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[isakhnov]

I'm looking to get a set of winter wheels and tires. As I live in Seattle area snow is not the biggest concern but relatively cold and wet environment is.
Based on the data I managed to find online tire choices are
- Michelin Alpin PA4
- Dunlop Winters Sport 3D
- Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II

Michelin looks to be the best in case snow is not a problem but it is also the most limited in tire sizes. I'm looking for 18" wheels and I guess my best choice is to go with 245/40r18 on all corners if I stick with Michelin.

Wheel wise I understand that 18x8.5 is the right size for the above tire but I'm lost in the right offset to choose. My understanding is that the offsets should be different between fronts and rears or that I would need to get spacers to get wheels be flush with fenders, is this correct? What would be the right offset to choose (I see 20, 35, 40 etc. listed for various wheels/options). Centerbore is another question I have no understanding on but I assume that I can ignore it as long as the wheel is marked as the right fit for e90/92, correct?

Thanks, Igor

[M3SQRD]

The stock 219M F wheel is 18x8.5et29. If you used a 219M F wheel on the R you'd need an ~18 mm spacer to match the offset of the stock 219M R 18x9.5et23 wheel.

I'm running staggered Dunlop Winter 3D 235/40 and 255/40 tires on 18" 8"/9" wheels on my M3. This tire is great in the dry and wet when cold, and great in light snow covered roads. Not good in icy or deep snow conditions like a winter snow-ice tire.

Another great winter performance tire is the Bridegestone LM60 which I'm currently using on my Mini Cooper S and previously on an e46 330.

I've heard good things about the PA4 but I have not personally used the tire.

[isakhnov]

Thanks!

I'm currently looking at 18x8.5-et15 or et20. Will they work for fronts assuming that both will stick out further then stock?

[MRV99]

I have 219m staggered rims and I put 245 fronts, 255 rears because that is the only size I could actually find available Dunlop 3D . In Chicago we have more wet/cold than snow and I wanted a wider rear for the no snow days

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by isakhnov

Thanks!

I'm currently looking at 18x8.5-et15 or et20. Will they work for fronts assuming that both will stick out further then stock?

When I was using my 219M's I was able to run a 15 mm spacer with the F wheels without any issues - made the front effectively an 18x8.5et14 with the spacer.

[isakhnov]

Thanks! I will probably go with et15.