[Sp123]

Hi all

To all those who use winter tyres, how many miles have you got out of them before they needed changing and also how many years did they last?

My sottozeros were purchased in winter of 2013. I keep the winters on from Nov- March and have got approx 10k miles out of them. The tread wear is approx 5.6mm.

Is this reasonable wear?

What mm did you change yours and why? And also which brand has the best durability in your experience?

Thanks in advance

Sp.

[Cilonen]

I have the Pirelli Sottozero 2s, also bought 2013 and this will be their last winter as they are now at 3-4mm and I can tell the difference in grip. That said, they still performed very well in last week's snowy conditions (wet grip no longer so confident).
They have done around 22k overall so quite happy.
They came from my previous F30 so they are staggered (8j 225/45 front, 8,5j 255/40 rear) and Pirelli do the only RFTs in these rears, but I'm more than happy to have them again.

[Martin2C]

I’ve got Dunlop RFTs on mine (18s) and the rears lasted about 20k miles before I replaced them. They were down to 3-4mm across the tread and performance was noticeably worse, which makes sense as the manufacturers suggest changing at 4mm.

[Martin2C]

Originally Posted by Cilonen

They came from my previous F30 so they are staggered (8j 225/45 front, 8,5j 255/40 rear) and Pirelli do the only RFTs in these rears, but I'm more than happy to have them again.

They aren’t the right size for an F11, but sounds like they’re OK?

As the rolling diameter is different, the life you’ve quoted will be out by 5-600 miles

[Cilonen]

Originally Posted by Martin2C

They aren’t the right size for an F11, but sounds like they’re OK?

As the rolling diameter is different, the life you’ve quoted will be out by 5-600 miles

Yep, if memory serves they are about 1.6% different in rolling circumference so a slight effect on speedo/odo but within accepted tolerance. Had no issues at all, which saved me hassle on changing the wheels when I changed car.

[Apples12]

Sottozeros fitted 2yrs ago, oct-march, managed 18k miles the first year, this year slightly less, around 14k, they're down to 4mm so will be shopping for new winters in the summer

[Sp123]

Originally Posted by Cilonen

I have the Pirelli Sottozero 2s, also bought 2013 and this will be their last winter as they are now at 3-4mm and I can tell the difference in grip. That said, they still performed very well in last week's snowy conditions (wet grip no longer so confident).
They have done around 22k overall so quite happy.
They came from my previous F30 so they are staggered (8j 225/45 front, 8,5j 255/40 rear) and Pirelli do the only RFTs in these rears, but I'm more than happy to have them again.

Thanks
It's pleasing for me to hear that even down to 3-4mm they performed well in the snow we had recently.

And also that you will be going for the sottozeros again!

It's encouraging for me!

Ps were you recommended these tyres?

[Sp123]

Originally Posted by Martin2C

I’ve got Dunlop RFTs on mine (18s) and the rears lasted about 20k miles before I replaced them. They were down to 3-4mm across the tread and performance was noticeably worse, which makes sense as the manufacturers suggest changing at 4mm.

Hi Martin why is it that the manufacturers recommends changing at 4mm even though the legal limit is a lot lower. My dealer said this to me also.

[Sp123]

Originally Posted by Apples12

Sottozeros fitted 2yrs ago, oct-march, managed 18k miles the first year, this year slightly less, around 14k, they're down to 4mm so will be shopping for new winters in the summer

Hi Apples

That's good mileage you got out of yours!

Any tips to get the most miles out of them?

My driving is mostly town and dual carriageways and a lot of breaking.

Thanks

[Apples12]

Originally Posted by Sp123

Hi Apples

That's good mileage you got out of yours!

Any tips to get the most miles out of them?

My driving is mostly town and dual carriageways and a lot of breaking.

Thanks

My daily commute is 60-90 miles of which only 10-15 miles are dual carriageway/inner city. Lots and lots of motorway miles...i tend to sit at 60ish in the 1st lane !

Unless I'm 'making progress' in which case it goes up to 70...lol

[Martin2C]

Originally Posted by Sp123

Hi Martin why is it that the manufacturers recommends changing at 4mm even though the legal limit is a lot lower. My dealer said this to me also.

It’s to do with the traction and grip in the snow. Winter tyres have a different compound which is why they work better in the cold, but in the snow the ‘snipes’, which are little crevices in the tread, bite into the snow giving purchase and grip. When they wear away the treads could fill with snow, which is what happens with a summer tyre and why you lose grip.

I think that’s right....!

[Sp123]

I rang Pirelli. They recommend changing at 4mm.

[Sp123]

Originally Posted by Martin2C

It’s to do with the traction and grip in the snow. Winter tyres have a different compound which is why they work better in the cold, but in the snow the ‘snipes’, which are little crevices in the tread, bite into the snow giving purchase and grip. When they wear away the treads could fill with snow, which is what happens with a summer tyre and why you lose grip.

I think thatÂ’s right....!

Hi Martin
That's makes perfect sense to me and sounds right. Thanks! Otherwise I would ran them down to the legal limit.

[Martin2C]

Originally Posted by Sp123

Hi Martin
That's makes perfect sense to me and sounds right. Thanks! Otherwise I would ran them down to the legal limit.

No problem!