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[ben@tirerack]

Originally Posted by red998

Hey Ben,
a little confused on this so i figure i ll ask you.
i have 225/40R19 and 245/40R19 LM25 pairs. can I use these on the 19inch wheel set up for the M3?
SlammedM3 gave me a site and the difference is less than an inch in diameter, they are narrower and i figure that would be better in the snow.
Thanks
red

Smaller than technically recommended up front. It may feel like too little tire up front from a handling perspective, and will not protect the wheel as well, but the skinny factor does help in snow. So that's a definite maybe Can't give it the official thumbs up, but seems like it could be workable,

[quality_sound]

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

Nothing wrong with the 235/45R18 that I can see. Given that the car does not need the height stagger to work correctly (some do, esp in regard to traction control, but the BMW doesn't seem to care) it is extra complexity for not a whole lot of gain, but there's nothing to say you can't do it.

Fuel mileage would not make the decision for me, as the difference there would not be very great. Phantom miles, maybe, but a couple percent over the course of a few months is usually not a big difference. If you feel like it's worth the trouble though, I do not think there would be any major downside other than perhaps fewer tire choices in matching pairs vs all same size.

Honestly the mileage isn't the biggest concern, just the phantom miles. I'll rack up enough real ones on my own. I've decided on a square setup simply to be able to rotate them. Plus I can't help thinking a larger tire might help combat wheelspin (however little the difference between the -40 and -45s might be) in really crappy conditions.

Thanks Ben. I'll try putting a package together and give you a shout when I'm ready. Thanks!

Paul

[RichB]

I need winter tires for my 2010 M3 with OEM 19" wheels. I want the staggered look. Winters are not horrible in Stl, but we can get a few minor snows and maybe 1 larger snowfall. Here are the options available on tirerack based on availability. Thoughts?

LM25 - $634
245/45-19 (F) and 265/35-19 (R)
Will the different aspect ratios look funny?

LM60 - $1004
235/35-19 (F) and 265/35-19 (R)
Any problem with the width differences compared to the recommended config 235 & 255?

Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero - $1270
245/40-19 (F) and 255/40-19 (R)
Width difference is narrower...any concerns?

Ideally the LM25 would work since they are much cheaper, but I want to make sure they will look and perform ok.

Thanks!

[quality_sound]

Don't worry about the aspect ratio. For instance, a 225/40 will have roughly the same sidewall height as a 265/35. On a 235/40 the sidewall height is 40% of the tread width (94mm). On a 265/35 it's 35% of the treadwidth (92.75mm).

[terianx]

Does this setup work on my 2009 BMW M3 Sedan with stock 19" tires?

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 (Performance Snow)
Sidewall Style: Blackwall
* 255/35R19 XL

*
Price: $264.00 (each)
* Estimated Availability: In Stock

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 (Performance Snow)
Sidewall Style: Blackwall


* Rear: 265/35R19
* H Speed Rated

*
Price: $259.00 (each)
* Estimated Availability: In Stock

[terianx]

the recommended size is as follows

Front :245/35-19
Rear :265/35-19

Will 255/35R-19 work for the front?

[mocsman]

Originally Posted by terianx

the recommended size is as follows

Front :245/35-19
Rear :265/35-19

Will 255/35R-19 work for the front?

definitely. i am running 255/275 on OEM 19s. was able to put them to the test tonight driving from NY to DE with light snow/sleet/rain and was very satisfied

[asheesh88]

Hi Ben,

Do the BMW centercaps fit on the A7's? I saw a pic of the A7's earlier in the thread and it looked like they fit.

Also, the site is saying that some of the items in my cart are not available at the nearest warehouse......shipping on a set of wheels/tires is $100. Is that typical shipping for a set?

Thanks,

Asheesh

[Green///Hell]

Heads up I have 4 LM25 265/35/19 for sale that will work perfectly on OEM 19" wheels.
I used them only for 100 or so miles, they still even have the paint stripes on the tread.

$450 shipped if anyone wants them before I make a for sale thread PM me. They worked okay in deep snow, but even though they're not the "ideal" size for winter M3 tire (don't rub in front at all I tried hard) they will work perfect in freezing temps still and help for snow and ice on roads perfectly. I loved them but don't need them and I reverted back to 18's for my street and track wheels

I guess I can get pics if you really need them but they're brand new

[saeedg48]

BMW dealers have a winter package option.. pay like 1K a year they store your tires change them ect..

[Hoo]

I don't particularly like the pictured winter wheel at the beginning of this thread. I really like the look of the CSL wheels. Are there any good ones in 18" for the coupe to use as winter wheels with snow tires--looks like most CSL style wheels are 19's? What is a good brand of replica CSLs--pricewise, but more importantly quality-wise--are the VMRs, Miros, or Alufengen's any good? I'm not going to track the car--but I don't want vibration balance issues or the finish peeling off.

[Radiation Joe]

Originally Posted by kcdude24

I'm getting ready to order a 2011 and considering the CSL option just for the wheels. It is easy to justify since I wanted the 19's anyway. What, if any, issues are there swapping out a set of OEM 18's with winter tires for this setup? Does the new EDC or DSC mapping cause any issues with a staggered 18 setup?

I'm in Kansas City and don't have a ton of snow and never that deep so ride height is not that much of a concern.

No issues. Zero. None. Your car will drive fine on OEM 18s. The staggered 18 set-up is essentially identical to the 19s with regard to overall diameter.

[gthberg]

I'm also in the KC area, and have been running an 18" staggered snow setup on my '09 e90 all winter. No issues...other than clearance.

[calintexas]

Originally Posted by Hoo

I don't particularly like the pictured winter wheel at the beginning of this thread. I really like the look of the CSL wheels. Are there any good ones in 18" for the coupe to use as winter wheels with snow tires--looks like most CSL style wheels are 19's? What is a good brand of replica CSLs--pricewise, but more importantly quality-wise--are the VMRs, Miros, or Alufengen's any good? I'm not going to track the car--but I don't want vibration balance issues or the finish peeling off.

VMR has been around for quite a while. Their gravity cast wheels have sold in significant quantities judging by the number of pictures of the wheels on different cars on this site. Except for some issues with the durability of the finish, they seem to have a good rep.

AluFelgen is cast using the better low pressure casting process and has JWL and VIA certifications for their wheels. I haven't seen any complaints about them.

Another wheel to consider is the Apex ARC-8. It's more designed to be a track wheel, but has all the certifications and is quite light.

I don't know anything about Miros.

[asheesh88]

Hi all,

I want to give a big thanks to Ben at Tirerack.

I went with the Sport A7s staggered, Dunlop 3Ds, TPMS sensors and BMW center caps.

Got the delivery quick and without hassle, mounted them this weekend, and the car feels great.

Excellent service all around. I would highly recommend to anyone.

Thanks again Ben.

Asheesh

[Polarcharger]

Ben and others,

I have E36 and E46 M3's with an E90 ZCP on the way. I currently use the E36 in winter, and originally ran replica wheels with winter tires. The wheels looked terrible after a few years, and I replaced with BBS CH's (square) from you. I wish I'd bought quality from the start.

As I replace the E36 with the E90 for winter duty, I'd like to get high quality 18" wheels (no wider than 8.5" front, 9.5" rear) with winter tires. Do you have any alternatives to buying OEM 18's?

[quality_sound]

The 18" A7s mentioned above is what I got as well and they work great.

[e.n335]

Tires
front: Pirelli W 240 Sottozero S2 235/40 R18 91V M+S Kennung, N1
rear: Pirelli W 240 Sottozero S2 255/40 R18 95V M+S Kennung, N1

Wheels
VMR BMW V710 18 inch
front: 8.5 x 18 ET35
rear: 9.5 x 18 ET22

Spacers for front wheels (hub centric)
H&R System DR 2075725 10mm or
H&R System DR 2475725 12mm each

Longer wheel bolts (10) for front wheels (Macht Schnell, black)

Great setup

Performs excellent and looks quite good, IMO.

[Doctor J]

M6 rims will work too

[Subw00er]

FWIW, and unless something has changed in the last few months, M6 replicas do not fit the new m3. the inner hub diameter is too small and hits the caliper. Ask me how I know.

[Doctor J]

Originally Posted by Subw00er

FWIW, and unless something has changed in the last few months, M6 replicas do not fit the new m3. the inner hub diameter is too small and hits the caliper. Ask me how I know.

OEM M6 fits...

read here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364503

[Subw00er]

Right, the oem fits, but they're so expensive, you dont see many of them. Just wanted to let others know that the reps and the oem are NOT the same fit.