Winter tires - narrow fronts better than wider?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 336
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
2002 BMW M5, 1992 AWD DSM, 1988 Yamaha FZR1000
Winter tires - narrow fronts better than wider?
I've been reading that narrower tires are better in snow conditions, so I'm contemplating running narrower fronts (225/40/18 or 235/40/18).
Do you see any issues with this? From what I've read, 225/40/18 is the narrowest you can go to still fit it on an 18x8.5" wheel.
What do you think?
Do you see any issues with this? From what I've read, 225/40/18 is the narrowest you can go to still fit it on an 18x8.5" wheel.
What do you think?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,762
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From: Queens, NY
04 w211 E55
An e55 with any tires + snow = fail
Narrower is better for the winter of course but if you don't see much snow then throw on some winter tires and you will be fine. I remember a while back I had some hankook icebears and they were ok but never tried in the snow. I have michelin pilot spot a/s plus all around now and they are real good tires.
Narrower is better for the winter of course but if you don't see much snow then throw on some winter tires and you will be fine. I remember a while back I had some hankook icebears and they were ok but never tried in the snow. I have michelin pilot spot a/s plus all around now and they are real good tires.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
2002 BMW M5, 1992 AWD DSM, 1988 Yamaha FZR1000
I'm thinking about going 235/40/18. Would there be any issue with fitment?
Tirerack is out of Blizzaks until the end of November, so I'm thinking about running Michelin Pilot Alpins on the front (235/40/18 on 18x8.5 wheels) and my already-purchased Blizzak LM-25s on the rear (265/35/18 on 18x9.5 wheels).
Sound good? Is it okay to mix? I know the Pilot Alpins are fantastic tires, I drove with them for 2 winters with my 01 BMW 330i (RWD) in a MUCH snowier area than I live in now, and they did better than my friend's AWD SUVs with all-seasons.
Tirerack is out of Blizzaks until the end of November, so I'm thinking about running Michelin Pilot Alpins on the front (235/40/18 on 18x8.5 wheels) and my already-purchased Blizzak LM-25s on the rear (265/35/18 on 18x9.5 wheels).
Sound good? Is it okay to mix? I know the Pilot Alpins are fantastic tires, I drove with them for 2 winters with my 01 BMW 330i (RWD) in a MUCH snowier area than I live in now, and they did better than my friend's AWD SUVs with all-seasons.
