We went with Nokian Hakka R's in 205/50/17's. They are approx 3% smaller in diameter, but we simply didn't want to go wider than 205 just to get closer to same overall height.

They are pricey, I know a guy who gets me great deals on tires, etc...but list around $180ea at the other outlets. They will be the ONLY winter tire we will need for the car. Nokians wear exceptionally well, and maintain their excellent winter performance thru most all their tread depth.

I have gone 6 seasons on past Nokians, here in Central New York.

A great performing, damn good looking, and longer lasting snow tire you won't find.

My All4D is now on the OEM optional steel wheels with 16in Bridgestone Blizzak non-ROF winter tyres. It's still too warm to report performance though.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/1884327...7084/lightbox/

I went with Michelin X-Ice Xi2's in 225/50R17 on a 17x8 rim. These just fit-see second pic of the front barely clearing (45mm offset, 6.25 in backspacing)

does those tires say 225/50/r17?
just wondering, why so wide?

I don't mind going wider, I'll be putting on a set of 225/50/17 when she arrives. I have a wider tire on my wife Mercedes and it does just fine in snow and ice.

There's a theory that narrower is better to cut through snow.

Combination of time and inventory. I had a set of 215's ordered on 7.5" width rims but the rim sold out so I got my second rim choice which was 8" wide. I'm going away for a few weeks so I needed to break these in properly before the cold weather and snow starts falling.

Here's my setup - Pirelli W240 Sottozero Serie II in the OEM 18" size.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bentyyc/6358771505/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bentyyc/6358771459/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bentyyc/6358771379/

Nothing compares to Nokians, well worth the price.

Went with Blizzak 225/50 17 on aftermarket Moda wheels from Tire Rack and a slime kit. So far, so good.

I had these on my Clubman for two seasons, they weren't the best, I swapped them with Goodyear Ice Grippers which were a lot better, I have the Goodyears on my Countryman.

Hmmm! Interesting KiwiRob. I had Blizzak LM-25 RFTs on my Clubman for three winters, and so far (with only limited snow/ice time) I like these Sottozeros better than the Blizzaks...

What's you're definition of "better"?

"Better" is being able to get up my drive to the main road, on the Pirelli's it was often hit and miss, even when they were brand new, on the Goodyears it's never been a problem, even in much worse conditions which would have left me sranded with the Pirellis.

Thanks KiwiRob. I'll monitor the performance and report back. Like I said my reference point was a '08 Cooper S Clubman on 17" Blizzaks in the OEM size.

Thanks for clarifying.

NAProf, I have the same concern over the M12x1.5 lug bolts for those e46 rims I am thinking of buying. Can you let us know if they need to be drilled?

Thank,

Hey,
Sorry for not posting back sooner. I put the 16" wheels from a 2003 Z4 with Michelin X-Ice tires on as the winter set for my wife. I had no problems with the M14x1.25 wheel bolts fitting. The wheels have a center bore of 72.5 mm and the CMS's lip must be 72.6mm - not quite a perfect fit, but they went on fine with some pressure from the lug bolts. Just drove 7+ hours from Maryland to Massachusetts and got 32.8 mpg at 70+mph. Here are some pics. The gap on the front brakes is really small and the tire balance weights rubbed a bit at first.
Cheers,
Greg

#2 on the X-Ice, Stock 18" Wheels 215/45R18 . No problem in deep snow or ice. Nice tire at highway speeds as well.