Summer vs Winter Tires new X3

http://www.bmwblog.com/2010/11/25/th...on-new-bmw-x3/

I guess the All season we get would be in the middle. It makes you wonder whether you should change to winter tires. I guess you would let your all seasons last longer. I might be willing to do that if BMW would include changing them for free in the maintenance...otherwise you'd have to pay for the change twice a year.

When I had my Carolla and I switched from All season to the Michelin Arctic Alpin (can't remember whether it was those or the Blizak)...boy was it awesome. It would just make you smile and you could test it in parking lots (skidding). What a difference. I wonder if they have tires like that for the X3...I'd vouch for them any day...awesome.

Well, in Québec province, it's a provincial law to have winter tires, from the 15th december up to 15th of march. So it's not an option for us, and I think it's a good law, we have good winters here, especially where I live more up north........

And I run Nokian tires, Hakka5 studded.

Curious X3 for life. Did you order a 2011 X3 yet?

Buy a separate set of winter wheels/tires, mount the wheels yourself twice a year for free. No appointment needed.

I'm not a fan of compromise like all-season tires.

Originally Posted by X3forlife

http://www.bmwblog.com/2010/11/25/th...on-new-bmw-x3/

I guess the All season we get would be in the middle.

Depends on the tire's brand and model. The Bridgestone Turanza EL42 all-seasons which came with my car are pretty bad (I'd say as bad as a summer tire) for snow-covered roads (and, of course, xDrive is nearly useless if you have bad tires). That's why I simply decided to buy a set of "performance winter" tire/wheels to use for this (and future) winter time. TireRack sells a nice sets for all kind of cars, already pre-balanced and with TPM sensors pre-installed.

Originally Posted by Evlengr

Curious X3 for life. Did you order a 2011 X3 yet?

No. I'm not even sure whether I'm going to get this model...maybe March or so or wait until October for the 2012 model but I will definitely get it within the next year.

I'd like to see a few more reviews. I'd like them to be willing to bargain. I wonder if by March or April they may be willing to bargain but probably not...probably not until summer. I know January and Feb will get no bargaining.

IDK...lol

Originally Posted by 06BMWX3

Well, in Québec province, it's a provincial law to have winter tires, from the 15th december up to 15th of march. So it's not an option for us, and I think it's a good law, we have good winters here, especially where I live more up north........

And I run Nokian tires, Hakka5 studded.

Cool...thanks. Surprisingly as EE can probably attest, Maryland's winter was bad last year. Who knows this year?

Originally Posted by AlexK

Depends on the tire's brand and model. The Bridgestone Turanza EL42 all-seasons which came with my car are pretty bad (I'd say as bad as a summer tire) for snow-covered roads (and, of course, xDrive is nearly useless if you have bad tires). That's why I simply decided to buy a set of "performance winter" tire/wheels to use for this (and future) winter time. TireRack sells a nice sets for all kind of cars, already pre-balanced and with TPM sensors pre-installed.

I noticed winter tires seem to be cheaper than regular tires. I wonder if we get the F25 whether we will be forced to get winter RFs.

Originally Posted by X3forlife

I noticed winter tires seem to be cheaper than regular tires. I wonder if we get the F25 whether we will be forced to get winter RFs.

You won't have to buy run-flat winter tyres but you will have to buy the sensors for them if you mount them on a new rim (US-spec vehicles only).

In Germany, they recently increased the fine for driving with summer tires during winter season to €80. I think a similar law should apply; if you cause an accident during the winter due to improper summer tires, the driver of that vehicle is at fault.

That of course presumes you are in an area that gets snow! Some of us never see the stuff and our problem is rain and sun. The A/S tires do just fine in that.

Originally Posted by UncleJ

That of course presumes you are in an area that gets snow! Some of us never see the stuff and our problem is rain and sun. The A/S tires do just fine in that.

show off...lol

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

You won't have to buy run-flat winter tyres but you will have to buy the sensors for them if you mount them on a new rim (US-spec vehicles only).

Confused.

New Rim for Winter-non run flats?

By the way are new rims required or can they just change the tires with the same rims?

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

you will have to buy the sensors for them if you mount them on a new rim (US-spec vehicles only).

You don't have to do that if you buy a set of mounted and pre-balanced wheels/tires from TireRack. Of course, you'll get constant complaints from TPMS system, but you can simply ignore them

Originally Posted by X3forlife

Confused.

New Rim for Winter-non run flats?

By the way are new rims required or can they just change the tires with the same rims?

Run Flats cannot be remounted. It compromises the integrity of the sidewall.

If it compromises the integrity of the sidewall --- how did they get it on the wheel to begin with? Seems as if there is a disconnect here. I suspect that they can be remounted, but perhaps with some sort of purpose built machine and not two tire irons and a rubber hammer (anyone even remember that?).

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Run Flats cannot be remounted. It compromises the integrity of the sidewall.

Who told you this BS? Bridgestone? Or the BMW dealer/tire shop dealer (who usually don't know WTF they are talking about)?

Hmm, after doing some reading on the internet, it looks like RFs can be reused. I always knew they could be patched (as long as the puncture isn't on or near the sidewall) but mounting as always a bit iffy. Plus, seeing as how neither our X3 nor the 325i have those special tires, I haven't really been up-to-date with the technology.

Fwiw,
I had a RFT patched and remounted, on my Vette a few years ago. I did have to hunt around for a tire joint that would do, but the fix was easy,
as was the mounting and never had a prob with the tire over its lifespan. Z rated, but I didn't get near that speed rating, after the patch...
GL, mD