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[GlennM]

Last summer, I picked up a nice powdercoated set of 189's for my 2008 335i staggered setup. I am planning on using these for my summer set and using my original 162's for winter. Reading posts here and elsewhere, I was certain I could use the same size tire on all 4 corners even though my rear wheels are 1/2" wider. Calling around the last couple of days, I decided to call my local BMW dealer, as they have a nice display of Blizzaks set up in their service area. They deserve a shot at a tire sale, right? I learned a bit talking to the service manager. I described what I had and what I wanted to do. He told me that there isn't a set they can put on that would match my staggered setup, and that they had been advised by Tire Rack not to put on the smaller tires on the wider rims on the back - there have been reports of rims splitting. They are recommending a 17" setup on all 4 corners with 225/45 17 Blizzaks, and they work with Tire Rack for their aftermarket wheels.

I know that there will be lots of people chime in and say they run their staggered wheels with the same size tire on all, but I thought I would share this.

Looks like I may be selling my oem 162s in a month or so, cause the snow will be here soon.

[mtechnik3]

Originally Posted by GlennM

had been advised by Tire Rack not to put on the smaller tires on the wider rims on the back - there have been reports of rims splitting. They are recommending a 17" setup on all 4 corners with 225/45 17 Blizzaks, and they work with Tire Rack for their aftermarket wheels.

That's interesting...I haven't heard of OEM wheels (pretty strong imo) splitting or cracking due to mounting 225 profile tires on a 8.5" Type 162 wheel. Actually Gary addresses that question in his winter guide under FAQs here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=593531

According to Tire Rack, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 size 225/40/R18 can be mounted to a wheel between 7.5"-9".

You could run 225/40R18 all around. Or, 225/40R18 fr, 245/35R18 rear if you'd like to run a staggered winter set up.

For reference: OEM Sport Type 162 (Front: 18x8 ET34) (Rear: 18x8.5 ET37)

I'm running 225/45/R17 on OEM Style 157 wheels and it worked out great. I don't think you would have any issues running same size winters on your 162 wheels - other than 18" tires are a little more expensive. I'll let tire experts chime in as well.

[GlennM]

I'm only interested in the run flats. Living in Michigan (near Detroit) , our roads are the worst in the nation. Just a couple of weeks ago we blew out a front sidewall in a very nasty neighborhood. The best thing we could do was drive out of there on the run flats.

[IllLojik]

I've run blizzacks W60 225 40 18 on my OEM staggered setup, and traveled btwn DC and NY multiple times with no issue. (Both cities have the worst roads lol)

[GlennM]

I'm hoping Gary chimes in with his opinion. I hate to have to buy more wheels when I have a perfectly good set on the car right now.

[branmace]

Originally Posted by GlennM

I'm only interested in the run flats. Living in Michigan (near Detroit) , our roads are the worst in the nation. Just a couple of weeks ago we blew out a front sidewall in a very nasty neighborhood. The best thing we could do was drive out of there on the run flats.

I think that was a gun shut, . Funny you mentioned this, as I was also told this by my local BMW dealership. So, instead I got my some new 225/45/R17 Blizzaks ws60 w/rims, two winters ago, for cheaper than buying just the tires the tires. Weird huh. It was a set they were begging to get rid off of. I guess I was lucky. However, I have seen here on these posts where bimmer fans run 225/40/R18 staggered, up to 9x18 rims. Probably, Gary is your guy to base your decision on. Good luck.

[anerbe]

Narrower the better. Check each tire specification sheet on tirerack if it will fit a 9" rim.

Just note that the under/oversteer characteristics will change. Unpredictable handling effect may occur if you decide to run the 9" wheels up front for rotation

[EYE4SPEED]

I'm interested in your wheels - I would be happy to take that risk as I have a square set of winter tires looking for some OEM 18's.

[Gary@TireRack]

Sorry that I didn't see this earlier. You can definitely use 225/40R18 all around with no problem. The Blizzak LM60RFT is made in that size and would be the best run flat winter tire available for snow and ice traction.

Winter
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp

[GlennM]

Decided to go with Gary's recommendation. Keeping my stock wheels with a new set of Blizzaks.

[jeffvb9]

Originally Posted by GlennM

Last summer, I picked up a nice powdercoated set of 189's for my 2008 335i staggered setup. I am planning on using these for my summer set and using my original 162's for winter. Reading posts here and elsewhere, I was certain I could use the same size tire on all 4 corners even though my rear wheels are 1/2" wider. Calling around the last couple of days, I decided to call my local BMW dealer, as they have a nice display of Blizzaks set up in their service area. They deserve a shot at a tire sale, right? I learned a bit talking to the service manager. I described what I had and what I wanted to do. He told me that there isn't a set they can put on that would match my staggered setup, and that they had been advised by Tire Rack not to put on the smaller tires on the wider rims on the back - there have been reports of rims splitting. They are recommending a 17" setup on all 4 corners with 225/45 17 Blizzaks, and they work with Tire Rack for their aftermarket wheels.

I know that there will be lots of people chime in and say they run their staggered wheels with the same size tire on all, but I thought I would share this.

Looks like I may be selling my oem 162s in a month or so, cause the snow will be here soon.

I run staggered (18x8 and 18x8.5) 162's on my car with 225/40/18 Blizzaks on all 4 corners with no issues.

[GlennM]

Good to know that there haven't been any issues.

[4corners]

BMW staff routinely get it wrong.

[SwissCheeseHead]

Bump on an old thread. Does anyone who runs a square tire setup on staggered wheels ever rotate their rear wheels to the front? Would this cause issues?

[bmw325i]

Originally Posted by SwissCheeseHead

Bump on an old thread. Does anyone who runs a square tire setup on staggered wheels ever rotate their rear wheels to the front? Would this cause issues?

Your wider wheels should be in the back. Why not just take it to a tire shop and have them switch the front and rear tires?

[orangedawg]

On my summer rims (162's), which are staggered 8" and 8.5", I have 235/40/18 on all four. I rotate them front and back each spring and summer and haven't noticed any issues. FYI. BTW, I have a 328xi.

[MonacoBlueE90]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

Your wider wheels should be in the back. Why not just take it to a tire shop and have them switch the front and rear tires?

This is totally dependent on the width, offset and if the wheels look the same. Something like style 162 which look exactly the same outside and have 3mm difference of how far they extend can be rotated. I wouldn't do it tho, but that's because aesthetic reasons.

[SwissCheeseHead]

Originally Posted by bmw325i

Your wider wheels should be in the back. Why not just take it to a tire shop and have them switch the front and rear tires?

I don't want to pay to mount them each season.

[SwissCheeseHead]

Originally Posted by MonacoBlueE90

This is totally dependent on the width, offset and if the wheels look the same. Something like style 162 which look exactly the same outside and have 3mm difference of how far they extend can be rotated. I wouldn't do it tho, but that's because aesthetic reasons.

They're style 286 wheels
17x8 et34
17x8.5 et39

[MonacoBlueE90]

Originally Posted by SwissCheeseHead

They're style 286 wheels
17x8 et34
17x8.5 et39

Are these for winter use? Those wheels have 1mm difference of where the outside edge of the wheel extend. The et39 is extends 1mm more. So you can rotate them if you want and they don't look different from outside. Use 225/45/17 or 235/40/17 allround. It will be slight difference how the tyre "stretch" on the wheel but very minimal. This one is 225/45/17 on 8 and 8.5 wide. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85623

[SwissCheeseHead]

Originally Posted by MonacoBlueE90

Are these for winter use? Those wheels have 1mm difference of where the outside edge of the wheel extend. The et39 is extends 1mm more. So you can rotate them if you want and they don't look different from outside. Use 225/45/17 or 235/40/17 allround. It will be slight difference how the tyre "stretch" on the wheel but very minimal. This one is 225/45/17 on 8 and 8.5 wide. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85623

Thanks for the thread! yes, this would be for a winter setup. My concern was the offset and the width for the rear wheels being mounted in the front and how handling was going to be. There aren't any differences are there?

[MonacoBlueE90]

Originally Posted by SwissCheeseHead

Thanks for the thread! yes, this would be for a winter setup. My concern was the offset and the width for the rear wheels being mounted in the front and how handling was going to be. There aren't any differences are there?

If there is you wont notice it. The offset difference is so small and 8.5 et35-40 is commonly used wheel at front.

Originally Posted by MonacoBlueE90

Use 225/45/17 or 235/40/17 allround.

This was suppose to be 235/45/17. I made typo.