[rupes2]

I have a 2016 328i with M Sport and Track Handling Packages on the way

The car has 398 style wheels (staggered I believe) in orbit grey and new PSS tires. I have not seen the wheels in person yet but still undecided if I like them. Even if I did not and wanted to use them for winter wheels I don't think that makes sense since they are staggered. I searched this forum and have seen mention of putting 235/40R18 tires all around but that does not seem ideal. Can anyone offer feedback on how well this winter setup works?

If I want to go with OEM wheels 400M style wheels seems the most common choice. Am I right in thinking 441M wheels would also work? I have seen posts where people say they have style 397 wheels. However on the 2016 3-series order guide it says "cannot be ordered with ZMP or ZTR". Can anyone confirm 397 wheels fit over the M Sport brakes?

On my last car (2008 335i) I had Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D tires for winter. I live outside Boston and occasionally go skiing and other than grip issues going up icy hills these worked well. I am looking at these tires:

• Bridgestone BLIZZAK WS80
• Michelin X-ICE XI3
• Pirelli WINTER SOTTOZERO 3

Only the Pirelli's are 'Performance Winter / Snow' like the Dunlops I have. The other are categorized as 'Studless Ice & Snow' and have an H speed rating versus V. I imagine the first two are better in snow / ice but the Pirelli's are better when it is dry? How much dry performance would I be giving up by going with either of the first two?

Rupert

[alohasurftoad]

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1435478

i'd just put 235/45/18 winter/snow on your staggered 398 set and call it a day.

[jimmyfloyd]

I have style 396 on my 2016 THP Wagon that work very well.

[LuisBoston]

I have Style 397 wheels (18x8.0, 225/45 R18 front and 18x8.5, 255/40 R18 rear) on my ‘18 F31 with Track Handling and MSport brakes. Just had 225/40/18 Blizzak WS80s installed and it seems to be running well.

[sspade]

What exactly are you referring to when you say Track Package (on the way)?

What options are you talking about?

[Solidjake]

Go with 225/45-18 all around. I went with the Michelins since the reviews said they last longer, do just about the same in the snow and are quieter.

[rupes2]

Thanks everyone!

By "on the way" I just meant the car is being shipped to me from Texas. The car has ZMP and ZRT packages among others, so it has the M Sport brakes.

With my current car I have 2 sets of wheels which allow me to switch between summer and winter setup myself. I am tempted to throw snows on the 398 wheels this season since it is already December and revisit later. Above 235/45R18 and 225/45R18 are mentioned and when I searched before I saw mention of 235/40R18. Do all of 3 of these tire sizes work with both 18X8 and 18X8.5 wheels?

LuisBoston and Solidjake how do the WS80s and X-ICE perform in dry conditions?

[alohasurftoad]

All three sizes you listed will work however the 235/40/18 outer diameter is too small, imo.

Except for F34, all other bmw F-series have 26" diameter tires. 235/40/18 is 25.4". It will lower the car .3", increase fenderwell gap .3", provide less impact protection and a less comfortable ride. It will also spin 17 more revs/mile, thus accruing more mileage than you're actually travelling. granted, theyre small differences but that is the affect of it.

Personally, I'd stay closer to, or a little greater than, OEM diameter, but If that doesn't bother you 235/40/18 works.

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by rupes2

LuisBoston and Solidjake how do the WS80s and X-ICE perform in dry conditions?

I JUST put them on yesterday. So far, I've noticed the WS80s are quieter and softer than the RFTs (no surprise), but I did notice that Costco did not put enough air in the fronts (only 26 psi, 32 on the rears), so I need to rectify that up to the 35psi recommended on the sticker.

[Solidjake]

Originally Posted by rupes2

LuisBoston and Solidjake how do the WS80s and X-ICE perform in dry conditions?

I have them on a for a week with 50 miles on them (taking a 70 mile trip tonight) and they have been pretty quiet. Not loud like the rft snow tires I had from the previous owner. Ride is very comfortable with the 45 sidewall. I will report back tomorrow.

[wlm50]

I put a square 225 setup with iceX on my 2017 330i Sport Wagon. The rears are a little stretched, but not too bad. I think if I had it to do over again, I'd just stay with the staggered setup. I haven't had it in snow yet, but I think the iceX will do the job even in the wider rear wheel.

By the way, I'd be interested in the OP's experience with the summer tires when he gets a chance to drive the car. I posted a thread about "sticky" steering with the PSS tires that I don't experience with the iceX tires. I'm also have M sport and track handling package. So I'm curious if other with the PSS staggered setup and adaptive suspension are having the same issue. Not to hijack this thread. But I could use some help.

[rupes2]

Thanks alohasurftoad. I had not looked at tire diameters.

If I am going to stick with one set of wheels 235/45 R18 probably makes the most sense. I will probably hedge my bets and go with 225/45 R18 and if I am not happy with the setup I can look for a second set of square wheels before next winter.

Size         Diameter   Width   Wheel widths
225/45 R18   26         8.9     7 - 8.5
235/45 R18   26.3       9.3     7.5 - 9 
225/40 R18   25.1       8.9     7 - 8.5
235/40 R18   25.4       9.3     7.5 - 9

wlm50 are you saying if you did it over again you would run staggered winter tires? I will lookup your thread about "sticky" steering. Most likely I will put winter tires on as soon as I get it so you may have to wait until spring!

[wlm50]

Yes, I probably would go with staggered if I had it to do over again. On previous cars, I used staggered performance winter tires. I didn't find them very effective in the snow. So this time I went with a more aggressive snow tire - the iceX. I expect them to be aggressive enough that I probably would be OK with a staggered set. And they would look better. Having said that, I haven't been in snow yet with the square setup....

[colobrio]

I've got a '16 328 with the track pack (staggered 398s & pss). Since the first winter, I've had a separate set of 18x8 mounted with 225 Blizzaks, and I've been very happy with it. I'd rather change wheels than deal with the time & money of going to a shop to swap tires, and the tires have been great in the snow. My front pss are now shot, and this spring I'll go to 245s in front on the 398s, to get almost-square and hopefully reduce understeer.

[rupes2]

I ended up going with square (225/45 R18) tires. I went with Michelin iceX after reading the Car and Driver November 2015 article. Have not tried them in the snow yet. Hoping they are better than the performance winter tires I had on my last car (Dunlop SP Winter Sport 4D).

colobrio I agree with you that having a second set of wheels is the best way to go and that is what I did on my last car for the reasons you mentioned. Putting wider tires on the front for summer is an interesting idea.

[MacklinUSOB]

I have been running 225/45/18 WS80's for a couple of seasons now on my 397's. Really great snow tire, even being RWD and lowered I have no qualms about heading out with snow on the ground. Handling actually is pretty good, the limits are obviously much lower than the PS4S, but it's fun to having it a little more loose and soft for the off season. Still can't wait to put back on the SM-10's...

245's on the front make a big difference. 225 section tires are pretty small when you consider just how heavy our cars are, especially for a summer performance setup.

[Solidjake]

Originally Posted by rupes2

LuisBoston and Solidjake how do the WS80s and X-ICE perform in dry conditions?

Drove over 400 miles on them. They perform great. Also they are not loud IMO