Hey guys. I recently put in an order for a JCW Coupe. I should be getting delivery of the car close to the beginning of winter and am concerned by the fact that the JCWs only come with high performance summer tires. I live in VA, so the weather isn't that extreme, but we do occasionally get some heavy winters. I was wondering how the Coupe handles in the snow and if anyone suggests switching to all-seasons or getting a set of winter tires. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

On my JCW went with 205/50/R17 Altimax Arctic studded (for New England) from TireRack. Just barely fit size within wheel well. Would claw up the side of a building.

Guaranteed us no snow last winter by mounting them.

 

quick couple of questions...if i just change the tires...do i need new tpms? also it seems my original size, 205/45/17 is expensive, but the 215 size is more affordable...any problems fiting those on the original wheels? thanks,

 

I took delivery of Broadspeed back in March, and we had a nasty winter storm a few days later. She didn't even get out of the driveway because the tires were absolute crap (Bridgestone Potenza RE050A RFTs). Don't even hesitate to get winter wheels and tires for your Coupé if you intend on driving it in the winter.

I would strongly recommend getting another set of wheels, as well. It will save the tire beads from being destroyed prematurely from the endless mounting and dismounting every six months, and the tires will last infinitely longer in the end. It also lets you swap the wheels over whenever you like, if you have a garage.

Personally, I've bought a set of cheap 16" wheels, and a set of 195/55R16 Michelin X-Ice Xi3s. Just make sure you get the proper centring rings for the wheels, and the correct lug bolts if the factory ones don't fit in the wheel bolt holes. And, perhaps a tire inflator kit to keep in the boot - just in case a tire loses air and you don't have a spare!

 

I corrected the size for my winter tires: 205/50/17. They are mounted on extra set of wheels, and yes I added studs and TPMS to each tire that I purchased from Tire Rack.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....e&autoModClar=

 

I still have my Winter Wheels from my '02 MCS, but the dealer told me they won't fit on my JCWCoupe because of the front brake calipers. I am considering either getting spacers to make them fit or getting another set of wheels.

 

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No doubt get new tires. If u can afford it new wheels. Motegi makes some nice wheels for that car that don't cost an arm and leg. Tire Rack has the Motegi wheels. I use continental all weather non run flat tires. Seattle is mostly rain and they work great.

 

Will bmw 1 series rims work with JCW Coupe?

 

Where you live, take a look at the Conti DWS. I just put a set on my JCW Roadster. You can use TireRack as a great source for research/purchase.


-Steven

 

my cms all4 has 225/45-18 pirelli p7 summer run-flats, they stick like glue and are great in the wet ... during warm weather

a couple of days ago it was 29F, dry and sun shining, as i motored out ... 2 blocks to the intersection with the 4 lane divided highway, my first experience with the summer rubber in the cold

i pulled out to make my normal left turn, not getting on it because the engine was cold, and ended up making a beautiful 4 wheel drift thru the intersection into the right hand lane ... i was aiming for the left lane

summer tires are outright dangerous in the cold!

winter tires going on very soon

scott

 

^ They are dangerous. When the temp gets around 40 degrees they become real slippery What will you run for winter?


-Steven

 

205/70R-16 Dunlop Grandtrek SJ winter tires from Alex @ tirerack
on R123 Alloy 5 Hole Circular Spoke Wheel 16" (5x120) Silver 16 X 6.5 ET:46 mini european oem cms wheels, p/n 36109803725, purchased from ECS Tuning

the tires are 27.3" OD, about as large as can fit the wheel well

i went with the oem wheels so i did not have to deal with adapter rings or guess on the correct ET

scott

 

Had these in 205 55 16 for 4 seasons here in NJ, never was stuck, they are excellent tires, due to lowering the car they do not fit, and they are not made in the 195 55 16 i Needed, so I picked up a set of Hankook Ipike W409s, I hope they are as good as the Altimax Arctic I had.

 

Excellent tires. Same ones I use on both of our cars.

 

Good to hear, I've already been really impressed with them in both wet/dry conditions...also at mid 30 degree weather. Have you had a chance to use them in light snow yet?

-Steven

 

Yes I have. Very good response and never got stuck at all. But with FWD cars it's pretty hard to get stuck. I highly reccomend them. We use the non run falt version. Better ride and much less expensive than the RF.

 

Thanks Pat


-Steven

 

We've already got about 6" of snow where I live, and I'm running around with my Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tires. I honestly can't believe the amount of grip these tires give me in the snow and ice! I definitely take it easy during the winter, but I have tested it out once or twice, and acceleration, cornering, and braking on ice with these tires are phenomenal. Even with freezing rain, these things just find grip from nowhere. I'm passing 4WD trucks on the highway all the time, and I have yet to have any issues with sliding or getting stuck.

 

Damn, work has been hell lately and I've really neglected this post. Thanks for all the responses, some really good advice. I think I'm leaning heavily toward getting a dedicated set of winter wheels. The asked my dealer for a quote for winter tires + wheels and they came back with $2500 . Anyone have recommendations for wheels that will fit over the JCW breaks? I saw that Pat suggested Motegi, but wanted to see if anyone else had experience with any other cheap aftermarket wheels. I don't really need anything fancy, just ones that are decent quality and will last. Thanks!

 

Sitrep: Drove Broadspeed home in a blizzard (not exaggerating - they're classifying it as such) tonight, doing no more than 60kph on the highway, and she was able to handle the 6"+ snow that fell this afternoon without any issue at all. Not once did I fear getting stuck, even while ploughing snow with the nose. I don't think I can recommend the Xi3s more than I have already done!