Advice Needed: E46 2000 323Ci 205/55-16

[Griffoun]

I've narrowed down to the following tires based on my requirements and user feedbacks at tirerack.com: (1) light snow traction, (2) comfort/road noise, (3) wet/dry traction. Which one do you think should I go for? Or there's something better than those below?

Grand Touring All-Season
Bridgestone Turanza LS-Z (or V)

High Performance All-Season
Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S
Yokohama AVID V4S
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S

[Griffoun]

Anyone? Gary? Please?

I checked all the reviews from TireRack and also those from ConsumerReports. Users from TireRack have good reviews for the Pirelli PZero Nero on snow, while ConsumerReports says it sucks. The review for Bridgestone Turanza LS-Z from both TireRack and ConsumerReports are consistent, but it has the same rating as Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus (which I currently have) on snow, which I think the MXV4+ sucks.

Perhaps I've read too much, but the reviews kind of contradict with each other, and I'm so confused now! :mad:

[LMC]

Sorta OT: If it were me, I would do a minor upgrade by fitting a 225/50R-16 tire (if available in whatever you finally choose) which should fit whatever wheels you have just fine.

Is your dissatisfaction with the MXV4+ only the winter performance? Explain what it is about this tire that you dislike.

[Gary@Tirerack]

In order of snow traction and ride comfort from best to worst:

Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S
Yokohama AVID V4S
Bridgestone Turanza LS-Z (or V)
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S

In order of handling/cornering grip from best to worst :

Pirelli PZero Nero M&S
Bridgestone Turanza LS-Z (or V)
Yokohama AVID V4S
Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S

All four tires have done very well in wet traction.

Tires http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=/tires/index.jsp

[Griffoun]

Sorta OT: If it were me, I would do a minor upgrade by fitting a 225/50R-16 tire (if available in whatever you finally choose) which should fit whatever wheels you have just fine.

Is your dissatisfaction with the MXV4+ only the winter performance? Explain what it is about this tire that you dislike.

The ride comfort is ok, it's quiet but getting worse after 34000 miles and 6 years, which is still acceptable. (Honestly I've forgotten how it used to be as these things change so slowly and gradually) The wear is ok too, as I have them rotated according to recommendation. However the traction on snow is horrible, and on dry surface the rear end skids on acceleration from idle (I don't step on it hard at all) a few times.

Thanks for suggesting fitting a 225/50R-16, "upgrading" to 50 is for better cornering, is it?

[BahnBaum]

I just put Pirelli PZero Nero M&S on my daily driver, and my first impression is that the sidewalls feel VERY soft and squirmy. Not sure how that compares with the others, but it's bad enough to initially have me regretting the purchase.

Alex

[Gary@Tirerack]

I just put Pirelli PZero Nero M&S on my daily driver, and my first impression is that the sidewalls feel VERY soft and squirmy. Not sure how that compares with the others, but it's bad enough to initially have me regretting the purchase.

Alex

What tires did you have before?

[Griffoun]

In order of snow traction and ride comfort from best to worst:

Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S
Yokohama AVID V4S
Bridgestone Turanza LS-Z (or V)
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S

In order of handling/cornering grip from best to worst :

Pirelli PZero Nero M&S
Bridgestone Turanza LS-Z (or V)
Yokohama AVID V4S
Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S

All four tires have done very well in wet traction.

Tires http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=/tires/index.jsp

Gary, while people put sandbacks and other heavy stuff at the end of pickup trucks to increase traction, does it work on a bimmer?

[Gary@Tirerack]

Gary, while people put sandbacks and other heavy stuff at the end of pickup trucks to increase traction, does it work on a bimmer?

Not suggested. Pickups generally aren't nearly as balanced in weight distribution as our cars.

[BahnBaum]

What tires did you have before?

Over the past 2 years, I've had Yoko AVS100s, Dunlop SP something ASs, and Vredestein Wintracks on the car.

Alex

[LMC]

The ride comfort is ok, it's quiet but getting worse after 34000 miles and 6 years, which is still acceptable. (Honestly I've forgotten how it used to be as these things change so slowly and gradually) The wear is ok too, as I have them rotated according to recommendation. However the traction on snow is horrible, and on dry surface the rear end skids on acceleration from idle (I don't step on it hard at all) a few times.

Thanks for suggesting fitting a 225/50R-16, "upgrading" to 50 is for better cornering, is it?

With a set of six year old & 34K mile tires, as you say, there have been slow changes over the life of the tires. I suspect a new set of the very same tire would bring pretty dramatic differences. I generally like Michelins, but the MXV4+ is not a very sporty tire.

The textbook answer to your winter problems, of course, is a dedicated set of winter tires -- which would also enable you to have a dedicated set of summer (performance) tires. Just avoid or minimize the compromises inherent in an all-season tire. But the cost is obviously greater.

Given Gary's rankings of winter performance, I'd think the Exalto would be a nice upgrade for you. :dunno: But they'll never be as reassuring as a true winter tire in the white stuff. And, yeah, the 225/50 would give you slightly better cornering/braking --at the cost of a slightly less cushy ride. Pretty subtle difference, though, I would think.

[Griffoun]

Thanks LMC, here in Kansas City it snow about 20 inches each winter on average, or 5 maybe 6 times each year, that's why I don't plan on getting snow tires. This year has been unusually dry (6 inches and only one snow event), so I'm pretty lucky.

I do have one question (ok, my second question) regarding your recommendation, is that wouldn't having 225 make it harder to drive on snow?

[LMC]

... wouldn't having 225 make it harder to drive on snow?

Yes, all else equal a narrower tire should be superior in snow. As with the other tradeoffs, I think the difference would be small, though.

[bblank]

Griffoun...

I ran the Pirelli Nero M&S for 2 years on my VW Jetta and had much better luck with them in any condition, than my Goodyear RSAs that came stock. They worked ok in the snow, but nothing I'd rave about.

I now have a E90 325i and decided to put a set of Blizzak Revo 1s on for the winter, and have been very impressed. I won't go back to a set of all seasons ever again. (The Jetta had 225x45x17.. Current 325 has 205/55/16 for winter and 225/55/16 for summer).

After seeing my neighbor in his 740 sliding all over the place and even took out his bumper trying to pull into his garage, I dont regret my spending $700 for a set of wheels and tires for even a second. Plus.. having snows means I can also get dedicated summer tires.

Having two sets of wheels has been nice.. I can switch them out on my own, and save the $120 twice a year. It makes up for it in a hurry.

Basically I think the Pirelli's are wonderful, but if you really want to do the right thing.. go with separates.

BTW.. I'm in KC too.. so far so good, but who knows what kind of storm could be around the corner.

[Griffoun]

Griffoun...

I ran the Pirelli Nero M&S for 2 years on my VW Jetta and had much better luck with them in any condition, than my Goodyear RSAs that came stock. They worked ok in the snow, but nothing I'd rave about.

I now have a E90 325i and decided to put a set of Blizzak Revo 1s on for the winter, and have been very impressed. I won't go back to a set of all seasons ever again. (The Jetta had 225x45x17.. Current 325 has 205/55/16 for winter and 225/55/16 for summer).

After seeing my neighbor in his 740 sliding all over the place and even took out his bumper trying to pull into his garage, I dont regret my spending $700 for a set of wheels and tires for even a second. Plus.. having snows means I can also get dedicated summer tires.

Having two sets of wheels has been nice.. I can switch them out on my own, and save the $120 twice a year. It makes up for it in a hurry.

Basically I think the Pirelli's are wonderful, but if you really want to do the right thing.. go with separates.

BTW.. I'm in KC too.. so far so good, but who knows what kind of storm could be around the corner.

bblank, I'm in OP too! Do you know where I can get BMW rims other than the dealer? Do you put the winter tires on by yourself? I know it's cheaper to get 3rd-party rims, but I'd like to put on something with BMW emblem, you know what I mean... :P I kind of regret not paying extra for the 17 inch rims, and there're scratches on my OEM rims after they got scratched by the curbs due to my wife's careless parking and driving...

[bblank]

bblank, I'm in OP too! Do you know where I can get BMW rims other than the dealer? Do you put the winter tires on by yourself? I know it's cheaper to get 3rd-party rims, but I'd like to put on something with BMW emblem, you know what I mean... :P I kind of regret not paying extra for the 17 inch rims, and there're scratches on my OEM rims after they got scratched by the curbs due to my wife's careless parking and driving...


I picked up my wheels and tires from Tire Rack. Other than going through the dealer, i don't know where you might come across some wheels, but if you're only worried about the emblem.. Tire Rack will ship BMW emblems to go with some wheel sets. Unfortunately not mine, but for snow tires, I really dont mind. My wheels were $75 each, and for that price, they can say whatever they want. My entire package was $780 from TR with shipping. Since I ordered both the wheels and tires from them, they took care of the mounting of the tires to wheels. As far as installing the wheels on my car.. A torque wrench and a floor jack and about 30 minutes, and you wont have to take your car and your new wheels in for install.. and come out $100 later.