[usdk]

Hi,

I recently moved from California to Denmark, and, well, you need winter/snow tires here

I recently leased an i5 e40 Touring, and I absolutely love it!

But, the i5 Touring has different front and back wheel sizes. Mine was delivered with 245/45/19 and 275/40/19 (on summer tires). But now it's getting colder.

I'm looking for a tire + rim combo, but finding rims that can fit the 275 size is challenging, at least here in Denmark.

My question is, would it be OK to opt for 255/45/19 in the back?

I have limited experience with tires since, in California, I just drove on summer tires, which came with the cars (I had an X3e and a Palisade).

Is there anything else I should be mindful of? I have been told by a mechanic that they cannot program the TPMS, so I need to get the OEM ones.

Thanks!

[DomiGijzen]

Why 255? Just get same sizes all around for winter tires. This also enables you to use snow chaines.

[usdk]

My thinking was that since the car is delivered with wider back tires, that is to sustain weight or something else. So that I should also have wider winter back tires. Chains is less of a concern, but I appreciate the tip!

[RichardInCA]

The width of the tire is more to do with getting power down efficiently. Not sure that logic holds for winter driving - I lived in Montreal before I moved to California and used to do the seasonal switch out to winter tires. The main things at play are to have a softer compound rubber that doesn’t turn so solid in sub zero temps (softer tires grip more, just like in F1), and a tread pattern to hold onto snow - it turns out that snow packed in the treads can help with traction with the snow on the road etc.

[usdk]

Thanks for sharing these insights. I really appreciate it. My concern is still if I should go for 275 wider winter tires or if I can downsize to 255 (or even less) and what impact downsizing may have. The winter tires my dealership sells are 275 (back) and 245 (front), but they are extremely overpriced.

[AiredaleDad]

The stock rim size is 19 x 8.5" and has 245/45 R19 all season tires. If you have the 19 x 8.5" rims all around, you might be should be able to put 245/45 R19 snow tires on for the winter.

[usdk]

Thanks for the info.

I have the M Sport version, which comes with summer tires (at least here) and 245/45/19 (front) + 275/45/19 (back). I'm not sure what the rim widths are, but I assume they're 8.5" + 9.5".

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by usdk

Thanks for the info.

I have the M Sport version, which comes with summer tires (at least here) and 245/45/19 (front) + 275/45/19 (back). I'm not sure what the rim widths are, but I assume they're 8.5" + 9.5".

Understood. I also have the MSport and MSport Pro packages. Maybe there is a way you can check? I don't know about BMW Rims, but some have a stamp either inside our outside where it says the size. I ordered 20" 938 style rims, They are staggered with 20 x 8.5" in front and 20 x 10" rear, and they came with either All Season, or Summer tires. I chose the All Season tires. I was going to change my order for Summer tires, but that's when my build went to 150 and I was too late. In US Spec, the 19" M Sport rims (935 style) are all the same size. And only come with All Season tires. Since you have wider rear tires, you probably got wider rims as well. Maybe it's a Denmark thing, or a Touring thing. I wouldn't know, since the touring is not available in the US. I went on the Danish website, and it did not say the width of the rims.

[DomiGijzen]

Rims for 275 are wider than for 245. I have both sets (summer, winter). I think it's listed in the pricelist.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by usdk

My thinking was that since the car is delivered with wider back tires, that is to sustain weight or something else. So that I should also have wider winter back tires. Chains is less of a concern, but I appreciate the tip!

BMW uses a staggered setup for summer tires, wider in rear. It promotes understeer, which is safer in a way. Understeer scares the driver (so they slow down), oversteer scares the passenger. For winter tires you want a square setup, same width all around.

[usdk]

Thanks for all the input. I forgot that the US is not blessed with the Touring version.

I managed to get a reply from BMW and they informed me that it is a requirement that the wheel size (width) on the back wheels are 275.

And yes, it requires wider rims, which is precisely why it's been challenging to find a set of four wheels since most (online) sellers only support a square setup.

[AiredaleDad]

Originally Posted by usdk

Thanks for all the input. I forgot that the US is not blessed with the Touring version.

I managed to get a reply from BMW and they informed me that it is a requirement that the wheel size (width) on the back wheels are 275.

And yes, it requires wider rims, which is precisely why it's been challenging to find a set of four wheels since most (online) sellers only support a square setup.

Ah. I see. Sounds like you will have to buy them from the dealer then, unless you can order from a clearing house like Tirerack.com. I don't know if they sell in DK or if you have some equivalent.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by usdk

Thanks for all the input. I forgot that the US is not blessed with the Touring version.

I managed to get a reply from BMW and they informed me that it is a requirement that the wheel size (width) on the back wheels are 275.

And yes, it requires wider rims, which is precisely why it's been challenging to find a set of four wheels since most (online) sellers only support a square setup.

Doesn’t the local dealer parts department sell winter wheel/tire sets? They usually do to ensure you get what BMW recommends for your car. Not usually the cheapest option though.

[AiredaleDad]

Yes, He said that already. He's looking for a more cost-effective option because the dealership's prices are ridiculously high.

[tsbrown]

Originally Posted by AiredaleDad

Yes, He said that already. He's looking for a more cost-effective option because the dealership's prices are ridiculously high.

thanks, I did read the thread completely at one point, just not right before I posted that. It happens...