[xesh]

Hi folks,

There seems to be a lot of information in this section of the forum to digest and for a rookie like me, it's becoming increasingly difficult to select a set of winter tires and wheels. A winter delivery doesn't help the situation either. Therefore, requesting fellow M2 owners to post a brief description of the tire and wheel specifics (along with a picture if possible) that they are using in this winter.

Thanks!

[QM]

I have Michelin Xice-3 tires in size 245/40/18 both front and back (i.e., a square setup) on APEX 18x9" ET31 EC-7 style wheels. Love the wheels and so far happy with the tire choice for dry, wet and light snow handling. Haven't tested them in heavy snow or ice yet, but these are snow and ice rated tires. I see you are also from Chicago. I've had no issues in today's light wet snow. Michelin Alpin are another popular tire choice.

If you want more details on tire choice check out Keith's Winter Tire guide thread in the stickies. There are also several other winter tire related threads on here.

[quikM2]

I have the same setup as above except I went with the black rim on my bsm. Tires are great in the slush and light snow but don't expect any traction until you get the supersports back. With all that power only to the rear wheels you can spin in 4th if you want to

That being said unless you go with the alpin4 or a more performance oriented winter tire as opposed to a snow and ice tire like the xice I will say from experience in trying a variety the xice seem to be the 'best' in the dry for handling amongst the group which would include blizzaks, nokians etc.

[Nicname]

Hey guys,
Do you know if a set of BBS CH's in these sizes would fit?
2 x 18x8.5 (35mm offset) + 245/40r-18
2 x 18 x 10 (40mm offset) + 265/40r -18

[QM]

Originally Posted by Nicname

Hey guys,
Do you know if a set of BBS CH's in these sizes would fit?
2 x 18x8.5 (35mm offset) + 245/40r-18
2 x 18 x 10 (40mm offset) + 265/40r -18

Don't know but I think Tire Rack may carry those. I would try their fitment tool online.

[rjn]

I just scored a set of Rial X10 18x8 s with Michelin Alpine Pilot PA4 in 245/40-18 all around from Keith at the Tire rack.

The wheels: look dead OEM - looks a lot like my wife's 5 m sport wheels. The stock roundel center cap even fits. They're not track light, but they're only $130 a wheel, and they are for winter tires.

The tires: Very pleased. the PA4s are performance winter tire type, and are excellent in cold/dry compared to the last set of Blizzaks I bought 7 or so seasons ago. 18s give a bit more cushion, but they're still 245/40. The turn in response is excellent - not squishy, and fantastic for a tire that goes in the snow as well. I would not have guessed these are dedicated snow tires by driving them in the dry

Only bummer is the need for TPMS senders at $50 per corner, if you want to get out of comfort mode, but that's not a recurring cost, so I'm over it. First rate service, as usual.

[xesh]

Thanks guys!

I must admit that those APEX wheels look amazing. @rjn Could you post some pics with the Rial X10's ?

I have made my mind for Michelin Alpine PA4 tires but am still deciding on the wheels. I am thinking about getting the BBS SR's.

[rjn]

Originally Posted by xesh

Thanks guys!

I must admit that those APEX wheels look amazing. @rjn Could you post some pics with the Rial X10's ?

I have made my mind for Michelin Alpine PA4 tires but am still deciding on the wheels. I am thinking about getting the BBS SR's.

Sorry, don't have any pics on my phone, but they're on the tire rack site if you want to have a look

[Nicname]

Does anyone know if a square set up of BMW 513's 18 x 10 with blizzak LM 255/40/18 will fit our M2's??

[quikM2]

Originally Posted by Nicname

Does anyone know if a square set up of BMW 513's 18 x 10 with blizzak LM 255/40/18 will fit our M2's??

I'm curious - why would you want that wide a setup for winter?

[Nicname]

Originally Posted by quikM2

I'm curious - why would you want that wide a setup for winter?

Mainly because someone is looking to set a winter setup configured like that. I really don't enjoy the looks of the 640's

[Robin_NL]

I think 640s don't look super-superbad, or do they?
https://www.autogespot.com/bmw-m2-coupe-f87/2016/12/09



Cheers
Robin

[mssVT98]

Originally Posted by xesh

Thanks guys!

I must admit that those APEX wheels look amazing. @rjn Could you post some pics with the Rial X10's ?

I have made my mind for Michelin Alpine PA4 tires but am still deciding on the wheels. I am thinking about getting the BBS SR's.

I'm actually deciding between the same two setups - PA4s on either the Apex EC-7 or BBS RS from Tire Rack. I like the ~5lb lighter weight of the Apex, but with their group buy over it looks like I'd have to get the wheels from them, tires from TR, then take it all to my local tire shop to have everything mounted. With the BBS I can have TR do all of that and just throw them on the car.

The Apex are also 18x9, vs. 18x8 for the BBS. Given that I'd be running 245s in a square setup regardless of the wheel, is there any real plus/minus to the wider wheels?

Just trying to decide whether the slightly lower cost and greater convenience of getting the BBS package outweighs the lighter and wider Apexes. Thoughts?

[mssVT98]

Originally Posted by Robin_NL

I think 640s don't look super-superbad, or do they?

Cheers
Robin

I think the 640s look fine, I just wish they came in a color other than bright silver. I want a darker wheel on my MG, especially for winter.

[Robin_NL]

Originally Posted by mssVT98

I think the 640s look fine, I just wish they came in a color other than bright silver. I want a darker wheel on my MG, especially for winter.

Trust me, they will become darker after driving in winter circumstances.

Cheers
Robin

[Pol]

Originally Posted by mssVT98

I think the 640s look fine, I just wish they came in a color other than bright silver. I want a darker wheel on my MG, especially for winter.

Something like that

[mssVT98]

Originally Posted by Pol

Something like that

Exactly!

[m2tek]

I just purchased the 640s on Michelin Alpins and I'm quite happy with them. I may decide to powder coat them before next winter but for now, the contrast with LBB looks good.

[xesh]

Spotted this on my way to work. It appears that this BSM M2 has Sparco Trofeo 5 wheels (they are available at tire rack). They looked quite adorable on the BSM. Too bad I wasn't driving my M2 but was in a BMW X3 instead. He didn't even notice me

[xesh]

Originally Posted by mssVT98

I'm actually deciding between the same two setups - PA4s on either the Apex EC-7 or BBS RS from Tire Rack. I like the ~5lb lighter weight of the Apex, but with their group buy over it looks like I'd have to get the wheels from them, tires from TR, then take it all to my local tire shop to have everything mounted. With the BBS I can have TR do all of that and just throw them on the car.

The Apex are also 18x9, vs. 18x8 for the BBS. Given that I'd be running 245s in a square setup regardless of the wheel, is there any real plus/minus to the wider wheels?

Just trying to decide whether the slightly lower cost and greater convenience of getting the BBS package outweighs the lighter and wider Apexes. Thoughts?

I can't really help you decide the wheel dimensions, maybe some of the other folks here can give their insight.

I was also concerned about the few extra lbs that BBS will add to the car but then I won't really be using these wheels on the track. I am probably gonna drive the M2 like a nanny for the next few months. For me, the convenience of having the wheels and tires mounted at one location outweighs the slight weight disadvantage.

[mssVT98]

Originally Posted by xesh

I can't really help you decide the wheel dimensions, maybe some of the other folks here can give their insight.

I was also concerned about the few extra lbs that BBS will add to the car but then I won't really be using these wheels on the track. I am probably gonna drive the M2 like a nanny for the next few months. For me, the convenience of having the wheels and tires mounted at one location outweighs the slight weight disadvantage.

I ended up pulling the trigger today on the Apexes and ordered tires separately from TR. Asked the rep at Apex his thoughts on an 8" wheel, and they feel it's a little narrow for 245s - it would tend to get squirmy with the extra sidewall. Given that the factory winter setup uses 8.5" and 9" wheels, I just felt better with the wider wheel. The lighter weight is a bonus. I'll deal with the one day of inconvenience when I have to take it all to the tire shop to get them mounted in order to to have a setup I feel more comfortable with.

Thought about going with the 640s but decided on the square setup for ease of rotation and buying tires down the road. Went with the satin black finish to give some contrast with MG. I'll try to remember to post a pic when they're on. In the meantime I'll have to park the car for the sub-freezing weather we're about to get!

[Pol]

Originally Posted by m2tek

I just purchased the 640s on Michelin Alpins and I'm quite happy with them. I may decide to powder coat them before next winter but for now, the contrast with LBB looks good.

Did you chose the 235/40-18 front + 255/35-18 rear?
And in that case what are the pressure setting you put?