[Bigyin1314]

Surely the lack of width on the rear would be compensated by the fronts of the xdrive pulling it round?

[Abrek]

Originally Posted by Bigyin1314

Surely the lack of width on the rear would be compensated by the fronts of the xdrive pulling it round?

It’s all about balance. Will be going from mild understeer to oversteer...

[Bigyin1314]

Just looking at sizes / fitment - I might look at 235/45/18 square, seems to work.

I may be having a brain fart moment here, but these wheels I’ve bought (18” 400m staggered) will actually fit over the msport brakes?

Edit, just double checked and it’s all good

[Tengocity]

I've run both a square 225 width set of winters on my 335d and also a staggered set 225/255.

I actually don't think it made much difference. The xdrive meant the lack of rear width was never an issue for traction.

If I had a 330d sdrive id definitely prefer 255 rears though. Might not be quite so good in deep snow, but plenty good enough, and much better in non-snowy conditions.

[sensible]

Originally Posted by Bigyin1314

Just looking at sizes / fitment - I might look at 235/45/18 square, seems to work.

I may be having a brain fart moment here, but these wheels I’ve bought (18” 400m staggered) will actually fit over the msport brakes?

Edit, just double checked and it’s all good

235/45 R18 would work. The rolling circumference is bigger but only by 1.36%. Your speedo will read very slightly under but within acceptable limits.

Yes those wheels do fit over M-Sport blue brakes.

[Bigyin1314]

Appreciate all the advice guys.

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I've run both a square 225 width set of winters on my 335d and also a staggered set 225/255.

I actually don't think it made much difference. The xdrive meant the lack of rear width was never an issue for traction.

If I had a 330d sdrive id definitely prefer 255 rears though. Might not be quite so good in deep snow, but plenty good enough, and much better in non-snowy conditions.

This makes a lot of sense.

6 pot Diesel torque through 225 rears isn't ideal. However, if you bought a 330d SE sDrive you'd have this configuration all year round.

When I had my square winters on my 330d sDrive I found the back end was a bit skittish. But, not in any way terrible. It was actually quite entertaining... Though, it would occasionally step out unexpectedly.

On my 340i the same wheels and tyres are more predictable. Running 100Nm less torque may be helpful here. Also, the petrol power delivery and LCI suspension revisions seem to help.

Overall, I quite like the handling balance of the square setup. It feels more balanced and nimble than the induced understeer of a staggered setup.

During normal driving in poor conditions there is decent enough traction, given you'd be daft to press on hard. However, the negatives for me occur on better days when you can't use the performance of the more powerful sDrive models.

I'm running Pirelli Sottozero's, which may not be the best winter tyre in normal conditions. Though, when I've had either lots of standing water, icy roads or snow they have impressed.

It seems to me that as soon as I fit my winters, my car is compromised. However, the change between a good day and a poor day is not that great.

I sometimes wonder if staggered all seasons may be the best performance compromise for normal British conditions. As long as you run summers in 'summer'.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Rich9600

This makes a lot of sense.

6 pot Diesel torque through 225 rears isn't ideal. However, if you bought a 330d SE sDrive you'd have this configuration all year round.

When I had my square winters on my 330d sDrive I found the back end was a bit skittish. But, not in any way terrible. It was actually quite entertaining... Though, it would occasionally step out unexpectedly.

On my 340i the same wheels and tyres are more predictable. Running 100Nm less torque may be helpful here. Also, the petrol power delivery and LCI suspension revisions seem to help.

Overall, I quite like the handling balance of the square setup. It feels more balanced and nimble than the induced understeer of a staggered setup.

During normal driving in poor conditions there is decent enough traction, given you'd be daft to press on hard. However, the negatives for me occur on better days when you can't use the performance of the more powerful sDrive models.

I'm running Pirelli Sottozero's, which may not be the best winter tyre in normal conditions. Though, when I've had either lots of standing water, icy roads or snow they have impressed.

It seems to me that as soon as I fit my winters, my car is compromised. However, the change between a good day and a poor day is not that great.

I sometimes wonder if staggered all seasons may be the best performance compromise for normal British conditions. As long as you run summers in 'summer'.

Try finding all seasons in our sizes though!

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by teaston

Try finding all seasons in our sizes though!

I keep hoping that they will catch up with the market.

My Dad and sister have ran the Michelin Cross Climates on their cars with good effect in the Cumbrian climate. The size range in these seems to be expanding...

[Pobsey]

I run nokian wra4 in 225/255 on a set of 400m wheels, they are good in most conditions and can be provoked into tail out action with a flick of the wrist/right foot 🤣

[Bigyin1314]

Just about to pull the trigger on ordering 235/45/18 square set up. They’ll fit both widths of wheel no problem (8/8.5J). Not concerned about the rears fitting but the fronts, will they fit in the arch without any rubbing on full lock?

Or do I just go 225/45/18 and live with gr fact the rear may not have as much outright grip

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Bigyin1314

Just about to pull the trigger on ordering 235/45/18 square set up. They’ll fit both widths of wheel no problem (8/8.5J). Not concerned about the rears fitting but the fronts, will they fit in the arch without any rubbing on full lock?

Or do I just go 225/45/18 and live with gr fact the rear may not have as much outright grip

They’ll be absolutely fine mate, I run 245’s up front without any issues.

[Rbrown]

Which tyres are you getting?

[Bigyin1314]

Yokohama W drive v905’s. I ran them on my previous Audi S4 and they were brilliant (Obviously tyres are very subjective). Although I was looking at Hankook Winter I Cept Evo 2 As an alternative

[Rbrown]

Interested to hear how you get on with them. It's a brand I have been looking at - so good to get your views.

We will see what this winter brings, not sure where you are - but Glasgow was bad last year.

[Bigyin1314]

I’m on the other side in fife.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Bigyin1314

Yokohama W drive v905’s. I ran them on my previous Audi S4 and they were brilliant (Obviously tyres are very subjective). Although I was looking at Hankook Winter I Cept Evo 2 As an alternative

For very little extra you could get some decent premium brand winter tyres.

[Bigyin1314]

Originally Posted by teaston

For very little extra you could get some decent premium brand winter tyres.

😀 as I said, tyres are very subjective

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Bigyin1314

😀 as I said, tyres are very subjective

It’s not subjective, the V905’s come out worse than the Dunlops, Goodyears and Michelins in every winter tyre test by quite a margin. I have no doubt you thought they were good, but then think how much better the others will be!

[Bigyin1314]

Sorry, not looking to argue but I’m afraid it is.

You’re 100% right about the test. Which is a good guide.

However, I have used several of the brands that you’ve just quoted over the years and to me, the Yokohama’s ranked one of the best (Nokians also rank highly in my book) certainly over Dunlop’s and Pirelli’s which I really didn’t like.

Now, I’ll qualify that statement: that’s with that's with MY driving style and on the roads that I drive everyday. The tyre test didn’t use the criteria of my driving style and my roads so why would I take their word over what works for me over own personal experience- hence subjective.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Bigyin1314

Sorry, not looking to argue but I’m afraid it is.

You’re 100% right about the test. Which is a good guide.

However, I have used several of the brands that you’ve just quoted over the years and to me, the Yokohama’s ranked one of the best (Nokians also rank highly in my book) certainly over Dunlop’s and Pirelli’s which I really didn’t like.

Now, I’ll qualify that statement: that’s with that's with MY driving style and on the roads that I drive everyday. The tyre test didn’t use the criteria of my driving style and my roads so why would I take their word over what works for me over own personal experience- hence subjective.

I tend to agree with you, tests are a good guide, but don't necessarily tell the whole picture.

What's a tyre like when they wear down a bit? Do they suit the mix of winter climate and roads we drive?

It is a reason I rated the Vredestein Wintrac Extreme when using them. The excellent wet weather performance, particularly with a lot of winter surface water, and ability to cope with temperature fluctuations, gave them an edge some winter tyres don't have.

Same applies to choosing summer tyres, what is the preferred bias we want in our driving? It was a reason, back in the days of the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3, I rated the tyre and ran them on my E91, as the wet weather performance was key in my driving environment. I recall talking with a BMW Technical Rep', his preferred tyre was the Michelin Pilot Sport 2 on the E9x chassis. We've used the PS2 in the family, including on a BMW. I preferred the Goodyear F1, willing to compromise on the dry weather performance of the PS2, to have better wet weather performance.