what make/model tires do you guys use for winter?

We've put Blizzaks on for years and they worked great, but the most recent set we got are Continental Extreme Winter Contact and I must say they are MUCH much quieter, actually, they're quieter than my summer tires. Blizzaks are really noisy. Reviews/statistics say that the Conti's are just as good as the Blizzaks, unfortunately it didn't snow last year so I didn't get to test them out, but they're much cheaper and much quieter. Relying on All Seasons with RWD is really a gamble, definitely go for snow tires, they make a huge difference.

I'd also suggest buying separate rims for the snows as well, sounds expensive but when Mavis charges you $25 a tire in the fall and $25 per tire in the spring to mount/balance the snows it adds up. Usually a swap is free if they're on the rims already. You can get cheap rims on tire rack (not steelies) for about $90 each.

I am thinking about running this winter setup. I live in Seattle and on the few days it snows I absolutely have to get to work which involves a 17 mile highway drive and several large hills. I drive a '12 E92 335 xdrive.... Thoughts?

17x8 Elbrus I08 Anthracite Painted
for 2012 BMW 335i xDrive Coupe Base Model
In Stock
$126.00 $504.00
225/45R17 Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II Run Flat Blackwall 210, Run Flat
for 2012 BMW 335i xDrive Coupe Base Model
In Stock
$208.00 $832.00

Originally Posted by Zooks527

I use Blizzak WS series. I deal with the squish on the dry to get the go in the snow. YMMV.

I do agree with Orient that VA would seem to indicate a performance snow rather than a snow/ice tire.

When I lived there the worst snow situations were the mid day thunder snows that would drop 6+ inches of wet snow before the evening commute. None of the roads would be plowed and hundreds of cars would get stuck. In those cases a traditional deep tread snow tire worked best. That said, I usually ran performance winter tires, which were adequate but not very reassuring when driving through deep fresh snow. NoVa is pretty good at plowing and de-icing, it's day 1 where things were really hairy.

Originally Posted by josh_b

I am thinking about running this winter setup. I live in Seattle and on the few days it snows I absolutely have to get to work which involves a 17 mile highway drive and several large hills. I drive a '12 E92 335 xdrive.... Thoughts?

17x8 Elbrus I08 Anthracite Painted
for 2012 BMW 335i xDrive Coupe Base Model
In Stock
$126.00 $504.00
225/45R17 Pirelli Winter Sottozero Serie II Run Flat Blackwall 210, Run Flat
for 2012 BMW 335i xDrive Coupe Base Model
In Stock
$208.00 $832.00

I'm not sure I'd go with the Pirellis in the performance winter category. You don't see a lot of people raving about them, while the Blizzaks, Michelin Alpins, and Dunlops have tons of people who pipe up about them in the snow tire discussions. All now have 225/45-R17 RFTs.

Also, Tire Rack does not appear to be shipping pre-mounted and balanced any more without TPMS if your car has it (NHTSA strikes again), so don't forget another $200

Originally Posted by 8355adam

This is my first winter with a Bimmer. I've been checking out the differences between performace winter tires and studless snow/winter tires.

i know Bridgestone blizzaks LM-60 or WS60 are popular but Ive also wondered if the new Michelin pilot PA4 are worth the extra $$$ ($250 for 4)

I am expecting cold temps for 4 months and snow/ice for one week/year average.

What do you guys use for the winter...???

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R snow tires.

I had a set of Nokian's on my E93 RWD as well as my E90 M-Sport AWD and had amazing performance in New Hampshire's challenging conditions for 5+ years. Especially on my RWD 3 Series, it out handled my FWD cars on lesser tires, couldn't believe it.

Others are recommending performance winter tires and I disagree. On a RWD car you go for maximum traction even if you only get 7-10 days of really nasty conditions. Otherwise, stay on all-seasons, save your money, get a ride from a friend on those days.

BJ

Just put a set of staggered conti-DWS on and you won't need to think about it again for 3 or 4 years, I have driven on them in deep snow with no problems and they have a great ride, smooth and quiet and have a long tread life, (less tread life with staggered setup) but they look better!

I'm shocked BJ visited New Hampshire repeatedly.

Pirelli Sottozero. Got it from Tire Rack, delivered to home, pre-mounted and with TPMS. It has a thinner track, excellent for "cutting through" snow -- although it will come with these "spacers" that you ought to be careful not to lose.

I heard good things about Blizzaks too.

If you have RWD you absolutely need snowtires. If you have XDrive you don't. Don't waste your money, you simply don't need snow tires, we've driven our 335ix in more snow than most small SUV's can handle and it's great with all seasons.

Originally Posted by sea6speed

I'm shocked BJ visited New Hampshire repeatedly.

I lived in New Hampshire repeatedly, 13 years to be exact. The first two of my BMW's were registered and drove happily up there.

BJ

The jummobile sports Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds. 225/40/18 all around.

I put them on this afternoon as snow is expected tonight!

Today was also the first day of skiing for the year for me and mrs. jummo, over at Copper mtn.

Game on!

jummo

Originally Posted by jummo

The jummobile sports Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds. 225/40/18 all around.

I put them on this afternoon as snow is expected tonight!

Today was also the first day of skiing for the year for me and mrs. jummo, over at Copper mtn.

Game on!

jummo

I miss Colorado!

Originally Posted by jummo

...Today was also the first day of skiing for the year for me and mrs. jummo, over at Copper mtn.

Nice. I've been seeing some pics from the PSIA/AASI tech team and other Rocky Mt. instructors training up at Copper on FB. Didja see them all dressed up in green pants/blue (almost turquoise) jackets?

We're not ready to go here in WA state; little snow-making and not yet quite enough to cover the rocks/brush. Hood ought to be rocking, though...

Originally Posted by DPP528

If you have RWD you absolutely need snowtires. If you have XDrive you don't. Don't waste your money, you simply don't need snow tires, we've driven our 335ix in more snow than most small SUV's can handle and it's great with all seasons.

I don't know if I can agree with this advice. You still won't be able to stop or turn. Where I live, it gets very cold, and All Season tires even in a road with no ice just won't perform because they get so hard.

We put Winter Tires on our AWD SUV, and the difference in drivability on that is night and day.

It all really depends on what your winters are like though. Personally I just don't drive vehicles without winter tires anymore. I can afford them, and they drastically increase the safety of me and my family.

Originally Posted by jummo

The jummobile sports Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds. 225/40/18 all around.

I put them on this afternoon as snow is expected tonight!

Today was also the first day of skiing for the year for me and mrs. jummo, over at Copper mtn.

Game on!

jummo

I know it's early for you to give them a solid review, but what are your thoughts on them so far? I am looking at the same ones or else the Blizzak LM-25

Originally Posted by Braumin

I don't know if I can agree with this advice. You still won't be able to stop or turn. Where I live, it gets very cold, and All Season tires even in a road with no ice just won't perform because they get so hard.

We put Winter Tires on our AWD SUV, and the difference in drivability on that is night and day.

It all really depends on what your winters are like though. Personally I just don't drive vehicles without winter tires anymore. I can afford them, and they drastically increase the safety of me and my family.

Quick rule of thumb: If you own and use a snowblower and if you have never regretted the purchase, you likely live in an area where real winter tires will be useful and make a noticeable difference. If you don't have a snowblower and don't miss having one, you can likely get by with All-Season tires, although true winters would increase your starting, stopping, and cornering performance in snow or ice. I've driven my 335 in very similar conditions (fast falling wet snow) a week or so apart, once with A/S and once with snow tires. The difference was enormous.

Now, this test does assume you're in a situation where you will be clearing your own snow (apartment dwellers need to decide if they would have a snowblower if they were clearing the dirveway), and you can always count on someone coming along to proclaim that no matter how much snow there's been, he's always done just fine on A/S tires (probably by slowing down to the point of obstruction), but it's a workable quick test.

Likely snow performance rankings:

1. AWD with snow tires
2. RWD with snow tires
3. AWD with A/S
4. RWD with A/S
5. Anything with summers

FWIW,
George

Originally Posted by Zooks527

Quick rule of thumb: If you own and use a snowblower and if you have never regretted the purchase, you likely live in an area where real winter tires will be useful and make a noticeable difference. If you don't have a snowblower and don't miss having one, you can likely get by with All-Season tires, although true winters would increase your starting, stopping, and cornering performance in snow or ice.

I must disagree with this conclusion. I live in Seattle (and have snow tires because I drive up to the ski areas, and our vacation home and cabin both have challenging un-plowed roads), and the snow we get is usually not deep, but it's very slick as it's usually right at or just below freezing. You WILL NOT go, stop or turn with all-season tires, awd or not, no matter what the depth. Snow tires are the only thing that works (other than chains, sometimes studded tires.) And chains don't fit any sport package tire. Don't be one of the people that abandon your car in the MIDDLE of I90, I405 or I5.

Originally Posted by floydarogers

Nice. I've been seeing some pics from the PSIA/AASI tech team and other Rocky Mt. instructors training up at Copper on FB. Didja see them all dressed up in green pants/blue (almost turquoise) jackets?.

I was there with PSIA/AASI. We had the hill to ourselves all morning, pretty fair group of skiers and 'boarders. I'm going back again next week with a master's race camp.

jummo

Originally Posted by Braumin

I know it's early for you to give them a solid review, but what are your thoughts on them so far? I am looking at the same ones or else the Blizzak LM-25

They worked well on today's commute. Almost 6" of snow by the end of the day in Aspen.
I've run these tires/wheels the last 2 winters and am hoping to make it through this season as well.

They work very well on snow and ice and drive reasonably in a sporting fashion on dry pavement. Nowhere close to the Michelin Pilot Super Sport summers but those tires are surprising scary in snow.

Really, depth of snow is the limiting factor with my car. No problem with starting, cornering or stopping but when you start plowing the snow with the front spoiler, it's not so good.

jummo

Originally Posted by boltjaM3s

I lived in New Hampshire repeatedly, 13 years to be exact. The first two of my BMW's were registered and drove happily up there.

BJ

The problem is people living in 80% of the major cities on either coast do not associate New Hampshire with anything but rednecks.

Originally Posted by floydarogers

I must disagree with this conclusion. I live in Seattle (and have snow tires because I drive up to the ski areas, and our vacation home and cabin both have challenging un-plowed roads), and the snow we get is usually not deep, but it's very slick as it's usually right at or just below freezing. You WILL NOT go, stop or turn with all-season tires, awd or not, no matter what the depth. Snow tires are the only thing that works (other than chains, sometimes studded tires.) And chains don't fit any sport package tire. Don't be one of the people that abandon your car in the MIDDLE of I90, I405 or I5.

It wasn't a "conclusion", it was a "quick rule of thumb", by definition something that doesn't take all circumstances into account. And if you're going to criticize a quote from someone for being too accepting of A/S tires in bad conditions, the least you can do is leave in the sentence where he says the difference between the two in snow and ice is "enormous".

Depending on your winter needs, I'm another one in favor of the Conti DWS