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[Splooge911]

I always here people say you will get better traction with the 18s over the 19s but how much of a difference is there? Is it really that big of a difference. I would rather get 19's if its pretty much the same

if anyone out there has tried both, please let me know what you felt

thanks

[dirtyfreebooter]

Yea, I am also on this fence. I've just ordered. Production is scheduled to be completed November 25th. I can't decide whether to buy a set of 18s and winter tires or just put Blizzaks on my ZCP wheels.

I won't be snow driving but certainly cold weather, so I'm thinking of just the Blizzaks on the 19s.

If I was going to be doing a lot of snow driving, I'd probably opt for 18s for the simple reason there is so much more tire choices for 18s. I just can't seem to find anything but Blizzaks for 2XX/35R19.

And I have no clue if 40 series tires will fit properly on 19s with ZCP...

[mrkbbd]

I did some pretty significant snow driving with 19's in the DC blizzards last year, I have Vredestein Wintertrac Extremes, 245 front and 255 rear, worked great and are technically ultra-high performance tires so if you don't get a chance to switch them out as soon as it warms up, there still pretty good

[MonteCarloM3]

We've got some snow and ice now. I'm using Blizzak lm25 265 width rear and Dunlop m3 245 up front. Works just fine.
If you want better grip for winter you shouldn't be driving an m3.

[arter]

I don't think there is any difference in traction between 18 and 19" winter tires.
The benefit of 18's are greater choice, less cost, and better pothole management.

[e90m3_6MT]

it's not a question of size, it's a question of width. wider tires don't work as well as narrower tires for snow traction. the wider the tire, the more it distributes the weight of the car on a bigger contact patch so you get less weight per sq inch than a narrower tire. the end result is the wider tire will float on the snow as opposed to compressing it to get more traction. the recommended winters are 235/40/18 if I'm not mistaken. that fit on an 8 inch wide rim, ideal for winter driving.

[Daft]

Originally Posted by MonteCarloM3

We've got some snow and ice now. I'm using Blizzak lm25 265 width rear and Dunlop m3 245 up front. Works just fine.
If you want better grip for winter you shouldn't be driving an m3.

I'm curious to know why you have 2 different tire brands? I was always told this was not recommended.

[Doctor J]

Here's my 2010 M3 with winter setup:

19" 167s (M6 offset) with 255/265 Bridgestone Blizzaks.

Ride, braking and handling are virtually unchanged. Now that the temp is below 5C grip is great. No "squishyness" as others have reported -- might be because these are 19s and not 18s. Offset of the 167s is the same as my 220s with MachSchnell spacers (18mm/15mm) -- which were a BITCH to get off by the way....


snowtiresside by Doctor J, on Flickr


frontsnows by Doctor J, on Flickr


offset by Doctor J, on Flickr

[Chowster]

Originally Posted by e90m3_6MT

it's not a question of size, it's a question of width. wider tires don't work as well as narrower tires for snow traction. the wider the tire, the more it distributes the weight of the car on a bigger contact patch so you get less weight per sq inch than a narrower tire. the end result is the wider tire will float on the snow as opposed to compressing it to get more traction. the recommended winters are 235/40/18 if I'm not mistaken. that fit on an 8 inch wide rim, ideal for winter driving.

Tire width is key for snowy conditions.

I went slightly narrower than the stock 19s, with Dunlop SP WinterSport 3Ds - 235/35/19 and 255/35/19.

Doctor J is actually wider than stock 19s up front at 255, but he's driving more in wet west coast conditions than snow.

If you're dealing with snowy winter conditions, keep it narrow!

[Doctor J]

Originally Posted by Chowster

Tire width is key for snowy conditions.

I went slightly narrower than the stock 19s, with Dunlop SP WinterSport 3Ds - 235/35/19 and 255/35/19.

Doctor J is actually wider than stock 19s up front at 255, but he's driving more in wet west coast conditions than snow.

If you're dealing with snowy winter conditions, keep it narrow!

I agree. For the deep stuff -- go narrow

[Ctm309]

I went with Pirelli SottoZero on stock 18" wheels and size's and couldn't be happier. Low noise, great traction, very good handling ( do to stock side wall height). Keep my PS2's and 19's for warmer weather.

[Entrepreneurs In Cars]

I've run all kinds of snows in all types of winter stuff.

18's are always best (mostly for pothole management) and go narrow with the same size on all 4 so you can rotate them around every year. I used to run 225 18's on my e46 m3, worked awesome, even in the deep stuff.

I also usually go with a slightly taller (tire) set up so the overall diameter is 2-5% taller then the factory set up, just gives you a little more clearance in deeper snow.

Going with a wide set up puts you car up on the snow, like skiis.

Think skates, narrow is always better in snow/ice. Unless you are cool with sliding around a bit more.

[montreal red]

Originally Posted by Doctor J

I agree. For the deep stuff -- go narrow

i really like your winter set up ... those are oem 19" m6 rims right? the offsets are almost perfect for the m3!

[aka_phox]

Originally Posted by Doctor J

Here's my 2010 M3 with winter setup:

19" 167s (M6 offset) with 255/265 Bridgestone Blizzaks.

Ride, braking and handling are virtually unchanged. Now that the temp is below 5C grip is great. No "squishyness" as others have reported -- might be because these are 19s and not 18s. Offset of the 167s is the same as my 220s with MachSchnell spacers (18mm/15mm) -- which were a BITCH to get off by the way....


snowtiresside by Doctor J, on Flickr


frontsnows by Doctor J, on Flickr


offset by Doctor J, on Flickr

Do you run those same Spacers on your 220s? (18mm/15mm) ...that's front/rear or rear/front)?

[bobbyd1961]

Originally Posted by Splooge911

I always here people say you will get better traction with the 18s over the 19s but how much of a difference is there? Is it really that big of a difference. I would rather get 19's if its pretty much the same

if anyone out there has tried both, please let me know what you felt

thanks

my summer tires are 19s. however i went with front size 18s all around for winter