I am getting a 330ci with performance package (ZHP). Sales person told me for the winter I should get a rim and tire package instead of just getting snow tires because it would damage or weaken the seal of the rim. Does anyone know if this is true? I am leasing for 3 years and thought why buy the rims when I could just but the snow tires and save money.
Snow tires vs. Rim and tire package
- Thread starter rawfox
- Start date
It would be more convenient over the 3 years to buy a set of rims with the snow tires so you can swap the wheels yourself. You would also keep the OEM rims in great conditions whereas the whinter wheels will take all the punishment of the snow and rain and dirty roads and stuff. It really is up to you but personally I would go with a full set of rims and tires.
Andrew, first off, welcome to the board and congrats on your purchase.
Emile's right on the money. also with all the mounting/unmounting fees, you'll reclaim the money dropped on the wheels within few years. also i'd look for aftermarket/ replica rims over the silver 17 inch steel doughnuts they offer at the dealership.
you'd also save on buying 17 inch snows over 18 inchers. besides would you want a 255 wide rear snows? another route: maybe you can request an a/s tires. (not sure if they even allow it.) i know i wouldn't do it for myself, but if push came to shove, and you didn't want to get a second set of rims, then getting an A/S tires that last 3 years might work out better for ya.
you'd also save on buying 17 inch snows over 18 inchers. besides would you want a 255 wide rear snows? another route: maybe you can request an a/s tires. (not sure if they even allow it.) i know i wouldn't do it for myself, but if push came to shove, and you didn't want to get a second set of rims, then getting an A/S tires that last 3 years might work out better for ya.
You raise a question regarding aftermarket wheels. I've been looking at a set of wheels through Discount Tire. Reasonably priced, but they claim they will need to insert a "hub centric ring" inside the wheel because they make these wheels to fit many vehicles. The wheel size is correct, the bolt pattern is correct, but the actual hub spacing may be a bit wider than the BMW hub. They claim they do this all the time, safely. But the BMW dealers in my area advise against it. Diascount Tire says the dealers just want to sell BMW wheels.
Any thoughts?
Anybody have any experience with the "hub centric ring?
Any thoughts?
Anybody have any experience with the "hub centric ring?
I lease my 330Ci and I bought a wheel & tire package from the Tire Rack. You can get reasonable price (comes mounted and balanced) and you will be able to view what looks good on the car. Your snow tires will last longer than what the Conti's it came with and then you will need to replace them half way through the lease (depending on the way you drive). I have leased 3 BMW's in 9yrs (just got my fourth) and have done the same with each. You may have enough tread on the original tires when you hand it in, sell it or you can take the snows off at the end and put them on the original rims. Remember, if you scratch the original rims and salt works its way in and ruins the wheel, your buying a new rim. When the car goes back you must have the five (including the spare) original wheels and enough tread to pass their requirements. Only the four tires need to match and doesn't matter if they are snows or not. It takes me 40min to exchange the wheels myself each season, just label them so you can rotate properly. I suggest to buy a package with the high performance Dunlop winter sport.