[Llarry]

The discussion in the TOTO winter wheel thread piqued my interest, and I investigated the potential options for an 18" wheel with winter tires. I think I have found one:

Four OE forged BMW style 824M 18 x 9.5 ET20 wheels (OE fronts); possibly with spacers (10mm or more?) on rear for appearance

Four winter tires as follows:
-- Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3 275/40R-18 103V XL MO1 (Mercedes application and only V-rated but, hey, it's winter!), or
-- Nokian Hakkapeliita R5 275/40R-18 103T XL (No doubt also designed to fit Mercedes something-or-other; only T-rated so no high-speed winter shenanigans for you!)
-- And both Pirelli and Nokian offer studded variations as well, which should cover all requirements short of Snowmeggedon! If that won't work, try an Arctic Cat.

I am personally not a big fan of Pirelli generally; I've never owned Hakkas but always heard good things about them for winter.

So there you have it -- now, anyone care to take the plunge?

[biglilsteve]

I briefly considered this as an option but the cost is prohibitively expensive for me. Much nicer wheels to be had for that price. The Hakka's are the only tire option here that aren't insanely priced.

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by biglilsteve

I briefly considered this as an option but the cost is prohibitively expensive for me. Much nicer wheels to be had for that price. The Hakka's are the only tire option here that aren't insanely priced.

The Pirellis are $523 each at Tire Rack. I'd call that insane pricing.

I should add a disclaimer to the original post: To my knowledge, nobody has test-fitted a front 18" 824M on the rear. I asked the local tire shop to do so in January when I switched to all-seasons; they forgot. Still, I find it hard to believe it would not fit.

[Tgrossi94]

Don't mean to steal the thread I'm looking at a 275/35/19 wintrac pro front and rear 275 /35/20 first questions is do you think the 275 /35 will fit fine in the rear? And if so should I bring the front up to a 275 /40 car is xdrive thanks !!!

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Tgrossi94

Don't mean to steal the thread I'm looking at a 275/35/19 wintrac pro front and rear 275 /35/20 first questions is do you think the 275 /35 will fit fine in the rear? And if so should I bring the front up to a 275 /40 car is xdrive thanks !!!

The overall diameter (or, to put it another way, the revs per mile) of front and rear tires on the G80 M3 are the same, or within about 1%. Your proposed fitment is not the same and will throw off your stability control and xdrive. Do not do it. I would suggest 275/35R-19 front and 285/30R-20 rear. I don't know about the availability of tires in your chosen tire in those sizes.

[jummo]

I'm running the Wintracs on a square set 19x 9.5 . Everything is going quite well. I don't care that the rear wheels are tucked in a bit as it probably minimizes how much debris get flung onto my rear quarters.
Sometimes function beats the hell out of form.Especially in winter when the car is hardly ever particularly clean.
The Wintracs are my first experience with Vredesteins but they seem like very good tires so far. Only a couple thousand miles, so not much data.

[Tgrossi94]

Awesome thanks for the input I totally agree!

[Tgrossi94]

And the front wheel should not be bigger/taller then the rear wheel?

[Llarry]

Originally Posted by Tgrossi94

And the front wheel should not be bigger/taller then the rear wheel?

It should not. Although we're really talking tires here rather than wheels when discussing overall diameter.

Basically, in terms of revs per mile:
18/19: 275/40R-18 = 285/35R-19 = same revs/mi
19/20: 275/35R-19 = 285/30R-20 = same revs/mi

And obviously a square setup will be the same revs/mi all-around, hence the 275/35R-19 winter setups many are running.

I haven't yet sold my OE 18/19 setup, so I *could* crouch down on my ice-cold garage floor anytime, remove a rear aftermarket wheel and try the 18" OE on the rear. But I'm too damn old and too damn cold to do it. Anyone want to volunteer their labor to help me do it? I didn't think so...

[Tgrossi94]

Thank you very much appreciate the help !!