07 328xi coupe snow tires

[SteveinVT]

I live in Vermont and am going to need a set of winter tires for my 328xi (no sport package).

I am thinking about going with 16 inch wheels and a set of blizzaks, but am wondering what others are doing? Are people getting the RFTs for their winter set too?

[GerWil]

I live in VT also and just started thinking about winter tires today. I will probably go with run flat tires and just looked at the Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 DSST. If you want to take a chance on regular snows there is an option that was pointed out to me by BMW in Munich when I picked up my car. That is to carry a tire repair can of the sticky stuff that inflates the tire and also creates a seal. It came up in conversation when I was discussing the fact that you have to drive slowly on a deflated run flat tire. With the goop the tire has a better chance of holding its pressure, allowing you to drive at normal speeds. It makes sense since BMW recommends that punctured tires should always be replaced anyway.
The problem with this approach in a conventional tire is that the sealer will not work if the puncture is large, but if you are considering taking a chance on conventional tires, it is better than nothing.
I personally am sold on run flats since I had an unusual experience with my car in Europe. It came with a defective alloy wheel, which leaked slowly. I was always able to drive to a service station each morning to inflate the tire and stop once or twice while driving to make sure I had sufficient air. It would have been impossible to obtain a replacement wheel while trvelling since BMW has so many different ones that a dealer cannot stock all. The wheel was replaced when I dropped the car off in Munich, but the run flats perfomed well with the low pressure that I periodically experience on my trip.

[Barmats]

Since I have no room in my trunk for a spare, I'm going with winter runflat tires. From what I've seen, read and what's been recommended, the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 DSST seem to the best choice. I will also be using TPM sensors in each wheel.

I considered using non-runflat tires but didn't want to risk being stuck with a flat in a winter storm in sub-zero temps. Using the can of goop might work for a small leak or hole, but I've heard it pretty much gums up the TPMS beyond repair. And with the cost of the sensors as high as it is, it didn't appear to be a very good option.

[Gary@Tirerack]

Since I have no room in my trunk for a spare, I'm going with winter runflat tires. From what I've seen, read and what's been recommended, the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 DSST seem to the best choice. I will also be using TPM sensors in each wheel.

I considered using non-runflat tires but didn't want to risk being stuck with a flat in a winter storm in sub-zero temps. Using the can of goop might work for a small leak or hole, but I've heard it pretty much gums up the TPMS beyond repair. And with the cost of the sensors as high as it is, it didn't appear to be a very good option.

Yes. Last season we were at about 50/50 with customers order runflat snows versus non-runflat snows. Could so either way but many of those who purchase runflat snows shared your concerns.


Winter http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=/winter/index.jsp

[GerWil]

Yes. Last season we were at about 50/50 with customers order runflat snows versus non-runflat snows. Could so either way but many of those who purchase runflat snows shared your concerns.


Winter http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AB2&url=/winter/index.jsp

I came across the Dunlop SP Winter Sport DSST on the Tirerack site after first viewing the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 RFT. It appears from the photos that the Dunlop has slightly wider spaces in the tread design, so it might work a bit better on soft snow. I am not sure about that though, so I would appreciate any other thoughts.
My normal tires are 225/45 17 and my preference is not to resize the winter tires with a smaller diameter higher profile tire as suggested by steveinvt, although I know that some dealers recommend doing that. My car is all wheel drive, so I am not too concerned about getting stuck. Does anyone know if there is any real advantage to downsizing with a 3 series having X drive?

[Barmats]

If your stock size is 17", I don't think there will be a big advantage in downsizing. If your stock setup was 18", however, there would be a price and selection advantage to downsizing by -1 to 17".

Another difference between the Blizzak and Dunlop DSST tire is the siping on the Blizzak - after the first 50% of treadwear, the winter siping wears down and the tires change from a very good snow tire to a very good all-season tire. Blizzaks are excellent snow tires but there's a tradeoff down the road. I believe the Dunlop Winter Sport DSST tire tread will provide greater traction in deep snow, but may be slightly noisier at highway speeds. But these are the tires that I will be getting for my 335i convertible, too.

[Gary@Tirerack]

Another difference between the Blizzak and Dunlop DSST tire is the siping on the Blizzak - after the first 50% of treadwear, the winter siping wears down and the tires change from a very good snow tire to a very good all-season tire. .

Not anymore. You're probably thinking of the old WS-15 blizzaks that wore down to an all season compound.

The H/V rated LM22/LM25 have the same compound and tread pattern/siping all the way though just like the Dunlop.

[Barmats]

Not anymore. You're probably thinking of the old WS-15 blizzaks that wore down to an all season compound. The H/V rated LM22/LM25 have the same compound and tread pattern/siping all the way though just like the Dunlop.
That's good to know -- I thought all Blizzaks were like that.

[SteveinVT]

I was looking on the Tire Rack website and it looks like I have to purchase a set of sensors for the winter RFTs with the wheels. Is that right? It adds quite a bit to the price $184!

[Barmats]

You don't have to use TPM sensors in your runflats as long as you're willing to put up with the warning light on your dash. I did that last year with my 350Z, but I also had a spare in the trunk.

With my convertible there's no room in the trunk for a spare so I decided to buy sensors for my winter runflats. The price from Gary is quite a bit lower than what the dealer will charge so you are saving some $$.

[Gary@Tirerack]

Yes, and correct to previous two posts.

Winter
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=BC5&url=/winter/index.jsp

[VIZSLA]

Has anyone found steel 17 inch wheels for the 328 coupe? I don't want to run alloys in the winter if I can avoid it but can't find steel wheels that fit.
Thanks.