tachyon

Here's my side-by-side comparison on this: my 550i versus our 330xi. The 550i with winter tires is a better driver in the snow than the 330xi with all-season tires.

The reason is that all-season tires cannot corner or stop with anywhere near the same grip as a good winter tire. Go get winter tires ... you will not regret it.

Westcoast M5

Winter tires actually won't cost you any more money. If you run snow tires, your summers will last twice as long so as long as you keep the car long enough to use up both sets, then you really don't spend any extra. ( 4 sets of summers = 2 sets of summers + 2 sets of snows). Buy some decent rims for the winters and you can resell them for probably half what you paid when your done.

IceyTys

+1 now that we know your driving a RWD, I would definitely dump the all seasons all together and get a full winter set up. Another option (what I did) is to buy an old 4WD beater for the winter for a couple thousand bucks and never have to worry about switching tires, or anyone running into you, or you sliding into anything.

Besides with the old beater, you get to play in the snow too!

ObD

You don't need run flats. There is nothing wrong with the Hankooks. However their speed rating may be much less than your summer tires so you'll have to mind your speed. Also they may wear faster and be noisy. As usual you get what you pay for.

MRV99

I have been saying this for years and most people don't believe the Economics work out but I have broke even on cost of ownership of tires on all my cars. My 540, E53 X5 and now my 545.


I am bookmarking this link and will send it to anybody who asks this question. Chicago had some grueling weather around christmas and I was able to beat most SUV's at stop light (not even trying) and could stop on a dime.