Too bad, you are going to get them, and they will be a lot better than you
think. We are in the late 2nd or early 3ed generation of run flat
technology, and they are way way better than before. Much better ride
quality anyway. Get a second set of wheels and put snow tires on them, and
feel free to ditch the runflats and get some real performance rubber for the
summer. All season tires do nothing well. Not very good in the wet, snow, or
rain...


As with my M3, (has it been 11 years since I bought it???) there are some
16" wheels that will fit. (not that the M has ever been driven in the snow.
That's why I have an Audi A6 wagon) I have real snow tires on the stock Audi
rims, and I got another set of wheels (17") for mounting Hi performance
summer tires.


"Mike Mayer" > wrote in message
...
> The new '06 330xi comes with 225/45R 17" run flats. I don't want them.
>
> That tire by the way, is a 25" outside diameter tire.
>
> I would rather go with something more conventional for the rough NE Ohio
> winters - wider sidewall aspect to absorb the rougher roads is a good
> start, and even the Bimmer website mentions this warning:
>
> "Due to low-profile tires, please note: wheels, tires and suspension parts
> are more susceptible to road hazard and consequential damage. Performance
> tires are not recommended for driving in snow and ice."
>
> So, where does that leave us who live in wintry climates half the year?
>
> Thinking along the lines of (don't laugh - I have my reasons :-) ), the
> Goodyear Asssurance Triple Tread, which the closest size fitment is the
> 225/50, but on a 16" rim (they don't make the 225/45 17" in that
> particular tire). A 225/50R 16 tire has a 24.9" outside diameter
> (identical outside diameter as you get with the 205/55R 16 on the 325xi).
> So, the difference in tire dia to the 25" dia with the 225/45R 17" on the
> 330xi is of no appreciable consequence.
>
> However....
>
> Question #1 is whether or not a 16" rim will even fit a 330xi (you get 16"
> on the 325xi). The difference is in brake rotor diameter between the
> 325ix (11.8"), and the 330xi (13.0" front /13.2" rear), so I don't know
> if I can even put a 16" on that 330xi.
>
> But still, if the 330xi WILL take a 16" rim, that puts me closer to where
> I want to be, and leads to my next...
>
> ...Question #2: What to do about the spare for four conventional tires?
> Went to BMW and looked at that plastic tub bolted into the bottom of the
> trunk on the 330xi. Obviously that won't hold a tire (not even a space
> saver), so I am curious if one were to REMOVE that tub, if I'd be looking
> at the original tire well. It appears from looking at it, that this tub
> occupies a nominally large space underneath, but whether enough to fit a
> spare, I don't know. I didn't think to look from underneath the car -
> that would have revealed more.
>
> It would seem to me there would be people who might get tired of paying
> all that dough for runflats over the years (not to mention their
> questionably tougher ride), and want to switch over to conventional tires.
> Or go with regular tires to start with. BTW Goodyear does have a runflat
> (called RMT's) in the proper 225/45 R17 size, however it is not meant for
> the snow at all (shows a 2 out of 10 in snow performance). Might as well
> be driving on grease.
>
> Question #3 goes hand in hand with the spare tire - does the 330xi come
> with a jack? I did not see one, but I didn't poke around a whole lot
> either.
>
> I will understand if my tire question leads to raised eyebrows, but like I
> say, I do have my reasons (NE Ohio winters being one of them). The
> second reason is that I work for Goodyear and can get the very nice
> switch-to-Goodyear tires for free with a new vehicle. And to switch, I'd
> much rather switch to something more appropriate to the climate than the
> no-sno runflats GY already has, or that come with the vehicle (Conti?
> Bridgestone?).
>
> Another option is to go for 225/45 R17 winter tires on steel rims, and
> swap them each season (GY has them). Still, there is no runflat winter
> tire, so I'm still back to my spare tire & jack issue in that scenario.
>
> Oddly, all the reviews I've read (dozens) do not mention this apparent
> quirk in tire offerings. I see it as a bit of a shortcoming for those who
> just don't want the runflats. BMW SHOULD have offered them as a "delete
> option", or made them an extra option, like the dreaded iDrive w/nav
> system.
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice and guidance.
>
> Mike
>
>