Ready for winter?

[Wiryhair]

Hello. My F80 is DD. So I need a set of winter tires. But I never had winter tires so I need some help. My priority in winer is safety not performance, so which one should I choose?

1. 255/40-18 or 245/45-18

2. Performance winter tire or studless winter tire



I think I should pick 245/45-18 and studless winter tires. Am I right??

Thank you.

[Zerouali]

Narrower is generally better for winter tyres but I'd go with whatever sizes BMW have printed on the door card.

Studless winters would be good if you live in an area with frequent snow and if you expect to be driving on snow covered roads most of the winter.

If it's just cold and wet with occasional snow then M&S (Mud and Snow) tyres will be fine.

[pseto]

go with winter performance in 245; no need for studless around here. better to order NOW b/c the closer you get the winter, supply will vanish

[e90_2_f80]

Originally Posted by Wiryhair

Hello. My F80 is DD. So I need a set of winter tires. But I never had winter tires so I need some help. My priority in winer is safety not performance, so which one should I choose?

1. 255/40-18 or 245/45-18

2. Performance winter tire or studless winter tire



I think I should pick 245/45-18 and studless winter tires. Am I right??

Thank you.

For the mid Atlantic area perf winter tires are the way to go. Blizzaks or Michelin pa are the way to go.

There is a group buy going on for winter wheels and tires going on.

Winter Season 2015/2016 Snow Tire Group Buy Thread http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1171435

[Wiryhair]

Thank you so much guys. Based on your opinions, I am considering pilot alpin pa4, 245/45-18. But is it gonna fit on my oem 18inch wheels?(front 255, rear 275)

[e90_2_f80]

Originally Posted by Wiryhair

Thank you so much guys. Based on your opinions, I am considering pilot alpin pa4, 245/45-18. But is it gonna fit on my oem 18inch wheels?(front 255, rear 275)

2cents

The Michelin pa4 is a 2012 tire that Michelin is replacing soon. If you go to tirerack you can find a good deal on them.

The blizzaks lm32 are a newer tire released last year to replace the lm60.

The consensus is that the blizzaks have a better bite in snow. While the michelins are better on dry and wet.

Either choice is a great performance winter tire.

[Wiryhair]

Originally Posted by bmaktabi

2cents

The Michelin pa4 is a 2012 tire that Michelin is replacing soon. If you go to tirerack you can find a good deal on them.

The blizzaks lm32 are a newer tire released last year to replace the lm60.

The consensus is that the blizzaks have a better bite in snow. While the michelins are better on dry and wet.

Either choice is a great performance winter tire.

Thank you. But 245/45 size will be ok on the 18 inch oem wheels? Especially on the rear (18×10)?

It seems it will stretch, but does it matter for the traction?

[e90_2_f80]

Originally Posted by Wiryhair

Thank you. But 245/45 size will be ok on the 18 inch oem wheels? Especially on the rear (18×10)?

It seems it will stretch, but does it matter for the traction?

245 on 10" will not work. You will have to go to 265 at least. And 265 on a winter tire is like you are shoveling the snow rather than cutting it, plus you are very limited in selection.

I recommend wheels and tires and keep the oem set for the summer. No need for more than 18 by 8 or 9" (you can get a set for 200/wheel) with a 245 and I would do a square setup so you can rotate. Overall the tires will be cheaper, and you will get better traction in the snow.

[Wiryhair]

Originally Posted by bmaktabi

245 on 10" will not work. You will have to go to 265 at least. And 265 on a winter tire is like you are shoveling the snow rather than cutting it, plus you are very limited in selection.

I recommend wheels and tires and keep the oem set for the summer. No need for more than 18 by 8 or 9" (you can get a set for 200/wheel) with a 245 and I would do a square setup so you can rotate. Overall the tires will be cheaper, and you will get better traction in the snow.

Thank You So much.

I will buy wheel and tire packages.

Safe driving!!

[IMrMark]

Originally Posted by e90_2_f80

2cents

The consensus is that the blizzaks have a better bite in snow. While the michelins are better on dry and wet.

There was a tirerack comparison that I believe found that the pilot's were actually better all around versus the blizzaks, including in snow pack, but I can't seem to find it now... so I might be crazy. Brand-wise, blizzaks have a better "image" though for sure, and you definitely can't go wrong with them. There are some killer deals for both, I personally think they're so close that whichever one you can get the best deal on is where to pull the trigger.

My biggest problem is deciding which wall to mount the tire rack up on in the garage

[JYTsky]

I just picked up 4 X LM60s 265／35/18 for 500 brand new shipped to my door from tirerack i think this is a good deal..

[Wiryhair]

Originally Posted by JYTsky

I just picked up 4 X LM60s 265／35/18 for 500 brand new shipped to my door from tirerack i think this is a good deal..

Are you gonna put them on your 18inch OEM wheels?

[Wiryhair]

18x8 Rial Quinto Bright Silver $676.00 Modified 433MHz Tire Pressure Sensor $268.00 245/45R-18 Michelin X-Ice Xi3 XL $760.96

That is the wheel and tire packages I got yesterday. My wife doesn't know I spent extra $1000 for wheels and tpms. Well...

[JYTsky]

Originally Posted by Wiryhair

Are you gonna put them on your 18inch OEM wheels?

ye?s

[s0ul]

I don't mean to hijack this thread but are winter tires absolutely needed in this area for these cars? (I don't plan to drive when it snows)

[pseto]

Originally Posted by s0ul

I don't mean to hijack this thread but are winter tires absolutely needed in this area for these cars? (I don't plan to drive when it snows)

if you're on summer performance tires (like PSS) then you should be more concerned with lower temps. You lose significant grip when temps are 40s or below.

[s0ul]

Originally Posted by pseto

if you're on summer performance tires (like PSS) then you should be more concerned with lower temps. You lose significant grip when temps are 40s or below.

Ah... I have no place for an extra set of tires.

I heard that some dealers will store your tires but I don't know if that's true.

[pseto]

Originally Posted by s0ul

Ah... I have no place for an extra set of tires.

I heard that some dealers will store your tires but I don't know if that's true.

Yeah, some places will store them for a fee. You can always stack them in the corner of a room, throw a cover over it, and a new table!

But seriously, whatever you do, use the appropriate tire for the conditions. I wish it was the law like in Europe.

[The Swami]

Originally Posted by Wiryhair

Hello. My F80 is DD. So I need a set of winter tires. But I never had winter tires so I need some help. My priority in winer is safety not performance, so which one should I choose?

1. 255/40-18 or 245/45-18

2. Performance winter tire or studless winter tire



I think I should pick 245/45-18 and studless winter tires. Am I right??

Thank you.

Remember folks studded winter tires are illegal in almost all the counties in the DC Metro except for Frederick. For the 18" or 19" package go with the Bridgestone LM32's. Check Costco or Radial Tire Company in Silver Spring.

[nhs15]

Wiryhair asked the exact 2 questions I was about to ask! My 16 M3 with 18s comes in early Nov. It will also be my DD and I cannot work from home when it snows. I also live on a big hill. I'm thinking of BBS SR 18X8 wheels only so I can use a narrower tire. Was going with Michelin X-Ice XI3 245/45 as well although it seems the norm in the area are winter performance tires. Curious to see how people's experiences were with it last year compared to Blizzak LM32 or Pilot PA4.

[s0ul]

Originally Posted by nhs15

Wiryhair asked the exact 2 questions I was about to ask! My 16 M3 with 18s comes in early Nov. It will also be my DD and I cannot work from home when it snows. I also live on a big hill. I'm thinking of BBS SR 18X8 wheels only so I can use a narrower tire. Was going with Michelin X-Ice XI3 245/45 as well although it seems the norm in the area are winter performance tires. Curious to see how people's experiences were with it last year compared to Blizzak LM32 or Pilot PA4.

Blizzak seems to be the general lead on this forum. From what I understand, Blizzak does really well on the snow while the other does very good on Wet / Muddy type in the cold. I went with Blizzak.

[Fed]

I know I am late to the party, but considering the area we live in, especially us DC metro folks, how bad is it going to be on the stock tires during the winter. I do understand there will be no traction in the snow whatsoever, but unless you are planning on driving it in the snow, is there really a need for winter tires, or will just some caution when driving off in the morning enough to get by?