What to do for winter???? 17" or 16"???

bonnie_bby · 10-17-2007, 12:23 PM

Please help!! I have a 2004 323i, and it comes with 17" rims and tires. In this summer, i got a set of 17" rims as a birthday present. Should I use 17" for winter? My friends suggested i should buy 16" becuase it will do better in the snow. Is it true?

Thank you for any advice

europrince · 10-17-2007, 12:46 PM

if you have both 16s and 17s, use the 16s for winter and keep your 17s for summer use. you'll run a narrower tire with the 16s in the snow, which will give you better handling. AND you won't have to mount and dismount tires from your rims. you'll have a set ready to go every spring and fall.

Sneaky · 10-17-2007, 10:33 PM

They didnt make 323s in 2004

bonnie_bby · 10-18-2007, 11:02 AM

I don't have both 16 and 17. I have the original 17 wheels, and my friend gave me a set of 17 rims, to replace my original one, but I don't really like the look so I think i may use it for winters. I am thinking, I can either buy 17" winter tires, or I can sell the 17 rims and buy 16 set of winters. How different is the handling?

P.S. sorry it's typo, I have a 325i.

racingBM · 10-18-2007, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonnie_bby

How different is the handling?

your 16" tires have a thicker side wall than your 17", and may be thinner as well, which will give you more traction on the snow. I used 16" and 17" on my car before so I can tell the difference.

europrince · 10-23-2007, 12:04 AM

you'll do just fine with the 17s. you can buy a cheap set and save on buying a set of rims if you went with the 16s.

Bogart · 10-23-2007, 01:23 PM

Go with 16's, buy BMW OEM steel wheels keeps the snow from piling up inside the wheel. For tires you will cusion in the winter go with 205/55/16 tires, that should do the trick. This will work if your car is 325, if it is a 330 then 17's will be required.

Just my opinion

BO

**T.Dot_E30** · 10-23-2007, 01:28 PM

There is a bit of a jump in tire prices from 16'' to 17''.

I'd sell the 17s, look for some 16'' rims and pickup a nice set of winter tires.

punnzzells · 10-23-2007, 03:11 PM

park yuor car and get a good beater...

bonnie_bby · 10-23-2007, 04:10 PM

OK from my research and some of your suggestion, I think I'll sell my 17s. I'll post it here later when I have time.

But my next question is, what winter tire is good for my car? I searched around the forum, lot of opinions, but anyone has same car and 16s and like the winters they have? I don't know how much I should spend on this, may be depends how much I can get for my 17s.

Sneaky · 10-23-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonnie_bby

OK from my research and some of your suggestion, I think I'll sell my 17s. I'll post it here later when I have time.

But my next question is, what winter tire is good for my car? I searched around the forum, lot of opinions, but anyone has same car and 16s and like the winters they have? I don't know how much I should spend on this, may be depends how much I can get for my 17s.

What do ur 17s look like, maybe we can do a treade.. I have some 16 inch stockies.

bonnie_bby · 10-24-2007, 10:48 AM

They are 5 spokes, silver.... I'll post it at the for sale section today may be. Are you selling your 16 rims only? I want to buy brand new tires for winters. Thanks

bonnie_bby · 11-07-2007, 03:28 PM

I've posted the 17" rims at the for sale section.... still open to opinion, in case I cannot sell my 17", I would love to know what winter tires is good for me. I do lot of local driving...

racingBM · 11-08-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonnie_bby

I've posted the 17" rims at the for sale section.... still open to opinion, in case I cannot sell my 17", I would love to know what winter tires is good for me. I do lot of local driving...

check out the other post on the same forum:

Click here

some nice discussions about winter tires there.