WTB + advice needed: winter tires + wheels

[NJ_535xi]

just bought 2008 535xi, sports package with 18" wheels and SP 01 summer tires - please advise on appropriate winter package - do I need staggered wheels or will 4 matched 17" do? what about tire pressure monitor? can anyone rec local tire store in NJ...obviously, I'm a newbie...thanks.

[dwoodman]

does the 535xi have staggered wheels/tires to begin with?

Either way, you do not have to stagger them. I have an 07 550i with sport package and I just bought a set of Blizzak WS-60 and rims off of tirerack.com.

I was going to get the 17's but they were on eternal backorder and bought the 18's. Finding either size now might be difficult.

TPMS is not required (I did get them in mine though) and runs about $200 extra. If you dont install them you will just have the light on your dash illuminated all winter. My car has a spare so I did not worry about getting runflats for winter tires.

The blizzaks are very good in the snow/ice. You get alot more snow in NJ than I do in Indiana though.

I just looked on tireracks website and they are sold out of almost everything in the 17s but still have some of the WS60 and LM60 in 18" sizes.

Here is my car with the winter wheels/tires. I am NOT a big fan of the wheels.

[OEMconcept]

you can go with appropriate 17" wheels all around. staggered is not required. if you don't want any lights on your dash, the install some tpms.