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[nyfinest]

It appears that in many ways i have errored by selecting the Sports Package and the Performance tires that go with it. Exceptionally bad in snow/ice. I didnt read the fine print in the brochure that states performance tires not recommended for snow/ice. Being a novice i chose the SP inthat i found the look of the 325i somewhat under-stated without larger 17" wheels. The 16's just didnt do it for me...

So, any advise for a novice?? I rather not get snow tires and prefer All-Season's in place of them. Also can i get All Seasons to replace my Performance 17" without having to get new rims????

Any help would be appreciated.

This site is outstanding and had provided a wealth of info. I too as many believe that first 06 buyers have been somewhat screwed/punished for purchasing early as a result of obvious software bugs. BMW should have not sent the car to market if there were software/engineering issues unresloved. But,that wouldnt be profitable now would it...LIVE AND LEARN!!!! I do enjoy the car though. Car was born on April 1 2005.
Sorry for the "wordiness". Brevity has never been my strong-point!!!!!!!!!!!!
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[Black325i]

The answer is yes, you can replace your performance tires with all seasonson the same rims. But, then summer rolls around, and you'll be jonesing for performance tires. Bite the bullet now, get snows on a second set of rims. Wingters = Winter Snows, Summer = Performance.

If you plan on keeping your 325 for more than 3 years, it makes sense.

[Mark]

If you want an all season tire that can handle the snow almost as well as a real snow tire (good enough for NY snows atleast) and can still perform pretty damn well in the summer, hands down, and i mean hands down you should look for the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S (remember its not just the regular pilot sport, but pilot sport A/S). I owned this tire for a year and it was really awesome for an all-season.

Now an all season will never be as good in the dry as a pure summer tire, and will never be as good in snow as a pure snow tire, but for all around use, they are good and the michelins definatly cover both sides of the spectrum better then anything else out there.

The down side is that you have to pay for this capability.. and michelins are notoriously expensive.. but in my book they are worth every penny.

Good luck hope this info helps.

[nyfinest]

Mark...Your comments/opinions made alot of sense....I decided between 2 all-season tires The Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S and The Avon(big in Europe) Tech M550 A/S Ultra-High Performance....While the Michelin is only slightly better comparing the specs i went with The Avon as they were $300 less per set of 4........The Bridgestone RF's will go into storage for now...Or be sold(not a fan of them-especially with 140 treadware and slippery as a slope"). I've heard people getting as little as 8-10K on them!!!

[nyfinest]

Anyone in the NYC area thinking about the possibility of a meet after The Holidays'????

[E90X3]

So how do you like the Avon 550's that you installed ? I appreciate any comments on ride quality verus the OEM tires ? was there a noticable difference ? do you reccommend the Avon's ? thanks !

[dzenno]

I had the same dilemma when i was purchasing my 325i just a few weeks ago. I went with the oem winter tire package. While not the best option price wise ($2200 CDN) I did want a separate set of winter rims/tires from the summer ones. The reason is you don't want your rims being damaged every time tires are changed (twice a year) ... usually after the third time you change your tires on the same rims they start getting pretty well damaged....that's even if you go to the best of shops around....

[reddragon]

People are supposed to do some kind of research on the things they buy otherwise you are wasting your money. A BMW is a sports car, a sports package makes it a notch sportier with suspension, tire size, etc. The tires that you get with the car are obviously performance summer tires which is a rubber compound that is softer when is warmer giving you the grip you need for the conditions and wet performance. A winter tire remains soft with cold temps. opposite to a summer tire which hardens. A winter tire is made to channel slush, and grip better than a summer tire on ice. I live in Germany and took the BMW drivers course and the difference in tires between summer and winter on ice is 180 degrees, you will slide but not a bad as a summer tire.

[ase2dais]

Originally Posted by nyfinest

Mark...Your comments/opinions made alot of sense....I decided between 2 all-season tires The Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S ....

Im upgrading my EX-V6 to 06-OEM 17" alloys and getting Exaltos A/S Performance All-Seasons too this spring!
Exaltos got great Revew amongst Tirerack/Discount tires Sales and online reviewers.
And BTW Michelin Pilots Sports A/S and Pilots Alpin Performance winters, have been great so far on my E90.

[bavarian19]

I have the Pirelli Pzero Nero M+S All Season Performance Tires on my 162's right now. I have no complaints about the tires, and they have gotten me through the snowstorms we have had here in VA.


If I were back on LI (where I grew up), I certailny would look for a dedicated winter tire setup. While they are much better at clearing roads in NY, you can still have quite the accumulation, and winter tires would probably be a better fit.


There are many members here who have mounted winter tires directly to the 161 style rims that you have on your 325i sport. You can ride through the summer tires this summer, then purchase a set of winter tires next winter. Then it only gives you the excuse to go get anoter set of rims/tires for the following summer

[poldim]

There must be a several hundered winter tire threads in the archives. Use the search.


My setup that is currently on my car is in my sig. Works flawlessly in the snow, and great dry traction.

[Jeffack56]

I was just on Tire Rack and I couldn't find the Blizzak LM-25's in the size you specify in your signature. Could you clarify for me...thanks. I live in NJ and am thinking about getting winter tires/wheels for next year.