Wheel question - no consistent anwer. - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Noka · 21st December 2001, 06:28

Looking for winter wheels. You know, owner's manual says 8" wheel with 235/45-17 tires. The 2001/2002 BMW wheel catalog lists every E39 wheel with text "EXCEPT M5". The only wheel listed to fit the M5 is the stock 18" wheel (M-parallel spoke II style 65 - chrome shadow). The dealer couldn't answer the question. Anybody have the 'correct' answer about what BMW wheel(s) will be a perfect, stock fit?

Rgds,
Norm

Bart Carter · 21st December 2001, 06:55

I am Sooooo glad I live in Las Vegas!

AndyMenard · 21st December 2001, 09:17

LOL!! Bart, I am with you man! Glad to live somewhere like Houston, where a severe cold snap is around 32 degrees and it snows once in about 15-20 years or so.

johnw · 21st December 2001, 16:01

norm,

call another dealer. my dealer (marenello) has two or three 17 inch wheels which are approved for the m5. i will try to get the name of the wheels for you. it surprises me that your dealer is not selling m5 winter packages.

rvacha · 21st December 2001, 17:05

These work, what ever they are. I really like the looks myself:

http://www.alltel.net/~rayvacha//Mis...ter_wheels.htm

Good Luck

MikefWA · 21st December 2001, 17:21

I stopped in a BMW dealer near Munich this fall and asked what they had for snow wheel/tire package for the M5. The parts manager stated:

235/45 17" 94h
Dunlop SP Winter Sport M2
17" Parallel 66 BMW wheel 8x17

3442 dm which is about $1700 bucks mounted and balanced.

Does that help?

2002 Sterling Grey
2000 Suburban (for towing and snow duty)
2001 VW Jetta tdi (commute and all around disposable car)

Noka · 22nd December 2001, 00:26

I'm going with the style 66 M-parallel wheels in size 8" x17". These are supposedly recommended by BMW according to two dealer parts guys. Looking for recommended 235/45-17 snows.

I'm down to following:

Pilot Alpin
Blizzak LM-22
Pirelli Snowsport 210

Anybody have experience with any of these or have comments? I'm looking for some dry road performance too because most of the time the roads are clean.

TIA,
Norm

b56tc · 22nd December 2001, 03:03

Best set of winter wheels:

late 80's pickup, high mileage; for about $2500

you will no longer worry about salt, sand, accidents, snow. You only drive it on days that you wouldn't be comfortable in the 5 anyway; still have the 5 for the rest of the days.
Sell it in the spring (or better yet, save it for next year)!

My winter wheels is an '86 Bronco.

always got .02, baby.

Noka · 22nd December 2001, 03:10

That's a thought. Actually, I have a "set of winter wheels" already ('90 VW Jetta w/214K mi). It runs great but you never know when those wheels may die. I may dump it and get a 4x4, not sure yet. However, when you have to take it out (M5 that is) and the winter wheels are dead (VW that is), it's nice to know there are another set of wheels to help (i.e. winter rubber on the M5 for 4-mo or so).

Thanks.
Norm

rvacha · 22nd December 2001, 06:57

You didn't mention them Noka, but the Dunlop Winter Sports are nice tires too, and they are wearing well for me. Since they do not have a hugely aggressive tread pattern, they are quiet on dry roads as well.