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[Chris H.]

I have a 335i coupe and I'm looking to buy some winter tires. I live in the midwest and we get moderate to heavy snow. What tires are recommended? Anyone else with 335i have trouble getting around in snow even with snow tires? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[mithiral67]

Originally Posted by Chris H.

I have a 335i coupe and I'm looking to buy some winter tires. I live in the midwest and we get moderate to heavy snow. What tires are recommended? Anyone else with 335i have trouble getting around in snow even with snow tires? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

If you're running summer tires, then a winter set is required. If you're running all seasons, you will be fine, just be careful. Winter tires are obviously the best.

When it comes to what tire to use, I find that using tirerack's rating is the best. They are the experts and have a nice survey system that covers a lot of aspects of the tires that is very helpful.

[cb4]

Where in the Midwest?

[Chris H.]

Thanks guys I'm located in Omaha, NE we get quite a bit of snow. I have two sets of wheels 19" VMR 710 with summer tires and then the stock 18" 189's which I'm looking to purchase strictly snow tires for. I was just wondering if anyone else has a 335i and runs snow tires and has any trouble getting around? Thanks

[Gary@TireRack]

You may also want to check out the winter tire sticky for some initial guidance and general information .

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=434738

[mithiral67]

Originally Posted by Chris H.

I was just wondering if anyone else has a 335i and runs snow tires and has any trouble getting around? Thanks

Kinda a strange question. If we all say yes, then it sounds like the 335i is the problem, not what tires you go with. As you there are not a ton of "335i's suck ass in winter" threads and the 3-series is the exact car tirerack uses to test its winter tires, thats not an issue. If we all say no (which most would say), then you are going to get winter tires like it sounds like you already intended.

So I kinda confused, i feel like you already know the answer.

[thkfast]

Chris,

I recommend buying a 17" set of dedicated snow tires & wheels from Gary at Tire Rack.

Here's what I'm running in Iowa on my 335i and I get around great! $1,200 package.

[Chris H.]

Thanks guys, I'm going to purchase some winter tires.

[Park2670]

I ran winter tires on my 335i, Z4M coupe, and now my 330xi. Worth every penny when it comes to stopping distances. All seasons suck in the snow in comparison.

[16M4]

I will be running Blizzak LM's. I live in CO

[Outlaw 06]

Originally Posted by Chris H.

I have a 335i coupe and I'm looking to buy some winter tires. I live in the midwest and we get moderate to heavy snow. What tires are recommended? Anyone else with 335i have trouble getting around in snow even with snow tires? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I live in New England where we have to deal with moderate to heavy snow on hilly terrain every winter. I’ve been driving rear wheel drive 3-Series BMWs in the northeast for over 10 years now. My current winter setup on my E90 335i is 17” x 8” Rial Salerno wheels and 225/45R-17 Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tires. The tires are very good in the snow and make the car a very dependable New England winter driver. The dry road handling is very good too. I also think the wheels look pretty good for a winter setup (see attached photo).

I DON'T recommend Bridgestone Blizzaks at all. I had the LM-25’s for a season and I couldn't wait to get rid of them. While the Blizzaks were great in the snow, their dry road handling was absolutely horrible. The Blizzaks made my BMW handle like a truck on clear roads.

[Chris H.]

Thanks for the information. My worry was even with snow tires not being able to get around. Looks like I have under estimated the difference snow tires bring to the table. I will be purchasing a set. Thanks again.

[mithiral67]

Originally Posted by Chris H.

Thanks for the information. My worry was even with snow tires not being able to get around. Looks like I have under estimated the difference snow tires bring to the table. I will be purchasing a set. Thanks again.

Yes, for stopping and turning, the 3 series will be one of the best cars in the snow as its so well balance, especially with winter tires. For acceleration (the least important aspect of winter driving), its going to be one of the stronger rear wheel cars as again, as its balanced with 50% of the weight over the back tires. Yes, a front heavy front wheel car would best, but who wants to drive that

For winter tires, remember the narrower the tire, the better it will be in heavy snow.

[smellfish]

I'm running a set of Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds on my factory sport package wheels. They make a huge difference, especially when the side streets ice up. Traction is less of a problem now then ground clearance.

[WingZeroX5]

Originally Posted by TJDiCandido

I live in New England where we have to deal with moderate to heavy snow on hilly terrain every winter. I’ve been driving rear wheel drive 3-Series BMWs in the northeast for over 10 years now. My current winter setup on my E90 335i is 17” x 8” Rial Salerno wheels and 225/45R-17 Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D tires. The tires are very good in the snow and make the car a very dependable New England winter driver. The dry road handling is very good too. I also think the wheels look pretty good for a winter setup (see attached photo).

I DON'T recommend Bridgestone Blizzaks at all. I had the LM-25’s for a season and I couldn't wait to get rid of them. While the Blizzaks were great in the snow, their dry road handling was absolutely horrible. The Blizzaks made my BMW handle like a truck on clear roads.

Are those staggered wheels?

[Outlaw 06]

Originally Posted by WingZeroX5

Are those staggered wheels?

No. It's a square setup.

[cfabluenose]

I have a set of Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D on my 328i and don't have any problems. Winter tires are pretty much essential if you have a real winter.

[nomile]

Gary @ Tirerack
How are the General Altimax Winter's doing with customers (unstudded)? I am considering those, as they tend to get mentioned a lot along with the Continental WinterExtremeContact. Just curious how they compare / handle / wear, etc.

[BRAISKI]

Which one should I get? 205s or 225s? The rims are 17s (OEM 157)

I am leaning towards 205s since there is more "rubber" I don't really care about the looks since my car will be in winter mode with a roof rack

So anyways is using 205s ok? Will there be any issues?

[remmib]

Originally Posted by BRAISKI

Which one should I get? 205s or 225s? The rims are 17s (OEM 157)

I am leaning towards 205s since there is more "rubber" I don't really care about the looks since my car will be in winter mode with a roof rack

So anyways is using 205s ok? Will there be any issues?

Get 225/45. When you say 205, I guess you thinking of 205/50, which has the same sidewall as the 225/45.

[Gary@TireRack]

Originally Posted by nomile

Gary @ Tirerack
How are the General Altimax Winter's doing with customers (unstudded)? I am considering those, as they tend to get mentioned a lot along with the Continental WinterExtremeContact. Just curious how they compare / handle / wear, etc.

These are good entry level winter tires with acceptable snow traction. I'd rate their snow and ice traction above that of an all-season tire and better than most performance snow tires, but below the special compound winter tires like the Conti, Blizzak WS70 and Michelin XI2. Handling and wear would be on par or even slightly better than the special compound winter tires.

[BRAISKI]

Originally Posted by remmib

Get 225/45. When you say 205, I guess you thinking of 205/50, which has the same sidewall as the 225/45.

Yup...