18" winter wheel options/pricing - let's list them here

[Assari]

Originally Posted by bobbybob718

I was in the same position. I wanted to go for the Nokian R2s but couldn't find the Nokians or any of the other "pure" winter tires (e.g. Blizzak WS series) that would fit the stock rear wheels. So I went with Blizzak LM-32. I would say that the blizzak LM series is one of the top "performance" winter tires for snow/ice. Please note that the "performance" winter tires won't be as good in snow/ice as the "pure" or "studless" winter tires.

If you are open to getting a new set of winter wheels you have a lot more options including the BMW winter package.

Should I try the 255/45/18 Nokian or do you think it will stretch way to much or is there a more important reason to not try it?

[BobMan718]

Originally Posted by Assari

Should I try the 255/45/18 Nokian or do you think it will stretch way to much or is there a more important reason to not try it?

I don't think it will be safe but I could be wrong.

[Assari]

Originally Posted by bobbybob718

I don't think it will be safe but I could be wrong.

Thank you very much for all the help and I hope maybe someone went or will go with nokians as in most snowy parts of Europe it might be a popular choice.. Pls let me know what sizes you guys choose. Thanks!

[bimmerboyE92]

Originally Posted by Assari

Thanks for the quick reply. So I should go 245/45/18 front and rear and should be ok with the fitment for winter?

I'm not an expert, but BMW recomends 245 in front and 265 in rear with there 8.5" wide frt and 9.5" wide rear 640M rims.

If you wanted to go with a square setup (all the same size), you'd put the front tires all the way around. The square setup is what tirerack.com is recommending with 18" aftemarket rims. And because most of the 18" rims they have in their winter fitments are 8" wide, it forces us to use the 245 width. If it were me, I'd go with 245/45/18 as it matches the rear O.D. and is the taller tire... that 1/4" extra ground clearance might help .

And the sidewall being larger will help make the fender to wheel gap look smaller.

[bimmerboyE92]

I'm 99% sure I'm going with this fro tirerack...

Wheels - 18x8 Rial Quinto 35mm offset = $169ea
Tires - 245/45/18 Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 = $149ea
No TPMS - will deal with light for 2 months

$1272 - $60 mail rebate = $1212 + shipping ($130ish).

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by gsrbri

The sticky thread on winter wheels has them at ET29 in the rear. Can anyone confirm?

The sticky is correct. The offsets look good as expected when the wheels are installed on the car:

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=104826

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by bimmerboyE92

I'm not an expert, but BMW recomends 245 in front and 265 in rear with there 8.5" wide frt and 9.5" wide rear 640M rims.

The rear 640M is 9", not 9.5". BMW recommends 255mm wide tires all around.

[jbtco]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

The rear 640M is 9", not 9.5". BMW recommends 255mm wide tires all around.

Correct. The winter tyre configerator on the BMW UK website now includes winter tyres for the F80 and the Conti tyres they supply are indeed 255 all round.

[motivevelocity]

Originally Posted by jbtco

Correct. The winter tyre configerator on the BMW UK website now includes winter tyres for the F80 and the Conti tyres they supply are indeed 255 all round.

So just a question, on tirerack and speaking to the tirerack guy yesterday told me a square set up with 18x8 and 245/45/18 "will be no problem"

If BMW recommend 255, and i go with 245 all around on square. Does anyone see an issue with this?

Thanks!

[JoeFromPA]

No, you will just be running a slightly less wide, slightly less tall tire.

Traction is going to be an issue no matter what on this car on snow tires. It will be a slightly worse issue with a slightly smaller contact patch, which you will have in both straight and lateral movements with a 245/40/18 vs. 255/40/18

[JoeFromPA]

So, question about offsets and spacers:

Tirerack is offering an 18x9 rial p10 wheel running a square 255/40/18 setup. However, the offset to these wheels is 40...about 11-13mm further IN (towards the center of the car) than the BMW recommended setup.

So if I ran a 12mm spacer, could I not essentially achieve the BMW-recommended offsets/wheel placement - assuming they fit?

[BMWinGE]

what's the minimum "safe" clearance for the brake calipers? my 18" wheels have @ 3 mm in the front.

[Michigan Spartan]

Can anyone take a few pics of their 640Ms and post them? I am having a hard time visualizing these wheels with the CAD like drawing the dealer sent me.

[Mikster]

Originally Posted by Assari

Thank you very much for all the help and I hope maybe someone went or will go with nokians as in most snowy parts of Europe it might be a popular choice.. Pls let me know what sizes you guys choose. Thanks!

I am looking to get the Nokian R2 as well. If I choose 255/45 R18 all around, on the recommended 640M wheels, then my front wheel/tires will fill the wheel well by an additional 13mm, and the rear by 6mm versus my OEM 19" BMW wheels and tires.

You can test different configurations here:

http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp

M

[volkl23]

Originally Posted by Mikster

I am looking to get the Nokian R2 as well. If I choose 255/45 R18 all around, on the recommended 640M wheels, then my front wheel/tires will fill the wheel well by an additional 13mm, and the rear by 6mm versus my OEM 19" BMW wheels and tires.

You can test different configurations here:

http://www.rimsntires.com/specspro.jsp

M

Why not go with 245/45s instead of the 255/45s?

[Assari]

Originally Posted by bimmerboyE92

I'm not an expert, but BMW recomends 245 in front and 265 in rear with there 8.5" wide frt and 9.5" wide rear 640M rims.

If you wanted to go with a square setup (all the same size), you'd put the front tires all the way around. The square setup is what tirerack.com is recommending with 18" aftemarket rims. And because most of the 18" rims they have in their winter fitments are 8" wide, it forces us to use the 245 width. If it were me, I'd go with 245/45/18 as it matches the rear O.D. and is the taller tire... that 1/4" extra ground clearance might help .

And the sidewall being larger will help make the fender to wheel gap look smaller.

But isn't 245 too slim for the stock 10" rear rim?

[volkl23]

Originally Posted by Assari

But isn't 245 too slim for the stock 10" rear rim?

My bad. I now noticed you are using your 19 stock wheels. 245/45 or 255/40 would work well with the 18x9 or 18x8s.

[Assari]

Originally Posted by volkl23

My bad. I now noticed you are using your 19 stock wheels. 245/45 or 255/40 would work well with the 18x9 or 18x8s.

I am using my stock 18's 513M wheels. The summer tire is 275/40 in the rear and 255/40 in the front. The wheels are 10" rear and 9" front.

I need winter tires and best grip on snow. From my research one of the best is Nokian R2, but the closest sizes I have found is 245/45/18 and 255/45/18. I am very close of going 255/45/18 and my only concern is will it fit the rear rim fine and will it rub because I am lowered on H&R springs and do not want to swap springs to stock for winter.

[Mikster]

Originally Posted by volkl23

Why not go with 245/45s instead of the 255/45s?

I actually changed my mind. The 255/45R18 on the 640M wheels *MAY* be slightly tight, when turning the front wheel or going over a pothole. I say MAY cause it probably is a negligible amount...but I didn't want to take that chance.

So today I ordered the BMW-recommended 640M wheels, and will put 245/40R18 Nokian R2 all around. 245mm tires will fit on the 8.5inch and 9inch wide wheels fine--it's within the Nokian spec.

I know I could've saved money by going with the Rial tires, but my dealer gets me deep discount pricing on the wheels since I've bought 4 BMWs from them. So I'd rather get the OEM 640M wheels. Makes for better resale in the future as well.

M

[JoeFromPA]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

So, question about offsets and spacers:

Tirerack is offering an 18x9 rial p10 wheel running a square 255/40/18 setup. However, the offset to these wheels is 40...about 11-13mm further IN (towards the center of the car) than the BMW recommended setup.

So if I ran a 12mm spacer, could I not essentially achieve the BMW-recommended offsets/wheel placement - assuming they fit?

Bumping this question - am I understanding this correctly?

[bimmerboyE92]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Bumping this question - am I understanding this correctly?

Your logic is correct, however, I'd recommend just giving tirerack a call and see what they have to say.

[6MMMT]

Thanks for this thread, found it really helpful as I was researching my first winter setup. I recently ordered BBS SR 18x8 wheels from tire rack, and 245/45/18 Nokian Hakka2 for square setup. Feeling much better about the move to rear wheel as winter approaches.