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Snows for 45-Series radials

Can you go narrower without going Minus1 or Minus2 (in other words are the
tires available)? Just make sure you don't change the rolling radius more than 
3% or it'll screw up the ABS and the computer. Here's some ideas: 
(see http://www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi to try some other combinations)

235/45-17 

    Sidewall: 4.2 in 
    Radius: 12.7 in 
    Diameter: 25.3 in 
    Circumference: 79.6 in 
    Revolutions per mile: 796 

225/45-17 

    Sidewall: 4.0 in 
    Radius: 12.5 in 
    Diameter: 25.0 in 
    Circumference: 78.5 in 
    Revolutions per mile: 808 
    Difference: -1.4% 

225/50-17 

    Sidewall: 4.4 in 
    Radius: 12.9 in 
    Diameter: 25.9 in 
    Circumference: 81.2 in 
    Revolutions per mile: 780 
    Difference: 2.1% 

225/55-16 

    Sidewall: 4.9 in 
    Radius: 12.9 in 
    Diameter: 25.7 in 
    Circumference: 80.9 in 
    Revolutions per mile: 783 
    Difference: 1.6% 


Maybe get a set of steel rims or used aluminum rims which are narrower so you 
don't have to mess with the good aluminum rims in the salt/sand which can cause
havoc with aluminum rims. I am originally from CT and the salt wrecked the 
aluminum rims where the weights were clamped onto the wheel (broke through the 
seal) on my other car after just 1 winter!

I believe the whole idea behind a snow tire is that narrower is better, besides a
really good snow tire, not all season, on _ALL_ 4, not just the rears! I ran 4
Gislavid Frosts on my Firebird (195/70R-14) and I NEVER got stuck anywhere,
including snow over a foot! Firebirds are notorisouly terrible in the snow because
the rear end is so light. There is no substitute for a good pure snow tire IMHO.

Check with the TireRack and see what they list as a fitment for the car.

Or even better, get a beater car for the winter.

I wonder what people in Europe or Canada do for wheels/tires on cars for the winter?
Anybody out there have any ideas?

Regards,

Kim Watters
E34/'95/530i/5-speed
BMWCCA

> From: [email protected]
> Date: Mon, 2 Sep 1996 16:58:50 -0400
> Subject: Snows for 45-Series radials
> 
> The new 540i 6-speed looks really interesting, but I live in New England.
>  Skating around on 235/45-17 tires is not my idea of fun -- even with a
> manual and ASC+T, I'd expect deep snow to be a challenge.
> 
> I think the M3 has similar size rubber -- anybody have any ideas?  The
> salesman said that there are at least 3 manufacturers who make a snow in that
> size.  Has anybody tried them?
> 
> I also thought about a Minus One or Minus Two conversion to
> smaller_wheels/narrower_tires, but I'm told that they won't clear the brakes.
> 
> => Mitch Brown
>      '92 525i 5-speed (Jet Black/black leather); new BMWCCA member, too!