Hi,
I'm relatively new to this forum and need some advice on what snow tires to buy. I have a 2006 X3 with the sports package which has 18 tires and a metal stem.

I have checked your forums and found that RTF tires don't perform or ride as well as non-RFT tires. Thanks for that info. I never thought of asking that question.

But my main question is what should I buy?

I have called a couple of BMW dealerships and received conflicting information. Here is what they have told me-
1. I need to get 17 wheels/rims and snow tires because the 18 wheels I have will not allow the snow tires to fit in the wheel well. I also am better off with a narrower tire that what I have since I'll be in Park City where it ices and snows a lot.
2. It is not necessary for me to put narrower, 17 snow tires and wheels on my car. I can use my 18 wheels and put snow tires on them.
3. Dunlap SP Winter Sports tires are the best for traction in the snow/ice.
4. I can use Continental Snow Tires.
5. I cannot use Continental Snow tires
6. My car requires run flat tires
7. My car does not require run flat tires.
8. I need to buy new sensors for the wheel well for new wheels.
9. I do not need to buy new sensors - I can remove them from my all weather tires I have on them now.
The most confusing thing is no one can agree on whether I can put snow tires on the 18 rims and whether or not I can use run flat tires and if I have a sensor or not that shows that tire pressure is low. I have one and it works. It lights up when the tires are low.

So my questions are-
1. What are my options and what is the safest?
2. Do I need to buy the expensive BMW wheels and tires or can I find what I need at a discount tire place either locally or online (like Tirerack)?

Thanks, in advance for your help!
Eileen

Hey Eileen,
The easiest thing to do would be to put a set of 18" winters on (235/50/18 I believe) your factory wheels. They will work with you direct TPM system. In terms of going with a narrower tire, yes it will cut through snow a bit better, but the advantage won't be huge, plus if you go too narrow, you will be reducing your packed snow/ice traction.

I have heard very good things about the Dunlop winter sport M3's. Even if you go with the cheapest winter tire, it will still give you better traction than your all seasons. I think tirerack has sets from 800 to 900 for winter 18's. I have a set of Pirelli winter snow sports on my wife's X3 (235/55/17) and they have very good traction, but ride very firm. I have a set of Hankook Icebears on my 330xi (205/50/17) and they have been great, I know they aren't the best, but they are way better than the goodyear eagle RS-A's the car came with stock.

IMO when buying tires the category they are in is more important than the brand (ie a max performance all season compared to a high performance summer). The summer will probably handle better and cost less, since it doesn't have to make sacrifices for low temperatures and light snow that the all season does. I would definitely not run the high performance summer tire in the winter though.

Now that I have put you to sleep, I hope this helps.

That was extremely helpful! Especially this:

"In terms of going with a narrower tire, yes it will cut through snow a bit better, but the advantage won't be huge, plus if you go too narrow, you will be reducing your packed snow/ice traction. "
What you wrote also explains why I got different responses from different dealers or tire companies.

I'm going with the 18" tires and will keep my all weather tires for the summer. I found some Bridgestone Blizzik LM25s - it's one of the top rated ones from Consumer Reports. Hope they will work ok. The Dunlops were similarly priced, but not as highly rated.

Thanks for taking the time to respond and explain!

Thanks!
Eileen