Kell

That's a good idea. Never thought about that.

Thought it seems sparse at the moment, I'll keep checking on it.

davidedwardmawer

I have some winter chains (35?) as used on the continent which I keep in the boot & will do in an emergency if I get stuck. Don't see them in the UK. Don't know if they if are legal or if there is any problem using them on the E61. Must check the manual, but widely used & compulsory in some locations abroad.
E61 with normal tyres is useless in ice & snow (especially when compared to my previous Saabs).
Lot's of people here in France (Rhone-Alps) switch to winter tyres but can't believe its justified in UK's mild winter climate.

Kell

To be honest, 98% of the time it isn't. But:

a) we live in a very hilly place and when we do get snow, we get stuck and
b) I'm thinking of driving rather than flying to Alpe D'huez this year and I reckon they'd come in handy then...

bertolli

Funny. I live in High Wycombe as well and always get stuck at home on my hill as well when it snows (as it did today )
Anyway when I bought my car in Germany it also came with 4 almost new winter tyres and 3 series alloys. These I think are 17 inch. They're still in my garage. Have never really put them back on as I like the look of my 18 inch summer tyres better.
I figured I wouldn't bother with the average 1-2 days per year that it snows in the UK. But this year it's getting a bit silly
Anyway I might be willing to sell if you're interested....
They're not runflats. I have the spare set in the back.

CarloTT

Hi

I did the winter tyre swap for a couple of years with a previous car and you would be surprised at the difference M&S or plain winter rated tyres make even in the UK. As a previous posted mentioned 7degC is the accepted min for summer tyres. November to early April gave me enhanced stopping distances and grip when required, stopped my shiny 19"s getting caked in winter salt and helped extend the life of the more expensive Pirelli PZero Rosso's I ran in the summer.

I run 18's with Goodyear RFT's ;-( at the moment but will investigated some 17" rims from a 525 for example with winter tyres.

C

Kell

Nice one - I've sent you a PM.

phelix

I run a set of 17s with Vredestein Wintrac Extremes 225/50 17 Dec through March and they're superb in the recent snows. It's good laugh to leave 4WDs and the like standing coming away from a stop.

Kell

Well I picked up a set of BMW OEM 16" wheels and Dunlop Winter Sport tyres from Bertolli today. Not really had a chance to test them as yet, but I can tell you that driving away from there was the most scared I've ever been in a car.

On my way to get the new tyres put on, I went down the hill at the end of his road and slid the entire way down. Had to put the car into the kerb to slow it down and wasn't sure if I was going to make the corner at the bottom. It was a weird feeling knowing that you were sliding and completely out of control and there was nothing I could do to change it. Brakes on or off, it made no difference. Steering left or right made very little difference. Luckily, the residents must be all all aware of this as no one had parked their car there.

I only hope these tyres make a lot of difference. Because I don't want to go through that again.

xBMWx

I just spent 3 days in the UK. The snow isn't the problem, its the ice that makes you slide like crazy!! For the general snow and winter conditions those new winter tyres will no doubt be a good help -- and in your case I'd rather be driving into the curb with 16s than a nice set of M135s Good to hear you got that sorted

bertolli

Wow! hope your car or alloys weren't damaged Kell?
I already was surprised you managed to get up here.
Good luck with the winter tyres though. Hope they make the difference the manufactures say. I never had the opportunity to test them in snow