Winter Tire Help!

RatBastard · Oct 7, 2003

Thanks for the info to all...

I just ordered them from Tirerack.com. Got the 16" AT Italia 5's and Blizzaks WS-50 for $1099.71 shipped, mounted and balanced.. So even my dumbass can put them on.

Greg from tirerack.com, nice guy, said they work perfectly with the 330iPP so there is no worries there.

Now, I wait for the snow.

Thanks again!

1010Tires · Oct 7, 2003

I was made aware of this post by one of your members and wanted to set the record straight before there was more confusion. Unfortunately we can not guarantee fitment of any of our 16" rims on a 330ci. One of our sales people did tell PuShAkOv that they would work, but that sales person was not yet aware of the brake clearance issues. I apologize to anyone who was misled.

Darrell Shore
darrell@1010tires.com

RatBastard · Oct 7, 2003

1010Tires said:

The AT Italias are the only 16" wheels that will fit, according to TireRack.com...

That correct 1010tires?

I wish I would have known you were around. I always support those companies that participate in forums like these.

1010Tires · Oct 7, 2003

Unfortunately we dont deal with AT Italia so I'm not sure. If The Tire Rack says they'll fit, then odds are they will. Sorry I couldn't answer more. If we do find something that we carry that does work, I'll do my best to get back here and let you all know.

keninpa · Oct 14, 2003

If you don't drive too aggressively, what's wrong with just putting 2 studded snows on the rear? Here in PA, studs are still legal (i think). Before front wheel drive came along, all we ever did was put studded snows on the rear tires and had no problems. Like I said, if you don't drive aggressively, why the need for 4 snows?

Ken

1010Tires · Oct 14, 2003

The same reason you should always have 4 winter tires rather than just 2. Winter tires (and studded tires) grip differently than all season or summer tires. If you have only 2 winter tires (or studded tires) on a vehicle and you go around a corner or have to make an emergency maneuver, the regular tires (non-studded) will let go before the winters (studded). this will cause the car to go into a dangerous spin.

Lots of people run just 2 winters or studded tires and don't have a problem. You have to ask yourself "do I want to take that chance with my safety?". Only you can answer that.

We recommend all 4 tires to be the same size, make, and model. Also, if you choose studded tires we recommend all four to be studded.

Average Jae · Oct 15, 2003

i think spending extra 200 - 300 for the front set is well worth it compared to watching your car not gripping during a turn and careening into a ditch.. 30k metal just sliding along the road.. eek!!

btw, 1010 tires, are how's the durability on the replica rims compared to other aftermarket rims?

1010Tires · Oct 15, 2003

The replica rims have had the same durability as most other cast alloy aftermarket rims. They're not a BBS level of quality, but definately a good rim at a considerably better cost compared to the actual O.E.M. rims. I am not aware of any complaints about the finish or strength in the time we have carried our line.

RatBastard · Dec 14, 2003

Finally tried the tires out this morning as we had about 2" of snow overnight.

They worked AMAZINGLY WELL... I cannot believe the difference.

A minivan spun out iin the distance in front of me, so I hung back cuz I wanted to test it out for myself after he got the car righted again. I drove over it around the same speed he had and did not slip at all.

I am very impressed. Though I dont WANT to drive my BMW in the snow(cuz of roadsalt, etc), when i have to do so, it would stress me out any longer.

Thanks to Gary and Greg at TireRack.com and thanks to everyone here for info they provided.

Average Jae · Dec 14, 2003

cool, glad your snows are as promised and more. i'm still regreting the decision to shelf mine for the winter.. oh well.. [:(]

webguy · Sep 26, 2005

Hi all. I just bought a set of 4 BMW 16" rims (#42) for the snow tires. Reading this post (and others) I am convinced that either the Michelin Arctic Aplin's, Pirelli Winter Sport's, Dunlop Winter Sport's, or the Bridgestone Blizzaks will work well for my car. I think I am leaning more towards the Blizzaks. Here's my question though:

- My car is an E46 - 325i with the sport package 17" wheels. I want to keep the original tires and wheels so I will use the new 16" wheels for the winters. Now, for this new set, if I were to go with all four Blizzak's, what size would I have to get? I am a little confused since Ratbastard mentioned that he got the "16" AT Italia 5's and Blizzaks WS-50"... did he get two different types of tyres? Is that advisable? Sorry if my question is too mundane and thanks in advance for your help.

sk

RatBastard said:

squarehat · Sep 26, 2005

AT Atalia's are the make of the aftermarket 16" wheels, the Blizzaks are the tires themselves.

I'm looking into getting the new Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2's for winter, it looks like they'd do quite well on dry pavement while still being pretty good in light-moderate snowfall.

Average Jae · Sep 26, 2005

hey Sumit, welcome aboard.

Squarehat Steve summed it up pretty well.
in your case Sumit, you don't have to get AT Italia type 5s. but fyi, they are the only 16 inch rims to fit a 330i w/ the bigger front calipers, and that's why they are so popular. (the price diff btw 16s and 17 inch tires are pretty significant still. check out tirerack.com to find the reviews on the snows and decide for yourself.

i was going to go with dunlop wintersport m3s, but due to a tire shortage, i was barely able to get the pilot alpin Pa2s. they are nice, but i did slip a bit last winter in deeper snow..

sizing: usually 205s to 225s would work. most recommend 205s due to "narrower" tires that slices through snow well. but 205s may suffer for dry winter conditions, so figure out what is best for you. i think the max thickness i'd go with is 225. also make sure you get the same size for all 4. there really isn't an advantage of going w/ staggered setup for snows imo..

TracyM · Oct 13, 2005

I have rims with blizzaks that I am posting on the want ads here. Blizzaks on Mille Miglia MMII-2 Sport Rims.

Average Jae · Oct 13, 2005

TracyM said:

if you could post a link to your ad, it'd help us a bunch. at least tell us how many miles/ years on the tire, and how the rims look.

TracyM · Oct 14, 2005

I am new to this site, I will do that. They were used from February to April of last winter. (about 3 months) The rims have bmw center caps and the tires are already mounted... the tread on tires is excellent. 205/55/16. I bought them new off tire rack last year and paid $1100. I am only trying to get $475.00 for the whole package. The car handled terrific with the blizzaks. The rims do have a few scratches on them. I scuffed the curb a few times. I used them on the 325 ci.

keninpa · Oct 18, 2005

Two years ago at this time I bought the Blizzaks w/ rims from Gary at Tirerack. They fit perfectly.
We had a lot of snow here in PA the last 2 winters and the "Blizzaks" were the "bees knees" when it came to driving in snow and especially awesome on icy roads. I could not ask for a better snow tire. My wife's Bimmer actually handled better than my 4X4 Chevy pick up truck. I have about 8,000 miles on the Blizzaks and the wear is hardly noticable. (my wife's a very cautious driver)

However; the 1st thing you notice is the lack of responsiveness on dry roads. You just can't drive as aggressive as you normally would. No bid deal though. I'd rather know that when there's ice or snow on the road, there is no getting stuck on a hill or sliding into an intersection or a ditch. After all....Isn't safety the main reason for having snow tires in the 1st place?

Ken

Winter Tire Help!

RatBastard

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1010Tires

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RatBastard

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1010Tires

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keninpa

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1010Tires

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Average Jae

2

1010Tires

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RatBastard

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Average Jae

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webguy

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squarehat

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Average Jae

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TracyM

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Average Jae

2

TracyM

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keninpa

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