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[The1]

all other arguments aside, the rear breaks are only there for initial breaking, then they pretty well back off on most cars and let the front breaks take over. I assume this is how the BMW is set up as well since most cars are.

so basically the rear breaks are nearly useless after their initial input is done. The fronts do the rest, and if they dont have good rubber under them, you're going way past the point you intended to stop.

if you can't get 4, at least try for 3..... and be ready to counter steer....

[desty]

actually , i was always wondering what is the brake ratio for the 135i, and if it changes during the winter.

Cuz Braking with 2 wheels is pretty much stupid when you can brake with 4 wheels...

[desty]

SO it actually brake with 4 wheels, its not like the olds cars/minivans that would only brake with 2 wheels lol

[KingOfJericho]

The word you're looking for is "brakes," not "breaks."

I'm also amazed that dealers are not being held accountable for this type of misinformation. My buddy just bought an S5 with 19" summers and the dealer told him he didn't need snow tires because it's AWD. He is not really a car guy and believes the dealer over me and my other enthusiast friends and insists on trying the summers in the snow. He has to commute from NJ to CT.

[desty]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

The word you're looking for is "brakes," not "breaks."

I'm also amazed that dealers are not being held accountable for this type of misinformation. My buddy just bought an S5 with 19" summers and the dealer told him he didn't need snow tires because it's AWD. He is not really a car guy and believes the dealer over me and my other enthusiast friends and insists on trying the summers in the snow. He has to commute from NJ to CT.

Well he's gonna like it when his brand new S5 is crached in a ditch because he could not brake.

[KingOfJericho]

It's all been said, trust me. We've shown him videos of comparisons and thread after thread of good data but he still thinks the dealer knows better.

[desty]

LOL, stubborn, does he have the mentality , i have money i dont believe anyone fuck the world? or me myself and i

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by Thaddy

You own a $40k sports car. Spend the extra $300 and get two more snow tires.

It's not really $300. While you're putting wear on the snow tires, you will not be putting wear on the summer tires.

[Kcyrusm]

Originally Posted by MikeinAlexandria

Think of it this way, a set of cheap snow tires will set you back maybe $500.

Where the hell are you guys buying your tires from?! I've only seen one set of tires that fit the stock m-package wheels from tirerack and they cost about +-$900 with my wholesale cost since I work at a BMW dealership.

[thez99]

Originally Posted by Kcyrusm

Where the hell are you guys buying your tires from?! I've only seen one set of tires that fit the stock m-package wheels from tirerack and they cost about +-$900 with my wholesale cost since I work at a BMW dealership.

God knows how many fuckin times this has been suggested...Get some used 17" wheels and a straight set of 17" snows

I got a brand new set of 17" wheels from discount tire and brand new 215/17 conti snows from tirerack all for $875 shipped. Got these only 2 weeks ago. You just need to get the damn 18's off the car and save those lovelies for the spring n summer and get some 17's to beat on for winter, its cheaper and better traction and comfier being 17's. This is pretty simple and easy to realize. Only reason I wouldnt do this would be if I lived in Cali or some shit, otherwise this is how Ive always gone.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Kcyrusm

Where the hell are you guys buying your tires from?! I've only seen one set of tires that fit the stock m-package wheels from tirerack and they cost about +-$900 with my wholesale cost since I work at a BMW dealership.

Tire Rack or Radial Tire Co. in Silver Spring will also sell you smaller wheels for the winter tires so that you don't have to remount the tires twice yearly.

Tom

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Sylon

You would be surprised how very LITTLE the owner's manual talks about winter tires. It doesnt talk about a specific size, it only recommends installing the proper size, never specifying what that size is. It also says a little bit about tire chains, and how not to exceed the speed ratings for the winter tires you have installed, thats it.

I went to the manual looking to see if it recommended specific tire sizes for winter tires and it didnt say a damn thing about it.

Look at the charts for tire pressures (pp 109~110 in the on-line non iDrve '08 manual). The ones marked M+S are the correct sizes for winter tires.

Tom

[ptack]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

The word you're looking for is "brakes," not "breaks."

I'm also amazed that dealers are not being held accountable for this type of misinformation. My buddy just bought an S5 with 19" summers and the dealer told him he didn't need snow tires because it's AWD. He is not really a car guy and believes the dealer over me and my other enthusiast friends and insists on trying the summers in the snow. He has to commute from NJ to CT.

Keep us updated on that one. Start practicing your "I told you so" dance.

[CarCzar128i]

To begin, I just put a set of 4 snows on a 128i vert yesterday, and plan to drive the car everyday this winter in New England.
HOWEVER, I grew up and learned to drive in Northern Maine, with endless winter and perpetual hardpack on the streets. I drove my parent's '74 Cutlass, rear wheel drive, 350 V8, with 3 speed auto. Summer tires on the front, and studded snows on the back, which was a typical setup for the area. It worked just fine, so it's not like 4 snows are a must, but I'm sure they work better.
Where I grew up, traffic was very light, so a little slipping was no big deal. People also were proficient at driving in those conditions, and would slow down. Anyone living in the congested Northeast corridor can't afford to slip around in dense traffic, because there are too many fools that still drive fast and tailgate when the roads get slippery.

Anyway, my advice is to buy 4, but I didn't think it was a stupid question.

[pinmagic]

Not to beat a dead horse, but just found this interesting video comparing the handling of 2 winter tires to 4. It uses FWD cars, but it's still interesting:

[desty]

Originally Posted by maxnix

Can I get in on the pool? I say hes is in the ditch the first 3" snowfall.

What a dork, but it is a Camaro, which targets such types.

Not a camaro lol,an audi s5, but the consequence will still be the same :P

[KingOfJericho]

Yeah, it's a 6 week old S5...