[Judged678]

i have a 325xi on order with sports package with the optional upgraded rims that give me the performance tires instead of the all season tires. I was wondering how much of a difference would these tires make taking into consideration the car is AWD?

AWD with performance tires?

AWD with snow tires (i may have to do this or just get all seasons)

[espo]

Originally Posted by Judged678

i have a 325xi on order with sports package with the optional upgraded rims that give me the performance tires instead of the all season tires. I was wondering how much of a difference would these tires make taking into consideration the car is AWD?

AWD with performance tires?

AWD with snow tires (i may have to do this or just get all seasons)

I'd get a set of at least all seasons for the winter. Long Island doesn't get that much snow, but the performance tires will be like driving on ice if there is even a little bit of snow, especially if you have to STOP! Performance tires also really start to loose grip when the temperature starts to drop since they are designed to be ran only in warm weather.

[Judged678]

i drive around in queens all day for work and really cannot afford to get stuck.
- you think that i should get winter tires for the awd or just all seasons.


- shouldn't the awd with performance tires still be better than the 325i?....just curious

[RyBMW]

Performance tires do not have any grip when there are snow or ice on the road. No way for the tires to heat up enough for any traction.

[ON325i]

Even though this is a very rough (and marketing-biased) graphical estimate, if you refer to the winter tire package info that bmw sent out. The performance of Summer Tires dramatically drops after the magic 7 degree number and listed as not recommeded.

In terms of performance, summer tires takes a whooping 64% more distance to complete stop (from 33km/h only!) than winter tires. You can see the difference right there.

I think when it coems to safety, it is really better be safe than sorry since winter weather driviing is nothing but full of unpleasant surprises.

[RichP]

I had an Audi A4 Quattro for a winter car before the E90; it had ContiSports on it and I had winter tires as well. It would get moving decently, even with the Contis, but it would not turn or brake worth a damn. Its probably more dangerous with an Xi than a regular E90 both on performance tires in the winter, because with the reg E90, you wont even move; in the xi, you will start moving but wont be able to stop!

BTW, fish around on E46fanatics; people are selling E46 wheel and snow tire setups all the time; and, remember, you can use E46 m3 stuff too!

[Judged678]

thanks a lot for the advice....i'm really thinking about getting a set of winter tires (which one is to be determined) on my awd. with them on i definitely won't be out of work in the winter.

[Judged678]

I really don't want to get another set of rims.....would it be ok if i just got the winter tires to fit my 161 style rims that will be on the car?

[segfault]

Originally Posted by Judged678

I really don't want to get another set of rims.....would it be ok if i just got the winter tires to fit my 161 style rims that will be on the car?

It would be OK, but keep in mind that you will pay extra twice a year to have the other season's tires mounted and balanced (you will still have to store the off-season tires, which will take up as much space as a wheel and tire package). Further, every time you have tires mounted/dismounted, you run the risk of damage to the rims--it is easier to damage a rim when mounting/dismounting runflats because the sidewall is stiffer and they are harder to get off. And, your rear wheels are wider than your fronts, but you will probably be putting 225mm wide tires on both wheels--it should work, but your rear wheels will "stick out" further from the tires than the front ones, and be more susceptible to damage.

[Sho]

When drive in snow and ice; tires should be as norrow as possible. If I ever get a set of winter, I would go down to 16" with tire size 195/60-16.

[gdcwatt]

In addition to being potentially dangerous to your rims, mounting and dismounting is hard on the tire's bead.

[peakpro]

Originally Posted by Judged678

I really don't want to get another set of rims.....would it be ok if i just got the winter tires to fit my 161 style rims that will be on the car?

it sounds like snow tires are a must for you...

but I would pick up some inexpensive rims...

[noflash]

UltraHighPerformance AllSeasons are a great compromise.

I run 235/40-18 Pirelli PZero Nero M+S and they do great in the summer and in light snow.

PS Summers will be useless in the snow AWD or not.

PPS Why not just stick with the regular sport package tires -- they're all season?

[Bimmerista]

Originally Posted by Judged678

i drive around in queens all day for work and really cannot afford to get stuck.
- you think that i should get winter tires for the awd or just all seasons.


- shouldn't the awd with performance tires still be better than the 325i?....just curious

Hello there,

Your performance tires will become hard as a rock at 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

At that point, a drop of water will make your tires spinn, your car uncontrollable. even on cold, dry pavement your grip would be a 10th of normal.

Get the winter tires-you will not regret it and your summers will last longer.

[ska///235i]

Originally Posted by Judged678

i have a 325xi on order with sports package with the optional upgraded rims that give me the performance tires instead of the all season tires. I was wondering how much of a difference would these tires make taking into consideration the car is AWD?

AWD with performance tires?

AWD with snow tires (i may have to do this or just get all seasons)

.

This is what I'll do...Don't upgrade to OEM wheels and stay with the style 159 with All-season tires (For winter).
Then just buy a New set of Bad Azz Rims with performance tires..

[reardensteel]

Up until my current set of tires (bought some Bridgestones) I ran all winter in Michigan in my Pirelli P6000s performance tires and rarely had any problem.