[hz101]

The temperature dipped a little yesterday and I have already started thinking about winter tires lol.

I am thinking of putting Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4s on my original 437m wheels. We don't get tons of snow here and I can get away with not driving much even if we do (I can work from home). Will my staggered setup be good enough for winter? I've heard that a square setup is better. But if I could get away with using the same wheels then that would be awesome.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!

[tbaig]

bump

[chris719]

I'm running 245/265 PA4, no regrets so far, but I haven't driven in more than a dusting.

[Pottah]

Originally Posted by hz101

The temperature dipped a little yesterday and I have already started thinking about winter tires lol.

I am thinking of putting Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4s on my original 437m wheels. We don't get tons of snow here and I can get away with not driving much even if we do (I can work from home). Will my staggered setup be good enough for winter? I've heard that a square setup is better. But if I could get away with using the same wheels then that would be awesome.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!

Smaller tires are better in the snow and if you get a square setup then you'll be able to do a proper tire rotation, albeit the tires will have to be removed and the rears will be stretched, but it'll be fine. This is my 2nd winter on a square set and haven't had any issues and it's nice knowing I can get the full life out of all the tires at the same time. Even better if you can get a "cheap" set of wheels and designate those as your winter wheels. Might find a good deal here on the forums.

[x233]

Originally Posted by hz101

The temperature dipped a little yesterday and I have already started thinking about winter tires lol.

I am thinking of putting Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4s on my original 437m wheels. We don't get tons of snow here and I can get away with not driving much even if we do (I can work from home). Will my staggered setup be good enough for winter? I've heard that a square setup is better. But if I could get away with using the same wheels then that would be awesome.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!

I daily drive my M2C through the winter. I drive staggered *summer sizes Michelin PA4 five months of the year.

Lowered on MP coilovers. (I loosen rebound 1 or 2 clicks on all 4 corners for the winter, depending on conditions, the more slippery the more loose you want, for most conditions just 1 click softer (re the default factory summer settings, leave the compression as is, default 595/600 mm lowering, front toe-in at 0.02', rear toe-in at 0.09, rear camber at -1.50).

My conditions in winter are mostly frozen/icy roads, lots of cold/wet or icy roads, some slush and snow, sometimes packed snow, and occasionally (but not very often) a lot of fresh snow. Suits me just fine. Provides me reasonable or lots of traction in my conditions and perfect balance of the car handling-wise. Better than 99.9% of the vehicles around me. I don't do any off-roading.

In my conditions and with my winter settings I am confortable going through all kinds of backroad twisties, alternating automatic/manual gearbox settings, and doing 140-180 km/hr on more or less straight roads. On some straights I can take it over 200 km/hr. I take off quicker than most 4WDs, and I certainly catch up with them if they somehow manage to take a lead. I stop better than most of them because of the wider tires. Also, I can manoeuvre around them on slippery roads, something they have trouble with.

I typically drive in sport plus, occasionally, if super slippery, in just sport, always in MDM, so I change my rears once a winter season.

I might re-consider re the staggered setup if I was driving in mostly lots/deep of fresh snow, but I typically don't. (as the only time I might have trouble with this setup is not just some or a little but LOTS/deep of fresh snow).

[CannibalOx]

If you are only going to need them for moderate snow and cold temps, staggered Alpins work great. I too work from home and I run staggered Alpins on my stock rims here in Salt Lake. I would not attempt to go up to the ski resorts if it was snowing. I would say that they are serviceable in moderate snow and ice; starting on a step hill in snow isn't great. I do have a little rubbing when the wheels are turned and I am reversing so be aware of that.

[SilverM2_CS]

My cool weather setup is square so I can rotate the tires front to back. Probably switch them next season. Not looking for looks or performance this time of year.

[AWFTMFWIN]

Originally Posted by chris719

I'm running 245/265 PA4, no regrets so far, but I haven't driven in more than a dusting.

I have the same setup on my lowered M2C and the fronts rub pretty bad when turning.

OP, if your car is dropped at all I would definitely go 235 up front.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by AWFTMFWIN

I have the same setup on my lowered M2C and the fronts rub pretty bad when turning.

OP, if your car is dropped at all I would definitely go 235 up front.

I'm so confused with this. Your 245s rub up front? I have 255s up front and they rub (one size up should not imo) even two different brands of tire. So BMW has designed this wheel well for ONLY a MPSS 245?!?!?!

[DanG]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

I'm so confused with this. Your 245s rub up front? I have 255s up front and they rub (one size up should not imo) even two different brands of tire. So BMW has designed this wheel well for ONLY a MPSS 245?!?!?!

My PS4Ss with 255/35/19 up front doesn't rub. I'm on stock suspension.

[BigKutta]

Originally Posted by DanG

My PS4Ss with 255/35/19 up front doesn't rub. I'm on stock suspension.

I've been seeing this everywhere, its related to the winter tires. For some reason, the outer edges of the winters are chunkier than summer tires, and there are many members who report rubbing with 245s 255s for winter tires on the M2C. When I put my winters next to my MPSS, you can tell right away there is gonna be a problem. Whats amazing to me is that BMW left so little room in there for anything besides a summer tire

[DanG]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

I've been seeing this everywhere, its related to the winter tires. For some reason, the outer edges of the winters are chunkier than summer tires, and there are many members who report rubbing with 245s 255s for winter tires on the M2C. When I put my winters next to my MPSS, you can tell right away there is gonna be a problem. Whats amazing to me is that BMW left so little room in there for anything besides a summer tire

One more reason to get an OG M2. They have more tire clearance.

[chris719]

Originally Posted by BigKutta

I've been seeing this everywhere, its related to the winter tires. For some reason, the outer edges of the winters are chunkier than summer tires, and there are many members who report rubbing with 245s 255s for winter tires on the M2C. When I put my winters next to my MPSS, you can tell right away there is gonna be a problem. Whats amazing to me is that BMW left so little room in there for anything besides a summer tire

So, that does seem true. Many people with M2C have reported rubbing with stock 245 size winters. I noticed there is less clearance because of the tread height and block shape.

However, I will say that I have zero rubbing that I can tell with 245 PA4 mounted on 437M wheels, 2021 M2C. I'm not sure why it doesn't happen to everyone, but I've parked about 30 times now since I mounted them and haven't had any rubbing at low speed. Maybe there are some large tolerances on the wheel well liner stack.

[Yetti]

Originally Posted by chris719

However, I will say that I have zero rubbing that I can tell with 245 PA4 mounted on 437M wheels, 2021 M2C. I'm not sure why it doesn't happen to everyone, but I've parked about 30 times now since I mounted them and haven't had any rubbing at low speed. Maybe there are some large tolerances on the wheel well liner stack.

My experience is similar to yours. I installed 255/35R19 Continental VikingContact 7's on my M2C and have had no rubbing. I was prepared to to the heat gun trick on the liner but after test fitting and driving, I didn't need to do so.