Tire size

[dpnguyen]

Considering getting winter tire/wheel package for the 325i. Currently I'm on 225/45 17 wheels with the OEM Sport Package rims. Will 205/55 16 tires/rim package work with my current 325i configuration? Any issues I need to be aware of?

I'm looking for something thinner (205 vs 225) to cut through the snow, and higher profile (55 vs 45) to absorb the bumps and holes. I've heard good things about the Blizzaks and they're going for about $100/ea. With 16" rims, I'm looking around $650-800 for the whole package. Is this reasonable?

 

[MrElussive]

Yeah, the tire size should work just fine, and the price is very reasonable. Which model Blizzaks are you going to purchase? Blizzak LM-22's are highly recommended as you get a really nice snow tire that offers good dry road performance as well.

 

[dpnguyen]

Mr. E, I stopped at Discount Tires today and they said that I could not use the 16s because I got the Sport Package with the car. Apparently, with the Sport Package, BMW uses different sized calipers than the base 325i, and that 1-inch delta doesn't allow for usage of 16" rims. Now I'm looking at 17s and approx $1100-1200.

 

[Average Jae]

if you wanna go w/ 16s, you can get the AT italia type 5 rims from tirerack.com they'll have the rims in stock at end of feb. believe they are the only 16s to fit the bigger calipers on the sports pack/ 330.

i'm not a big fan of the style of those rims, but they are 16s, and 16 snows are way way cheaper than 17s.. and i can't really find 17 inch rims that i like too much. so i'm thinking about em for next year.