Convertible Winter Issues.

PuShAkOv · Aug 23, 2003

What is a good price for basic 16" Rims with Winter-Only tires on them? I currently have 17" sports and I do not feel like crashing when a snow flake hits the road. I want to start searching now to grab a good deal on eBay or somewhere... but I know nothing about the costs... you know,.. don't want to pay too much.

Also, I was thinking of getting a hard top... but I decided that it would cut down on car's performance, waste an extra $2500, and be more expensive than replacing a soft top cloth after several years.... am I wrong?

Thanks. [thumb]

frolf · Aug 23, 2003

did you check tirerack.com?

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compa...=WR&speed_rating=YR&speed_rating=ZR&x=10&y=14

the Blizzak LM-22's are really really nice tires. 135 for 225/50-16's. Now for wheels do whatever, but get the most narrow wheels/tires you can. you want your snows to cut through the snow, not glide on top. so just find some cheep 16's that will fit.

flashinthepan · Aug 23, 2003

Push-

I too, am looking at the hartop for winter use, I personally wont be driving real hard in the bad weather anyways - so the weight wont really be an issue for me, and the hardtop is far nicer looking than the rag-top...IMO.

I see BMW wheels on Ebay pretty regularly.

If you find a good deal on a hardtop, let me know too !!

PuShAkOv · Aug 23, 2003

flashinthepan said:

Like the soft-top look much better than hard top. Any stats on how damaging snow is to soft top? [paranoid]

BadAssBimmer · Aug 23, 2003

I've had three convertibles and I have never had any serious problems. If it snows a lot just make sure you go out and get the snow off the top as soon as you can. Even if you can't move the car for three days, make sure you brush off the snow.

sweetbimmer2000 · Aug 23, 2003

16" Steel Wheels...

http://www.tirerack.com/snow/SnowSelectWheelSize.jsp?autoMake=BMW&autoModel=323Ci&autoYear=2000

I found these steel wheels in 16s and with Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50
205/55QR16 it doesn't seem like a bad deal. I'm in the market myself and this was what a co-worker recommended.

Frolf, are these tires much different than the ones you were mentioning?

Of course, this would be the cheapest way of doing it and now that I look around more, I would probably buy some cheap 16s instead...

PuShAkOv · Aug 23, 2003

BadAssBimmer said:

Thats what I did the second half of this winter when I got my car. I loved brushing snow off it... kinda gave me a one-on-one time with my car.... will do just that next winter!

frolf · Aug 23, 2003

not much difference at all. i think the LM's are offered in wider sizes, and have a higher speed rating. I personally use the WS Blizzaks, and they work really really well.

sweetbimmer2000 · Aug 23, 2003

Do you use them on designer brand wheels in 16s? Have you heard anything about steel wheels? They're just not nice looking I guess, but I just want to get through the winter safely.

Also, I am trying to save up for some really nice 19s which is more the reason why I don't want to spend much for winter spares....no what I mean? However, if the price difference is minimal to get some used 16s, then why not, right??

BadAssBimmer · Aug 23, 2003

PuShAkOv said:

I am not a fan of hardtops, so I just take really good care of my convertible tops. Last year we had blizzards here, so I'd be out there in huge snowdrifts, brushing off my baby!

I need a garage.

PuShAkOv · Aug 23, 2003

Our garage is very narrow... I do not park there since people could leave dints in my car when walking buy. Need a wider garage [V]

.

flashinthepan · Aug 23, 2003

How quiet are the softtops on your 330's ??...I could be satisfied saving the $$2500, if I can hear the person next to me at freeway speeds.

Fairly quiet ???

PuShAkOv · Aug 23, 2003

flashinthepan said:

Top and windows closed at highway speeds its very quite.

BadAssBimmer · Aug 23, 2003

flashinthepan said:

The only tops that are bad are on older cars. Most newer cars are insulated on the inside of the soft top. My first car was a 92 Mustang convertible and all I could hear at highway speeds was my car (we all know how loud Mustangs can be). Since having newer convertibles I've noticed the difference. Obviously you can hear more noise than in a coupe, but you can definitely hear the person next to you.

frolf · Aug 24, 2003

sweetbimmer2000 said:

right now i only have one set of wheels, those are the wheels in my sig. i have snow tires mounted in the winter. However, come this winter i'm going to leave the snow tires on, and probably get some breytons for the summer.

Tigas Bud · Aug 24, 2003

Geez, forget the tires, hardtop, and wheels and get a AWD car. Think how happy you'll be in the spring when you get the Convertible out of storage and can drive it until the next fall. Your rides will last through many more years if you put them in storage.

PuShAkOv · Aug 24, 2003

Tigas Bud said:

Based on your avatar ... your convertible lasted through many generations [rofl]

.

bahnstormer · Aug 24, 2003

its a very good idea to go with snow tires b/c many people don't realize
that thier high performance rubber stop sticking below 40degF. why do u think
race car drivers and dragracers warm thier tires up so much? for better stick of
course. also go ahead and throw two 50lb bags of sand in your trunk push,
that'll help a lot.

personally i'd go for the hard top. but then again 2500 is a lot...do they make
something u can treat the top with to protect it from moisture? i'm sure they
do.... [^]

PuShAkOv · Aug 24, 2003

bahnstormer said:

Yes. I use it 2 times a year. Just spary it on.. let it dry.. and all water beads down..very good for conv. tops.

akbmw · Aug 26, 2003

what do you use on the top? I hadn't heard of any sprays.

Convertible Winter Issues.

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