadianTSi]

This winter I switched from 225/40/18's all around to 235/45/18's and couldn't be happier, the extra sidewall and ground clearance really helps in the winter.

[hughrd1_e90]

Originally Posted by CanadianTSi

This winter I switched from 225/40/18's all around to 235/45/18's and couldn't be happier, the extra sidewall and ground clearance really helps in the winter.

Your an xi? What rims did u use?

[NiNeTyOne]

I spent 17 years driving in his exact neighborhood, and I've tried wider and narrower in winter, and I disagree 100% with going wider in winter. So will every one of the tyre manufacturers.

Take a look at what TireRack.com has to say on this subject here.

You're just flat wrong about going wider. The laws of physics don't re-write themselves in winter.

Have you ever watched or seen a WRC race in the snow (World Rally Championship)? Most of those professional race drivers run between 165 and 185s on high horsepower WRC cars in snow conditions. More weight to the ground per sq in of contact patch is key in snow.

Note the width of these tires:

[CanadianTSi]

Originally Posted by hughrd1_e90

Your an xi? What rims did u use?

Yes, Stock Msports.

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by CanadianTSi

Yes, Stock Msports.

Those are nice wheels, I'd save them for when there's no salt on the road. Get a used set of 17x8's for $250 and mount up some 215's or 225's.

[hughrd1_e90]

Nice so I think I would just buy 225 45 18 square. On the 162s

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by hughrd1_e90

Your an xi? What rims did u use?

I have an 08 XI and run style 158 wheels (17x8, et 34) with 225/45/17 Dunlop performance winters. I think they're "4D."

I live in the Chicago area where we typically see several 2-4" snow falls, lots of slush and cold/wet conditions but not typically massively deep snow.

FWIW, I'm very comfortable with my car's ability to turn and stop in winter conditions with this set-up, but the dry handling is NOTHING like with summer PSS or PS4S..

[CanadianTSi]

Haven't got too much deep snow yet this year

[NiNeTyOne]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

I have an 08 XI and run style 158 wheels (17x8, et 34) with 225/45/17 Dunlop performance winters. I think they're "4D."

I live in the Chicago area where we typically see several 2-4" snow falls, lots of slush and cold/wet conditions but not typically massively deep snow.

FWIW, I'm very comfortable with my car's ability to turn and stop in winter conditions with this set-up, but the dry handling is NOTHING like with summer PSS or PS4S..

That's the same size I run, and I go to Mt. Baker at least twice a month all winter.

For those that don't know, Mt. Baker receives more snowfall than any other place in the continental US.

To give you an idea, we set the world record for snowfall in a single year in 98/99 when The Mount Baker Ski Area reported 1,140 inches (95 feet) / 2,896 cm (29 meters) of snowfall in one season.

I drive in snow a LOT.

[AtlasM]

I live in Madison, WI where we get what I would call persistent moderate amounts of snow. It's not too often that we get more than 6 inches and I'm not a skiier or any other kind of winter adventurer. So...I have my stock 193Ms with Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4s in the stock staggered sizes, 225/40-18 front and 255/35-18 rear.

It was probably a dumb choice since narrower is better for snow tires, and the rear winter tires were $300 each, but I figure my lowered suspension is already compromising my winter traction so what the hell.

Was this smart? Probably not.