Winter tires finally on!

supraking · 12-02-2009, 05:28 PM

Hey guys,

Finally got my winter wheels on today, and just finished scrubbing my summers to a blistering shine

I'm using 205/50R17 all around, as that was Gill's (from Tirerack) recommendation. The tires came mounted and balanced on A7 rims, I'll take some pics when I have a chance. Don't look too bad!

I was running 35/40 RFT 18's before. With these on, I immediately noticed that there is more of a rubbery feel to the tires, i.e. when I'm cornering, changing lanes, or just jerking the wheel back and forth, there's a small delay in the response of the car. Bumps also seem less jarring. Is this normal behaviour given what I had on before vs. what I put on now?

Just want to be sure in case I need to get something fixed. The car doesn't pull and there's no vibration in the wheel (so alignment is fine). Your feedback is appreciated, thanks!

bimmer74 · 12-02-2009, 05:38 PM

I don't know which tires you got but mine feel like I drive on marshmallows. I have he Blizzak WS-60's which are pretty aggressive snow and ice tires. Great in the white stuff but not confidence-inspiring to the drive in the dry. The V-rated Dunlop Wintersport 3D's I had on my previous car were much better in the dry but had less grip in the snow. In any case, any winter tire will feel looser than summers.

Victory Road · 12-02-2009, 06:07 PM

The sidewall is much bigger and softer than your summer tires so more vauge steering response and softer ride is to be expected

supraking · 12-02-2009, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer74

I don't know which tires you got but mine feel like I drive on marshmallows. I have he Blizzak WS-60's which are pretty aggressive snow and ice tires. Great in the white stuff but not confidence-inspiring to the drive in the dry. The V-rated Dunlop Wintersport 3D's I had on my previous car were much better in the dry but had less grip in the snow. In any case, any winter tire will feel looser than summers.

I have Blizzak WS-60's as well. Marshmallows is the perfect word to describe it

But no sense taking any chances in the snow, I hope I don't need to take it out much this winter in any case.

m_thompson · 12-03-2009, 11:55 AM

Same with mine. After about 200 miles they felt much better. Maybe I was just getitng used to the handling?

wtzouris · 12-03-2009, 05:02 PM

I'm running (4) Nokian Hakkapeliitta R Runflat 205/50 R17 tires on my 135i ($269/tire) and I get Studless Ice and Snow performance with none of that rubbery feel. I wish TireRack would sell the Nokians....

peppebmw · 12-03-2009, 05:08 PM

I kind of like the way my Dunlop Wintersport M3's ride. I too have the 205/50's that I bought from tirerack last year. They are much quieter than the RFT's which is a nice change when going over potholes and rough roads. I'm looking forward to driving in the snow this year. Last year I only drove the car when the roads were clean as the newness factor of the One was still there. Love to see how the RWD with snows handles! Of course today it was 65 in CT but snow in the forecast possibly this weekend!

Why Knot · 12-04-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wtzouris

I'm running (4) Nokian Hakkapeliitta R Runflat 205/50 R17 tires on my 135i ($269/tire) and I get Studless Ice and Snow performance with none of that rubbery feel. I wish TireRack would sell the Nokians....

So do I. Nokians can be hard to find, but worth it.

supraking · 12-04-2009, 11:48 PM

I'm going to double check the pressure of each tire. I would hope Tire Rack inflated them correctly (since they were mounted there) but I should probably double-check. Standard pressure gauge should work fine right?

peppebmw · 12-05-2009, 09:45 AM

Snow tonight! Finally! This year I will actually drive in the snow. Can't wait to see how the car handles.

12-02-2009, 05:28 PM	#1
supraking Captain 49 Rep 759 Posts Drives: 128i Coupe 6MT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 128i Coupe [0.00]	Winter tires finally on! Hey guys, Finally got my winter wheels on today, and just finished scrubbing my summers to a blistering shine I'm using 205/50R17 all around, as that was Gill's (from Tirerack) recommendation. The tires came mounted and balanced on A7 rims, I'll take some pics when I have a chance. Don't look too bad! I was running 35/40 RFT 18's before. With these on, I immediately noticed that there is more of a rubbery feel to the tires, i.e. when I'm cornering, changing lanes, or just jerking the wheel back and forth, there's a small delay in the response of the car. Bumps also seem less jarring. Is this normal behaviour given what I had on before vs. what I put on now? Just want to be sure in case I need to get something fixed. The car doesn't pull and there's no vibration in the wheel (so alignment is fine). Your feedback is appreciated, thanks!
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12-02-2009, 05:38 PM	#2
bimmer74 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 212 Posts Drives: 2011 335i xDrive Sedan Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (3)	I don't know which tires you got but mine feel like I drive on marshmallows. I have he Blizzak WS-60's which are pretty aggressive snow and ice tires. Great in the white stuff but not confidence-inspiring to the drive in the dry. The V-rated Dunlop Wintersport 3D's I had on my previous car were much better in the dry but had less grip in the snow. In any case, any winter tire will feel looser than summers.
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12-02-2009, 06:07 PM	#3
Victory Road Major 113 Rep 1,323 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (6)	The sidewall is much bigger and softer than your summer tires so more vauge steering response and softer ride is to be expected
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12-03-2009, 11:55 AM	#5
m_thompson Major 133 Rep 1,416 Posts Drives: M-Sport 128i, 328xi, 3.0CS Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New England, USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 128i [0.00] 1972 3.0CS [10.00]	Same with mine. After about 200 miles they felt much better. Maybe I was just getitng used to the handling? __________________ '09 128i - Black Sapphire Metallic\Coral Red\Glacier Silver\N51 DISA\6MT\Navigation\Premium\M-Sport\Heated seats\Xenon\Headlights\iPod\Smartphone\Euro Delivery
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12-03-2009, 05:02 PM	#6
wtzouris Private First Class 4 Rep 112 Posts Drives: 2014 328d xDrive Sports Wagon Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New York, NY iTrader: (0)	I'm running (4) Nokian Hakkapeliitta R Runflat 205/50 R17 tires on my 135i ($269/tire) and I get Studless Ice and Snow performance with none of that rubbery feel. I wish TireRack would sell the Nokians....
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12-03-2009, 05:08 PM	#7
peppebmw Lieutenant 21 Rep 412 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: middle of CT iTrader: (1)	I kind of like the way my Dunlop Wintersport M3's ride. I too have the 205/50's that I bought from tirerack last year. They are much quieter than the RFT's which is a nice change when going over potholes and rough roads. I'm looking forward to driving in the snow this year. Last year I only drove the car when the roads were clean as the newness factor of the One was still there. Love to see how the RWD with snows handles! Of course today it was 65 in CT but snow in the forecast possibly this weekend! __________________ 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth 2021 Jeep Wrangler JLU Sport S 2022 RE Continental GT 650
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12-04-2009, 11:48 PM	#9
supraking Captain 49 Rep 759 Posts Drives: 128i Coupe 6MT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 128i Coupe [0.00]	I'm going to double check the pressure of each tire. I would hope Tire Rack inflated them correctly (since they were mounted there) but I should probably double-check. Standard pressure gauge should work fine right?
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12-05-2009, 09:45 AM	#10
peppebmw Lieutenant 21 Rep 412 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: middle of CT iTrader: (1)	Snow tonight! Finally! This year I will actually drive in the snow. Can't wait to see how the car handles. __________________ 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth 2021 Jeep Wrangler JLU Sport S 2022 RE Continental GT 650
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