Need Snow Tires for my 2001 330CI!!! Help!

[TSilver330CI]

I need to get snow tires for my 330Ci because last winter I just got killed with the snow!!! The problem is I don't know what the best thing to do is, as far as affordability.

I currently have 17 inch rims with high performance michelin pilot sports tires. I recently replaced one of the tires because I got a flat. The problem is that the rest of the tires haven't been replaced since its been owned, and my passenger front tire is bald!!

I need to get 3 new sports tires, and snow tires. I heard you only need two snow tires for reart? Is this true, or do I need to purchase 4? If so can I use my rims, or do I have to get new ones? Where is the best place so I can get the most for my money, and how much is this going to run me?

I appreciate all your help!!!

 

[MrElussive]

1.) You definitely don't want to only purchase snow tires for the rears. It makes sense in that the car is RWD and those are the tires that need traction for acceleration, but you will get destroyed when you use your brakes or when you try to make turns in the snow. The fronts will not keep up with the rears at all, and it would really just create really weird (and bad) handling characteristics when driving in the snow (and in the dry when you're pushing it).

2.) You can use your stock 17" rims and just have the tires swapped in and out of the rims, but you just have to make sure you buy the proper tire size. Purchasing new rims and new snow tires to go with them calls for a much larger initial investment, but this way you can just swap wheels yourself (rather than taking it to a tire shop every time) and you can keep the winter rims exposed to the crappy winter conditions. Purchasing new rims with the snow tires is a good idea if you plan to keep your car for a long time.

3.) When purchasing the 3 new performance tires, make sure to purchase the same tire as the one that has just been replaced.

Hope that helps.

 

[drkeng]

I'm planning on snow tires this winter. Although my car has 17 inch wheels, I've been told that it would be a good idea to go to 16 inch wheels for the winter tires, thus a tire and wheel package. I've heard that switching tires on the same wheels is more likely to lead to problems and as noted above, the winter wheels take the punishment of the salt and snow. I will probably go through TireRack.com. They have tire/wheel combinations. Last year, ads in the car mags had 16 inch tires and aluminum rims (who cares what they look like) for a little over $1000, I think. Check their website. I'll probably have them shipped to the dealer. The dealer will deliver my summer wheels/tires to my house and I assume pick them up for the spring switch--for a price I'm sure. A friend with a Lexus GS 400 said his dealer actually stores his wheels/tires.

 

[xmas63]

I'm planning on snow tires this winter. Although my car has 17 inch wheels, I've been told that it would be a good idea to go to 16 inch wheels for the winter tires, thus a tire and wheel package. I've heard that switching tires on the same wheels is more likely to lead to problems and as noted above, the winter wheels take the punishment of the salt and snow. I will probably go through TireRack.com. They have tire/wheel combinations. Last year, ads in the car mags had 16 inch tires and aluminum rims (who cares what they look like) for a little over $1000, I think. Check their website. I'll probably have them shipped to the dealer. The dealer will deliver my summer wheels/tires to my house and I assume pick them up for the spring switch--for a price I'm sure. A friend with a Lexus GS 400 said his dealer actually stores his wheels/tires.

A separate set of winter tire/rims is a good idea for all the reasons mentioned above, as well as being able to swap the tires yourself, as Mr. E. mentioned earlier. But keep in mind that very few 16" wheels will fit over the larger calipers of the 330i and Ci. However, TireRack does have a 16" rim that will fit---it's the AT Italia Type 5. I got these and a set of tires last year for about $1K.

As far as the larger initial investment that Mr. E. mentioned, that is true, but also keep in mind that some of that initial investment will be offset by the lower cost of the 16" tire versus getting a 17" tire. Also, if you swap them yourself, that's another $100 or whatever that you save each year.

 

[drkeng]

TireRack does have a 16" rim that will fit---it's the AT Italia Type 5. I got these and a set of tires last year for about $1K.

Yes, the AT Italia 5 is what I saw. So, did they work well for you? Which tires did you get? I am hoping that driving carefully with winter tires will work for me this year. I'm hoping that the 50-50 F-R weight distribution of the car helps. I took my 323 out a few times with some snow on the street--very little traction. Didn't do much main street driving to really test control, etc. Drove my old beater Intrigue in the snow, since traded for the 330.

There's a Firebird at the local grocery (driver works there, I assume) with the license plate: NOGOSNO . I love that.

 

[xmas63]

Yes, the AT Italia 5 is what I saw. So, did they work well for you? Which tires did you get? I am hoping that driving carefully with winter tires will work for me this year. I'm hoping that the 50-50 F-R weight distribution of the car helps. I took my 323 out a few times with some snow on the street--very little traction. Didn't do much main street driving to really test control, etc. Drove my old beater Intrigue in the snow, since traded for the 330.

There's a Firebird at the local grocery (driver works there, I assume) with the license plate: NOGOSNO . I love that.

Yes, they worked great for me. I got the Dunlop WinterSport M3's, which, according to the TireRack guy, was supposed to provide a good balance for snow handling and dry road performance. I think you will be very surpised how well the car handles in the snow, especially if you're comparing to your previous experience with your 323 w/o snow tires. It'll be like night and day. You will literally be passing all the soccer moms w/ SUV's.

 

[TSilver330CI]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Mr. Ellusive, you've always had good advice for me and my car and I appreciate it.

I just ordered the 3 Michelin Pilot Ps2's. How much will it cost me to have them put on my wheels and then back on the car? I am going to price around, but I don't want to get ripped off.

I am going to look into getting these Italia wheels and snow tires. It seems like most of you got them from TireRack.com

I have been ordering my tires from Tires.com because shipping is included. However I don't know if they provide the tires on the wheels like Tirerack.com does. Any suggestions??

Thanks again!

 

[xmas63]

I have been ordering my tires from Tires.com because shipping is included. However I don't know if they provide the tires on the wheels like Tirerack.com does. Any suggestions??

You should note that these particular wheels are available ONLY at TireRack.com. In addition, they are the only 16" rims that I found from any vendor that will fit over a 330's calipers.

 

[Ghost]

They should come mounted, but call them to make sure.

 

[jfh]

zhp with 16" wheels

sorry if I asked before - has anyone put 16" wheels on a 330i with the performance package (zhp)? I keep thinking the saleman mentioned part of the perfpkg included larger brakes. The lovely Mrs. has a habit of going through pot-holes rather than around them, so I'd like to get winter tires with more sidewall to help absorb the impact.

 

[xmas63]

I'm not positive of this, but I'm not aware that the performance package provides brakes that are different from the standard 330i. (But note that the 330i's brakes are, in fact, bigger than the 325i's, and this may possibly be what the salesman was comparing to.) If this is the case, I mentioned a set of 16" rims available from TireRack in a previous post. They will fit, and they are the only 16's that I was able to find that do fit.

 

[bahnstormer]

guys just a couple things to add on.

snow tires should def be 16's for the main reason that u want a skinny tire.
your may looks silly when its not snowing, but when ppl are spinning in circles
yer car will look good =]

also if u're replacing dry weather tires, do so in pairs. don't buy 1 new one
then 3 new ones a year later....

 

[jfh]

that must be it - he was comparing the brakes to a 325 not another 330

 

[jfh]

xmas63 - you have driven in snow with the AT Italia 5 + Dunlops ?

 

[xmas63]

xmas63 - you have driven in snow with the AT Italia 5 + Dunlops ?

Yup, all last winter. I was very happy with the performance, and I'm not the type to stay home when it snows---I'll go out in pretty much anything.

 

[jfh]

excellent!
I'll follow your lead with the AT Italia 5 + Dunlops.
If there is any problem I'll tell the Mrs. "but darling, xmas63 said they were very good"

16" yes? what size are the tires? 205? 225?

thanks

 

[xmas63]

excellent!
I'll follow your lead with the AT Italia 5 + Dunlops.
If there is any problem I'll tell the Mrs. "but darling, xmas63 said they were very good"

16" yes? what size are the tires? 205? 225?

thanks

No problem, feel free to blame me if the mrs. is not happy with them. (She doesn't know where I live!)

And yes, I got 16's. The width is 205. I think the sidewalls are 55's but I'd have to double check that.

 

[jfh]

TireRack.com is presently showing NO WINTER TIRES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE for this car.
The web site is incorrect - call them, they do have a good stock on hand.

 

[jfh]

TireRack.com has fixed the web site.
I have followed xmas63's lead - ordered the AT Italia 5's + Dunlop M3's

 

[TSilver330CI]

Are the tires for these rims different sizes like with high performance tires? That is my only concern that I would need to buy different size tires for the back. If so, do you know the dimensions?