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[M3 996]

See below for a couple pics of my winter set-up. I have been thru a couple 2-3" snow events, and can now say that they work awesome. I have no reason to doubt that they would also perform well in more significant snow events.

Quit dropping your money on ugly 17-18" set-ups with hideous offsets!

Those who doubt that 19" wheels can work well in the winter have obviously never tried it. This is my 3rd car I have run with low-profile winter tires, and I have not had a problem in 5+ years. I suppose one could make the whole pot-hole argument, but it is a risk I am willing to take.

[Subw00er]

How do they handle?!

[signes]

Nice setup, glad to hear it works. I have no doubt 19s would work, but until recently there weren't a lot of 19 options or sizes that fit (for the E46 I had) so I never tried it. I also went with the OEM 18s again for the E90 because they still look good and won't show the winter dirt and wear as much.

[kmac1980]

looks nicer for sure with the 19s...

i only went with a seperate set of 18s (bmw euro replicas) for the sheer convenience factor of being able to swap them myself and not be at the mercy of overcrowded tire shops, seeing as I don't have mounting/balancing equipment.

The rims didnt cost me much more than the price difference between 18 and 19" snow tires, and I managed to get the correct staggered offset.

[montreal red]

what are your tire specs? the stock 19s are pretty wide in the rear so i am assuming you are fitting at least 255 rears ... that would cost more than say a 245 all around set up.

[Chico]

Originally Posted by M3 996

See below for a couple pics of my winter set-up. I have been thru a couple 2-3" snow events, and can now say that they work awesome. I have no reason to doubt that they would also perform well in more significant snow events.

Quit dropping your money on ugly 17-18" set-ups with hideous offsets!

Those who doubt that 19" wheels can work well in the winter have obviously never tried it. This is my 3rd car I have run with low-profile winter tires, and I have not had a problem in 5+ years. I suppose one could make the whole pot-hole argument, but it is a risk I am willing to take.

I agree 100%. Car looks great.

[M3 996]

The car handles and rides great.

I believe that the sizes are 255/35 up front and 265/35 in the rear. The Blizzak LM-25's are available through Tire Rack, and they recommended the sizes to me. Stock sizes are not available in matching sets, so I had to compromise a bit with the front size.

I plan on getting a different set of wheels for summer, so this will become my dedicated winter set-up.

[Deda]

very nice!

[noxredna]

Goood stuff. I am also running the exact same set-up as you.

19" OEM - on Blizzaks LM-25. 255/35/19 rear, 265/35/19 up front to keep the staggered set up.

The car seems to drive perfectly fine, I drove up from Philly to Catskill for thanksgiving where I encountered some snow.. No problems at all.

[flyinbrian]

I have been running the stock 18's with 245/40-18 and 265/40-18 and they work wonderful. The whole 17" deal never really made sense to me on a M3. Just doesnt look good for this car, and I cant imagine performance being much better as the 18's work great and feel fine when it is not snowing also. I believe the 19's are fine also just need to be a little more careful about the hidden pot holes.

[GTM]

Looking good!




This thread makes me want to get winter tires for my M3...so I can drive all year around..hmmm

[flyinbrian]

Originally Posted by GTM

Looking good!




This thread makes me want to get winter tires for my M3...so I can drive all year around..hmmm

Do it. I got my M3 to drive and enjoy.

[mightyaa]

Originally Posted by noxredna

Goood stuff. I am also running the exact same set-up as you.

19" OEM - on Blizzaks LM-25. 255/35/19 rear, 265/35/19 up front to keep the staggered set up.

The car seems to drive perfectly fine, I drove up from Philly to Catskill for thanksgiving where I encountered some snow.. No problems at all.

Same setup here (but with the wider 265's on the rear ). It's snowing today in Denver, so I'll get to see how well it works (assuming something sticks to the roads)......

[kmax1980]

Originally Posted by flyinbrian

I have been running the stock 18's with 245/40-18 and 265/40-18 and they work wonderful. The whole 17" deal never really made sense to me on a M3. Just doesnt look good for this car, and I cant imagine performance being much better as the 18's work great and feel fine when it is not snowing also. I believe the 19's are fine also just need to be a little more careful about the hidden pot holes.

17"s wont even fit on ANY e9x m3 as the brakes are too big

[flyinbrian]

Originally Posted by kmax1980

17"s wont even fit on ANY e9x m3 as the brakes are too big

Agh, so true.

[nd54]

Looks amazing - best winter setup I've seen on an E9X. Which tires did you go with?

I agree with your point about the 19's as well; lots of cars here run them and it's not an issue. People mostly have a problem with potholes etc..., not the traction.

[rcornelius]

Originally Posted by M3 996

See below for a couple pics of my winter set-up. I have been thru a couple 2-3" snow events, and can now say that they work awesome. I have no reason to doubt that they would also perform well in more significant snow events.

Quit dropping your money on ugly 17-18" set-ups with hideous offsets!

Those who doubt that 19" wheels can work well in the winter have obviously never tried it. This is my 3rd car I have run with low-profile winter tires, and I have not had a problem in 5+ years. I suppose one could make the whole pot-hole argument, but it is a risk I am willing to take.

You must have another set of rims for the summer??? If not what does those beautiful, but also expensive 19s look like after driving around in the salt all winter...???

[f10mmmmm]

Originally Posted by noxredna

Goood stuff. I am also running the exact same set-up as you.

19" OEM - on Blizzaks LM-25. 255/35/19 rear, 265/35/19 up front to keep the staggered set up.

The car seems to drive perfectly fine, I drove up from Philly to Catskill for thanksgiving where I encountered some snow.. No problems at all.

Is this correct? 255 for the rear and 265 for the front? It's the other way, right?

[M3 996]

Originally Posted by e90mdrei

Is this correct? 255 for the rear and 265 for the front? It's the other way, right?

I had it backward. 255 front, 265 rear.

[m3larson]

Man that sucks to have to drive your cars in that awful weather. Doesn't look fun at all. Saturday it was 70 degrees and the M3 drove beautifully around town

[chris s]

Originally Posted by m3larson

Man that sucks to have to drive your cars in that awful weather. Doesn't look fun at all. Saturday it was 70 degrees and the M3 drove beautifully around town

Ahhh but our cars are faster this time of year!!! How do you enjoy 105 degree heat in June and July...when the car suffers from heat exhaustion!?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by flyinbrian

I have been running the stock 18's with 245/40-18 and 265/40-18 and they work wonderful.

Hey flyinbrian, what brand winter tires are those? I have some Michilen Pilot Alpin PA2's I am going to mount to my stock 18s.

Did you get those 18s on the forum or did they come with the car? I've been looking for a second set of 18s used but prices seem to be around 2k (albeit with the tires too) and that's more than I want to pay. I was able to get a second set of 18" 162s for the 335i for about $1400 last year, and that included the (rather pricey) RFTs.

OP, sorry for the slight threadjack - your car looks good, and I totally agree with you (and flyinbrian) that the stock staggered setup makes most sense for winter tires. Why compromise the looks/ride when the car does fine in the winter with OEM sized snow tires?