Winter Wheels / Tires Set up for F10 M5

[deathray]

Ive driven my E60 in the winter since I got it and I love it. Fresh powder days are always so much fun becuase there arent nearly as many people on the roads so there is that much more drift space.

Ive been using 245/45/18 Michelin PA3's all square on my E60 and I want to figure the winters for the F10 so as not to find myself in trouble (after a mild winter last year Im predicting a snowy september/october for us this year).

Most people have been suggesting 255/40/19 and that is what I am leaning towards, but, I remember hearing some horror stories from people using 19 inch winters on their E60 M5's. Will an 18 inch wheel fit over the brakes on the F10? 245/45/18 are within about 2.5% percent of the stock diameter; is that close enough?

[bobblehead]

18" wheel for the F10 M5 may not be appropriate as my dealer here in Toronto had called both BMW Canada and BMW Germany to find out what's the proper wheel for winter. They both came back with 19". 18" wheel (even with any BMW stock) will not clear the front brake caliper. I already have a set of Style 281 (used currently on my F10 550) and thinking I can save some $ and use it on the M5, the idea was quickly dismissed by the confirmation.

At the end, a really good set of winter tire is the key to the M5's winter drivability. Good ones such as Bridgestone LM60 and Michelin PA4 are what I am considering to get this winter.

Originally Posted by deathray

Ive driven my E60 in the winter since I got it and I love it. Fresh powder days are always so much fun becuase there arent nearly as many people on the roads so there is that much more drift space.

Ive been using 245/45/18 Michelin PA3's all square on my E60 and I want to figure the winters for the F10 so as not to find myself in trouble (after a mild winter last year Im predicting a snowy september/october for us this year).

Most people have been suggesting 255/40/19 and that is what I am leaning towards, but, I remember hearing some horror stories from people using 19 inch winters on their E60 M5's. Will an 18 inch wheel fit over the breaks on the F10? 245/45/18 are within about 2.5% percent of the stock diameter; is that close enough?

[AGS]

Originally Posted by deathray

Most people have been suggesting 255/40/19 and that is what I am leaning towards, but, I remember hearing some horror stories from people using 19 inch winters on their E60 M5's.

This is the setup I've run on my E60 M5s and it's worked great. No issues.

[mwlmd]

Is it possible to run a square winter setup on the stock 20" wheels? If so what tire size would work best?

[bobblehead]

^ looks like 245/40/20 is the only choice (with a few winter tires available)

Bridgestone LM60 is one of them.

[mwlmd]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

^ looks like 245/40/20 is the only choice (with a few winter tires available)

Bridgestone LM60 is one of them.

Looks like Tire Rack recs 255/35/20

Couple options in that size.

Blizzak, Dunlop, Pirelli.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...5&autoModClar=

[bobblehead]

True. But not a fan of Pirelli.

Are you sure you want to run a 35 series tire in the winter ? I would think 40 or 45 series would be more ideal (if given a choice).

Originally Posted by mwlmd

Looks like Tire Rack recs 255/35/20

Couple options in that size.

Blizzak, Dunlop, Pirelli.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...5&autoModClar=

[SuperSonic]

408M with Pirelli Sotto Zeros are 2.750euro+tax in Europe

[mwlmd]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

True. But not a fan of Pirelli.

Are you sure you want to run a 35 series tire in the winter ? I would think 40 or 45 series would be more ideal (if given a choice).

I am trying to decide between 20" winter tires on my factory wheels vs a dedicated winter wheel/tire setup in 19".

I have always had the wheel/tire set in the past. Was thinking about maybe trying something different.

Winters in Oregon are more wet/cold than snow.

[bobblehead]

^ I have just ordered a dedicated 19" set for winter use.

Shelled out $4600 (wheels only) for Forgeline GA1R. call me crazy !

[Richard Cranium]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

^ I have just ordered a dedicated 19" set for winter use.

Shelled out $4600 (wheels only) for Forgeline GA1R. call me crazy !

Ouch!!

[mwlmd]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

^ I have just ordered a dedicated 19" set for winter use.

Shelled out $4600 (wheels only) for Forgeline GA1R. call me crazy !

Bobblehead. You are CRAZY!

[bobblehead]

Yes, I know.

The issue I have is in Canada, BMW stock rims/aftermarket (good quality) rims are expensive and we are forced to buy in the US, but then we are forced to pay the sky high duties/freight/brokerage fees.

Take the 19" BMW stock rims (to be used for winter), the dealer here quotes about $5000 for a set 408M (low pressure cast, I believe) with Pirelli Sotto 240 Series II. Since I do not like the price for the above package, I priced out the aftermarket rims (better quality, like flow formed cast) and Michelin PA4 or Bridgestone LM60 and the price comes out to $5500 - $6000. When I start asking if these aftermarket wheels will clear the M5 front brakes, nobody knows the answer and told me I am ordering at my own risk. If they don't clear, then I am stuck with wheels I cannot use.

After couple of months researching, I decided to just go for really nice wheels with the reputation of BBK fitment. Eventually, I settled with Forgeline as Vettes, Porsche, Mustangs use this brand on the Motorsports.

Originally Posted by mwlmd

Bobblehead. You are CRAZY!

[remmib]

Originally Posted by mwlmd

Looks like Tire Rack recs 255/35/20

Couple options in that size.

Blizzak, Dunlop, Pirelli.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...5&autoModClar=

255/35/20 are fine in the front, but might be too narrow for the 10" wide rears.
But you can get 285/30/20 and 295/30/20 rear too.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSe...30&diameter=20

[deathray]

I really want to go with the Michelin PA4's, but, 255/40R19 seems to be unavailable everywhere (I think tirerack dropped them from their size chart altogether today). Would the 245/40R19 work? It looks fine for the rear, but, is 2.17% smaller in the front. If you add that to how much the tires will shrink with tread wear it's floating pretty close to 3%.

Im also a big fan of a square winter setup I can rotate without dismounting so Im looking at ordering a set of CCW Corsair's in 19x9 ET35. Has anyone heard anything else about fitment and sizing for winters? Am I looking at trouble by trying to keep the front and rear wheels identical?

[bobblehead]

My local tire supplier already says there will not be too many Michelin PA4 255/40/19 being made right now, therefore, if you really need them, better order them as early as possible.

The offset for the front & rear is a bit different.

I went with:
F - 19 * 9 et 32 255/40/19
R - 19 *10 et 34 255/40/19

Same as the stock spec. & configuration

The downside is I cannot rotate the front & rear even with the square setup.

Originally Posted by deathray

I really want to go with the Michelin PA4's, but, 255/40R19 seems to be unavailable everywhere (I think tirerack dropped them from their size chart altogether today). Would the 245/40R19 work? It looks fine for the rear, but, is 2.17% smaller in the front. If you add that to how much the tires will shrink with tread wear it's floating pretty close to 3%.

Im also a big fan of a square winter setup I can rotate without dismounting so Im looking at ordering a set of CCW Corsair's in 19x9 ET35. Has anyone heard anything else about fitment and sizing for winters? Am I looking at trouble by trying to keep the front and rear wheels identical?

[bobblehead]

The price for the Michelin PA4 in Canada is $345 per tire (255/40/19) - Not installed/mounted/balanced - just the tire. That's what I am being quoted here in Toronto this week (8/22/12)

If your local shops don't have the supply, you can try this online shop in Quebec.

http://winter-tires.pmctire.com/enw/...een-x-bsw.tire

Originally Posted by deathray

I really want to go with the Michelin PA4's, but, 255/40R19 seems to be unavailable everywhere (I think tirerack dropped them from their size chart altogether today). Would the 245/40R19 work? It looks fine for the rear, but, is 2.17% smaller in the front. If you add that to how much the tires will shrink with tread wear it's floating pretty close to 3%.

Im also a big fan of a square winter setup I can rotate without dismounting so Im looking at ordering a set of CCW Corsair's in 19x9 ET35. Has anyone heard anything else about fitment and sizing for winters? Am I looking at trouble by trying to keep the front and rear wheels identical?

[mwlmd]

Why not get all 4 19x9 et 32 and just use a spacer on the rear? Then you can rotate the wheels.

[bobblehead]

don't like spacer. I like to keep the stock spec. (if possible).

[deathray]

Ive been doing a little bit more research and Im still not set about the offsets.

The winter package that is spec'd in Europe (with the pirelli's I believe) has

19x9 ET32 Front
19x9 ET25 Rear

Is this built this way to move the rears a little bit further away from the body to maintain the stance despite going to a narrower tire? If we use a higher offset and keep them further in will it effect driving stability? My dealer still has no fitment information because BMW Canada hasnt released their packages yet. Im a little worried about tire availability so Im not overly keen on waiting until BMW Canada gets their act together, but, I dont want to get a set of wheels that throws off the stability control either.

[bobblehead]

Just personal preference too.

That spec. is for the 408M wheel.

There is going to be just one pkg. It's the 408M with Pirelli Sotto 240 SeriesII 255/40/19. I just don't like Pirelli tires. Period. That's why I opted to shop aftermarket.

For sure, the winter set will be released by BMW Canada by late Sep.

Originally Posted by deathray

Ive been doing a little bit more research and Im still not set about the offsets.

The winter package that is spec'd in Europe (with the pirelli's I believe) has

19x9 ET32 Front
19x9 ET25 Rear +22mm clearance from strut/-4mm from fender

Is this built this way to move the rears a little bit further away from the body to maintain the stance despite going to a narrower tire? If we use a higher offset and keep them further in will it effect driving stability? My dealer still has no fitment information because BMW Canada hasnt released their packages yet. Im a little worried about tire availability so Im not overly keen on waiting until BMW Canada gets their act together, but, I dont want to get a set of wheels that throws off the stability control either.

[deathray]

I ended up ordering based off the published winter spec.

Im getting:
19x9 ET34 Front
19x9 ET25 Rear

Wheels made by CCW (Complete Custom Wheels) style C15, black powdercoat. Tires are Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 245/40R19 all around. I should get them in 3-4 weeks (though I dont plan on installing them right away unless we get an early winter) and Ill try to post some pictures once theyre in.