New Winter Tires Rental Program

I've read in this forum about how scenic the Melk area is, and it sounds very doable on my tight schedule. Hmmmm..... more to think about!

Hey John,

basic question. You've responded in a different thread to suggest I wait to reserve tires. I very much appreciate this honesty in your business

I'm picking up on 9/4/09

I'm planning to arrive back in München on 15/4/09 just in case I need to return tires. Given the snow this year, I'm thinking it's a good idea no matter the 10 day forecast.

My plan is to drive München -> Berchtesgaden -> Hohenschwangau/Füssen -> Augsburg -> Rotherburg ob der Tauber -> München

So, the question is ... how late is the service available on 9/4 (my ED pickup is 14:10), and how late is dropoff/replacement possible on 15/4? Not trying to push the limits, but understand them, so that I can figure out my schedule.

Thanks.

Mounting of Winter tires (and wheels) and re-mounting of your originals can take place at the tire depot within the business hours shown below. Appointments can also be made at reasonable times outside of business hours.

Your car can also be left at a Munich or airport hotel for pick-up by our representative (supplement of 50 Euros) who will then take it to the tire depot, have your original wheels & tires re-mounted and then deliver the car to the drop-off agency in nearby Garching. You would, however, have had to complete the drop-off agency's paperwork there in advance.

Tire Depot Business Hours:

Mon-Thur: 8.00 a.m. - 12.00 p.m. & 1.00 p.m. - 5.30 p.m.

Fri: 8.00 a.m. - 12.00 p.m. & 1.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Sat: 9.00 a.m. - 12.00 p.m. or in the afternoon by appointment.

Sun: Closed, but re-mounting of your original wheels & tires can be made by appointment.

Can someone PLESE give us an idea of the winter wheel/tire rental cost? Is per diem or per week and is there a separate cost to chnge out tires. Just wanted an idea. Thanks

Originally Posted by dalekressin

Can someone PLESE give us an idea of the winter wheel/tire rental cost? Is per diem or per week and is there a separate cost to chnge out tires. Just wanted an idea. Thanks

The link on the site for "prices" spells this out! Please look there!

I read the Wiki .... Thanks again Jon

Originally Posted by john lance

As an incentive to Bimmerfesters to book early, thus helping me to judge how many sets of wheels and tires are required next Winter, all reservations made by 'Festers for Winter Tires through the website www.edwintertires.com that are booked and paid for by October 1st 2008 will be priced at $1 = 1 Euro !!!

Be sure to enter "Bimmerfest Member" in the Notes section of the on-line reservation form. Reservation dates can be changed once your actual delivery date & vacation dates are finalized.

John-

I plan on picking up my new car on the 15th of Dec. Do you have any sweet deals such as this for 2009? Also, I might be dropping off my car on the 24th. Are you open that day? Do you provide the same wheels as the one the car comes with? The reason I ask is, my car is equipped with the M-Sport package and was wondering if you provide similar wheels with winter tires.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by SL335IC

Do you provide the same wheels as the one the car comes with? The reason I ask is, my car is equipped with the M-Sport package and was wondering if you provide similar wheels with winter tires.

Why would anyone mount winter tires on expensive wheels? Besides, the wheels will be an inch or two smaller than what your comes with to begin with.

Originally Posted by JSpira

Why would anyone mount winter tires on expensive wheels? Besides, the wheels will be an inch or two smaller than what your comes with to begin with.

Are you John? I didn't think so. That post was addressed to John

Yeah, but I wasn't sure if the bolt pattern of the M-Sport wheels are different from regular sport package. Also, wanted to know if they had replica wheels that looked cool. Why do the wheels have to the an inch or two smaller? Is that a necessity for winter tires I am not aware of

Originally Posted by SL335IC

Are you John? I didn't think so. That post was addressed to John

This is a discussion forum - are you unaware of that?

Originally Posted by SL335IC

Are you John? I didn't think so. That post was addressed to John

Even with a smiley, that was a rude comment.

Originally Posted by SL335IC

Yeah, but I wasn't sure if the bolt pattern of the M-Sport wheels are different from regular sport package. Also, wanted to know if they had replica wheels that looked cool. Why do the wheels have to the an inch or two smaller? Is that a necessity for winter tires I am not aware of

Do you believe that getting an M-Sport version of a car is that different than any other version?

If you don't think that they stick the cheapest possible wheels onto winter tires - without any regard as to finding wheels "that looked cool" - you are sadly mistaken.

Regarding the size, winter tires are almost always smaller - and why would the winter tire provider spend extra unnecessary money getting 18 or 19 in wheels when 17s will fit the same car?

Originally Posted by EHeath

Even with a smiley, that was a rude comment.


Do you believe that getting an M-Sport version of a car is that different than any other version?

If you don't think that they stick the cheapest possible wheels onto winter tires - without any regard as to finding wheels "that looked cool" - you are sadly mistaken.

Regarding the size, winter tires are almost always smaller - and why would the winter tire provider spend extra unnecessary money getting 18 or 19 in wheels when 17s will fit the same car?

I apologize for not having seen this thread yesterday, but am pleased to jump in now to clarify the points raised.

Yes, we do stock wheels fitted with Winter tires for what I presume is a 3-series M Sport vehicle. The all-inclusive rental cost would be as on the website - 140 Euros for the first 48 hours and 29 Euros per day thereafter. The mileage allowance is 300 miles per day. Excess miles driven on the equipment are charged at 0.10 Euros per mile. The offer you resurrected was one from back in the Summer of 2008. It was not one I repeated for 2009, nor, if I had, would it be valid now that the Winter season is already under way.

You would be well advised not to even think about fitting Winter tires onto the existing wheels which will be supplied with your car. It is not a question of fitting 17 inch tires because they are cheaper, it is because they will give you the sufficient grip that you will appreciate when driving in wintry conditions. Winter tires on 19 inch wheels on your vehicle would not be of much use.

Regarding what you have implied with regard to the standard of wheels supplied by me, sadly you are mistaken. The wheels I have chosen for the Winter tires rental program are certainly not by a long-shot the cheapest. I chose them for their durability, for their appearance and finally with one eye on their cost. I think you can find some comments as to how they look, on this forum as well as on the Testimonials page of the website: http://www.edwintertires.com/testimonials.htm

Winter tires are currently available for your car for 9 days beginning 15th December and although the tire depot is normally closed on Christmas Eve, I can make special arrangements for you to return the equipment at some time in the morning of 24th December. But is Vikase open on 24th I wonder? To reserve the equipment, just complete the on-line booking form on the website.

Originally Posted by john lance

I apologize for not having seen this thread yesterday, but am pleased to jump in now to clarify the points raised.

Yes, we do stock wheels fitted with Winter tires for what I presume is a 3-series M Sport vehicle. The all-inclusive rental cost would be as on the website - 140 Euros for the first 48 hours and 29 Euros per day thereafter. The mileage allowance is 300 miles per day. Excess miles driven on the equipment are charged at 0.10 Euros per mile. The offer you resurrected was one from back in the Summer of 2008. It was not one I repeated for 2009, nor, if I had, would it be valid now that the Winter season is already under way.

You would be well advised not to even think about fitting Winter tires onto the existing wheels which will be supplied with your car. It is not a question of fitting 17 inch tires because they are cheaper, it is because they will give you the sufficient grip that you will appreciate when driving in wintry conditions. Winter tires on 19 inch wheels on your vehicle would not be of much use.

Regarding what you have implied with regard to the standard of wheels supplied by me, sadly you are mistaken. The wheels I have chosen for the Winter tires rental program are certainly not by a long-shot the cheapest. I chose them for their durability, for their appearance and finally with one eye on their cost. I think you can find some comments as to how they look, on this forum as well as on the Testimonials page of the website: http://www.edwintertires.com/testimonials.htm

Winter tires are currently available for your car for 9 days beginning 15th December and although te tire depost is normally closed on Christmas Eve, I can make special arrangements for you to return the equipment at some time in the morning of 24th December. But is Vikase open on 24th I wonder? To reserve the equipment, just complete the on-line booking form on the website.

Thanks John. This is really helpful. I think the welt is closed on xmas eve so I will be dropping it off on the 23rd. Do I drive the car driectly from the welt to your facility to get the tires/wheels swapped? How long does the process take? Also, do I drop off the car at the welt on the 23rd or is the drop off point in another location?

Originally Posted by SL335IC

Thanks John. This is really helpful. I think the welt is closed on xmas eve so I will be dropping it off on the 23rd. Do I drive the car driectly from the welt to your facility to get the tires/wheels swapped? How long does the process take? Also, do I drop off the car at the welt on the 23rd or is the drop off point in another location?

Yes, after the delivery of the car to you at BMW-Welt, you would drive to the tire depot at Ismaning (10-15 minutes) to have the wheels & Winter tires fitted. Your own wheels and tires are stored there till you return.

You do not drop your car off at BMW-Welt, but at Vikase, the drop-off agency in Garching, close to Ismaning, where my tire depot is.

Originally Posted by EHeath

Even with a smiley, that was a rude comment.

Didn't mean to be rude.....It was a joke, hence the smiley face.

JSpira, I hope I didn't offend you.

Originally Posted by SL335IC

Didn't mean to be rude.....It was a joke, hence the smiley face.

JSpira, I hope I didn't offend you.

No worries.

Anyone offer thoughts on whether winter tires are necessary?

Sounds like most of you are picking up RWD models, but what about AWD?

I'm getting a 535xi in January, planning to drive through Bavaria/Austria.. sticking to main roads. Sounds like by the letter of the law I should have them in Austria, but does anyone think I'll really need them with X-drive & all-seasons (standard 17")?? I live in CT and have never had a problem in the snow on my 328xi with all-seasons.

Thx for the input.

Originally Posted by hoyasteva

Anyone offer thoughts on whether winter tires are necessary?

Sounds like most of you are picking up RWD models, but what about AWD?

I'm getting a 535xi in January, planning to drive through Bavaria/Austria.. sticking to main roads. Sounds like by the letter of the law I should have them in Austria, but does anyone think I'll really need them with X-drive & all-seasons (standard 17")?? I live in CT and have never had a problem in the snow on my 328xi with all-seasons.

Thx for the input.

I was pretty sure if you don't have the required winter tires and the polizei pull you over your car can be impounded on the spot.

Why risk it?

Originally Posted by hoyasteva

Anyone offer thoughts on whether winter tires are necessary?

Sounds like most of you are picking up RWD models, but what about AWD?

I'm getting a 535xi in January, planning to drive through Bavaria/Austria.. sticking to main roads. Sounds like by the letter of the law I should have them in Austria, but does anyone think I'll really need them with X-drive & all-seasons (standard 17")?? I live in CT and have never had a problem in the snow on my 328xi with all-seasons.

Thx for the input.

All seasons are legal but also a definite compromise in safety. Many tire experts refer to them as "no seasons." If you are in any significant snowfall (not unlikely in January), the no-season tires will not be sufficient.

You can wait until closer to your trip and see how the weather looks but, because it's high season for renting tires, I would not wait too long.

Originally Posted by john lance

Yes, after the delivery of the car to you at BMW-Welt, you would drive to the tire depot at Ismaning (10-15 minutes) to have the wheels & Winter tires fitted. Your own wheels and tires are stored there till you return.

According to the 10-day forecast, it's supposed to be snowing on the day I take delivery (in addition to the couple of day leading up to it). Is this a drive (from the welt to the depot) I can safely do with my summer tires?

Originally Posted by SL335IC

According to the 10-day forecast, it's supposed to be snowing on the day I take delivery (in addition to the couple of day leading up to it). Is this a drive (from the welt to the depot) I can safely do with my summer tires?

You will be on main roads and they should be clear. Just drive carefully, allowing for extra distance when braking etc.

I'm sure John Lance can provide more insight but that's my view. And I'll be doing the same drive on 23.12.

Originally Posted by JSpira

You will be on main roads and they should be clear. Just drive carefully, allowing for extra distance when braking etc.
.

Thanks JSpira

Originally Posted by SL335IC

According to the 10-day forecast, it's supposed to be snowing on the day I take delivery (in addition to the couple of day leading up to it). Is this a drive (from the welt to the depot) I can safely do with my summer tires?

As JSpira has said, the drive from BMW Welt to the tire depot in Ismaning is all on major roads which are kep clear except in the rarest and most severe of circumstances. If the road cannot be safely used, the only alternative would be to make use of the srevice offered by BMW Welt to deliver cars to the drop-off agency in Garching for 60 euros I believe. The drop-off agency is then just a very short distance away from the tire depot.

I just wanted to add a Foto of my car with its winter tires to this thread.

I could not have done this trip without ED Winter Tires.

Complete details of this part of the drive are here.

I will be doing ED in Feb and pretty certain I'm going to need winter tires. Great write-up of "Driving the Roßfeldstraße". More great info to help me plan my trip. Thanks!