I bought some new wheels and tires, opinions wanted.

[AA540]

Normally I would ask first then buy, but I did not want miss the auction time or have a lurker bid up my hidden jem on fleabay.

I picked up a set of Borbet type B with Perelli Winter 210 size 205/65/15. According to TireRack.com these are 18mm offset, they said I would need 4 hub rings to fit my 540i part num MFS72.56P at $3 each. Does this sound right and how are the Perelli's? I only hear people talking about Blizzacks or Artic Alpins.

Thanks
AA
95 540

[paul p (chi-town)]

I picked up a set of Borbet type B with Perelli Winter 210 size 205/65/15
Thanks
AA
95 540

Most likely those spacers are just to get the hub centric. The offset is fine, u can go lower than the 5er 20ish(?) but higher like 3er wheels at 40 somethin require tons of adjustment. I had Borbets w/ 235/45-17s and had no rub issues at all. They bent early and often but other than that no problems. I even have BMWised center caps if interested.

As for the tires if they are assymetric and HR rated i have the same tires in the 225/60-15 on the 530T&A. I would consider them more a snow biased all-season than a true winter tire. U are better off with the narrower tread tho. Compared to the QR rated Yoko K2s on the 3er i think they give up some ultimate snow/ice capability for the 30mph of headroom. Different cars, sure, but it’s more a grapefruits & oranges comparison than apples &....
Pirelli does call em ‘Snow Sports’, no?
They are by no means bad and offer decent control. A little more finesse is needed to keep the back end in check when trying to put power down. The ASC+T is soooo sensitive and intrusive that i feel safer with it off.
Seriously.
If at least one wheel is providing traction i could care less what the other one is doing. Then at least u can pull off of slick side streets onto arterials w/o the ASC slowing u to a crawl. If the extra wiggle or two from the rear end gives pause to the other drivers, all the better. I will keep these tires for winter use till they are done but then go for a set of 205/65 QR compounds. In metro areas with decent removal/salt (chicago is great at that at least) they would be more than adequate, but my werk is out in the burbs. And runs up to WI or further to visit friends and/or ski resorts are common.

The 3er w/ a stick and narrow QRs is an absolute joy in the snow. I’ve been lucky enough to trip over unplowed pavement at times and had a ball playing with different cornering attitudes. Getting the car just short of sideways yet still being in complete control is such a pleasure.

If yer car is stick and u have any level of RWD snow driving experience u will be just fine. If the car is auto, find some fresh powder, turn off the ASC and get some practice.
Just don’t forget that 95%+ of the other drivers out there are worse off than u. Have some patience w/ them.


93 SE-R---94 530iT&A---92 325i….”Hang up & Drive!”
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