Thinking of going to 17" wheels w/ traditional tires next summer?

bones · 11-12-2008, 03:12 PM

Put on my snow tires/wheels yesterday. Got KM-11s and WS-60s from TR (thanks Gill). I know the snow tires are soft, but the car seems so much more suitable for daily driving w/ traditional tires. Potholes that used to make my spine tingle with anger are no longer such an issue.

Thinking about getting another set of KM11s and some good summer rubber once spring rolls around. Anyone want to buy some 18s w/ run-flat bricks on 'em?

Duckw · 11-12-2008, 03:44 PM

You might just consider ditching the bricks for good rubber on the stock rims. I have found Dunlop Star Specs in 225/255 on the stock rims to be way more comfortable than the RFTs and have found my new Dunlop 3D winter shoes (on Sport Edition 11s) to be only imperceptibly softer riding.

Maine1 · 11-12-2008, 06:25 PM

I also found the 17" winter tires to be a lot smoother riding. Duckw, are your winter tires 17"?

PA135i · 11-12-2008, 07:05 PM

I am going with the K11's with 225/45-17 LM25 Blizzaks. They will be on the car in 2 weeks. But for summer I'll stick with the stock 18's. It's a much more aggressive look and I might ditch the RFT's also unless the prices start to drop on them.

I'll have about 4500 miles on the RFT's when they are pulled for the Winters, so I may be able to go through the summer until Winter 09 before they are in need of replacement. At least that's my hope.

How many miles should I expect out of my stock RFT's? I know the rears will wear out first, but I don't do any burnouts so was thinking 15,000 for the rears.

Duckw · 11-12-2008, 10:26 PM

Maine1, my Dunlops are 225/45 17", V rated.

Qube · 11-13-2008, 12:22 AM

On good summer 17's, may be good. I had the privilege of driving my wifes car for a few days with the 17 winters (Dunlop 3D). I have to say, at high speed (120-160), it's extremely wallowy. I can't imagine how Blizzaks would be with the even softer sidewall!

Maine1 · 11-13-2008, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duckw

Maine1, my Dunlops are 225/45 17", V rated.

Thanks for the info. With that testimonial, I'm definitely going to replace the stock 18" run-flats with conventional performance tires when they die. I'm liking the improved ride without the run-flats.

11-12-2008, 03:12 PM	#1
bones Private First Class 123 Rep 180 Posts Drives: 2020 M340 RWD Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Thinking of going to 17" wheels w/ traditional tires next summer? Put on my snow tires/wheels yesterday. Got KM-11s and WS-60s from TR (thanks Gill). I know the snow tires are soft, but the car seems so much more suitable for daily driving w/ traditional tires. Potholes that used to make my spine tingle with anger are no longer such an issue. Thinking about getting another set of KM11s and some good summer rubber once spring rolls around. Anyone want to buy some 18s w/ run-flat bricks on 'em?
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11-12-2008, 03:44 PM	#2
Duckw Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 241 Posts Drives: '08 135i, 2010 VW Sportwagen Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Cincinnati iTrader: (0)	You might just consider ditching the bricks for good rubber on the stock rims. I have found Dunlop Star Specs in 225/255 on the stock rims to be way more comfortable than the RFTs and have found my new Dunlop 3D winter shoes (on Sport Edition 11s) to be only imperceptibly softer riding. __________________ 135i, SGM, 6 MT, Black Leatherette, Grey Poplar, ZSP
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11-12-2008, 06:25 PM	#3
Maine1 Private First Class 4 Rep 172 Posts Drives: M235xi Join Date: May 2008 Location: Scarborough, Maine iTrader: (0)	I also found the 17" winter tires to be a lot smoother riding. Duckw, are your winter tires 17"?
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11-12-2008, 07:05 PM	#4
PA135i Brigadier General 968 Rep 3,323 Posts Drives: 08 135i 08 CR-V Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	I am going with the K11's with 225/45-17 LM25 Blizzaks. They will be on the car in 2 weeks. But for summer I'll stick with the stock 18's. It's a much more aggressive look and I might ditch the RFT's also unless the prices start to drop on them. I'll have about 4500 miles on the RFT's when they are pulled for the Winters, so I may be able to go through the summer until Winter 09 before they are in need of replacement. At least that's my hope. How many miles should I expect out of my stock RFT's? I know the rears will wear out first, but I don't do any burnouts so was thinking 15,000 for the rears.
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11-12-2008, 10:26 PM	#5
Duckw Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 241 Posts Drives: '08 135i, 2010 VW Sportwagen Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Near Cincinnati iTrader: (0)	Maine1, my Dunlops are 225/45 17", V rated. __________________ 135i, SGM, 6 MT, Black Leatherette, Grey Poplar, ZSP
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11-13-2008, 12:22 AM	#6
Qube Lieutenant 34 Rep 531 Posts Drives: E39 540 :: 09 STi Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Right here. iTrader: (0)	On good summer 17's, may be good. I had the privilege of driving my wifes car for a few days with the 17 winters (Dunlop 3D). I have to say, at high speed (120-160), it's extremely wallowy. I can't imagine how Blizzaks would be with the even softer sidewall! __________________ :: www.HIDCanada.com
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