BMW Wheels

Regardless of how much they're liked or disliked, run-flat tires are here to stay. Are you a BMW or MINI driver who loves his or her car and has decided to stay with run-flats? Then you need to take advantage of the specials currently on the 225/45R17 size for your E90 BMW and 205/45R17 for your MINI Cooper S.

The 225/45R17 Michelin Primacy MXM4 ZP is marked down from $200 to $129*. If you're already looking for a summer tire, consider the 205/45R17 Pirelli P Zero Run Flat which is now listed for $131*.

225/45R17 Michelin Primacy MXM4 ZP

205/45R17 Pirelli P Zero Run Flat

Not only are you getting a great deal, you're also getting some awesome tires. The non-run-flat version of the Michelin Primacy MXM4 delivers a great combination of wet grip, steering response and low tread noise for its class. Pirelli P Zero Run Flat's crisp steering response and high grip level make it a good choice for a spirited Mini Cooper S driver. Derived from 100 years of motorsport experience, this Max Performance Summer tire offers a great combination of wet and dry traction with the convenience of temporary extended mobility in the event of complete air pressure loss.

It's also possible to change from run-flat tires to non-run-flat options. These conventional tires will fit your Original Equipment wheels with your driveline, suspension and traction working as normal. To find the best tire option for your BMW or MINI Cooper S, shop by vehicle.  

*Limited stock, prices subject to change

The BMW X5 is a sleek, sophisticated and high-powered SUV, which meets today's needs of sports car like performance with truck like versatility and cargo space. With the optional Sports Package, the BMW X5 boosts large 20" staggered wheels and run-flat tires. While the package offers a more aggressive stance with wider tires than the standard X5, it also complicates tire shopping when looking for a tire that can perform in all seasons. The 275/40R20 front and 315/35R20 rear tires equipped on the BMW X5 offers a pretty slim selection of all-season tires.

Unbeknownst to many BMW X5 owners, most of these SUVs have been equipped with high performance summer tires. These tires are designed for temperatures above 45 degrees Fahrenheit and do not provide traction in the snow or on ice. If you decide to stay with run-flat tires, the only current option is to use a dedicated set of summer tires in the summer, spring and fall and a dedicated set of winter / snow tires during the winter months.

Continental ExtremeContact DWS

Continental ExtremeContact DWS

However, if you've done your research and want a non-run-flat tire, there's an all-season option to consider, Continental's ExtremeContact DWS. I have had many customers opt out of a run-flat tire for this Ultra High Performance All-Season tire with great results. The ExtremeContact DWS will maintain the high level of performance feel you're used to while adding the ability to use the same tire all year long. Keep in mind there are some drawbacks to switching to a non-run-flat tire and you can find those details by reading "Do I Need to Put Run-Flat Winter Tires On My BMW".

Search by vehicle to see if the Continental ExtremeContact DWS is available for your car.

Have you always admired the look of center lock wheels? The clean design born from racing heritage has only been featured on ultra high-end sports cars. O.Z. Racing now offers the Formula HLT wheel, which provides the center lock look without the need for a center lock equipped vehicle.

O.Z. Racing Formula HLT

O.Z. Racing Formula HLT

Even if the center lock look isn't what you're after, the wheel comes packaged with two center cap options. In addition to the center lock cover plate, O.Z. Racing includes a center cap with their logo which exposes the vehicle's lug pattern.

The Formula HLT is made using O.Z. Racing's High Light Technology (HLT) which according to them is: "The direct result of experience of supply to both F1 from which O.Z. has developed an inimitable knowledge resource at the pinnacle of competitive motorsport. The HLT exclusive manufacturing process achieves mechanical features comparable to those of a forged wheel both in terms of weight reduction and structural strength." During the manufacturing process, rollers are used to compress and elongate the material along with the barrel of a low-pressure cast aluminum wheel to obtain the desired profile. This process, which is directly derived from O.Z.'s experience in F1, produces the Formula HLT to be extremely light and strong.

O.Z. Racing's Formula HLT is offered for a wide array of vehicles including Porsche, BMW and Audi. Currently available in a matte grey finish, the wheel is available in the following sizes:

• 17"
• 18"
• 19"

To see if the O.Z. Racing Formula HLT wheel is available for your vehicle, visit our Upgrade Garage.

Having a lower price point than many winter / snow tires, some customers question the effectiveness of the General AltiMAX Arctic. This tire is perhaps not as soft as certain Studless Ice & Snow tires like the Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 or Michelin X-Ice Xi3, and it may give up a small amount of ice traction. However, this Studdable Winter / Snow tire has proven quite effective for multiple seasons and continues to get strong reviews by consumers.

As a studdable tire, the AltiMAX Arctic can be sold with studs to further increase traction in the most severe winter conditions. While studded tires are certainly not for everyone and have some negative features, such as reduced dry road handling and increased road noise, the ability to add studs is optional and available for those who desire. It's also important to check with local law enforcement officials to see if studded tires are allowed in your area. To learn more about how studded tires may or may not be right for you this winter, read "Studded Tires for Winter Driving."

As mentioned earlier, customers have been giving the General AltiMAX Arctic great reviews. Take a look at what some of them are saying about their experience with this tire:

"This tire is the best I've ever used in 45 years of driving in Vermont winters!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2013 Volkswagen Jetta S

"Awesome snow tire. Not only was it one of the cheaper tires in my size, but one of the best reviewed - and I can see why. My rear-wheel drive BMW got around our 6", one-day snow accumulation as good as any of the 4WD trucks I've had in the past. It is a beast of a tire in the snow, and still very quiet on the highway. If this tire can get a BMW through a North Dakota winter, I'd be confident using it anywhere!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2004 BMW 330CI Performance Package

"Fantastic winter tire at a great value price. Ride and noise are good to very good. Ride and cornering are amazing being better than the factory standard tire on this vehicle. Snow traction is good in all conditions and really snow plows through deeper conditions. Ice performance is very good. I have purchased this tire for two vehicles to date and recommend it to my friends as an affordable option for a great winter tire." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2012 Nissan Altima Sedan

To see if the General AltiMAX Arctic tire is right for your application this winter, shop by vehicle.

Every year I am asked by BMW drivers with factory installed run-flat tires if they need to stay with a run-flat option when it comes to purchasing winter / snow tires. There is no stipulation or rule that requires run-flat tires to be reinstalled as the dedicated winter tire choice, however there are some drawbacks you should be aware of before making the switch.

The BMW can make the switch to non-run-flat tires, however, in most cases the vehicle did not come with a spare tire. If you were to decide to make the switch to non-run-flat winter tires, a road hazard would leave you stranded on the side of the road without a spare to put on the car. However, a solutions to this issue is to purchase the Continental ContiComfortKit. The kit is capable of comfortably sealing typical tire punctures making it possible for you to complete the drive home, to work or a tire repair facility. It combines a powerful, high-volume, 12-volt air compressor, integral pressure gauge and a latex liquid tire sealant packaged in a compact, lightweight unit that's easy to store in a vehicle.

Features and Benefits of the Continental ContiComfortKit:

• Braided air hose
• Threaded hose end (more secure than push-on, thumb-lock inflation head)
• 15-foot power cord
• Lighted pressure gauge
• Low-intensity LED supplemental work light

Continental ContiComfortKit

Road Hazard

Another option worth considering is purchasing a full-size matching spare tire and wheel. Going this route essentially creates a set of five tires that will last longer than just four. The spare should be integrated into the vehicle's tire rotation from the beginning, as this will "wear out" the spare tire before it "ages out."

The choice to switch to non-run-flat tires for the winter boils down to your comfort level. If having a tire failure and being on the side of the road until road side service arrives or changing a spare on a busy highway are things you could never cope with, then staying with run-flats is probably best for you. If you're confident changing a spare tire in only a matter of minutes or waiting for road side service is not a big deal, then you may be someone who could easily make the switch to a non-run-flat winter tire.

To view all available winter options for your BMW, shop by vehicle.

The Competition Package (ZCP) for the BMW M3 includes 19" wheels that are a half-inch wider than the standard options. We commonly recommend 235/35R19 on the front and 255/35R19 on the rear for a typical M3 Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package, but those sizes will give a stretched look on the ZCP wheels. While the 9" and 10" wide wheels are technically within the recommended range for these tire sizes, winter tires tend to run slightly narrow, and the net result is a tire that looks like it's stretched to fit the wheel. 

A better solution when using ZCP wheels for winter driving is the combination of 255/35R19 front and 275/35R19 rear tires. While the wider sizes are generally not preferred for deep snow use, they're the better choice for this particular wheel application. Bridgestone's Blizzak LM-60 is offered in these size configurations for the 2012-13 winter season. If you need narrower tires for more severe snow and ice conditions, an 18" Winter Tire & Wheel Package would be the recommended size.

See what customers are saying about their experience with the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 to help you in your search for a winter tire:

"Totally impressed with the ice and snow traction from these Blizzaks. Being a rear-wheel drive car, they really hook up and get me going. Deep snow or ice-covered roads are no problem for these. Good job, Bridgestone!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS500

"I have had these tires for about two months and I can say that they perform very well in winter conditions. Being a powerful car (2002 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe), these tires have never come close to slipping when starting and stopping on ice. I fully endorse and recommend these tires to anybody with a smaller, AWD sports car." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2002 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe

"This is the premier winter tire, and for good reason. Never again will I go another Wisconsin winter without a set of these. It's literally a night and day difference when driving on this tire in the snow, slush and ice. We recently experienced one of the worst snow storms here in Southeast Wisconsin - part of my area got hit with more than 20" of snow in less than a day. Even in the unplowed driveways and side streets, I was able to get to work the next day with no problems!' -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2007 Volkswagen GTI

"These tires shined in the Chicago Blizzard in early 2011. When most people were sitting and spinning, I was confidently driving forward." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2004 Infiniti G35 Coupe Performance Wheel Package

Create a Winter/ Snow Tire & Wheel Package that's right for your application.

For many enthusiasts, their car is not only a means of transportation but also a source of recreation, too. With vehicles that see double duty as a daily driver and track car, many find that a separate set of track-only wheels and tires are a great luxury to have. Sticky track tires can greatly improve handling, however they can wear quickly to the point they aren't an option for daily use. This causes many drivers to have a second set they can install separately for each dedicated use. For best results, a track wheel needs to be lightweight and strong. And if you're looking to combine these characteristics at a great price, consider the line of wheels from TRMotorsports.

Ranging from vehicles such as older BMWs to the Mazda Miata, TRMotorsports wheels reflect form and function by using race-inspired styles with a focus on maintaining minimum mass to obtain the required strength. Many of their wheels are vehicle specific.

The C1M is a 4x100 bolt pattern wheel intended for the Mazda Miata and features a lower offset than a factory wheel to allow for larger brake calipers. More importantly, this allows for the wheel and tire to be moved out to the very edge of the body for better handling. This lower offset does require that the fenders be modified to avoid rubbing, so they aren't considered to be very street car friendly. 

MT1 wheels are primarily offered in a 4x120 bolt pattern aimed at BMW E46 (3 Series) applications. They run much wider than factory wheels to allow for a wider tire option. The ultra wide tire on the vehicle's front can affect directional stability, therefore they are also not considered to be appropriate for street car use.   

TRMotorSports' F1 is a Lotus Elise and Exige specific wheel that mirrors the 16" diameter front and 17" diameter rear wheel sizes used as Original Equipment with similar offsets. F1 wheels are also unique because they accept the O.E. Lotus center cap to give that factory look.

TRMotorSports C1M

TRMotorSports MT1

TRMotorSports F1

TRMotorsports wheels are also available for many Subaru, Audi and Mitsubishi applications, so be sure to shop by vehicle to see which option is a match for your car.

In order to purchase the correct winter / snow tire, you should decide which performance category works best for your driving style and the winter weather you experience. The three major categories are: Studless Ice & Snow, Studdable Winter / Snow and Performance Winter / Snow.

Studless Ice & Snow tires give you optimum ice and packed snow grip, but are less responsive on dry roads. The tires trade a little handling for excellent ice and snow traction. On the dry roads, your vehicle will not respond as crisply or quickly to steering inputs.

Studdable Winter / Snow tires can be run studded or unstudded. When studded, they'll give comparable ice and packed snow grip but will be less responsive on dry roads. When unstudded, they'll perform well in moderate and deep snow. It's important to note that the use of studded tires may be prohibited or restricted in your area, be sure to check with local authorities to confirm legality.

Performance Winter / Snow tires will exhibit the above dry-road deficiencies to a much lesser degree. If your vehicle came with summer performance tires, the Performance Winter / Snow tires will be more comparable in steering response, acceleration, grip, braking and cornering grip. They'll give up some ice and packed snow grip. Tires in this category will wear slightly better compared to Studless Ice & Snow tires, especially during the early and late winter days when temperatures are a little warmer. All snow tires will have more tread noise and this will vary from tire to tire. Performance Winter / Snow tires do tend to be quieter than the other performance categories.

Studless Ice & Snow tires tend to be available in higher profile sizes and include the following:

• Bridgestone Blizzak WS70
• Michelin X-Ice Xi3
• Continental ExtremeWinterContact
• Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT
• Dunlop Graspic DS-3

If you go with a Studless Ice and Snow tire, you should consider going with a narrower tire as it cuts through deeper snow better. This is especially true for a lighter car like the MINI Cooper.

Looking for the traditional security of winter tire studs for enhanced traction on ice? Consider the following Studdable Winter / Snow options:

• General AltiMAX Arctic
• Firestone Winterforce

The AltiMAX Arctic is slightly better on ice and packed snow and quieter than the the Winterforce. Winterforce tires will provide more effectiveness in deeper snow.

Available in lower profile sizes, the following Performance Winter / Snow tires are worth a look:

• Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D
• Pirelli Winter Snowsport
• Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4
• Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60

Is a Studless Ice & Snow, Studdable Winter / Snow or a Performance Winter / Snow tire right for your vehicle? It depends on your car, where you live, how you drive on dry roads and how you want to balance the above compromises.

For example, my brother lives in Marion, Indiana, which is about an hour northeast of Indianapolis. He got the Blizzak WS60 Studless Ice & Snow in 235/40R18 on Sport Edition A7 wheels for his 2008 BMW M3. He chose this tire because central Indiana is more apt to get ice storms and there's the potential for heavier snow that wouldn't be quickly cleared from the country roads between his offices. He's willing to drive slower on dry roads.

Compare my brother's driving situation with another driver from Louisville with the same car but a heavier foot, he would be better served with the Performance Winter / Snow Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tires in 235/40R18 front and 255/40R18 rear. Louisville's milder weather allows him to emphasize dry road performance, but still have emergency snow capability.

Let it snow.