We took delivery on our new 2013 CMSA4 earlier this week (BMW replaced our problematic 2012), and needed to replace the 18" summer tires with either all season or winter tires in this part of the country (still cannot understand why the factory does not offer all season 18" tires on an AWD car)

We decided to go with winter tires versus all seasons as we often travel to northern New England to ski, and we decided to try these as Consumer Reports rated them as excellent for both snow traction and ice braking, and we have always had good experiences with Michelin tires in general. I know there are Nokian and Blizzak fans here who are going to scream, and we did consider those.

We decided to go with non run flats because of the dramatic improvement in ride quality we experienced when we switched to them on our R53, and similar comments from other CM owners here. We went with the 225-50's because we thought that a slightly taller tire would help protect the wheels and look good in the wheel wells, and also because this tire is not made in 225 45 18 size.

Thus far we have driven them only on dry roads/ below freezing temps, and I'm surprised that they really don't feel that different from the Bridgestone run flat summer tires that came on the car. When we went to the non flats (Conti DWS's) on the R53, the difference was absolutely dramatic. Of course the R53 was a very different car, and had sport suspension. With run flats the ride was nothing short of BRUTAL.

I did immediately notice that the steering effort at parking lot speeds is noticeably reduced...maybe because the new tires are load range 99 versus 91 for the OEM tires?

We do think the slightly taller tires give the car a bit more of a rugged truck like look (see the attached photo), which we like.

The ride is unquestionably softer, but I'll bet many "average" drivers would not even notice without it being pointed out to them. But then again, unlike others, I never thought the ride of the Bridgestone run flats was that objectionable on either CM we've had. No doubt part of this is because neither CM has the sport suspension...we were afraid to order it after our R53 experience. Keep in mind that our other vehicles include an SLK55, a Porsche 911, and the former R53 and Lotus Elise, so we have plenty of experience with cars with stiff suspensions, and our point of view may be different than many others.

Some of the sharpness in the steering is gone, and we expected that. Again, my guess is that many "average" drivers would not notice. I can't really comment on handling yet as I have not pushed the car hard yet given that it's brand new.

Did we make the right decision? Hard to say at this early point. I sort of miss the stiffer ride and the sharper steering. But the primary reason we bought these tires was for maximum winter traction, and that is yet to be seen. I'm very eager to see how well this car does with these tires in winter conditions.

Pirelli does make 18 inch winter run flats, but we have had poor luck with Pirelli tires on several cars, especially with pothole damage (sidewall bubbles).

We bought the tires from Tire Rack, and the local tire shop that installed them cautioned us to buy sensor safe tire sealant only.

Just thought it would be useful to share our early experience for those who cannot run summer tires year round, and I'll report back after after we have more experience.

 

Great write up for the Countryman owner.

 

Excellent points. I noticed the same thing when I put my winter non RFTs on - not as much difference as I expected. I think run flats have actually improved over the years. Plus BMW did design the suspension to run them. I had some of the Bridgestone EL42 RFT tires on my GTI and it was a teefah jarring ride. Where I really notice the difference on the CM is going over a sharp bump, or going around a curve that's bumpy. It will actually hop with the RFTs.

 

nice to see the photo of the 225/50R18 tires as i plan to go to 225/50R18 michelin pilot super sports for my summer tires

for winters, i went with 205/70R16 dunlop grandtrek sj6 studless snow and ice tires on mini oem euro 16" wheels because i wanted the tallest sidewall for pothole and frost heave protection

225/45R18 on left, 205/70R16 on right




mounted on the cms all4


i wanted the michelin x-ice-xi3s in size 205/65R16, but they were not available yet (205/70R16 not available at all in xi3s), but the dunlops work so well and were only $91 ea less $40 rebate, i may get another set when these wear out

the cost of the super sports was the reason for the 225/50 ($185 ea) vs the 225/45 ($220 ea)

scott

 

I wonder if size 235/45/18 on stock 18inch wheels would fit?? I'm thinking to go wider for more grip. thanks!

 

looking at tirerack.com specs for the michelin pilot super sport tire, i note a couple things

1) tirerack measured the 235/45 tire with an 8" rim width, but calls 7.5"-9" acceptable vs the 225/45 measured with a 7.5" rim, 7"-8.5" acceptable
2) the 235/45 tread measures .6" wider, 8.6" vs 8"
3) the 235/45 section width is .4" wider, 9.3" vs 8.9"
4) OD of the 235/45 is 26.3" vs 25.9" for the 225/45

clearance to the struts could be a problem, as could clearance at full lock in front

the easiest way to check fit is to find a friendly tire shop, mount a 235/45R18 tire to one of your rims and test it on the car

if you want more grip, you can stay at the stock size and use a more aggressive tire than stock ... thats my plan, michelin pilot super sports

scott

 

I am virtually certain others here have reported using that size tire with no rubbing.

 

WoW! that's exactly what I'm thinking. Pilot super sports. 235/45/18.

thanks

 

I had the chance to push the Xice's very hard on a couple of off ramps last evening. The roads were dry and it was about 45°. I was very curious how badly they would handle given that Consumer Reports rated handling only fair.

I honestly could not discern any difference whatsoever versus the continental run flats that came on this car as well as our previous CM.

Unfortunately I still have not had the opportunity to test them in severe winter weather, which is of course the primary reason we bought them.

I also hit a whopper of a pothole on the way home… Welcome to New Jersey, especially after a long period of subfreezing temperatures. No apparent damage to the tire or wheel.

 

Forgot to mention that they are fairly quiet for a winter tire. They are noticeably noisier than the continental runflat summer tires were, but that is not really surprising, and the noise level is not objectionable at all. Consumer Reports rated these tires very good for noise.

 

I finally had the opportunity today to check out these tires in winter weather. I was very, very impressed with both traction as well as braking both on snow and ice.

These tires are better for winter driving versus the Pirelli Scorpions that we have on our X5. But it's probably not really a fair comparison as we have the optional 20 inch wheels on the X5 with big wide tires that tend to float in the snow. Considering that, actually the scorpions do quite well, But I don't think there's any question that these are better.

I pushed the CM rather hard when not in traffic and the all-wheel-drive and stability control both worked very nicely. This car is much more fun to drive in the snow versus any other SUV or crossover that I have driven in winter conditions, At least with these tires.

This storm is not going to bring us as much snow as the forecasters originally thought it might, so for now I am not going to be able to test the tires in really deep snow.