Show your winter set up

[KmndntKlink]

Originally Posted by AKG M3

Hey guys, don't want to start a new thread on winter setups so decided to revive this one since I need some help from fellow Canadians that know our winters.

I need some opinions on how to setup the car for winter. I have a few ideas but would like your thoughts and suggestions to help me narrow it down or perhaps open my eyes with some new ideas.

Currently have the 220M wheels with the stock summer Conti tires.

1. I can just wrap the 220M in winter rubber and keep the summer tires for a summer set of wheels...thinking of getting OEM ZCP wheels for next summer.

2. Get a set of winter wheels but I want to keep the car looking stock so thinking of the gunmetal 219's and would like to run the stock tire sizes but winter tires

3. Go with something that is not stock looking but a bit different and original since its only for winter and will be on the car for a rather short time. Initial thoughts about size would be 19s since they look better on the car and I am not lowered to make an after market 18 wheel look good. Having said that, perhaps there are awesome looking 18s out there that look good on stock height.

Your feedback would be greatly appreciated and since there is still time before our first winter storm I can make an informed decision that I'll be happy with.

One last thing, would I be able to run 245 fronts and 265 rears winters??

Oh, and this is not my DD so it wont be seeing the snow all the time except the times when I want to take it out to have some fun.

Thanks!

I had some curb rash on my OEM 220Ms got a sick deal on a set of replicas & PSS. So i just use those for summer and the f'd up OEMs for winter. Easier than remounting rubber every season. I run 245&265 in the winter no problem. I have blizzaks, they're very good. I DD. Ditch the conti's they suck ass compared to the PSS.

Originally Posted by Jaypod

Sweet! Congrats! Nice to have both cars to drive. Wish I had the space to keep mine, but will more than likely sell the M3 when the GT3 comes.

so you did end up getting GT3 huh? congrats, now you gonna compete with sawzall?

Originally Posted by ep99

Actually, while waiting for service in Town&Country BMW...I noticed they are carrying performance tire with TPMS...it got a 833 mhz label on it.

I didn't bother inquiring since its almost winter anyway.

I can confirm that TPMS exists on canadian cars. I know because it yelled @ me once saying all my tires were low. turns out they were actually fine, but the system will show all 4 as low even if only one is ~32psi instead of the 34-35. IDK what happened with my summer set though, I got them from the states but I didn't ask if they came with TPMS & I had them installed @ a shop, so idk if they hooked it up or w/e. They were dirt cheap, so I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't have it (but isn't it legally mandated there?) Either way haven't had any problems since, but it does exist here.

[AKG M3]

Thanks fellas. So I shouldn't expect any warning lights for tire pressure after changing to a winter set? Alright, today or tomorrow placing my order for the AG M359 in matte black and going with the Blizzak LM32. Won't be mounting them right away though haha

[BMWNTHZST]

I want to clarify something here...

TPMS is located in the suspension of Canadian spec cars and therefore does not need to be purchased. The USA spec cars have TPMS located in rims.

Now I've heard things may be changing for the new F30's. My above comments are with respect to E9X cars.

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by BMWNTHZST

I want to clarify something here...

TPMS is located in the suspension of Canadian spec cars and therefore does not need to be purchased. The USA spec cars have TPMS located in rims.

Now I've heard things may be changing for the new F30's. My above comments are with respect to E9X cars.

Correct - although I believe its the ABS system that is utilized for monitoring the TPMS. In the US, regulations require a direct method of TPMS, hence the TPMS valve stems located on those cars.

The good news for us is we can swap wheels easily without having to either swap the sensors or reprogram the car to recognize the new sensors.

When I bought an extra set of OEM Wheels from the dealer for my wife's car, they had the TPMS valve stems included for some reason, but they are useless on her X5 it does not use the TPMS Sensors in the wheels.

[Jaypod]

Originally Posted by KmndntKlink

so you did end up getting GT3 huh? congrats, now you gonna compete with sawzall?

Thanks, haven't got it yet - planning the order to make sure it gets here for spring or spring euro delivery.

Oh and for me, he M3 is plenty of car for me to stay ahead of sawzall!

[Gearhead999s]

Canadian cars have the FTM not the TPMS.

FTM stands for the Flat Tire Monitor. As air leaks, tire pressure decreases, and the tire rotates faster. ABS sensors on the wheels detect a change in wheel rotation speeds, which signifies a change in the roll radius, or pressure level, of the tires. A warning light in the instrument panel notifies the driver of the pressure loss. In case of significant pressure loss, a warning buzzer sounds.

TPM - Tire Pressure Monitor. Basically a two piece item, a special air valve as well as a module that is on the inside of the rim and connects to the valve stem. This unit monitors the actual pressure inside the rim. (This was introduced in the 2007 model year)

[swifty]

Quick question: Can you run 265 blizzak tires in the rear on a 11inch wide wheel for M3 or will it be too stretched.

[KmndntKlink]

Originally Posted by Jaypod

Thanks, haven't got it yet - planning the order to make sure it gets here for spring or spring euro delivery.

Oh and for me, he M3 is plenty of car for me to stay ahead of sawzall!

cool. haha your m3 is pretty beast mode, that's fo sho

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

Canadian cars have the FTM not the TPMS.

riiiight thnx for that clarification. ignore what i said lol.

[BMW Fanatic]

Just put my winter set up on yesterday.

[AKG M3]

^ Fack! The 219s look so right on the M3. Wish I could have found a set for my winter setup...anyways, that looks really good man! No center caps though?

[BMW Fanatic]

Originally Posted by AKG M3

^ Fack! The 219s look so right on the M3. Wish I could have found a set for my winter setup...anyways, that looks really good man! No center caps though?

Thanks - buyer didn't have a spare set and I sold my 359's so will have to order them from ECS tonight!

[RDSACNQ]

Originally Posted by BMW Fanatic

Thanks - buyer didn't have a spare set and I sold my 359's so will have to order them from ECS tonight!

What? I am still waiting for your reply but you sold it already.

[BMW Fanatic]

Originally Posted by RDSACNQ

What? I am still waiting for your reply but you sold it already.

Lol. Do not get butt hurt, I sent you my number and told you to text me before I sold them and you kept sending me q's on m3post and didn't call until 2/3 days after the fact. If you had called and I answered your q's in 10 minutes then you could have taken them. Good luck on your search.

[RDSACNQ]

Originally Posted by BMW Fanatic

Lol. Do not get butt hurt, I sent you my number and told you to text me before I sold them and you kept sending me q's on m3post and didn't call until 2/3 days after the fact. If you had called and I answered your q's in 10 minutes then you could have taken them. Good luck on your search.

No worries, keep modify your M3 like previous ONE, Lol.

[BMW Fanatic]

Originally Posted by RDSACNQ

No worries, keep modify your M3 like previous ONE, Lol.

[swifty]

How many of you regularly drive your cars in the winter; day in & day out?

Going with a 265/35/18 blizzak setup all around when the car gets here. Don't know what to expect with a v8 and rear wheel drive but hoping for the best.

[Hedonist]

ordered my winter set last week.
VMR V710 gun metal, staggered set up 18" 8.5 & 9.5
Michelin PA3

can't wait!
will post pics upon delivery first week of November.

[bing240sx]

i ran Breyton GTS Race in the winter on 19" blizzak LM-25V's last year. I sold that though and will be going on the OEM 220's with mix-matched blizzak LM25v in the front and LM60 in the rear...

I'll have an extra staggered set in 225/40/19 and 255/40/19 for anyone interested... near new but not brand new.

[drchuck72]

Originally Posted by swifty

How many of you regularly drive your cars in the winter; day in & day out?

Going with a 265/35/18 blizzak setup all around when the car gets here. Don't know what to expect with a v8 and rear wheel drive but hoping for the best.

Drive my car all year, daily except in the worst of conditions.

I'm on gunmetal 219s, 235 40R18f and 255 40R18r.

[Fe9L]

I have some 5x120 absolutely mint 19" Gewalts Evo 2 (19x8 et31 -perfect for almost any BMW model), and been trying to search the forums for any info about them but cant find much, they seem like a rare Jspec made wheel...if anyone is interested shoot me a pm...

As for my winter setup, no pix yet but should be coming within a week or so

[swifty]

Looks like it's a bit of overkill to put on blizzaks this week. Should I wait?

[BMWNTHZST]

Originally Posted by swifty

Looks like it's a bit of overkill to put on blizzaks this week. Should I wait?

In T.O. the temps are still pretty good leading into mid Nov. I personally try to hold off on snows until Dec 1st.