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[Tut]

Ben has advised us that 18x8 wheels all around should be fine while my TireRack advisor is saying 18x8 for the front and an 18x9 rear. But the tire size is the same; 235/40R18!!! My understanding is different wheel sizes is only to maintain the staggered setup. Are the different wheel sizes needed to clear the rear rotors? Will the 235/40R18 tires fit the 18x9 rear wheels? or Do I need different tires for the 18x9? Can someone clarify? Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks

[ben@tirerack]

If you are running the same size tires, you should generally run the same size wheels. 235/40R18 will fit on the 9" wheel, but there is really no good reason for doing so for winter. The wider rear wheels/tires will look better, but for actual snow performance, narrower is better.

Staggered setups make sense for those with milder winters who want clear-road handling more similar to what they have in the summer.

The Tire Rack is gradually completing the winter database for this car. Until then, most reps will (rightly) stick to the most "standard" configuration, which is the staggered setup. That is the same thing I would do if it were another car that I was not specializing in.

Since I work with this particular car every day, I have a bit more information than average, and don't mind going to things that are BMW recommended but have not made it into our database yet. If you have any questions, always feel free to call me at the number in my signature.

[signes]

Ben:

Any package price for wheels only and TPMS - I like the MT1 wheels but looking to go for Nokian tires which you unfortunately don't carry. Would be in 8.5 width for 235s all around. Thanks.

[Tut]

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

If you are running the same size tires, you should generally run the same size wheels. 235/40R18 will fit on the 9" wheel, but there is really no good reason for doing so for winter. The wider rear wheels/tires will look better, but for actual snow performance, narrower is better.

Staggered setups make sense for those with milder winters who want clear-road handling more similar to what they have in the summer.

The Tire Rack is gradually completing the winter database for this car. Until then, most reps will (rightly) stick to the most "standard" configuration, which is the staggered setup. That is the same thing I would do if it were another car that I was not specializing in.

Since I work with this particular car every day, I have a bit more information than average, and don't mind going to things that are BMW recommended but have not made it into our database yet. If you have any questions, always feel free to call me at the number in my signature.

Hello Ben,

Thank you for your valuable info. It's becoming clearer now. Ilike the Breyton Race GTS-R, do they come in 18x8? Do you recommend them for the Winter? If yes, how much are they with TPMS? How much are the Blizzak LM25? You can PM me if you prefer. Thank you so much.

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by signes

Ben:

Any package price for wheels only and TPMS - I like the MT1 wheels but looking to go for Nokian tires which you unfortunately don't carry. Would be in 8.5 width for 235s all around. Thanks.

We can sell wheels and TPMS with no tires. Figure *cost of your chosen wheel* +$50 per wheel for the sensors.

Shipping a set of wheels is usually somewhere around $50 or $60 depending on weight and where you are.

[signes]

Thanks for the reply. Hope you guys start carrying Nokians soon!

[lucid]

Ben, Your website says these wheels both have 20mm offset. Isn't that off for the fronts?

[Radiation Joe]

Originally Posted by lucid

Ben, Your website says these wheels both have 20mm offset. Isn't that off for the fronts?

That is the recommended offset by BMW for an 18 x 8 wheel for winter tires.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

That is the recommended offset by BMW for an 18 x 8 wheel for winter tires.

Doesn't that significantly alter the scrub radius for the fronts?

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by Tut

Hello Ben,

Thank you for your valuable info. It's becoming clearer now. Ilike the Breyton Race GTS-R, do they come in 18x8? Do you recommend them for the Winter? If yes, how much are they with TPMS? How much are the Blizzak LM25? You can PM me if you prefer. Thank you so much.

Sorry for the delay, I was double checking on the Breytons. The Race GTS fit but only in 19". The GTS-R does not yet have an application available for the M3.

[Radiation Joe]

Originally Posted by lucid

Doesn't that significantly alter the scrub radius for the fronts?

It alters the scrub radius. I'm not sure if it "significantly" alters the scrub radius. The BMW recommended wheel width and offset is 18x8 et20 for winter use. Remember 9mm is like 3/8 of an inch. Not significant in my mind.

[signes]

Joe, are you still planning on doing OEM 8x18 all around for winters?

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by lucid

Doesn't that significantly alter the scrub radius for the fronts?

Any change in the offset technically does affect the scrub radius, but a few mm is not the end of the world.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by Radiation Joe

It alters the scrub radius. I'm not sure if it "significantly" alters the scrub radius. The BMW recommended wheel width and offset is 18x8 et20 for winter use. Remember 9mm is like 3/8 of an inch. Not significant in my mind.

What do you consider to be significant offset change?

Does BMW offer a winter wheel package at those specs then? If they do, how much?

[mtsound]

hey ben will the A7 18 x 9 fit in the front. i just like the look of this width much better

thanks

mike

[stevespools]

Ben -on your website I get this warning when I select Blizzaks:


Tire Load Warning
The following tire you have selected has a higher load rating than the vehicle's Original Equipment (O.E.) tires. This typically results in increased ride harshness, which some customers may find undesirable.

To select a different tire, REMOVE the tire from your cart and search for a tire with a load rating that matches your vehicle's O.E. rating. To purchase the tire you have already selected, KEEP IN CART / CONTINUE.

Item Description Qty Price Ea. Total
235/40R18 XL Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25
Blackwall
for 2008 BMW M3 Coupe 2 $198.00 $396.00

Item Description Qty Price Ea. Total
255/40R18 XL Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25
Blackwall
for 2008 BMW M3 Coupe 2 $228.00 $456.00

Please advise -thanks, Steve

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by mtsound

hey ben will the A7 18 x 9 fit in the front. i just like the look of this width much better

thanks

mike

They are not guaranteed to fit. I think they'd have a chance, but I'd recommend test fitting before you drive on them.

[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by stevespools

Ben -on your website I get this warning when I select Blizzaks:


Tire Load Warning
The following tire you have selected has a higher load rating than the vehicle's Original Equipment (O.E.) tires. This typically results in increased ride harshness, which some customers may find undesirable.

To select a different tire, REMOVE the tire from your cart and search for a tire with a load rating that matches your vehicle's O.E. rating. To purchase the tire you have already selected, KEEP IN CART / CONTINUE.

Item Description Qty Price Ea. Total
235/40R18 XL Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25
Blackwall
for 2008 BMW M3 Coupe 2 $198.00 $396.00

Item Description Qty Price Ea. Total
255/40R18 XL Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25
Blackwall
for 2008 BMW M3 Coupe 2 $228.00 $456.00

Please advise -thanks, Steve

Disregard this warning for the BMW. XL and Standard Load tires will have nearly identical ride. This programming is primarily to warn drivers of light trucks and SUV's when they are purchasing load range D and E tires.

[syncros]

Maybe I don't get it, but can you please confirm Ben that the Sport Edition A7 18x8 can fit in the back too without spacers?

Thanks for this confirmation.

I will order from TR as soon as I can have this confirmation. What kind of delay should I expect for shipment to Montreal, Canada?

Thanks, Vincent

[rcornelius]

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

I have been receiving a lot of questions about this, and the website has not gotten the winter packages up for the M3, so I am putting winter package info out here for everyone.

BMW Recommended winter setup is 235/40R18 with 18x8 wheels all around. This will fit, although it does not fill the fender well in the rear. The narrower tires are better in snow and ice.

The best winter wheel is the Sport Edition A7


They have a silver painted and clearcoat finish, and are a direct fit with no spacer. They will even use the original bolts. I have used this style for 3 winters. They will not win any car show trophies, but they have held up well, and they look fine on a BMW .

18x8 is $129. 18x9 is $134 for those who want to keep the staggered setup.

If you want a staggered setup, use 255/40R18 for the Rear. The only snow tire in 265/40 is a Pirelli that will not be here until late October/early November. A little narrower will help in snow anyway. Front can be 245 or 235/40R18.

Tires are pretty much all good. Most popular are the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-25's and Dunlop Wintersport 3D's. The new Pilot Alpin PA3's look very good as well. The Pirellis and Continentals are the sportiest handling, but the least focused on snow, more of a cold-weather performance tire, but still much better than all-season tires in snow.

An example cost for a package would be around $1400 with non-staggered Blizzak LM-25's delivered. Add $200 to any package to have BMW original Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors (TPMS) installed. That will prevent the annoying "low tire pressure" light from coming on. (Unless you really have a flat)

The website does not show the wheels yet, but I am always in the office Monday-Friday 10AM-6PM Eastern. 800.428.8355 x660
Our website should have most of this info up soon.

Please visit: http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AW8&...nter/index.jsp

I've purchased these rims and the Dunlop Sports for my M3. As always Tire Rack came through and I had the tires in about 5 days, yes all the way to Germany. Tires look fine and should be ok in the snow. I've used Dunlop Sports for many years on all of my other BMWs with no issues.

[syncros]

Thanks for the answer. Have you installed and tested them?
Any pics of the wheel on your car?

I will order them in the next days for sure.

Thanks again, Vincent

[SSTRUD]

I'm in Montreal and plan to occasionally take my car out in the winter. We get a lot of snow, sleet & ice - are closed-style wheels better to protect the discs?