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[vivithemage]

I am gearing up for the winter ... what tires seem to work best?

I hear WS60's if I want true winter traction, dunlop 3D's if I want some dry power, but sacrifice some of the winter traction.

What have you all tried with our RWD 135i and winters?

[GaryS]

I live in Maryland. We get light to moderate snow and one or two days of heavy snow. I used Dunlop 3D on 17" wheels for three years. They were very good, handled everything just fine. This year I'll be using Pirelli Sottozero 2 on the stock 18" wheels. The Pirellis are supposedly optimized for freeway driving on cold wet roads.

I lived in St Paul for two years. That can be a lot of snow. If staying home on the worst days isn't an option, I'd probably go for real snow tires like the WS series or Nokian tires.

[vivithemage]

How are the Nokian's vs the WS? Which last longer tread life wise?

I won't expect epic handling, because I have a feeling we'll have some insane snow this year!

[Section147]

I can't speak to how they handle on a 135, but based on what I read here I got my wife a set of 3Ds for her Mazda 3 hatch
last winter. Just an amazing snow tire, with great handling characteristics. I ran Nokians on a previous GTI that I owned, and
while they were great in heavy snow, they handled and sounded like truck tires when the snow was plowed. For my money...
unless your daily drive includes areas where the plows don't go, 3Ds are the top contender. They're enough of a snow tire to
make a real difference when it gets bad out (unlike Conti DWSs, which aren't really serious in the heavy stuff). To totally neuter
the handling of your BMW four or more months of the year with hardcore snows, is to me absolutely ridiculous.
Obviously, YMMV depending on locale.

[vivithemage]

I drive on roads which are heavily plowed, if we go boarding, or out in the blizzard, I will use our xterra

What's the tread life on those 3D's?

[Section147]

Originally Posted by vivithemage

What's the tread life on those 3D's?

Couldn't tell you...she only ran them for 3 months last winter. Tirerack's customer reviews would be a good source.

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by vivithemage

I drive on roads which are heavily plowed, if we go boarding, or out in the blizzard, I will use our xterra

What's the tread life on those 3D's?

Mine had 8/32" left after 12,000 miles. So I would have have needed new ones by 20,000 miles.

[vivithemage]

Not bad, i'll get those, if they hold some driving ability like my PS2's.

[Vigilante375]

I've always heard (lm-60) Blizzak's were the best winter tire, as you mentioned them. People with GTOs have driven through a number of heavy winters up north with no issue's with them on. Just make sure whatever tire you do decide to get, that they are a square setup. Something along the lines of 215 or 225 all around. Oh and get them before winter season starts because you will pay an arm and a leg for them.

[vivithemage]

I will be getting staggered, I don't want to get new rims ... is that an issue for blizzaks or the 3D's?

[Vigilante375]

I think some people have ran a sqaure setup on stock rims but I can't remember.....just search for winter setup and see what you can find.

[vivithemage]

I have breyton GTS-R's

Fronts 215/40/18
Rears 245/35/18

[1speedbike]

This winter will be my 3rd on Goodyear Eagle Ultra Grip GW3's. They're the tires BMW gives you if you buy an oem winter package. They still have over 6/32" and have been driven on for probably 20K miles. They're run flat but aren't as harsh because they're fatter winter tires, and they handle the power I make pretty nicely for winter. Blizzaks and dunlops are both awesome, but in the winter where there may be more road hazards and where dry grip isn't the biggest factor I'm thinking of, run flats are nice to have.

[vivithemage]

Anyone know how the Alpine's are? MY buddy seems to think they're going to be way better then the dunlop 3D's, any thoughts?

I am thinking fun flats might be a good idea too, goodyear huh, I thought they are kind of cheapey's now a days.

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by vivithemage

Anyone know how the Alpine's are? MY buddy seems to think they're going to be way better then the dunlop 3D's, any thoughts?

I've been told the Michelin Alpins have slightly lower snow and ice ability but an excellent ride and low road noise for a winter tire. My Dunlop 3Ds actually had a very comfortable ride but considerable road noise.

[Section147]

Tirerack's "Performance Winters" Customer Rankings

(Yes, just four in this category)

[Vigilante375]

Theres more than that in that category.

[Section147]

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

Theres more than that in that category.

You are correct. Tirerack sells ONE more in that category. The Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance 2. Apparently too new
for any customer reviews. Never said that there weren't other "Performance Winter" tires available. I was simply using
Tirerack as the source in this instance since the Blizzaks, Alpins and 3Ds are what most people gravitate towards.

[Vigilante375]

There is more than 1 more. If you just look at tires by brand, then Bridgestone, then Blizzak....there are 6 different types of Blizzaks, 4 RFTs and 2 non RFTs and also a Continental tire. Plus more type's of Alpin, Pirelli, Dunlop, etc.

[Section147]

Are they all classified as "Performance Winters"? Are all of these others available in 135i sizes?
Whatever...I'm just trying to help the OP out, not get into a pissing match with you over rubber.

[vivithemage]

Review wise, the top 3 seem to be REALLY close, I might just get what is a better deal.

[hxman]

Depends if you want snow or ice tires, a big difference depends on what type of driving you do...... Here in Canada I always went with Blizzak and for the 135 I opted for 205/50R 17 Blizzak WS70's and some cheap rims.......