For the last two winters here in Maryland, I've kept my ultra-high perf. tires on and to be honest, it's been a terrible experience.....even with DSC. For the most part, I've chalked it up to "Bimmers are bad in the snow....even if it's only an inch or two...". But this year, I've decided to purchase some all-weather tires and see if there's a difference. Any suggestions on a good brand and where to buy them from? Also, if anyone has all-weather tires and has used them in the winter, let me know what you thought of your cars performance.
All-Weather Tire Suggestions
- Thread starter kaburke
- Start date
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Dude, bad move... I also live in Maryland, down the road from you. I drive all-season radials year-round. I did a little research on tires at TireRack and various other websites and found that all, all-season tires are not created equally. It really comes down to tire size when you are looking at different brands. OE wheels on a 3 series 16" wheels Dunlop makes the best all-season radial it's the SP Sport 5000 Asymmetrical. I would still be running them today but I wanted a bigger flashier wheel, therefore the next two all-season tires I would recommend and have driven in rain, sleet and snow are first the Perelli P-Zero Nero followed closely by the Toyo Proxes 4's. I drive alot... 144,000 miles on a 2000 323i qualifes this statement. I go to New York in the winter and have driven through much snow and ice with no problems. On the other hand the OE 16" tires that came on my bimmer straight-up unquestionably SUCKED with a capitol S... They were the Dunlop 2000 series tires. They are not good in rain, snow, ice or sleet. Hell they are barely passable on dry pavement. I too thought it was the car when I was running the Dunlop 2000 tires because I could not get them to stick at low speed in light snow or heavy rain. Well that's my two and a half cents worth... Happy Motoring[driving2]
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Another guy from MD chimming in.
Go with with a wheel/snow tire package from Tire Rack. People can't believe how well my BMW handles in the snow with snow tires, and the best thing is that Tire Rack has relatively inexpensive snow tires for BMWs. Without snow tires, I couldn't get up my driveway in an inch of snow. With snow tires I've driven through six inches of snow with only minimal slipping.
Go with with a wheel/snow tire package from Tire Rack. People can't believe how well my BMW handles in the snow with snow tires, and the best thing is that Tire Rack has relatively inexpensive snow tires for BMWs. Without snow tires, I couldn't get up my driveway in an inch of snow. With snow tires I've driven through six inches of snow with only minimal slipping.
Thanks for the feedback guys. I've definitely gotta make a switch. I wish I could keep two separate sets for each season cuz I love the high performance tires on a hot DC summer day zoomin around the beltway....not to mention they holdup well in the rain.....but I can't afford to keep two sets of tires. At first snowfall, which around here is usually less than an inch, I'm screwed....BIG TIME...with these tires I've got. I've got 17's and I like the bigger rim look, so I think I'm going to go with all-season (opposed to a pure winter tire). I'll get through this winter and then keep testing them next summer and see if there's a major difference in summer performance. If not, then I've got myself a permanent tire. If there's a big difference, I'll consider maintaining two sets. I'm gonna look at Tire Rack and research the Perelli P-Zero Nero. Later.
before you go and just buy the tire, consider this: mounting/ dismounting will cost you easily $50 per season, so by next summer you'll have vested around $100. on top of that, do you want your nice rims to get scratched up in the winter roads?
also, mounting/ dismounting per season is not good for both the tires and the rims. so if it's the money issue think it through. also you can get smaller 16 inch snows, which are way cheaper than the 17 inch counterparts. getting a complete set will end up saving you money in 3 or so years. (minus sized cheaper tires, and mounting/ dismount fee.)
as for getting it from tirerack direct: it's nice that the tires come mounted and balanced, but you'll have to pay a bit more to get htem installed at a local shop. also you might have to pay to get them balanced at your next rotation. shop around the local tires places for the best deal. even if you end up paying $15 or so more per tire than tirerack, if you get free balancing and rotation, that's a better deal. you also have to consider the shipping charge per tire. (my local discount tire was willing to do $10 or $15 more than the tirerack site's pricing, which was pretty good.
also, mounting/ dismounting per season is not good for both the tires and the rims. so if it's the money issue think it through. also you can get smaller 16 inch snows, which are way cheaper than the 17 inch counterparts. getting a complete set will end up saving you money in 3 or so years. (minus sized cheaper tires, and mounting/ dismount fee.)
as for getting it from tirerack direct: it's nice that the tires come mounted and balanced, but you'll have to pay a bit more to get htem installed at a local shop. also you might have to pay to get them balanced at your next rotation. shop around the local tires places for the best deal. even if you end up paying $15 or so more per tire than tirerack, if you get free balancing and rotation, that's a better deal. you also have to consider the shipping charge per tire. (my local discount tire was willing to do $10 or $15 more than the tirerack site's pricing, which was pretty good.
But you have to remember that, aside from up-front costs, it will all even out in the long run. Just as an example, if you have two sets of tires and you alternate each set after running them for six months, the two sets will last twice as long as the single set. (Know what I mean?) On top of that, you will be significantly compromising your performance all year round, in all kinds of weather.
True, XMAS.
I'd love to get real sticky sports tires, but they're not in budget right now. I can't afford to replace them in 20,000 miles. M&S tires would be a great improvement in the winter over sports tires. Maryland winters are not that bad (it's not like, say, living in the Rocky Mountains). And of course, real snow tires are noisey beasts when there's no rain or snow. M&S Tires are a reasonable compromise.
I'd love to get real sticky sports tires, but they're not in budget right now. I can't afford to replace them in 20,000 miles. M&S tires would be a great improvement in the winter over sports tires. Maryland winters are not that bad (it's not like, say, living in the Rocky Mountains). And of course, real snow tires are noisey beasts when there's no rain or snow. M&S Tires are a reasonable compromise.
I've said it elsewhere on this forum.
There is only one serious snow tire.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi.
The only downside I can see is that it is an R rated tire, so if you feel like you have to drive like a maniac on bad roads, then look at a Blizzak
I have the Hakkas on my 325i, and the only word I can use to describe them are......
VELCRO!
THey stick to snow and ice, and they have a very quiet ride, almost as quiet as the stock Bridgestone Turanzas.
These tires are not well known, They do not advertise. They sell by word of mouth, so you may have to look around. THe site has a dealer locator. No dealers in Maryland, but Pa has many.
I live in Alberta Canada, so I know a bit about winter driving.
www.nokiantires.com
There is only one serious snow tire.
Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi.
The only downside I can see is that it is an R rated tire, so if you feel like you have to drive like a maniac on bad roads, then look at a Blizzak
I have the Hakkas on my 325i, and the only word I can use to describe them are......
VELCRO!
THey stick to snow and ice, and they have a very quiet ride, almost as quiet as the stock Bridgestone Turanzas.
These tires are not well known, They do not advertise. They sell by word of mouth, so you may have to look around. THe site has a dealer locator. No dealers in Maryland, but Pa has many.
I live in Alberta Canada, so I know a bit about winter driving.
www.nokiantires.com
goodchip: those are nice winters, as long as you are not looking at perf winters. thus the soft R rating on the tires. i thought about the nokians, but i opted for better dry and wet traction over awesome snow/ice traction. it's cold in michigan, but it hasnt' snowed all that much in the past few years.
anoodle: a/s tires are exactly as you said: a compromise. it's something you have to settle for right? i'd like to have only one set of tires too tho.. time to look for a warmer place to live![[;)]](/images/smilies/wink.png "Wink [;)]")
anoodle: a/s tires are exactly as you said: a compromise. it's something you have to settle for right? i'd like to have only one set of tires too tho.. time to look for a warmer place to live
I had the Falkens Ziex 512s on my 2001 Nissan Maxima. Very good summer performance, I really only drove them once on some spring snow, and I wasn;t all that impressed. Mind you, I was used to Michelin Arctic Alpins on my Acura.
The Falkens are very highly rated by all of the various rating boards, and I would not hesitate to get them again, but not for winter driving.
I stand by my Nokians!
The Falkens are very highly rated by all of the various rating boards, and I would not hesitate to get them again, but not for winter driving.
I stand by my Nokians!
VERY TRUE. I learned the hard way. I used to swap tires every winter on older cars with steel wheels. Started doing it with my Volvo which had aluminum wheels. After a few years I had CONSTANT battles with slow leaks . The rims got chewed up at the bead and I was putting air in the tires every 2 weeks.
![[?|]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_banghead.gif "Bang Head [?|]")
I disagree. I run Vredestein Wintraks - V rated & extra load - perform wonderfully in snow - and in dry & rain - so good could be used year round - quiet too. Not taking anything away from the Nokians - but I view the Vreds as much more performance orientated. You wouldn't beleive what I can do in My S4 with these babys in snow & wet conditions...even perform amazingly well in dry...and exceptional winter tire - anyone concerned about grip in snow and high performance should check them out. I get mine from Radial Tire in Silver Spring Maryland...a top notch shop...and all the performance guys there use the Vreds in the winter - and they convinced me...and I'm convinced! At this point I wouldn't even consider another winter tire...
http://www.vredestein.com/english/
http://www.vredestein.com/english/