[Zooks527]

Hell, it's the last week of the year and they're saying we "could" get a bit of ice this week. I'd feel foolish having bought the tires if I got caught out without them. Now for 3 months of "Wake the **** up!" while cornering in the wet.

Amazing how much the noise goes up with those blocky treads!

[och]

Did you put snow tires on stock wheels?

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by och

Did you put snow tires on stock wheels?

Monte Titiano aftermarket wheels. Inexpensive painted alloys at $105 each. They'll likely see a fair amount of crud over the winter, so I couldn't see putting too much money into them.

[Transfer]

Cool story.

Not even a mention of which tires?

[nike001]

I put 225 width on all 4 wheels (stock staggered 225/245 PSS) and I've been kicking myself for putting these on so early and essentially burning through them.

Noise is definitely up (Michelin X-ice) which is weird because none any of my prior blizzaks were loud.

Sidenote: if anyone here wants to square up 4 rear wheels, the front needs a wheel-spacer or you'll rub your front shocks. The tech who put my wheels back on accidentally put a rear wheel on the front (easy mistake I guess since I put square tires on them).

[X-M3driver]

Broke down and did mine also[IMG][/IMG]

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by Transfer

Cool story.

Not even a mention of which tires?

225/45-17 Blizzak WS-80s on aftermarket Monte Titiano wheels.

Been using Blizzaks since the WS-50 series on my Passat. Keep thinking I'll try the X-Ice, then always default to the "if it isn't broken..." meme.


Side note: Damn, the Pirelli all-season tires are wearing quickly. Just under 14,000 miles and they're past half worn. I got nearly 50,000 miles out of the two different types of Contis I used on my 335. I don't see myself going back with Pirellis when these wear out.

[CE750Jockey]

I also put Michelin IceX tires on my 235, and this car has become squirrely under high acceleration. Very noticeable and really surprised me the first time. What a difference. Can't wait for spring to arrive.

[Zooks527]

Yeah, first long drive today on the highway, and it's nowhere near as tight as it was before.

Of course, considering how ill suited the tread on the "all-season" Pirellis would be in snow, I'll take that tradeoff and tolerate it until spring.

[five3three]

looks like winter may finally be on its way so I may do the swap in the next week or so. I use stock wheels with michelin pilot Alpin pa4 and those handle almost like summers so it made winter fun last year.

[allthatisntnow]

Originally Posted by five3three

looks like winter may finally be on its way so I may do the swap in the next week or so. I use stock wheels with michelin pilot Alpin pa4 and those handle almost like summers so it made winter fun last year.

Yeah the pilot alpin PA4s are about as close to a winter pilot super sport as it gets. If you don't get heavy snow and mainly cold; wet conditions, they're a blast. Tiny bit more mallowy, but can be forgiven due to the extra tread depth and sipes. Have used them in the snow mind and its pretty much like using the super sports on a mild summer day. No issues, a great tyre.

[EternalVendetta]

I just put mine on today too. I have 17" X-Ice Xi3 215/50R-17s on cheap Monte Titanos; luckily the BMW hubcaps fit perfectly!

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by CE750Jockey

I also put Michelin IceX tires on my 235, and this car has become squirrely under high acceleration. Very noticeable and really surprised me the first time. What a difference. Can't wait for spring to arrive.

Get some performance snow tires next time and it won't be so squirrely....

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Midwest M235i

Get some performance snow tires next time and it won't be so squirrely....

But when they get dumped on in northern Ohio, they also will be far less capable of course. Perhaps he needs to be absolutely relied upon to be somewhere all winter long! Life is full of compromises.

[CE750Jockey]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

But when they get dumped on in northern Ohio, they also will be far less capable of course. Perhaps he needs to be absolutely relied upon to be somewhere all winter long! Life is full of compromises.

Exactly, 'Stick. Had I taken Midwest's advice, being in the snowbelt, I'd be getting stuck.

[sstarrx3]

I would love some snow right now! It has been in the 70s and raining seems like forever down here. Just not right being muggy in late December!

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by CE750Jockey

Exactly, 'Stick. Had I taken Midwest's advice, being in the snowbelt, I'd be getting stuck.

LOL,

I'm in MN...I think thats considered snow country last I looked

Been using performance snows on my BMW's for almost 15 years now...Much less of a compromise.

People really need to do their homework on which snow is best for them. Especially owners of performance vehicles like the 2'er..That said, I put WS's on my wifes X4 and love em on that application..

Got LM's on the 2 though.

[EEBreh]

Just curious, what are you guys running for Tire Pressures?

[Zooks527]

Originally Posted by EEBreh

Just curious, what are you guys running for Tire Pressures?

33 front / 38 rear on 225/45-17

[nike001]

Originally Posted by Zooks527

33 front / 38 rear on 225/45-17

+1

I had it 36/38 but since the tires are so skinny at 225, the car was very past neutral to the point where I'd feel the rear wanting to come out on turns it shouldn't with no power.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by CE750Jockey

Exactly, 'Stick. Had I taken Midwest's advice, being in the snowbelt, I'd be getting stuck.

Meh, I have found Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds to be a great compromise on my 3-series. Great in snow, but hugely better than the Bridgestones in the dry/wet. I have yet to try a Bridgestone snow tire that wasn't horrid on bare pavement, and even here in Maine the pavement is bare and dry (but ice cold) most of the time all winter long. I suspect lack of ground clearance will be MUCH more of an issue than exactly which winter tire you have on. I suspect 2-series make lousy snowplows.

I ended up with Falken EuroWinters on my M235i. Haven't gotten to try them in the snow yet, but I am perfectly happy with them on dry pavement. I would say they have as much grip as the OEM Conti runflats on my 3-series, and are reasonably quiet once beyond parking lot speeds. Couldn't beat the price, ~$95ea for 225/40-18 from DiscountTireDirect with free shipping. Went on MSW Type 62s from TheTireRack. $130ea for those plus $65ea for the TPMS sensors.