Topic: Is there a no-compromise runflat winter tire for BMW 128i (205-50-17)?

[BernardP]

I am really interested in the BMW 128i, and I feel standard runflats add peace of mind in the summer. However, I live in a part of the country (Quebec) where it get very cold and snowy in the winter, with a lot of snow on the ground for five months of the year.

I have searched online for true, deep grooved, agressive, runflat winter tires and have come-up empty-handed. It seems the only runflat winters are euro-style, compromised towards dry performance, not snow and ice traction. This is not what I am looking for on a RWD car, especially coming from a Subaru Legacy.

I have talked about this with my local tire shop and they told me that many of their BMW clients choose to mount non-runflat winter tires and live with the risk of having to call a tow if they have a flat during the winter. This might do for someone who always drives around town, but not for me, as I often go far out of town to go skiing.

I am also not keen on buying an expensive spare wheel and tire that would take up a big part of the 128i's small trunk, and keep me from using the ski trunk passthrough.

My best bet is to find a true no-compromise runflat winter tire. If I can't, this will probably keep me from buying a 128i.

Your suggestions are welcomed.

[airbalancer]

In the Fit, they will have a compressor and can of flat fix stuff, maybe that will work for you

[BernardP]

In the Fit, they will have a compressor and can of flat fix stuff, maybe that will work for you

Interesting that you should mention that. I carry a can of flat fix in my trunk, and the thing freezes in winter, so it becomes unusable.

[ovr50]

My 535xi runs the following winter tires:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Winter+Sport+M3

and last winter I found them to be excellant in the snow/ice, yet quiet on the bare pavement. Note they have the "snowflake/mountain" severe winter driving rating.

Don't know if your size is available, but I bet you could get very close in size if not right on. You need the DSST one for the runflats.

[BernardP]

My 535xi runs the following winter tires:

Dunlop Winter Sport M3

and last winter I found them to be excellant in the snow/ice, yet quiet on the bare pavement. Note they have the "snowflake/mountain" severe winter driving rating.

Don't know if your size is available, but I bet you could get very close in size if not right on. You need the DSST one for the runflats.

Yes they look serious and are well-rated. Not available in 205-50-17 though. I would have to go with wider 215-45-17, a move in the wrong direction for winter. I realize 205-50-17 is not a mainstream size, and I am not buying separate wheels for winter.

[tpl]

I believe there is a place in the USA that will sell a small temp spare and jacking kit that was standard on some BMWs that will have the right diameter and offset.


Certainly the runflats did figure in my decision not to buy a 2nd BMW  although as I don't go anywhere into deep countryside it wouldn't have mattered much

[TB]

I use non-runflats for winter with the fix a tire kit from canadiantire...I forget the name of it..it's $60 and it's supposed to work in -40, and it's made in Germany.  Hope I don't have to use it, however I'm probably not gonna go with runflats anymore when it's time to replace my summer tires.

But as others have mentioned you could get a spare tire that's inflates when needed and it doesn't take too much space if you're worried about it.

[BernardP]

Thanks tpl and TB. I had read about the spare/kit on BMW forums, but I am not keen on that one. Ideally, I want to find a suitable winter runflat.

I will go to Canadian Tire to look for that non-freezing tire kit.

TB, is there much snow where you live? Comments about the winter performance of your car (RWD BMW)?

[wing]

Bernard, I wouldn't worry about going from 205 to 215 they would fit on the rims and are not excessively wide.

Or the fix a-flat works as well.  problem with most run-flats are the stiff sidewalls required to keep them going is counter productive in the winter when you want soft sidewalls.

I'd take my chances -- it's so rare to get a flat ... especially in the winter it seems.

[BernardP]

Yes, Wing, there are possible compromises. 215 wide is not so bad, as an alternative I am considering, the FWD Audi A3, runs on 225's. But is has FWD, much better in winter. I would try to undersize winter tires to 215 on the A3.

In fact, the 205-50-17 stock tires are rather narrow for a sporty coupe like the 128i.

From your comments about softer sidewalls in non-runflats, I understand that too stiff sidewalls are not good for winter traction? Lesser ability to follow surface contours?

Also, since I would be taking delivery of the car in the Spring of 2009, this would give one more year from now for tire manufacturers to add to their winter runflat tire offerings.

Overall, non-runflat + non-freezing inflation kit would seem to be the best compromise at this point.

[dave]

Hey Bernard, I've got a 135i and am shopping for winter tires.

I've decided to go with non-runflats as it only be city driven in the winter.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS-60 225/45/17 all around.  Bridgestone doesn't make the WS-60 in runflats but they do make the LM in runflat (http://www.tiretrends.com/Winter-Tires-Packages.php?tireID=594).  My brother has LMs on his Mustang GT in the winter.  I've also read good things about the Dunlop M3s.

Lots of info here: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14880

Also, talk to Gill at Tirerack (from 1addicts forum above).  He is incredibly knowledgable about 1 series tires (he owns a 135i) and VERY helpful.

Now, my only problem is finding a nice set of 17"s that'll fit over my massive front calipers...

[BernardP]

Thanks TheMAN! The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 looks like a no-compromise winter tire. I had not thought about a studded tire. And the Nokian web site shows that 205/50/17 size is available as a runflat.

Also, dave, I had already scoured 1addicts for this kind of info. The 128i and 135i have very different tires sizes. 205/50/17 on the 128i is not a common dimension.

[TheMAN]

Thanks TheMAN! The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 looks like a no-compromise winter tire. I had not thought about a studded tire. And the Nokian web site shows that 205/50/17 size is available as a runflat.

Also, dave, I had already scoured 1addicts for this kind of info. The 128i and 135i have very different tires sizes. 205/50/17 on the 128i is not a common dimension.

No problem. Though they do come "studdable" or "studded", so if you don't want the studs, you don't have to get them.

[evil_twin]

Bernard

So you're not going to purchase another set of wheels for winter?  Depending how long you plan to keep the car, it might be a wise investment. 

I swap my Blizzak LM22s (235/55/17) onto my OEM Mustang GT wheels each fall and spring and it is a LOT more expensive than simply swapping wheels (which you could easily do yourself to save even more). 

You'd likely make up the cost of 'reasonably' priced winter rims after only a couple of years...and keep your summer rims in much better condition.

Just my opinion, but I'll definitely be getting seperate winter rims for my next car.

[BernardP]

I know most people buy additional wheels for winter, but I'm not planning to do so. I'm going to keep the car for 3 years, 4 at most. AFAIK There are no steel wheels available, and one has to go with another sets of mag wheels.$ouch$! One of my friends has a 328xi Coupe (provided by his employer) and separate 17 inch winter wheels and tires cost $3000.

My recent cars since 1997 (2 Accords and my Legacy) have gone through four winters on mag wheels without problem.

[morty]

Another good alternative would be the Continental ContiWinterViking2 SSR not quite as pricey and has some outstanding reviews.

[BernardP]

Thanks to you too, morty. I managed to find that SSR means Self Supporting Runflat. So that's another good-looking candidate.

[morty]

NW... They all have their own name for Run Flat.

[dave]

One of my friends has a 328xi Coupe (provided by his employer) and separate 17 inch winter wheels and tires cost $3000.

Surprise, surprise...BMW gouging.  I laughed in the saleman's face when he said $3k.  I paid half that for BMW reps and Blizzak WS-60 (225/45/17) from Tirerack delivered to my door for my 135i.