Winter in the alps

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   I’m moving to the French alps for winter. Chamonix specifically.I have a 2018 bmw 120d x drive
Currently fitted with these tyres:
Rear 245 35 18 
Front 225 40 18 

Looking to prepare for winter, do I need to switch to 16inch rims and winter tyres or can I fit 18inch winter tyres? 

What would be more cost effective/safest/best practice?

Happy to switch to 16inch wheels and tyres if that is safest?

Do places offer storage or winter tyres?

Thanks, sorry for all the questions, first winter in the mountains! 

All the best,

Sarah

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Slav90 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 10 Oct 2025 Location: Devon Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote Slav90 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Winter in the alps Posted: 10 Oct 2025 at 5:38pm
	I’m moving to the French alps for winter. Chamonix specifically. I have a 2018 bmw 120d x drive Currently fitted with these tyres: Rear 245 35 18 Front 225 40 18 Looking to prepare for winter, do I need to switch to 16inch rims and winter tyres or can I fit 18inch winter tyres? What would be more cost effective/safest/best practice? Happy to switch to 16inch wheels and tyres if that is safest? Do places offer storage or winter tyres? Thanks, sorry for all the questions, first winter in the mountains! All the best, Sarah

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Tony Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Club Member Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 210	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tony Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Oct 2025 at 6:40pm
	Usually you'd got for a square set-up all round as it makes finding matching front & rear tyres simpler. Smaller wheels with higher profile tyres can be cheaper of course, but you also have to factor in the cost of the wheels and ensure they'll fit over your brakes (if you have any 'performance' package on the car). The easiest is probably to go with 225/40r18 all round for now - and find a local tyre fitter that will store your summer tyres for you. You can then decide whether you want to go the whole hog and have a specific winter wheel/tyre set or possibly even run a staggered all-season tyre all year around. I only went down 1 size on my F31 320D as I found a cheap set of 18" wheels, but my F31 335xD won't take any smaller due to the larger brakes than the 320D. They're on Continental AllSeasonContacts as they won't see much snow, as they are really intended for a UK winters and late/early season (Oct-Mar) trips to the Nurburgring. Edited by Tony - 10 Oct 2025 at 6:43pm
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NickDE Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Region Chair North East Chairman Joined: 14 Mar 2015 Location: Newcastle Status: Offline Points: 1139	Post Options Post Reply Quote NickDE Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31 Oct 2025 at 3:08pm
	The tyre info sticker in the door frame will give you winter tyre (M&S) sizes that BMW recommend for your car.
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