JimO'B

I have a 535xi with the 18" performance wheels/tires - I was originally thinking of installing a 17" winter wheel/tire set-up from Tirerack, which I've done on my previous RWD BMW's. Then I got thinking...do I really need to suffer the mushy winter tire set-up for 5 months a year with an xi if I can get by with a decent set of all-seasons on separate wheels?

Also, I have a 39-month lease and am worried about having to buy new 18" RFT's at lease end - if I have a good set of all-seasons I could run them longer near lease-end and turn in my RFT's with the minimum tread required. The "winter" all-seasons would also last longer than the 15-20K miles that winter tires are usually good for.

A couple questions:
1. For you xi owners, are the all-seasons that come as OE good enough for a northeast winter? I'm in upstate NY, but not in a snow belt.
2. Any suggestions for economical all-seasons that would do OK in snow/ice and still provide good handling?

Thanks!

Hopco

I switched from Goodyear runflats to Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position (Ultra High Performance All-Season per TireRack) last fall. Their dry/summer perforance is better than the Goodyears' - and they did well in the one 4 inch snow we had in coastal Connecticut last January.

I don't think I would want to have to get the work in 12 inches of new snow with the tires. I thought Albany would be in the 'snow belt'?

Your decision - let us know how they do in a real snowfall if you choose them.

Ricracing

Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi 245/40 18".

Let the winter come.

Link here.

JimO'B

"Ultra-High performance all-seasons" sounds like an oxymoron - I'll save the high-perf tires for summer. I'm wondering if decent A/S's will suffice in lieu of fast-wearing dedicated snows.

Snow belt is really the areas that get pounded with lake-effect snow (Syracuse, etc.)...almost daily...12' a year not uncommon. Albany is good for about 5' a year - I'm guessing snows are REALLY needed about 6 days per winter (note I don't live in the hills...roads are plowed well).

Ricracing

Snow is not the problem. Icy, wet and unexpected roads are.

Summer tyres for the summer.

Felix

I'm in Albany quite frequently on business and still remember well this years Valentine's Day snow storm. I made it through with the OEM summers but I sure wished I had the winters on. Just got a tire/wheel set (Dunlop Winter Sport D3) from tire rack and feel much more confident for the upcoming trips to Albany during the cold season.

BTW, Ricracing is absolutely right. It's icy and slippery roads that are dangerous. And here the softer rubber compound of the winter tires makes quite a difference. In Germany they're now mandatory during the cold season. If you are in an accident or stuck on the road in the snow w/o winter tires they fine you.

tachyon

Stay with your original thought ... winter tires.

Last year I put the Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position tires on our 330xi, and they are an excellent almost-year-round tire. However, their stopping power in snow and slippery conditions is poor. :thumbsdown:

Specialized winter tires make a difference. These Bridgestones are great in warm weather, wet weather, cold weather, and starting up from a dead-stop in snowy conditions ... but not so good when stopping.

I'm putting winter tires on the 330xi this winter (it's the car my 17 year old daughter drives) ... Dunlop Winter Sport M3s - like I use on my 550i.

Year-round tires are a compromise, and if you live in a climate with extremes, there will be times when you won't feel safe.

BMWSTL

+1.

'Nuff said.

Lou

ademitt

+2

IMO, all seasons are a compromise for both summer and winter driving conditions.

tuco

And a poor compromise at that, go with the winters. "One size does not fit all" when it comes to tires.