What Tire Chains Can I Use on My 2018 BMW X3 M40i With Tire Size 275/35 R21?

Updated 12/23/2024 | Published 12/20/2024

Products Featured in This Question

Konig K-Summit Tire Chains - Diamond Pattern - Square Link - Assisted Tensioning - 1 Pair

(74)

$745.48

Titan Chain Alloy Snow Tire Chains - Diamond Pattern - Square Link - 1 Pair

(514)

$164.53

Konig K-Summit Tire Chains - Diamond Pattern - Square Link - Self Tensioning - 1 Pair

(83)

$622.51

Question:

Recommendation for 2018 BMX3 M40i rear tire size 275/35 R21.

asked by: TOM

Expert Reply:

Hello Tom,

For you 2018 BMW X3 with tire size 275/35 R21 you can use the Konig K-Summit Tire Chains # th02230k56. The # TH02230K66 that you were looking at are basically the same chains, just a little bigger than the # th02230k56. With your tire size, both will fit. Your BMW needs these kinds of chains because they are Class S compatible, meaning don't have the clearance behind the wheel to use the other chains you see on the street like # TC2335. The # th02230k56 are some of the easiest to install, but I still recommend a test fit in your warm garage. It's a whole lot easier to see how they go on while you are warm, than on the side of the road freezing cold in a blizzard.

expert reply by: Kate F

Tom

12/20/2024

I noticed in the specs for the k56 v k66 that the lug size range was different: 17mm & 21-22mm for k56 19mm & 21-22mm for k66 Is this a typo, or a difference I have to take into account?

Kate F.

12/20/2024

@Tom Good eye, my apologies. Definitely a difference you need to take in account.

Tom

12/22/2024

@KateF Hi Kate, thanks for your response. I just reviewed several (etrailer/Konig/other) installation videos for the #tho2230k56, and realized that the anchor attachment for the chain system was to a single wheel lug-nut using an appropriately sized adapter fitting that goes over the lug-nut and then is compressed when the fitting bolt is tightened, clamping it to the lug-nut. My 2018 BMW X3 has 275/35 R21 tires which are listed in the #tho2230k56 tire range list, but when I looked at my wheel, I realized that instead of lug-nuts, I have through-bolts, meaning that the head of the wheel bolt is what I would be trying to fit the adapter onto to achieve the compression clamping attachment. The depth of that wheel bolt-head (hex head/17mm socket size) is only 7mm (less than 5/16"). I don't think that is enough clamping depth. Have you run into this situation before? Does Konig have a specification for minimum lug-nut depth?

Kate F.

12/23/2024

@Tom Hello Tom, no I have not run into this situation before. Let me reach out to Konig and get some betters answers for you. I will let you know as soon as I hear back.