Need your opinion on snow tires
#11
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: MPLWD, NJ
My Ride: 2006 525xi, Premium, Adaptive Xenon, Cold Weather
Originally Posted by C's Bimmer' post='979704' date='Aug 17 2009, 04:20 PM
Blizzak LM-22's or 25's.
#12
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Joined: Mar 2009
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From: New York, New York
My Ride: See my signature
Originally Posted by amanuel777' post='980080' date='Aug 17 2009, 10:07 PM
C, Blizzaks handle like crap and last for about 5,000 miles. The material is as soft as a pencil eraser. I had them on my Z car back in the day and I couldn't wait for the winter to be over to throw them out. They do grip well, but if you're not riding in snow and ice all winter, they are a shitty tire. The Dunlops are the best compromise between handling and grip in the snow... And I don't even know how one would justify using Blizzaks on an xi BMW. Seriously, Dunlop M3's (or whatever the current model is) is a far superior tire.
They are a compromise snow tire that is perfect for the NYC area where I live. They do not have the killer snow grip of the Blizzaks. But their dry weather performance and tread life is superior to the Blizzaks. If I lived in Vermont, New Hampshire, western NY, or Maine, however, I would go for the Blizzaks.
#13
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Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
My Ride: 2007 550I Sport, Jet Black w/Tan Interior: Comfort Access, Premium Package, Nav, Sirius Radio, Cold Weather Package
I picked up a set of 225/50VR 17 Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance XL's on a spare set of Sport Edition A7's as my winter wheels, last winter was tough, extended periods of -20 C with snow cover all winter. Lots of real wet heavy dumps in November and throughout the spring. The tires are good overall, great on ice but are don't provide effective grip in > 6" deep "wet" snow.
#14
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: FT. Bliss Texas
My Ride: 2008 528i, Space Grey, Nav, PDC, Premium, Sports, Grey Leather, Xenon, Cornering...
I went through a winter in Germany with Khumo's... Don't do it! This coming winter, I am going to come back to this thread and try some of the tires mentioned here.
Good luck
Tonymac
Good luck
Tonymac
#15
Originally Posted by sdg1871' post='980089' date='Aug 17 2009, 09:13 PM
I agree. I have been using Dunlop WinterSport M3s for years.
They are a compromise snow tire that is perfect for the NYC area where I live. They do not have the killer snow grip of the Blizzaks. But their dry weather performance and tread life is superior to the Blizzaks. If I lived in Vermont, New Hampshire, western NY, or Maine, however, I would go for the Blizzaks.
They are a compromise snow tire that is perfect for the NYC area where I live. They do not have the killer snow grip of the Blizzaks. But their dry weather performance and tread life is superior to the Blizzaks. If I lived in Vermont, New Hampshire, western NY, or Maine, however, I would go for the Blizzaks.
#16
Originally Posted by jhnnyfiv' post='979662' date='Aug 17 2009, 03:50 PM
Fellas,
What's your opinion on the best snow tires?
Thanks in advance!
What's your opinion on the best snow tires?
Thanks in advance!
+1 on the Nokians
Check my sig. I had ZERO issues in the weather this past winter.
Although I missed the switch by one day. Man, that one day on RFT summers in the snow and slush was a bitch.
#18
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Finland
My Ride: 2008 Black E61 530Xd - M-sport - Comfort - Advantage
Originally Posted by mooney058' post='979722' date='Aug 17 2009, 11:34 PM
The best? If you want the best, go for Nokian - finns knows how to make good winter tires Nokian is currently owned by Bridgestone. There was one Swedish maker as well - Gislaved, but it does not exist anymore. Both Nokian and Gislaved are/were specialist winter tires makers - nordic people know what is snow and real winters
For best - go Nokian.
For best - go Nokian.
But there are a lot of differences within Nokian wintertires also. They make totally different tires for the central Europe, than they make for the Nordic countries.
Since I?m towing my sled every weekend on snowy/sometimes icy conditions, I prefer Nokian studded tires. They produce the best grip.
But if you?re driving mostly on dry tarmac then it?s totally different situation.
#19
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Cape Elizabeth, ME
My Ride: 2005 525i, 6spd manual, Premium pkg, Cold Weather pkg
Originally Posted by Seip??nreik?' post='981152' date='Aug 18 2009, 05:30 PM
THIS IS THE TRUTH! heh
But there are a lot of differences within Nokian wintertires also. They make totally different tires for the central Europe, than they make for the Nordic countries.
Since I?m towing my sled every weekend on snowy/sometimes icy conditions, I prefer Nokian studded tires. They produce the best grip.
But if you?re driving mostly on dry tarmac then it?s totally different situation.
But there are a lot of differences within Nokian wintertires also. They make totally different tires for the central Europe, than they make for the Nordic countries.
Since I?m towing my sled every weekend on snowy/sometimes icy conditions, I prefer Nokian studded tires. They produce the best grip.
But if you?re driving mostly on dry tarmac then it?s totally different situation.
#20
I'm late to this thread, but had the EXACT same experience except backwards.
I had the Pirelli's on my old G35 and absolutely hated them. When I got my e46 M3, I got Dunlop Winter Sport M3's and LOVED them. Now that I've got the 535xi, I'll be going with the Dunlops again. The M3's are no longer being made, so I'll likely go with the 3D's (they replaced the M3's).
They're not great for super deep snow, but for areas that are mostly plowed, they're excellent in the snow, and still pretty sporty when the roads are dry.
I should also add that if you're dealing with deep snow and hills, the Nokians rock. My dad had RSi's on his 540i, and they were outstanding. The problem; at least in Toronto, is that the Nokians are a lot of money. The other thing to keep in mind is that they're soft, so when the road is dry, the car doesn't feel sporty at all (very squishy in fact). Given that it's the middle of winter, you don't expect to be hustling, but it's nice to not feel like a land yacht.
That said, if I have to choose between winter safety (i.e. if I live in Tahoe), or non-squishiness, I'd go with winter safety.
I had the Pirelli's on my old G35 and absolutely hated them. When I got my e46 M3, I got Dunlop Winter Sport M3's and LOVED them. Now that I've got the 535xi, I'll be going with the Dunlops again. The M3's are no longer being made, so I'll likely go with the 3D's (they replaced the M3's).
They're not great for super deep snow, but for areas that are mostly plowed, they're excellent in the snow, and still pretty sporty when the roads are dry.
I should also add that if you're dealing with deep snow and hills, the Nokians rock. My dad had RSi's on his 540i, and they were outstanding. The problem; at least in Toronto, is that the Nokians are a lot of money. The other thing to keep in mind is that they're soft, so when the road is dry, the car doesn't feel sporty at all (very squishy in fact). Given that it's the middle of winter, you don't expect to be hustling, but it's nice to not feel like a land yacht.
That said, if I have to choose between winter safety (i.e. if I live in Tahoe), or non-squishiness, I'd go with winter safety.
Originally Posted by cleung' post='979672' date='Aug 17 2009, 03:54 PM
I had the dunlop wintersport 3D's on my e46 and they were AWESOME, and now on my e60 I have the pirelli winter 210 snowsports and they SUCK compared to the dunlops. I gave the pirelli's a try and will definitely be switching to something different once these wear out.