Dealing with the snow/ice in northwest

[TMQ]

Finally, the recent snow storm and ice cold conditions have prompted me to prepare buying a set of winter tires/wheels. I thought I could get by with all seasons, but given that even the 4WD vehicles with all seasons have troubles stopping (my CR-V danced on ice and went right through a stop sign today), winter tires seem quite necessary for the bimmer.

Of course, Jan-Mar could be totally snow free, who knows.

For those of you who have lived here for some time, what do you think?

[Alexbo]

I'm not sure where the dark side of the moon is, but I think that January to March will be snow-free, or almost snow free. Right now is a huge, record-breaking fluke, and it probably won't last. I'm trying to find a good solution for snowchains for my 330i...

It's just not worth buying all new wheels or tires just for the one week of snow we get a year.

[That Guy]

I live in the Tri-Cities and snow tires are certainly required IMO. I tried to get through last winter in the 325i without snows and found myself sharing the Chevy Tahoe with my wife. This year with the 535xi, even with 4wd, I got Blizzax’s in November. The xi has done very well.

If I lived on the West side of the state I would push my luck and skip the snow tires.

[Lavalamp425]

It really depends on how and where you drive and what kind of capability you'd like to have. All-season tires are perfectly fine for 363 days in Seattle most years, and 355 days every 10 years or so (this year being one of them). To most people, buying a dedicated set of winter tires for 2-10 days a year is not worth it and I agree. If you had summer/performance tires then I'd recommend winter tires solely because summer rubber starts turning into a hockey puck below about 40 degrees. This is a big part of why I do have Blizzaks, the other being that I ski and so need more snow capability than most people.

[CanamBMW]

I am in Bend (OR) . Blizzaks or Nokian 4s or WRs for snow/ice on a 325XIT.

[101770KC]

Finally, the recent snow storm and ice cold conditions have prompted me to prepare buying a set of winter tires/wheels. I thought I could get by with all seasons, but given that even the 4WD vehicles with all seasons have troubles stopping (my CR-V danced on ice and went right through a stop sign today), winter tires seem quite necessary for the bimmer.

Of course, Jan-Mar could be totally snow free, who knows.

For those of you who have lived here for some time, what do you think?


I have lived in Seattle for 30 years (I'm 38). This last couple of weeks is the worst I've ever seen. Don't bother with the snow tires. I wouldn't even put snow tires on the CRV unless you are someone who absolutely has to get to work on time, anytime.

[Bikeshark]

Hello, fellow Listers.

I missed work from December 19th until after Christmas as my all wheel drive 335xi got stuck on the evening of December 18th. I couldn't even turn the darn thing into the garage because of the ice on the street behind our house to which the garage opens. I have the sports package upgrade to the 18" wheels and summer tires which were less than acceptable.

I finally ordered a set of wheels and tires. It's snowed again (and it may be snowing again in the city and I am hoping to get some skiing in (if I can ever find a life beyond work).

I had the wheels, 17" O.Z. Allegherita 17x8s with Michelin PA3 (XL (V rated?) 225-45R 17s from TireRack installed here in Seattle by Doug Tate at TruLine at Boren & Jackson. I got the NRFs because I am having a terrible problem with the Bridgestone RFs and have developed serious sidewall bubbles in four tires. Those BRFs are never going back on the car.

I keep a floor standing bicycle pump in the car so if I develop a leak I'll pump up the tire and run by a Les Scwhab which patched a prior RF. I may get an M-package pump and/or tire sealant and/or a 550i mini-spare with jack, etc. (Anyone have comments on those?)

I feel much more confident about the car with the new shoes but I'll need to drive on them for a while. I've only got 2 miles on them so far!

I may go with another set of Michelins for summer tires but for the moment I am trying to work something out with BMW over the summer tire RFs on the mags.

The car ought to be great for skiing and certainly decent for any other snow we get. I have my own business (a law practice) so I was unhappy about losing days from work but I did love the clear, crisp snow for long walks (given that the bus service went dead in Seattle).

Contact me later if you want a report on the new traction shoes.

Regards.