M3P winter tyre package

[mswlogo]

I think someone posted putting the 19” winter tire package on a P3D+ from the UK (not 100% sure it was winters). The OEM 19” should fit though. I’d avoid 20” for winter. The Pirelli Performance Snows are awesome. Coming from someone that ran Nokian’s for 20 years.

Winter tires have had surprising little impact on efficiency. Noise, depending on tire yes, efficiency no. At least among the common ones Nokian, X-Ice and Pirelli Performance.

 

[spon88]

They are Varro wheels (I believe the European VD25 in 18"). There is a nice chap called Gavin on the TOGUK Facebook group who organised a group buy. He suppled me with the set of 4 wheels, centre caps and TPMS sensors for £923 delivered. Mine are in silver. I have no affiliation to Gavin, other than being very grateful for his efforts and pleased with the wheels. If you want to contact Gavin send me a PM and I will pass along his details (or you can seek him out on Facebook).

Here is a photo of my P3D with the winter wheels:

View attachment 495540

Same here - Gavin's rims are fine and also good value. He also supplied our TPMS. I don't have a piccy handy as I'm on a new PC, but ours are a nice gunmetal grey paired with Michelin CrossClimate+ tyres. All good so far

 

[Jandd45]

I finally did the swap for winter tyres yesterday ready for road trip. It was a breeze in the end! Bola 18" FLC wheels with Bridgestone tyres. Ordered from LK Performance. There was a moment in the process where we weren't sure about and extra ring supplied. So I contacted LL Performance and they called back within 30 seconds! And explained it perfectly! Would highly recommend them. Then as I drove off the Tesla screen suddenly told me it recognised a change in wheels... this stuff is so cool!

 

[FEERSUMENDJIN]

Yup. The 18" Bolas are good. I have managed a good run to the Alps already over a very snowy pass. Feersum Performed very well.

 

[Dangerous Fish]

Anyone thinking winter tyres are not worth it in the UK should watch this:

 

[IIMAVII]

I finally did the swap for winter tyres yesterday ready for road trip. It was a breeze in the end! Bola 18" FLC wheels with Bridgestone tyres. Ordered from LK Performance. There was a moment in the process where we weren't sure about and extra ring supplied. So I contacted LL Performance and they called back within 30 seconds! And explained it perfectly! Would highly recommend them. Then as I drove off the Tesla screen suddenly told me it recognised a change in wheels... this stuff is so cool!

I know this is an old post but hopefully you can help me out. After purchasing a Model 3 Performance August 2023 and suffering 5 blowouts from potholes I am looking to get some 18" wheels for my car. I am currently looking at the Bola FLC 18x8.5. I understand the whole drama with some 18" wheels not fitting the Model 3 Performance due to the big brake caliper and stepped lip on the hub. Even contacting certain wheel specialists in the UK I am getting nowhere and they are very little help.

I have found some spigot/hub centric rings that eliminate the lip issue and allow the use of aftermarket wheels. I just want to make sure before I order them that the Bola FLC 18" wheels will fit on a Model 3 performance with the spigot/hub centric rings. There are also issues with the brake caliper touching certain wheels and the back of the rims not being hollowed out to accomodate the random nut sticking out.

I have been running round in circles over the last 2 weeks trying to get some answers and all the so called wheel and tyre experts regarding Tesla seem to be in the US.

 

[Dangerous Fish]

Yes they will fit. I run the same setup on my M3P for winters.

 

[IIMAVII]

Yes they will fit. I run the same setup on my M3P for winters.

Thank you for your reply. What offset did you go for on the Bola FLC? ET35? And I'm guessing 235/45/R18 Tyres? I hear many people recommending 245/45/R18 tyres.

 

[Dangerous Fish]

ET35 yes. You can go with 245s yes. Might give you a bit more rim protection depending on which tyre you choose.

 

[IIMAVII]

I will be going for the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyre so I will more than likely go for a 235/45/R18 tyre. Many people run these 18x8.5 wheels as a winter setup but how awful the roads currently are in Kent it will more than likely be a full time setup as I don't see the potholes disappearing anytime soon.

They won't look as good, or handle as well as the 20" Uberturbines but I can't cope with blowing a tyre out every month and driving about in fear of hitting a pothole. There are some benefits to a smaller wheel so it's not all bad. Thank you so much for your replies.

 

[Dangerous Fish]

Owners running stupidly high tyre pressures don't help with this either. The 42 PSI often quoted is for a fully laden Model 3, which most are not most of the time. You can bring them down to 38/39psi (cold) or even a bit lower with no ill effects if it's just you and a passenger and you'll get a slight improvement in comfort and more resistance to pot holes.

 

[IIMAVII]

I think my car is currently set at 42 PSI. The car doesn't like it when it drops below 40 PSI and I get warnings, but I have often though 42 PSI is pretty high. It's usually only just me in the car 95% of the time.

 

[IIMAVII]

I forgot to ask. What is the fitment like with the ET35? Is it pretty similar to the standard setup. I think the standard setup sits a bit deep in the arch.

 

[Dangerous Fish]

ET35 is the stock setup. If you really want to mess with the way it looks change the offset or use spacers.
You can set lower tyre pressures then go into the menu and set those as the baseline, then it will only give you a warning when you get a few PSI below that.

 

[KennethS]

I think my car is currently set at 42 PSI. The car doesn't like it when it drops below 40 PSI and I get warnings, but I have often though 42 PSI is pretty high. It's usually only just me in the car 95% of the time.

I typically set ours at 39PSI when cold. The pressure warning arises when you fall below the set pressure by 2 or 3 PSI (maybe a bit more). I'm not recommending it but you can reset the tyre pressure setting via the service menu. Or it used to be possible, haven't played with ours for some time. I believe the 42PSI recommendation is for maximum energy efficiency but it isn't absolutely necessary to keep the tyres inflated so high and a somewhat lower pressure will make the ride more compliant.

 

[IIMAVII]

ET35 is the stock setup. If you really want to mess with the way it looks change the offset or use spacers.
You can set lower tyre pressures then go into the menu and set those as the baseline, then it will only give you a warning when you get a few PSI below that.

I am tempted to go for an ET30 offset to slightly bring the wheels out a touch. Seeing as it is probably going to be a permanent set up and not just a winter setup I'd like it looking a bit more flush as even the standard 20" could do with coming out a touch.

I think I will definitely change the tyre pressure to 39 PSI as I mainly drive on my own. I'll need to buy some TPMS sensors for the new wheels so I'm guessing I'll need to do some tinkering with the car.

 

[IIMAVII]

I typically set ours at 39PSI when cold. The pressure warning arises when you fall below the set pressure by 2 or 3 PSI (maybe a bit more). I'm not recommending it but you can reset the tyre pressure setting via the service menu. Or it used to be possible, haven't played with ours for some time. I believe the 42PSI recommendation is for maximum energy efficiency but it isn't absolutely necessary to keep the tyres inflated so high and a somewhat lower pressure will make the ride more compliant.

I will have a look tonight and see if I can bring the pressure down to 39 PSI in the settings as I do think 42 PSI is quite firm.

 

[Dangerous Fish]

I will have a look tonight and see if I can bring the pressure down to 39 PSI in the settings as I do think 42 PSI is quite firm.

Let the air out of the tyres BEFORE resetting in the service menu. The car will then read your new pressures on your next drive.

 

[IIMAVII]

Let the air out of the tyres BEFORE resetting in the service menu. The car will then read your new pressures on your next drive.

I will do that. Again thanks for all your help. I can't wait to get these new wheels and tyres on and hopefully move on from this drama. It's really taken the shine off an otherwise very enjoyable new car experience.

 

[FEERSUMENDJIN]

I know this is an old post but hopefully you can help me out. After purchasing a Model 3 Performance August 2023 and suffering 5 blowouts from potholes I am looking to get some 18" wheels for my car. I am currently looking at the Bola FLC 18x8.5. I understand the whole drama with some 18" wheels not fitting the Model 3 Performance due to the big brake caliper and stepped lip on the hub. Even contacting certain wheel specialists in the UK I am getting nowhere and they are very little help.

I have found some spigot/hub centric rings that eliminate the lip issue and allow the use of aftermarket wheels. I just want to make sure before I order them that the Bola FLC 18" wheels will fit on a Model 3 performance with the spigot/hub centric rings. There are also issues with the brake caliper touching certain wheels and the back of the rims not being hollowed out to accomodate the random nut sticking out.

I have been running round in circles over the last 2 weeks trying to get some answers and all the so called wheel and tyre experts regarding Tesla seem to be in the US.

As the previous post points out LK Performance can answer all your questions.