[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Dunlop Winter Sport 3d's

245/18's...

The Goodyear All Seasons wont cut it here in MN winters for me, even with xDrive.

You run winter rubber?

I've preferred the Performance Winter over Snow/Ice tires myself. Did get the Blizzak WS80's for my wife's X4. Was impressed with them and would consider them for the 5'er too.

[bake]

I have a set of Blizzaks in 19" for my F10, but I'm trying to squeeze out another week. We are still getting days in the 50's, so I am still OK here. Hopefully it is mid-late December before we see any of the white stuff.

[Graffix]

I'm with bake on this one

[Jayphil]

I use to have the 3D but this year I have purchased blizzak LM001 performance/snow on my 19" m sport wheels. You do not loose too much dry/wet performance with these and get very good snow/ice performance. For sure on ice/snow they will not perform as good as Ws80 but I did not wanted to sacrifice too much the overall driving pleasure.

So far I am satisfied

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Midwest 535i

Dunlop Winter Sport 3d's

245/18's...

The Goodyear All Seasons wont cut it here in MN winters for me, even with xDrive.

You run winter rubber?

Those are great winter tires.

Speaking of all season tires, we've already had quite a bit of snow fall, 3-4 days of fully snow covered roads and are experiencing freezing rain today. Funny how people feel all seasons are good enough if you have AWD. One particular evening, when we had most snowfall so far and roads were still fully covered everywhere, I went out to test limits of new set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 I just put on (replacing those same Dunlops you just put on). This is my 3rd set of Nokians and in my experience they are simply best winter tire out there. Anyway, this one evening, I encountered not one, but 2 xDrive 3 series struggling to move and turn into intersection on all seasons, where I was just perfectly fine in same conditions, with RWD and new great winter tires. I just don't understand why people do this kind of thing "I've got xDrive, no need for winter tires"?

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

I've run these before on an E60 550, so I knew what I was getting. They're not as good as what you're running imo but better than 19" all seasons. Got a great deal on these as a winter set with OEM wheels and TPMS.

Hard for me personally to pull the trigger on snow/ice vs performance winter tires like these Dunlops, but I can understand folks deciding on either.

Originally Posted by Bbb34

Those are great winter tires.

Speaking of all season tires, we've already had quite a bit of snow fall, 3-4 days of fully snow covered roads and are experiencing freezing rain today. Funny how people feel all seasons are good enough if you have AWD. One particular evening, when we had most snowfall so far and roads were still fully covered everywhere, I went out to test limits of new set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 I just put on (replacing those same Dunlops you just put on). This is my 3rd set of Nokians and in my experience they are simply best winter tire out there. Anyway, this one evening, I encountered not one, but 2 xDrive 3 series struggling to move and turn into intersection on all seasons, where I was just perfectly fine in same conditions, with RWD and new great winter tires. I just don't understand why people do this kind of thing "I've got xDrive, no need for winter tires"?

[matt21484]

I just put Michelin X-Ice Xi3 on my F10 last weekend, 245/45/18 on Style 237 wheels. They get great reviews on Tire Rack and I test drove an A4 avant with them on, in the fall, 65ish degree day, no snow at all, and they were surprisingly quiet and competent on the road. They basically sold me on that, plus the TR data to back up their snow/winter capabilities. I put a 17" set on my wife's RDX as well. Unfortunately, they are the only snow tire I have first hand experience with.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by matt21484

I just put Michelin X-Ice Xi3 on my F10 last weekend, 245/45/18 on Style 237 wheels. They get great reviews on Tire Rack and I test drove an A4 avant with them on, in the fall, 65ish degree day, no snow at all, and they were surprisingly quiet and competent on the road. They basically sold me on that, plus the TR data to back up their snow/winter capabilities. I put a 17" set on my wife's RDX as well. Unfortunately, they are the only snow tire I have first hand experience with.

Those are great tires, you won't regret it, hope you have something like that Continental Kit in the trunk, just in case.

We've had two minor snow storms already, it was fun trying to find the limit of new set of Nokians (this one was taken yesterday)

[matt21484]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

Those are great tires, you won't regret it, hope you have something like that Continental Kit in the trunk, just in case.

We've had two minor snow storms already, it was fun trying to find the limit of new set of Nokians (this one was taken yesterday)

We just got ~4" of snow last night and I'll be driving the kids to school soon. First snow in my F10 and with snow tires, I'm very excited to see how it does. I don't have a slime kit or small donut spare, I've thought about the slime kit, , but I do have free roadside assistance through my insurance as well and on a credit card. I figure I'd rather have the car towed to a shop then try and change a tire in the bitter cold/snow.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by matt21484

We just got ~4" of snow last night and I'll be driving the kids to school soon. First snow in my F10 and with snow tires, I'm very excited to see how it does. I don't have a slime kit or small donut spare, I've thought about the slime kit, , but I do have free roadside assistance through my insurance as well and on a credit card. I figure I'd rather have the car towed to a shop then try and change a tire in the bitter cold/snow.

It's going to do amazing, when I'm managing with RWD, you'll do amazing I'm sure.

Regarding the kit, for me it's more "trying to make it to school/kid's games/ski hill" on time in case I have a flat, rather than waiting for roadside assistance to show up. Honestly I'm not sure if kit works, it just makes me feel a bit better knowing I have it in the car. Also, I'm not sure how does BMW roadside assistance feel about someone calling for towing and not having run flats on a car, it'd be interesting to hear from someone who has that experience.

[.BMW.]

I use Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 on both our F11 and V60.

Great winter tires!

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by .BMW.

I use Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2 on both our F11 and V60.

Great winter tires!

Agree, this is my 3rd set of Nokian tires and I haven't found anything that gives me as good performance on snow and icy roads. There are others I owned that are quitter, have higher speed rating and are better performers on dry roads, but this one just feels perfect for my needs. Last two sets turned out to be quite long lasting too.

[nhrider]

Originally Posted by Midwest 535i

Dunlop Winter Sport 3d's

245/18's...

The Goodyear All Seasons wont cut it here in MN winters for me, even with xDrive.

You run winter rubber?

I've preferred the Performance Winter over Snow/Ice tires myself. Did get the Blizzak WS80's for my wife's X4. Was impressed with them and would consider them for the 5'er too.

I use Michelin Alpen snow tires here in NH where we get significant snowfall.
As you know these cars have very little ground clearance, but I've plowed through 2-3ft of snow with little problem.

I ran one season with just the new all season tires and got around OK, but with snow tires and x-drive I can go almost anywhere.

[Sp123]

Hi

Here in the U.K. We don't get as much snow as you guys even though I would love to see lots of snow - only then does it feel like winter. Just incase though we do get snowfall I've prepared by putting on Winter tyres- Pirelli Sottozeros series ii. The tyres seems a much better compound for the cold temperatures we have but would love to hear if anyone is running these tyres in the states in 'real' snow weather to give an idea of the quality of these. I've yet to drive them in snow as we haven't had any for the last few years.

I do love the grip on these and in wet and cold Temperatures I would thoroughly recommend them to anyone considering them. I have been pleased with them and do not regret them purchase so far

Thanks in advance

[ezmaass]

I've never switched the snow tires - 15 years of BMWs, most of which were with RWD. I'd admit, the RWD cars with all-season tires were a bit iffy. But I never got stuck anywhere. Although, you had to know where NOT to attempt to drive - like up a large hill at slow speeds.

With my current 550xi (soon to be 650xi GC in another month or so), I've only run all-seasons... not even a slight problem, even with the aforementioned hills at slow speed. That said, I generally don't go driving around in major snow storms, and the local municipalities are very good about plowing and keeping roads clear. So, most "heavy snow" on the street never gets to be more than 4 - 6 inches before being plowed away. But I've never felt the need to go to snow tires as a result.

[Sp123]

Actually that has got me thinking

I do need to consider all season tyres esp to avoid the hassle of change over twice a year


Any brands worth recommending?

Thanks

[Trian]

Of course it depends on where you live and how much snow or ice you get, but there is no comparison between all-seasons and real winter tires. It is just about night and day. Yes, an all-season may act good, but run snow tires and you will notice the big difference.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by Sp123

Actually that has got me thinking

It shouldn't.

ezmaass usually gives great advice around here, but on this one I have to disagree with him.

Sure you can get away with them in area without lots of snow (not sure what winters are like where you are), but all season tires are compromise in, well, in all seasons. Many are good but not great at anything, and certainly nor great choice on snow and ice in my opinion.

If you want safety in the winter, nothing compares to dedicated winter tires. Whatever the drivetrain, selecting good winter tires should come first if you live in areas with lots of snow. Otherwise you're just taking your chances and annoying the rest of us for having to drive super ultra slow behind you and watch you struggle on your way to work.

Originally Posted by Sp123

Here in the U.K. We don't get as much snow as you guys even though I would love to see lots of snow - only then does it feel like winter. Just incase though we do get snowfall.

Just read this part of your earlier post, so, maybe you can get away with all season tires after all, not sure what advice to give you to be honest.

[thebmwjunkiee]

Still not sure, I may test out running some All Seasons this winter. Probably will be ordering a set of continental DWS 06 for my new wheels as recommended to me by another forum member and tire rack. I also have a much cheaper set of general gmax as-03 in the garage that could be used, but I'm not sure if I trust them enough. I received them brand new awhile back before I had my F10 and they are just collecting dust

[Sp123]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

It shouldn't.

ezmaass usually gives great advice around here, but on this one I have to disagree with him.

Sure you can get away with them in area without lots of snow (not sure what winters are like where you are), but all season tires are compromise in, well, in all seasons. Many are good but not great at anything, and certainly nor great choice on snow and ice in my opinion.

If you want safety in the winter, nothing compares to dedicated winter tires. Whatever the drivetrain, selecting good winter tires should come first if you live in areas with lots of snow. Otherwise you're just taking your chances and annoying the rest of us for having to drive super ultra slow behind you and watch you struggle on your way to work.

Just read this part of your earlier post, so, maybe you can get away with all season tires after all, not sure what advice to give you to be honest.

Hi bbb34

Thank you and much appreciated for your help

I think you're quite right about it not being brilliant in the snow and I know you tried to give me the honest advice and it's difficult as where we live the snow is as heavy or frequent but I think for the days when it does I would like to be prepared and have the righty tyres as sometimes it has lasted up to two weeks and at that point I think I would be happier safe in the knowledge of winter tyres.

We so get a lot of rainfall here and my bmw sa recommended me winter tyres for grip in the wet compared to my summer tyres so I feel they are providing a purpose

Thanks again

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

I think a lot of drivers think about Winter tires vs All Season for snow conditions. The reality is anywhere it gets COLD the Winter tire will be superior to the all season. Its not just a matter of amount of precipitation.

[Sp123]

Very valid point and the same as what my bmw sa said to me hence why I opted for winters

Thanks bud