Winter Tires

hiter202 · 10-31-2011, 11:02 AM

Hey guys, just curious if anyone can help me out, I need to purchase a set of Winter Tires...

Which ones are the best honestly? Nothing crazy like for 300 a pop, but just very good tires for a decent price.

I have a 2011 E92 335i xDrive, so even tho all wheel drive is good on the car, the tires i probably need to swap after the amount of driving on the stocks.

Please shine some light on this. Thanks

Gary@TireRack · 10-31-2011, 12:38 PM

No need to spend $300 per tire. Go to 225/40R18 on all four wheels. Eliminating the stagger in this way works very well for winter and results in better winter traction. If you can go with a non runflat pricing will be near $200 per tire, with run flats at about $250 per tire.

Winter
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp

hiter202 · 10-31-2011, 01:24 PM

which tire is best tho? brand wise and model wise?

VMRWheels · 10-31-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary@TireRack

No need to spend $300 per tire. Go to 225/40R18 on all four wheels. Eliminating the stagger in this way works very well for winter and results in better winter traction. If you can go with a non runflat pricing will be near $200 per tire, with run flats at about $250 per tire.

Winter
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp

+1

Running square fitment with a 225/40/18 is a great setup for winter.

CirrusSR22 · 10-31-2011, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elitefusion

which tire is best tho? brand wise and model wise?

It depends on what your defintion of "best" is. The best studless traction in snow and ice would be tires like:

Michelin X-Ice Xi2
Bridgestone Blizzak WS70
Nokian Hakkapeiitta R
Continental ExtremeWinterContact

Any would be a great choice.

But many BMW drivers find these tires to be a bit too squishy for aggressive driving when the roads are clear. They then choose tires like:

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60
Dunlop SP WinterSport 3D
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3

Any would be a great choice as well.

Gary@TireRack · 10-31-2011, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

It depends on what your defintion of "best" is. The best studless traction in snow and ice would be tires like:

Michelin X-Ice Xi2
Bridgestone Blizzak WS70
Nokian Hakkapeiitta R
Continental ExtremeWinterContact

Any would be a great choice.

But many BMW drivers find these tires to be a bit too squishy for aggressive driving when the roads are clear. They then choose tires like:

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60
Dunlop SP WinterSport 3D
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3

Any would be a great choice as well.

+1, well stated. I would also direct the OP to check out the winter tire sticky at the top of the forum for more information.

Daya · 11-01-2011, 02:30 PM

I've been running the Dunlop wintersport 3D's for the last 4 winters with zero issues - great tires, good compromise for driving in all winter conditions

235/35/19 square setup

Bimmerlover76 · 11-02-2011, 12:32 PM

Is a "square" setup when all 4 tires are the same?

setofvs · 11-02-2011, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmerlover76

Is a "square" setup when all 4 tires are the same?

Correct. When all 4 wheels/tires are the same size. i.e. not staggered.

Bimmerlover76 · 11-02-2011, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by setofvs

Correct. When all 4 wheels/tires are the same size. i.e. not staggered.

Thanks for the reply!

remmib · 11-03-2011, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daya

I've been running the Dunlop wintersport 3D's for the last 4 winters with zero issues - great tires, good compromise for driving in all winter conditions

235/35/19 square setup

Cool looking winter set-up.

Sam335ix · 11-03-2011, 12:10 PM

I am going with 235/40/18's all around Blizakk ws60's... lets hope it all works out.

Jadar · 11-05-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elitefusion

which tire is best tho? brand wise and model wise?

Probably Bridgestone Blizzak. But there are many that are good and get the job done. I run Dunlop Winter Sport Im extremely happy w them! They are 225x40x17 on all 4 corners. And if my memory serves me correct they are like $140 per tire.

This is what it all looks like

Gary@TireRack · 11-05-2011, 11:59 AM

225/45R17 would be the correct 17" sizing.

hiter202 · 11-06-2011, 10:38 PM

so guys, 225/40/17 or 225/45/17.....40 or 45 would be best?

Gary@TireRack · 11-07-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elitefusion

so guys, 225/40/17 or 225/45/17.....40 or 45 would be best?

There is no 225/40R17 snow tire. Whoever mentioned that size must have typod.

Winter
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp

Jadar · 11-07-2011, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary@TireRack

There is no 225/40R17 snow tire. Whoever mentioned that size must have typod.

Winter
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp

Yep that was me, sorry bout theat. The size is 225/45/17. I run that size in Dunlop Wintersport. I love them. But again I dont have any experience running any other winter tires, but like I said, from what I read the Blizzak is a very highly recommended tire.

AWD Addict · 11-07-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elitefusion

Hey guys, just curious if anyone can help me out, I need to purchase a set of Winter Tires...

Which ones are the best honestly? Nothing crazy like for 300 a pop, but just very good tires for a decent price.

I have a 2011 E92 335i xDrive, so even tho all wheel drive is good on the car, the tires i probably need to swap after the amount of driving on the stocks.

Please shine some light on this. Thanks

I have an '08 xDrive 335, and I run Nokain Hakkapeliita in the winter. It's a great speed rated snow tire that performs great on cold dry, wet and deep snow. On my 18" wheels, I run a square setup (225 all around), and they run around $200 / corner. Good price for a really great tire.

If you're looking for alternatives, many people say the Blizzak LMs are great. Personally, I'll never leave Nokian for an application like this though. I think the tread design is a bit more aggressive, where the LMs are closer to a true snow block-tread.

Good luck with the decision, and safe driving!

flip4335 · 11-07-2011, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daya

I've been running the Dunlop wintersport 3D's for the last 4 winters with zero issues - great tires, good compromise for driving in all winter conditions

235/35/19 square setup

SWEET...I like your winter setup better than your summers!

infinitigor · 11-08-2011, 07:40 AM

Blizzak lm 60 square works for me, snow tires are a must

MakkkD · 11-08-2011, 08:13 AM

will these sizes work?

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60
size: 235/50R17

Gary@TireRack · 11-08-2011, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakkkD

will these sizes work?

Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60
size: 235/50R17

Too tall. For a non M car stick with 225/45R17 or perhaps 235/45R17.

Winter
http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp

10-31-2011, 11:02 AM	#1
hiter202 Captain 35 Rep 733 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: CT iTrader: (6)	Winter Tires - Help choose please Hey guys, just curious if anyone can help me out, I need to purchase a set of Winter Tires... Which ones are the best honestly? Nothing crazy like for 300 a pop, but just very good tires for a decent price. I have a 2011 E92 335i xDrive, so even tho all wheel drive is good on the car, the tires i probably need to swap after the amount of driving on the stocks. Please shine some light on this. Thanks
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10-31-2011, 12:38 PM	#2
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	No need to spend $300 per tire. Go to 225/40R18 on all four wheels. Eliminating the stagger in this way works very well for winter and results in better winter traction. If you can go with a non runflat pricing will be near $200 per tire, with run flats at about $250 per tire. Winter http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&...nter/index.jsp __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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10-31-2011, 01:24 PM	#3
hiter202 Captain 35 Rep 733 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: CT iTrader: (6)	which tire is best tho? brand wise and model wise?
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11-01-2011, 02:30 PM	#7
Daya Lieutenant Colonel 200 Rep 1,741 Posts Drives: e92 335 space gray/coral red Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chicago iTrader: (1) Garage List 2007 E92 335 [9.66]	I've been running the Dunlop wintersport 3D's for the last 4 winters with zero issues - great tires, good compromise for driving in all winter conditions 235/35/19 square setup __________________ GIAC S2 \| Brembo GT BBK 355/345 \| BBS CH-R \| Michelin Pilot Super Sports \| AR Design: DP, S1 Oil Cooler, OCC \| AMS FMIC \| Bastuck Quad Exhaust \| Borla MP \| KW V1 \| Stett: CAI, CP \| Forge DV \| P3 Boost Gauge \| Arkym: Front Lip, Rear Quad Diffuser \| Vorsteiner CSL Trunk \| LUX H8 \| ModMyNav \| MFD M3 Sideskirts \| BMW M-Tech Front/Rear Bumpers, Edition Grills
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11-02-2011, 12:32 PM	#8
Bimmerlover76 Lieutenant 25 Rep 598 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Coupe Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Kalamazoo, MI iTrader: (0)	Is a "square" setup when all 4 tires are the same?
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11-03-2011, 12:10 PM	#12
Sam335ix Major 65 Rep 1,274 Posts Drives: 335 ix performance edition Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Redskin Country iTrader: (0)	I am going with 235/40/18's all around Blizakk ws60's... lets hope it all works out.
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11-05-2011, 11:59 AM	#14
Gary@TireRack Moderator 369 Rep 4,745 Posts Drives: Formerly 1995 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Bend, IN, Tire Rack HQ iTrader: (2)	225/45R17 would be the correct 17" sizing. __________________ Gary. Tire and Wheel Forum Moderator. Tire Rack Sales Rep Gary@Tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?a=AH8&url=index.jsp Please refer to 'Gary/E90 Post' as your previous contact when you order online to help support this forum.
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11-06-2011, 10:38 PM	#15
hiter202 Captain 35 Rep 733 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: CT iTrader: (6)	so guys, 225/40/17 or 225/45/17.....40 or 45 would be best?
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11-08-2011, 07:40 AM	#20
infinitigor Major 117 Rep 1,027 Posts Drives: 2023 M3C, 2010 E350 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston / NYC iTrader: (8)	Blizzak lm 60 square works for me, snow tires are a must __________________ Positive Momentum
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11-08-2011, 08:13 AM	#21
MakkkD Second Lieutenant 28 Rep 268 Posts Drives: 09 e92 335xi Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (3)	will these sizes work? Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 size: 235/50R17
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