[eac340i]

My wife just bought a rear drive 340i in North Chicago with staggered 19" summer tires. I'm concerned about her driving this car during the winter months. Can someone give advice on a winter wheel/tire setup. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Ben

[cfm56d7b]

Welcome!

The Wheels / Tires has many threads worth researching.

Buying BMW OEM 18" wheels with dedicated winter tires is one of the best options. You will find 400M Style wheels - one of my favorite wheels for OEM look - for sale in Member Classifieds.

Tires? Plenty of choices especially in 18" size. The debate of non run flat vs RFT tires is unlikely to end any time soon. But in the winter with potholes hidden under slush and snow RFT tires will provide an extra measure of safely getting home.

[metallicpea]

Buy a square set of 18"x8" wheels, either used take-offs or something from Tirerack. Then a set of 225/45x18 Bridgestone Blizzak WS80. You will be solid in the snow. ice and slushy stuff.

[Sea-Tac]

I bought takeoffs from my BMW dealership. Great deal, ended up putting on a set of Blizzaks. Works like a charm

[eac340i]

Is there any difference between 2012-2015 335i and 2016-2018 340i wheel offsets? Are all oem wheels interchangeable? Thanks.

[blckz06]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

Buy a square set of 18"x8" wheels, either used take-offs or something from Tirerack. Then a set of 225/45x18 Bridgestone Blizzak WS80. You will be solid in the snow. ice and slushy stuff.

+1. Don't waste your money on buying anything from a dealer. I saved around $1k going with Blizzak's and aftermarket rims from Tirerack.

Also, RFTs are more prone to pothole damage due to a stiffer sidewall, would not recommend them on a winter tire.

[R.I.P. Grandma]

Congrats on the car. As others have mentioned, tirerack or discount tire should have packages available for your wife's car. You can go with 18s to save a little bit of money when compared to 19s and your winter wheels will already come mounted and balanced free of charge from those sites

[eac340i]

I've noticed that tirerack has different 18x8 winter setups to choose from, some with different offsets. What offset is recommended for wheels and are the TPMS sensors necessary since they are only going to be used for 4 months. How does absence of sensors affect car? Thanks, Ben

[VP_56]

I live in the Chicagoland area too, and always have used a winter rim/tire setup with all my past RWD 3 series. I currently have a 2016 340i sportline with the summer 19" staggered setup. Since the 19" are summer tires they have zero traction once the temperatures get below 37 degrees. I am using the same winter wheels/tires that I ran with my previous 2015 BMW 335i. Back in 2015 I purchased some replica BMW 18" type 397 rims off ebay, with some good used 80% or greater winter tires sized for 225/45 18. I also purchased new TPMS for this set also. For the tpms you just need to to make sure you get the right frequency for the yr car. I believe with the F30 vehicles 2012-2014 uses a different frequency than 2015-present for 335/340. This winter setup has worked well with my last 2 vehicles. Plenty of grip in the winter on the Chicago roads. I usually mount my winters in December, and run them till April or May, depending on how bad the season is. Many folks will recommend that the rims must be 18" or bigger, I agree but not all 18" rims will clear the front calipers. I found out the hard way when I tried to use the 18" sport rims from my 2011 328, on my then new 2015 335i. They all mounted fine, but the front calipers prevented the front wheels from completing a rotation. I recommend looking for some used OEM or replica BMW rims that come with the base version of the F30 vehicles for the 335i or 340i, as they will have the right offset. I hope this helps.

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by eac340i

Is there any difference between 2012-2015 335i and 2016-2018 340i wheel offsets? Are all oem wheels interchangeable? Thanks.

There is no difference that I am aware of. Many of the wheels are exactly the same. I think most - if not all OEM wheels for the F30 are interchangeable. Just make sure you are getting 18 or larger since I think the 340i has the sport brakes. If you buy from TireRack and give them the right model info, they will only recommend wheels that are the proper fitment for you spec. Tire Rack will also offer and install TPMS that will work for less than OEM pricing. Their winter tire and wheel packages are as easy as it gets.

If you haven't had dedicated winter tires before, you and your wife will love some Blizzaks in Chicago winters, just be aware that if your wife drives like Mario Andretti - like my wife does - they are not nearly as responsive as summers or all season tires on dry pavement.

[Skyhigh]

Not sure what is being asked here... obviously you need a set of winter wheels (rims and tires). 18" is recommendable for the winter. Choose tires according to test reviews and price.

[B58 parts]

I use the stock 400m 18x8 with blizzak ws80 225/45/18. They're great in the snow, but maybe a bit too soft and fluffy for every other day when it isn't snowing. The car doesn't feel very good with them. Yes it's winter and they're snow tires, so what can you expect / who cares. I should just move south and be done with it.

But ... the 400m wheels weigh about 300lbs each and mine are corroding from the center and various curb rash from the prior owner. I'm not a fan of these at all. They look ok but the material / forming process is junk.

I'm considering selling them off but haven't decided what to do instead. I may get a second set of the ARC8s 18x8.5 and put 245/40/18 .. snow tires TBD, something a little more all seasony than the blizzaks perhaps. Like 2/3 winter tire 1/3 all season.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by eac340i

Can someone give advice on a winter wheel/tire setup.

The smaller the wheel the less the possibility of pothole damage. The narrower the tire the better the traction in snow. That's why I have 225/55-17.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The narrower the tire the better the traction in snow. That's why I have 225/55-17.

Agree, the OP wants narrow and Blizzaks or the like. ONLY get 1-piece rims for winter as the sand/salt destroys rims.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The smaller the wheel the less the possibility of pothole damage. The narrower the tire the better the traction in snow. That's why I have 225/55-17.

If he has 19s the 17" wheels will not fit around his brakes.

OP: You will only be able to do 18s, and they will be tight. Stick with a BMW OEM wheel. Like the 400, or 397 (what I got). I got them from eBay. I got my set for $900, then added a set of Pirelli Sotozerros. I highy recommend the Sotozerros. The only other thing you may need to buy are new TPMS monitors.

[skw]

Originally Posted by eac340i

My wife just bought a rear drive 340i in North Chicago with staggered 19" summer tires. I'm concerned about her driving this car during the winter months. Can someone give advice on a winter wheel/tire setup. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Ben

I am in the Northest so we deal w/ snow all lot every winter. I had/have two FWD Honda Accords and well as 3 RWD BMW's and used winter tires on all 5 cars. For the last 2 BMW's I have used the OEM 18" wheels w/ Blizzaks. Check the classifieds here, "the other board", and Ebay for a set of used 18" wheels.

Originally Posted by eac340i

Is there any difference between 2012-2015 335i and 2016-2018 340i wheel offsets? Are all oem wheels interchangeable? Thanks.

Offsets should be the same. Check the beck of your wheels to see what you have now and use that as a reference.

Originally Posted by eac340i

I've noticed that tirerack has different 18x8 winter setups to choose from, some with different offsets. What offset is recommended for wheels and are the TPMS sensors necessary since they are only going to be used for 4 months. How does absence of sensors affect car? Thanks, Ben

Not having working sensors will have the light on and the car may not let you go from comfort into sport or sport+.

Originally Posted by YuminNuman

I'm considering selling them off but haven't decided what to do instead. I may get a second set of the ARC8s 18x8.5 and put 245/40/18 .. snow tires TBD, something a little more all seasony than the blizzaks perhaps. Like 2/3 winter tire 1/3 all season.

Take a look into the Nokian WR line of "all weather" tires. They can be used 12 months of the year but are also winter/snow rated (snowflake on the sidewall).

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

If he has 19s the 17" wheels will not fit around his brakes.

Not necessarily, it depends on what brakes he has. I didn't see M Sport or M Performance in the car description.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Not necessarily, it depends on what brakes he has. I didn't see M Sport or M Performance in the car description.

If he has a 340, the upgraded front brakes are the same size with the track pack or not. They are 2 piston calipers.

[rgr340i]

Considering this myself. I just got a 340i m sport, my first BMW. There is a deal I found for 4 rims and tires (summer) with aftermarket TPSM.

From what I've even read in this thread, they should work. Little worried about the TPMS, since he isn't stating what year they are off of.

Is 450 a fair price? Anything else I should be asking?? Appreciate the advice, I just haven't had time to do much research yet.

[B58 parts]

Depends on what kind of wheels they _actually are and how much the tires have left.

I decided not to run the 400m with blizzaks again.

I've ordered a second set of the ARC8 and am looking at the Michelin pilot alpin a4. The blizzaks gave too much up in the dry. 18x8.5 et38 w/ 245/40/18.

Any thoughts on the alpin? A good snow tire that doesn't totally suck when it's not snowing...

[Rudy@tirerack]

I can help as well. If interested email me at rudy@tirerack.com