[Zippeh]

Has anyone looked at this website?

http://www.mrwinterwheels.co.uk/18-b...wheels-ad.html

It comes to just over £1000 with Sottozero Winter Tyres.

Wheels are a bit chavvy, but they won't be on for long!

[teaston]

You can source a set of slightly used or take off 400 M and then buy tires for that much. It's a bit more bother but you'll have a much nicer set of Winter wheels!

[moonshine]

Tyres are only H rated. Which is fine for 17" wheels
18" winter tyres (335d) need to be V rated

[moonshine]

Photo credit to Evan

[SkyJawa]

Yeah naff wheels and tyres! Plenty of other wheels around for similar money, and I'm getting 4 Michelin Alpin PA4 for the same price as those naff Pirellis, plus I get 30 quid cashback and a £70 petrol card.

Put your own wheels and tyres together, it worked out well over 100 quid cheaper than the lowest quote I was given for a package.

[gr4z]

Originally Posted by moonshine

Tyres are only H rated. Which is fine for 17" wheels
18" winter tyres (335d) need to be V rated

Do they? My 18" Conti T830Ps are H rated....

[moonshine]

Originally Posted by gr4z

Do they? My 18" Conti T830Ps are H rated....

Yip..... If you want to follow BMW spec.

Mine are

[gr4z]

OK bugger better get my order cancelled then

EDIT: Can anyone definitely confirm this as my new tyres have just been dispatched...? I need to know if I should refuse delivery. Thanks

[JD6]

Personally, I don't see a problem with H rated tyres which are fine up to 131mph. It is pretty common in Europe to fit lower speed rated winter tyres.

[xenon]

H rated tyres are rated up to 130mph. As long as you're not planning to go higher than that then they will be fine.

The official spec is V rated for winter tyres but then summer tyres are Z / W / Y rated so it's a bit moot.

I wouldn't worry.

[moonshine]

Originally Posted by gr4z

OK bugger better get my order cancelled then

EDIT: Can anyone definitely confirm this as my new tyres have just been dispatched...? I need to know if I should refuse delivery. Thanks

the "approved" sizes are on the drivers door - see evan's photo credit above.
I have read (somewhere - can't remember) that winter tyres are "allowed" to be one speed rating lower than the summer tyres -
but if BMW have given specific winter tyre spec- i'm not sure it would be wise / ok to argue ,especially as they are already V, which is a speed rating lower than the 19", which are Y rated


edit
it's not necessicarily about the tyre giving a problem in operation (as it is already over spec speed wise i.e 131mph)), rather it could give an insurance company a reason to avoid paying out if they argue the tyre was under spec.... your call.

[gr4z]

Originally Posted by moonshine

it's not necessicarily about the tyre giving a problem in operation (as it is already over spec speed wise i.e 131mph)), rather it could give an insurance company a reason to avoid paying out if they argue the tyre was under spec.... your call.

That's what makes me a little nervous...

[JD6]

Originally Posted by moonshine

it's not necessicarily about the tyre giving a problem in operation (as it is already over spec speed wise i.e 131mph)), rather it could give an insurance company a reason to avoid paying out if they argue the tyre was under spec.... your call.

I don't think an insurer would have a leg to stand on with that argument, if the accident happened at below the speed limit of the tyres. Not to say they wouldn't try though - many seem to work on the principle that they will try anything and wriggle out of paying.

[Steven1077]

They are the wrong tyres for the car, its that simple, an insurance company would easily be able to cancel the policy as you broke the agreement by fitting the wrong tyres, I'm pretty sure it's not even legal to fit a tyre thats under the speed rating for the car

[xenon]

If you fit winter tyres as a conscientious safety decision in the winter months, and an insurance company refused a claim on the basis that they were "only" rated to 130mph, the Insurance Ombudsman would laugh them out of court.

[Edinburra]

Originally Posted by Zippeh

Has anyone looked at this website?

http://www.mrwinterwheels.co.uk/18-b...wheels-ad.html

It comes to just over £1000 with Sottozero Winter Tyres.

Wheels are a bit chavvy, but they won't be on for long!

I've just bought a set of 225/50/17 Runflat Goodyears with a set of Alloys from mrwinterwheels. (down from 225/45/18 Runflat Pirelli's).
Can't fault the service or the wheels or tyres. The wheels/tyres are only for winter, they conform to BMW spec and satisfy my insurance, Allianz.
Totally by the way, the difference in ride, and road noise is startling, the car is so much quieter. Just loving the exhaust note. Sorry can't post pic, having difficulty with size of pic.

[Edinburra]

Originally Posted by xenon

If you fit winter tyres as a conscientious safety decision in the winter months, and an insurance company refused a claim on the basis that they were "only" rated to 130mph, the Insurance Ombudsman would laugh them out of court.

Exactly, why should they be against a sensible safety measure?

[gr4z]

Ha obviously this is a grey area. Just rang my insurers, eSure. They said if I deviate from the manufacturers stated specification they would not endorse that and I risk non-settlement.

Looks like I better refuse delivery and order some other Winters back to Nokian then! Thanks lads.

[moonshine]

Originally Posted by xenon

If you fit winter tyres as a conscientious safety decision in the winter months, and an insurance company refused a claim on the basis that they were "only" rated to 130mph, the Insurance Ombudsman would laugh them out of court.

And if the load rating is incorrect? E.g. You fit a 91 rather than 95 XL? And you suffer a sidewall blowout?

Not being flippant, but BMW know more about tyres than you or I and deviation from a recommended spec only opens avenues for insurance companies to try and weasel out of a legitimate claim.

As I said, you pay your money & take your choice / chance.

[Edinburra]

Originally Posted by Zippeh

Has anyone looked at this website?

http://www.mrwinterwheels.co.uk/18-b...wheels-ad.html

It comes to just over £1000 with Sottozero Winter Tyres.

Wheels are a bit chavvy, but they won't be on for long!

mrwinterwheels wheels and tyres.

[Rich9600]

I opted to stick to full BMW spec. Staggered 441M's and Pirelli Sottozero II 225/45/RF18 (*) all round.

This confirms to the door card and 441M's can be specified for the car. However, my ones are Silver and not Ferric Grey. I've informed my insurer, LV, and they are perfectly happy and don't need further notification of changes between summer 403M's and winter 441M's.

I'd personally stick to SN approved specification just incase.

I sourced the wheels from eBay and my local BMW dealer fitted the tyres (and checked the wheels). I saved about £700...

The Pirellis seem quieter than my summer Bridgestones. So far they seem to be great in the wet, though obviously with relatively less rear grip... I quite like the car balance of a square setup... I don't think it's as fast through corners, as its quickly rear grip limited in the exit. However, it just feels more eager to turn... Therefore, fun!... Though, possibly not as stable at speed...

Just waiting for it to get properly cold. Even bog standard cold and wet will do. It was 14C and sunny yesterday... I'm hoping they sharpen up as they get into their proper operating range... It's just a little vague at these temperatures.

[FSE23]

Winter wheels just put on today. These are a part of my deal when I bought my car so can't complain. I got a square setup with Pirelli Sotozero 18". My first impression was - OMG - I want my summer 19" back ASAP!. The car seems to be softer, steering is not as responsive, some noticeable delay when changing direction is easily noted. A bit more body roll too. So after 20 miles I don't really like them