Any suggestion for 17" winter tires for 330ci w/ M sport package

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Toronto, Canada
#1
Can anybody give me some advice on winter tires, actually I got 18" rims w/ performance tires on my car(M sport package) so I need to get the whole winter package, at my dealership it goes for $1700 for the 17" steel rims w/ pirelli and $2400 for the nicer alloy rims. but it's quite expensive IMO, well I've checked ebay.ca( canadian site of eBay) but did not find anything!
I guess I'd better off finding a set of second hand tires in good condition, but can't seem to find the right place to shop for.

Suggestion would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Andrew
 
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Streamwood, IL
#2
Go to tirerack.com. Just got a set of 16 Italia type 5 (M-sport copy) alloy rims and Dunlop M3 winter sport tires for abut $1000.00 plus shipping. Just put them on yesterday morning in time for afternoon snow storm, they worked great. Big difference from the 18 inch rims but the car still handles pretty good.
 

goodchip

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#3
I have Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSIs on my 325i. I live in Alberta, so I will need the best there are for grip. And these are like Velcro and snow and packed snow.THe only problem with the Nokians is that they are only R rated. If you are looking for V rated, I'd suggest the Blizzak LM22, which my friend has on his Porsche. I read on another site about Vredesteines, and I have to admit I did not research these.
As for the R vs V rated argument, in Canadian winters I'm frankly more concerned about staying between the ditches than speed/performance. The R rated is supposed to be okay to 160 km/h. Thats enough for me!
Nokians are not well known, they sell mostly by word of mouth. THe site has a dealer locator, so you will be able to find a few in the GTA.
http://www.nokiantires.com/newsite/tires.cfm
 
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#4
I just got my 330i M sport package yesterday. Mine is 2003 (yes used, can't afford a new one) and is also seaching for snow tire deals.
I notice there is one 16 inch that would fix a 330 but wondering if it would fit the M package or ZHP in the Status. 16 inch is the way to go for snow tires in Canada. Don't risk you life, looking good in winter don't worth doing so. Anyone here with the ZHP/M package uses the Italia type 5?
 
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#6
dball711 said:
Go to tirerack.com. Just got a set of 16 Italia type 5 (M-sport copy) alloy rims and Dunlop M3 winter sport tires for abut $1000.00 plus shipping. Just put them on yesterday morning in time for afternoon snow storm, they worked great. Big difference from the 18 inch rims but the car still handles pretty good.
they are they only 16s to fit. and there is no difference in front brake caliper size btw the stock 330i and 330i zhp, so that's not an issue.

i just installed 17" type 68 replica rims, and pilot alpin pa2, 225 45/17s on there, it ran about $13-1400 US. i wanted to get dunlop m3s, but they were sold out on my size. my suggestion now if you know what size tires you want, is to find the tires first! asap! they'll be in shorter supply once the snow starts, and even when i picked up my tires a month ago, they were in short supply. (last year, i had to garage my car, cuz the snows ran out by the time i tried to get them) in december. good luck..

as for getting 16s, even the 17 inch rims look way smaller compared to my stock 135m style rims.. and i didn't like the design of hte old school m rims, so i opted to pay $400 more for style points by going 17"[:p] that said, in the long run, the 16s will be much cheaper to own, esp since tires are close to $50 cheaper for the 16s. so think that through also.
 
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#7
goodchip said:
I have Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSIs on my 325i. I live in Alberta, so I will need the best there are for grip. And these are like Velcro and snow and packed snow.THe only problem with the Nokians is that they are only R rated. If you are looking for V rated, I'd suggest the Blizzak LM22, which my friend has on his Porsche. I read on another site about Vredesteines, and I have to admit I did not research these.
As for the R vs V rated argument, in Canadian winters I'm frankly more concerned about staying between the ditches than speed/performance. The R rated is supposed to be okay to 160 km/h. Thats enough for me!
Nokians are not well known, they sell mostly by word of mouth. THe site has a dealer locator, so you will be able to find a few in the GTA.
http://www.nokiantires.com/newsite/tires.cfm
nokians are supposed to be sweet. the issue w/ R rated tires (as i found out through much research) isn't so much the top speed. (altho that is an issue) the issue is the fact that the side walls are much softer, thus even during normal every day driving, you'll notice a big difference in handling around corners, and need to adjust your driving style accordingly. especially if you are used to having nice handling stiff sidewalls of the V rated sidewalls. so on a nice day out, your tires will call mercy when you try to push it around the bend. on the flip side your ride won't be as bumpy. throughout the winter.. (everything in life is a compromise huh?) oh and they are quite expensive also iirc..

this is from what i heard, if the users of R rated snows can tell me how it really is, i'd really like to know. since everyone i talked to has their own versions and reasons why it works or doesn't work.
 
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#8
dball711 said:
Mousecrab,
Check my sig, I have a ZHP. Just put 16 in rims with snows on and they fit.
Thanks a lot! That helps me solve one of my big cercorn on my 330. By the way notice you also got a 2003 model. What size rim does it come in as standard? I know 04 has 18 inch and mine is only 17. Is that the stardard for 03 or the dealer trying to fool me?
Personally I like 17 inch more, even if it doesn't look as good. 18 inch just cost too much to replace and add more weight to the wheels.
Wonder how hard Canada custom is going to hit me for a set of wheels to pass the border? Anyone from Canada has that experience?
 
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#10
btw dball, your sig maybe too long. over 100 charas, and it won't display [;)]

zhp comes w/ style 135m rims. 10 double spoke rims. they are one of the best looking factory rims out if you ask me. they are really really nice, until you try to clean em..
mousecrab said:
Thanks a lot! That helps me solve one of my big cercorn on my 330. By the way notice you also got a 2003 model. What size rim does it come in as standard? I know 04 has 18 inch and mine is only 17. Is that the stardard for 03 or the dealer trying to fool me?
iirc 330s come w/ 17 inch standard w/ a/s tires in 03 or 04 year. and you can upgrade to 17 in sports rims. (style 68m staggered and high perf tires.) in the coupe you can get the style 71, 18inch rims for a grand more along w/ high perf tires.

only way to get an 18 inch rims factory for the sedan is to get the perf package. (unless you drop the money for another 18inch rims, and have the deal install it.. dumb if you ask me, but eh..)
 
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#11
dball711 said:
ZHP rims for 2003 & 2004 are the same size and style, 18” M double spoke.
Wait a minute. So what happened to my 18 inch rims then? It's supposted to be the performance package. Anyone here has the offical spec on 2003? would there be any difference between US and Canada?
 


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