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

[mkoesel]

Wow, congrats. Take your time, your hands are surely plenty full.

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

I'll post more but my second son was born yesterday

I'm trying to gather prices and will ask the place I buy from to allow me to try a square setup. I'll keep you updated.

Congrats on the new addition to the family Joe

[Insureit1]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Argh, yes, this is frustrating. I'm making a choice for 5 years + resale value of the wheels, and it's an expensive choice upfront. ALL I want to do is be able to rotate since I've got a square setup. Why is this so hard?

Maybe I'll ask Bimmerzone if they'd be willing to order two sets of wheels/tires in 640m and I can bolt up all 4 fronts and all 4 rears and see if there are any clearance issues. I already asked if they'd be willing to do a group buy and while the answer is yes the discount isn't huge (like 3%).

....

Ok so I just looked again at the specs of the BMW 513m and 640m wheels. Check this out:

Summer wheels

- 9x18 (ET29) +10x18 (ET40), Style 513M

Winter wheels

- 8,5x18 (ET27) +9x18 (ET29), Style 640M

So the FRONT 513m is the exact same size and offset as the REAR 640m.

This SHOULD be absolute rock solid evidence you can run a square set of 18x9 640m with 255/40/18 or any other tire size that works on the M. Assuming those specs are correct, and BMW is issuing these with 255/40/18 tires, I have zero idea why BMW is issuing the front winter wheel .5" narrower.

I am considering the exact same thing you are considering. Ordering two sets of 513 front wheels and tires in the 255/40/18 size more options for tires available and can rotate. This should work, right? I am going to firm up pricing with the dealer tomorrow on the wheels and TPMS. I am considering the Michelin Pilot Alpin. I had these on my Porsche and they were smooth and quiet. This gives you the factory look for your winter setup. Anything I am missing? does the offset difference from ET40 to ET29 push the rear wheel on the ET29 further out or tuck it further in. Sorry for a seemingly stupid questions but not 100% certain how the offsets work.

[DrtyJrze]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

I'll post more but my second son was born yesterday

I'm trying to gather prices and will ask the place I buy from to allow me to try a square setup. I'll keep you updated.

Wow! Congrats!

[JoeFromPA]

Ok, quick update:

Bimmerzone gave me a quote on straight 513m's which I'm confirming whether I can quote the price here.

The owner, Vincent, also is going to work with me to order a set of REAR 640m BMW-setup winters to throw on my front and drive around to make sure they fit. If so, I'll let the board know so that a square 640m setup can be an option for some.

HOWEVER, my final question to Bimmerzone/Vincent is how much is the cost differential of BMW-recommended 640m setup vs. a square 18x9 640m setup WITH tires & tpms.

If the cost difference is notable, then it's not worth it for me because I simply want to be able to rotate to extend tire life. However, if the cost differential is worth more than the cost of potential tire-life extension on a set....then why bother?

Also, Bimmerzone is quoting me $2,700 shipped for the BMW-recommended 640m setup with TPMS and tires, mounted and balanced of course. That was information I confirmed I can share.

[JoeFromPA]

Update #2: Bimmerzone is quoting me $25 more - total - to move to make it a square 18x9 640m setup with tires. Almost a negligle cost increase. He's reconfirming availability, but considering it's mid-October and I need to pull the trigger here's my plan:

I'm going to order 2 rear 640m's and put them on my FRONT (with rear 513m's on PSS still on) and drive around with them for ~10 miles, do some figure 8s, etc.

Assuming all goes well, I'll order another 2 rear 640m's and will have a square setup.

Will keep updated. Planning on ordering the rear 640m's today.

[Insureit1]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Ok, quick update:

Bimmerzone gave me a quote on straight 513m's which I'm confirming whether I can quote the price here.

The owner, Vincent, also is going to work with me to order a set of REAR 640m BMW-setup winters to throw on my front and drive around to make sure they fit. If so, I'll let the board know so that a square 640m setup can be an option for some.

HOWEVER, my final question to Bimmerzone/Vincent is how much is the cost differential of BMW-recommended 640m setup vs. a square 18x9 640m setup WITH tires & tpms.

If the cost difference is notable, then it's not worth it for me because I simply want to be able to rotate to extend tire life. However, if the cost differential is worth more than the cost of potential tire-life extension on a set....then why bother?

Also, Bimmerzone is quoting me $2,575 for the BMW-recommended 640m setup with TPMS and tires, mounted and balanced of course. He's also extending the same offer to others at $2,700 shipped. That was information I confirmed I can share.

Thanks for the info. His price for the winter 640's is spot on. I was quoted $2594 yesterday with tax in MD. Did he confirm with you that you could run the "front" 513 on all four corners with the 255/40/18?

[JoeFromPA]

No, he's not confirming size/fitment for me - which I think is reasonable. He's confirming that he'll work with me to test fit stuff to make sure I don't buy something by mistake

He did say the price for 513m fronts, for a pair, was $1,175 which seems better than I've seen elsewhere.

The 513m's are, quite frankly, more of a hassle for me right now since I'd have to source them and the tires seperately, etc., and at more expense. Since functionally there's no difference, I'm sticking with 640m's for winter use. I also THINK the 640m's are going to be heavier/tougher wheels for winter duty - that's just an educated guess.

[gsrbri]

The real question comes down to offset, right? The BMW package is a set of 640M 18" wheels w/square set-up (tires). However, the wheel is an 8.5 in front and 9.0 inch rear...and has the correct offset (ET29 Front and ET40 Rear).

For rotation, you can always dismount the tires and swap rims once per year...which may be my plan. That would maintain the proper offset (10mm per side is a total of 20mm...and if a narrower tire, it will make a difference). Plus, I like the fact that the set-up is factory-recommended and the recommended tire pressures are even listed in the M3/4 owner's manual for the M+S/Winter set up.

Just FYI, my BMW center quoted $2,890 for the set, including MA tax (6.25%) and shipping. I'm confirming now if that includes the TMPS sensors.

Will report back.

[JoeFromPA]

Just to make sure you know gsbri: The front summer wheel size and offset is identical to the rear winter wheel size and offset. According to this forum's sticky note on sizes and offsets.

So, theoretically, there should be absolutely no fitment issues running a square 18x9 et29 style 640m BMW tire in 255/40/18.

I'm actually beginning to wonder about something else: What I learned from a tire engineer is that the custom tire specs of, say, a BMW-specific michelin PSS, will often be about providing very minor changes that perform best with the suspension/chassis/weight of the specified vehicle. While minor, they can make a huge difference under extreme conditions.

I'm actually wondering if BMW's decision to specify an 18x8.5 wheel up front for winter with an ET27 offset is about that....that somehow, on snow/ice and running this winter rubber, a better performance is gained in extreme situations from this vehicle.

Turns out I kinda need to make my decision now, as supplies are limited and the next delivery date may be awhile. I'm wavering and might stay with the BMW recommended design and simply try out the rears on the front for the benefit of others.

[gsrbri]

Got it. I was thinking less in terms of fitment and more in terms of performance. Maintaining the track width in front and rear is critical for handling...the ET27 wheel in the rear will result in a 10MM reduction, per side, in overall track width. So, the contact patches will be just slightly inboard of where the ET40 offset wheel will be in the rear.

Plus, to your point, factory matched wheel/tire packages have BMW behind it, both from safety/engineering/warranty side, so it isn't a bad level of security to get for a few extra $$.

What am I missing?

[jackass]

My setup: Apex ARC-8 18"x9.5" ET 22, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 255/40

[JoeFromPA]

Cost? Source? Comments?

[tacoma290]

Agree we need more feedback from Jackass.
I am considering a similar setup as him:
Apex EC-7 wheels, 18x9.5, ET22
with Blizzak 255/40 18 Tires.
with TPMs, around $2,500

[jackass]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Cost? Source? Comments?

Wheels 314$/piece from apexraceparts, tires 276$/piece from discount tire. I´m still using my summer tires, so no comments yet...

edit. TPMS 72$/piece from apex

about 2800$ including taxes and shipping

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

Cost? Source? Comments?

Joe,


Whats your thoughts on mixing speed ratings for tires? Please see post 29.


http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...1046399&page=2

[JoeFromPA]

No concerns in your example of a winter setup with staggered sizes but of the same tire.

[DocWeatherington]

Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

No concerns in your example of a winter setup with staggered sizes but of the same tire.

Thanks bro, how you doing on sleep with the little guy? Wife ready for a vacation yet? Is one finding reason to go to the grocery store.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by gsrbri

Got it. I was thinking less in terms of fitment and more in terms of performance. Maintaining the track width in front and rear is critical for handling...the ET27 wheel in the rear will result in a 10MM reduction, per side, in overall track width. So, the contact patches will be just slightly inboard of where the ET40 offset wheel will be in the rear.

Actually, that's not correct.

Running the ET27 wheel in the rear with the recommended 255mm tire will widen the track 3mm vs. running the ET40 wheel with the recommended (stock) 275mm tire. Similarly the E29 wheel, 255mm tire combo widens the track 1mm vs. the ET40 wheel, 275mm tire combo.

Math:

(40 - 27) - ((275 - 255) / 2) = 3
(40 - 29) - ((275 - 255) / 2) = 1

I guess this now begs the question, why run a 9" 640M square setup when you could run an 8.5" 640M square setup instead? It's another option to consider anyway.

[jsplayin]

Originally Posted by jackass

My setup: Apex ARC-8 18"x9.5" ET 22, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 255/40

Interesting that the apex arc-8 fit! In another thread the person said the calipers didn't clear the inside wheel barrel. I have a set of et35 9.5" with Michelin pa4 245/40 that I'm hoping will fit once my car gets here. In the mean time if anyone around the Boston area wants to test fit my set I'd be grateful.

[JoeFromPA]

Confirmed order to start of 2 rear 640m wheels to test fitment. Awaiting word on delivery date.

[coolmody]

Originally Posted by jackass

My setup: Apex ARC-8 18"x9.5" ET 22, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 255/40

How did you get these to fit? I have exactly the same spec off of my E46 M3 (fronts) and when I tried to fit them the caliper clips were slightly scratching the inside barrels. The wheels would rotate but leave a scratch on the barrels. I suspect yours are doing the same?

I ordered a set of 19x9.5 ET22 square for winter to fix this. Will post pics once they arrive.