Mismatched Winter Tire Set for RWD M240i

Zyzzthetic · 10-20-2021, 02:42 PM

Hi all, hope you're having a pleasant evening!!

I was just reaching out to ask about my current winter tire issue at the moment.

All 4 tires are 225/40/18

I have a pair of 2 Nokian Hakkas Studded with 70-80% tread.

A pair of 2 Michelin Xi3 with 80%+ tread.

I really wanted to find another pair of Xi3 as they have more tread because I want to have all 4 tires/tread pattern for winter conditions, but I'm having problems sourcing it as the Xi3's were discontinued for the X-Ice Snows last year and nobody has them Xi3's in stock.

Do you think it would be okay to have the studded nokians and xi3 as a mismatched set for my winter driving?
Additionally, would you put the Nokians in the front or the back?

Thank you all

aerobod · 10-20-2021, 04:25 PM

Mixing studded and non-studded winter tyres can lead to some snap oversteer or terminal understeer situations on ice. Removing the studs could be one option to even up the ice traction capabilities a bit. If not the studded tyres should go on the back, but there could be some evil handling characteristics.

Shovelman · 10-20-2021, 06:17 PM

Driving RWD in winter demands more skill than AWD. You must be ready to deal with the front and rear ends of the car acting differently. Having driven every kind of RWD vehicle in winter for 20 years, often on sketchy tires I feel that my skills are up to it.

I still like good tires with All Weather on the front and something a little more aggressive on the back. Here we need winter traction only about 20 days / year. Calgary may be different.

Also, the rubber in summer tires may be hard in the cold and I think you have more of that.

freakystyly · 10-20-2021, 06:31 PM

While mixing is a better situation than having no snows at all.. I'd also vote for de-studding the Hakkas, especially if you are only driving around town. Mountains would be a different story.

Nickies · 10-20-2021, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aerobod

Mixing studded and non-studded winter tyres can lead to some snap oversteer or terminal understeer situations on ice. Removing the studs could be one option to even up the ice traction capabilities a bit. If not the studded tyres should go on the back, but there could be some evil handling characteristics.

A mix of studded and non-studded tires is absolutely a no go and seriously compromise the car stability in any driving conditions. Furthermore, a mix of brands can also be a problem because they don't have the same traction specs depending of the road condition.

Just go buy four new tires if you want to be safe.

cristo · 10-21-2021, 05:15 AM

Just get 2 X-ice snows and use them with
your Xi-3s.

leftoverture · 10-21-2021, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nickies

A mix of studded and non-studded tires is absolutely a no go and seriously compromise the car stability in any driving conditions. Furthermore, a mix of brands can also be a problem because they don't have the same traction specs depending of the road condition.

Just go buy four new tires if you want to be safe.

I agree. For maximum safety you want 4 matching tires.

Zyzzthetic · 10-21-2021, 06:50 PM

Thank you all for the replies, I will just order a set of 4 new tires

great advice

Shovelman · 10-22-2021, 07:19 AM

Sure it's best to get new all around but the front and rear axles are still going to handle differently.

10-20-2021, 02:42 PM	#1
Zyzzthetic 6 speeeeeeeeeed 147 Rep 214 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i 6-Speed Manual Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Mismatched Winter Tire Set for RWD M240i Hi all, hope you're having a pleasant evening!! I was just reaching out to ask about my current winter tire issue at the moment. All 4 tires are 225/40/18 I have a pair of 2 Nokian Hakkas Studded with 70-80% tread. A pair of 2 Michelin Xi3 with 80%+ tread. I really wanted to find another pair of Xi3 as they have more tread because I want to have all 4 tires/tread pattern for winter conditions, but I'm having problems sourcing it as the Xi3's were discontinued for the X-Ice Snows last year and nobody has them Xi3's in stock. Do you think it would be okay to have the studded nokians and xi3 as a mismatched set for my winter driving? Additionally, would you put the Nokians in the front or the back? Thank you all __________________ 17' 240i 6MT - black on red
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10-20-2021, 04:25 PM	#2
aerobod Car Geek 3620 Rep 3,590 Posts Drives: Caterham R500, M2-G87, Macan S Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Mixing studded and non-studded winter tyres can lead to some snap oversteer or terminal understeer situations on ice. Removing the studs could be one option to even up the ice traction capabilities a bit. If not the studded tyres should go on the back, but there could be some evil handling characteristics.
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10-20-2021, 06:17 PM	#3
Shovelman Lieutenant 243 Rep 525 Posts Drives: 2017 230i Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Driving RWD in winter demands more skill than AWD. You must be ready to deal with the front and rear ends of the car acting differently. Having driven every kind of RWD vehicle in winter for 20 years, often on sketchy tires I feel that my skills are up to it. I still like good tires with All Weather on the front and something a little more aggressive on the back. Here we need winter traction only about 20 days / year. Calgary may be different. Also, the rubber in summer tires may be hard in the cold and I think you have more of that.
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10-20-2021, 06:31 PM	#4
freakystyly Lieutenant Colonel 2984 Rep 1,795 Posts Drives: F22 B58 6MT Join Date: May 2016 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	While mixing is a better situation than having no snows at all.. I'd also vote for de-studding the Hakkas, especially if you are only driving around town. Mountains would be a different story.
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10-21-2021, 05:15 AM	#6
cristo Second Lieutenant 133 Rep 218 Posts Drives: 2020 M240i Convertible Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: York, PA iTrader: (0)	Just get 2 X-ice snows and use them with your Xi-3s.
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10-21-2021, 06:50 PM	#8
Zyzzthetic 6 speeeeeeeeeed 147 Rep 214 Posts Drives: 2017 M240i 6-Speed Manual Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0)	Thank you all for the replies, I will just order a set of 4 new tires great advice __________________ 17' 240i 6MT - black on red
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10-22-2021, 07:19 AM	#9
Shovelman Lieutenant 243 Rep 525 Posts Drives: 2017 230i Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Sure it's best to get new all around but the front and rear axles are still going to handle differently.
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