[stressdoc]

What is with the snow and ZSP paranoia? It is so trivial, so easy, so little cost to get a set of winter tires that perform superbly in snow, rain, and dry pavement now, that it is beyond my comprehension why anyone would forego the sport package because they are concerned about winter traction. A good set of all purpose winter tires will cost less than $600 from TireRack ($1,000 with rims). The mileage you put on them is saving your expensive original tires. The difference on snow and ice is night and day. I love to spin around and have a good time when it snows, but I also like to be able to avoid getting stuck and to travel fast safely when I need to.

There are reasons not to get ZSP, but worrying about winter should not be one of them. Ditto for getting an xi -- 2wd with winter tires will do almost as well as xi on standard all seasons. I used to rally in Michigan in the winter, and properly set up 2wd vehicles did great.

[the*saint*]

JVFan, sounds like you have a real nice winter set-up all ready. The BMW replica wheels are really tempting but I may cheap out and just go with steelies. When you ordered, did they have a lot of stock for Dunlop Winter M3 run-flat?

I have actually bought 2 sets of tires for my Acura from TireTrends (a set of summer Falkens and winter Pirellis). Good guys working there make the transaction quick and easy.

[JVFan]

I wish we get earthquake like you in Socal

[scottz5]

18's are fun in the snow boys and girls!

[JVFan]

Originally Posted by the*saint*

JVFan, sounds like you have a real nice winter set-up all ready. The BMW replica wheels are really tempting but I may cheap out and just go with steelies. When you ordered, did they have a lot of stock for Dunlop Winter M3 run-flat?

I have actually bought 2 sets of tires for my Acura from TireTrends (a set of summer Falkens and winter Pirellis). Good guys working there make the transaction quick and easy.

They didn't seem to have a problem getting them in so I'm sure you'd be alright. I did want to go 17" even though the OEM's are 18 as I wanted a bit more rubber for the gross roads in winter. I thought about the steelies but when I bought, I got the M5's for 200 per rim...not bad and not much more than bad looking steel wheels that I'd have to run for half the year!
http://www.tiretrends.com/wheel_cata...p3?wheelID=164

[scottz5]

I always drive with summer tires in the winter, IMO which may be stupid! If you can drive well in snow you dont need special tires. The car is low and you can only drive in about 5-7 inches anyway so I dont think there is a need for snow tires. Maybe if you have auto trans it is needed, but with man I have always been fine in NJ.

[prolix21]

i'm still not sure what to do. winters here are hit and miss and i honestly don't want to drive around with shitty looking wheels on my car half the year. if it's that bad out i'll just stay home. a few days at home or 2k on a nice set of wheels, i think i'll take the days off. i can work from home anyway.

[JVFan]

Originally Posted by scottz5

I always drive with summer tires in the winter, IMO which may be stupid! If you can drive well in snow you dont need special tires. The car is low and you can only drive in about 5-7 inches anyway so I dont think there is a need for snow tires. Maybe if you have auto trans it is needed, but with man I have always been fine in NJ.

We have to compare apples with apples...If you are from Finland or Sweden then you can talk to Canadians about winter driving...otherwise it is just not comparable.

Having said that...yeah anyone that has winter experience can limp around in all seasons. Summer performance tires in Canada is just plain stupid, dangerous, and negligent.

Winter tires on a 330i north of the 49th is a must....I can't answer for the north eastern US coast but I do see the news reports of some of the dumps you get. It just doesn't stick around for long.

[tima]

Driving on performance tires in the snow is scarier than heck.

Which brands of wheels (besides BBS) will hold up well?

Not sure I want to spend enough to buy forged (probably not more than $300 per wheel). I've heard Borbet are sturdy - any other suggestions?

I tried Moda R1s on my ///M3 for winter and they were way too fragile.

[prolix21]

anyone else here from cincy getting snow tires? our weather here isn't super extreme so i'm not sure what to do. if anyone around this area has comments/experience let me know. all of my past cars had all-season performance tires and i managed. are summer tires going to really react that differently?

[mikepinkerton]

How can you get 18" winter runflats and rims for $600?! Do you carry around a spare and jack in the winter?

-Mike

[pony_trekker]

Originally Posted by scottz5

I always drive with summer tires in the winter, IMO which may be stupid! .

That this is stupid, that is.

[BZTR]

Originally Posted by MarkE90M3

well, with winter tires you should throw looks out the window and go for the smallest wheel possible to get the maximum snow performance out of the tires. I personaly went with a 16" set of wheel/tires, but on a 330i I think 17" will be the minimum because of brake clearance issues.

Mark,
I am also looking for 17' winter set. How did I know which 17" wheel will fit on 330 SP. Is any way to find out this?

[drkeng]

Kind of regret not getting the sport pkg on my 33CI, but I made it through the Chicago winter without snow tires. Snow is pretty much cleared within 12-24 hrs around here. Had one bad drive home when it snowed in the late afternoon. Slid a little coming to a stop from 5-10 mph (just after watching a Ford Escort or whatever they call it now) do a 180 stopping at a redlight). However, an Audi dealer told me that even with quattro if you get the sport pkg, you need snow tires.

Now my question for E90+: What about the run flat feature. Are there runflat snowtires available?? Does Tirerack sell tire/wheel pkgs?

I also have heard that it's a good idea to go down 1 inch on the snows for better handling.

[Cloud9]

I bought a VW Golf last year so I won't be driving the E90 in the winters. But every BMW I have owned I put on winter rims & tires...it's a MUST if you live in the snow belt. I use Blizzaks tires and it got me through some serious snow storms in NH.

[JVFan]

Originally Posted by drkeng

Kind of regret not getting the sport pkg on my 33CI, but I made it through the Chicago winter without snow tires. Snow is pretty much cleared within 12-24 hrs around here. Had one bad drive home when it snowed in the late afternoon. Slid a little coming to a stop from 5-10 mph (just after watching a Ford Escort or whatever they call it now) do a 180 stopping at a redlight). However, an Audi dealer told me that even with quattro if you get the sport pkg, you need snow tires.

Now my question for E90+: What about the run flat feature. Are there runflat snowtires available?? Does Tirerack sell tire/wheel pkgs?

I also have heard that it's a good idea to go down 1 inch on the snows for better handling.

Dunlop Winter M3 Sport DSST RunFlat...have em in my garage.
and Pirelli makes a winter runflat too....

[NaTuReB0Y]

I would trade some Earthquakes in Southern California for some SNOW in the Northeast anyday!!

[JVFan]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

I would trade some Earthquakes in Southern California for some SNOW in the Northeast anyday!!

Smog/quakes/masses of people....good for you man....looks good on ya!