New Winter Tires Rental Program

Originally Posted by Bart001

Do you have a link to BMW's program? Thanks!

No. Someone did post it somewhere here in the forum though.

Originally Posted by bennett64

It seems like the winter season ends in March. For an ED in late April, how confident would you be with performance tires. Driving from Munich to Italian Riviera? I realize there could be a unseasonable storm, but generally...

Although it's not uncommon for heavy snow to fall at that time, you would be unlucky to meet with wintry conditions just on the day that you are heading over the Brenner. As the Winter Tires will certainly not be all booked out at that time it's highly probable that you could make a last-minute decision whether to rent them or not. So my recommendation would be to do nothing at this time but check the forecast a couple of days prior to your arrival and if snow is threatening then make your decision then.

Hi John
What's the availability for first week of March?

Originally Posted by jliu34740

Hi John
What's the availability for first week of March?

No problem on any dates at the moment!

two thumbs up for john lance and Anette! Talk about a class act!! well worth the money, great costumer service and a great product! The wheels are nice and stylish, and the tires really do make a difference.

Any pics of this condo near Salzburg?

Originally Posted by Ucla95

Any pics of this condo near Salzburg?

Yes, it can be seen here: www.stgilgen-apartments.com

Hello John,

How does availability look on Feb 23rd?

Thanks,
- J

Originally Posted by Jake C

Hello John,

How does availability look on Feb 23rd?

Thanks,
- J

No problem - it's available throughout January and February with the exception of 16th till 18th February.

Originally Posted by Jake C

Hello John,

How does availability look on Feb 23rd?

Thanks,
- J

Sorry Jake, I realise you are talking about Winter Tires and not the apartment mentiuoned in the previous posting!

Yes, tires are available from 23rd February.

The rental prices have now come down, due to the individual tire rentals covering less mileage than initially predicted.
http://www.edwintertires.com/rates.htm

Originally Posted by john lance

Although it's not uncommon for heavy snow to fall at that time, you would be unlucky to meet with wintry conditions just on the day that you are heading over the Brenner. As the Winter Tires will certainly not be all booked out at that time it's highly probable that you could make a last-minute decision whether to rent them or not. So my recommendation would be to do nothing at this time but check the forecast a couple of days prior to your arrival and if snow is threatening then make your decision then.

OK, I feel silly even asking, but better safe than sorry - I am assuming that with a latter half of May trip through the Bavarian Alps, I should have no issues (weather related, anyway) with the 335i Sport Package performance tires. Ist das richtig?

Thanks,
abmwc

Normally, yes, you should have no issues. However....nothing is certain in the Alps and there could, just could, be snow. Check the 10-day advance weather forecast before you set off. If all looks good, then you should be fine. If there is snow forecast for higher elevations then you can always call last-minute and get yourself some Winter tires fitted.

I'm picking up my 335i Saturday, my itinerary is to drive it to Lake Como, then to the South of France. I see that the weather is questionable, what is your recommendation? My flight is out of Nice and I am dropping off the car there. Does BMW equip the car with all season tires if weather is inclement?

--Blake

Originally Posted by BlakeB

Does BMW equip the car with all season tires if weather is inclement?

Do you really envision your car on the factory assembly line and someone runs over with a weather forecast and suddenly the line stops and different tires are mounted on the car?

You posted in the thread about a winter tire rental program.

Originally Posted by JSpira

Do you really envision your car on the factory assembly line and someone runs over with a weather forecast and suddenly the line stops and different tires are mounted on the car?

You posted in the thread about a winter tire rental program.

I dont envision that, since the car has already been manufactured- I did think perhaps BMW would take the 5 minutes to switch out wheels on cars delivered to customers at the Welt during inclement weather.

Looking for some helpful suggestions for a fellow bimmer enthusiast, not sarcastic remarks. My intention was to get suggestions as to the need for winter tires on my itinerary at the moment and how to coordinate though the rental program as I am dropping off in Nice.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by BlakeB

I dont envision that, since the car has already been manufactured- I did think perhaps BMW would take the 5 minutes to switch out wheels on cars delivered to customers at the Welt during inclement weather.

Looking for some helpful suggestions for a fellow bimmer enthusiast, not sarcastic remarks. My intention was to get suggestions as to the need for winter tires on my itinerary at the moment and how to coordinate though the rental program as I am dropping off in Nice.

Thanks.

Did you read this thread? It has quite a bit of detail.

You can rent tires for a few hundred euro.

There. That's the helpful suggestion. But you have to bring the tires back to Munich.

You can pay € 450 and have your car picked up from you in Nice, taken back to Munich, and dropped off at Harms in Garching.

Originally Posted by JSpira

Did you read this thread? It has quite a bit of detail.

You can rent tires for a few hundred euro.

There. That's the helpful suggestion. But you have to bring the tires back to Munich.

As Jonathan correctly pointed out on his subsequent post, this is no longer the case - cars can now be left in Nice or anywhere else in Europe and we at edwintertires.com will deliver them back to the Munich drop-off center and, if applicable, will go via the tire depot to first have the original wheels & tires re-mounted. Typical prices are show on the website.

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.

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.

Thought this deserved a little bump... as it is a pretty sweet deal

John, I'll be picking up my 335i on the 18th of November, but I have to fly back on the 21st, so I'll have just 2 days to tour. I'm thinking about heading to Prague, and was considering your winter tire program for the trip. Do you think winter tires will be necessary for that time of year for the journey to Prague and back?

Chances are you won't have the need but you have to weigh the risk versus your desire to drive (especially long distances such as Prague). Winter weather can start as early as October in Bavaria (even earlier in the high Alpine regions). If you're dead-set on driving the car and /or visiting particular locations, I'd recommend reserving the tires now. If you're flexible and/or don't mind spending the bulk of your time in Munich if weather strikes, don't bother.

Or you could go in between and check the forecast 3-5 days out from your pick up and determine if a reservation would be prudent. Before you rely on this method, you may want to contact John to inquire on the predicted tire availability.

Remember - while winter tires are required by law in our fair countries during winter weather, they are also beneficial (but not required) during cold, dry weather too.

Regarding your itinerary, any particular reason you're heading to Prague during such a short trip? Maybe you have mitigating circumstances or just don't mind the driving/hassles but there are lots of other cool places to see in southern/central Germany that may be equally rewarding if you haven't been. The drive to Prague is relatively simple but uninspiring. Also, keep in mind the hassles you may experience at the border by the German police. They frequently stop luxury cars going into CZ to make sure they aren't stolen so be prepared with your passport and car paperwork.

Brian, thanks for the advice. I'll contact John and reserve the tires. As for the itinerary, I know its not ideal as I only have a few days. I was stationed in Bitburg years ago, and have been to the Munich, Salzburg area several times before. Being November for my ED, crossing the Alps sounded precarious, so it left Prague or Vienna as possibilities as I have not been to either. I'm still up in the air though and would appreciate any recommendations, but I will remain flexible in case of weather.
Mark

Originally Posted by mas857

Brian, thanks for the advice. I'll contact John and reserve the tires. As for the itinerary, I know its not ideal as I only have a few days. I was stationed in Bitburg years ago, and have been to the Munich, Salzburg area several times before. Being November for my ED, crossing the Alps sounded precarious, so it left Prague or Vienna as possibilities as I have not been to either. I'm still up in the air though and would appreciate any recommendations, but I will remain flexible in case of weather.
Mark

I can't predict the future any better than anyone else, but I just checked my notes about past weather conditions in the Fall. In 2003 the first snow in Munich was on the last night of Octoberfest. It was mostly light flurries and was mostly gone by morning, but I would not have wanted to drive through it on summer tires. The next October I was there was 2006, the warmest on record. It hit 70 deg. F. during the day on the last week.

We were in Vienna last month and Prague a couple of years ago. Both are quite interesting. One advantage to Vienna is that it is a straight shot to stop in Melk or Duernstein in the Danube Valley on the way. Let me know if you want photos. (Some are at the ED forum.)