[zofinger]

Originally Posted by MarkW83

For tyres on their own (not another set of wheels), they'll be around £170 each, at least my 18" Bridgestone Blizzaks were; but your summer tyres are obviously off the car when the winters are on, so there isn't really an extra cost in the longer term?

Thanks for pointing that out - no, there's no extra cost for tyres. Just the outlay to change and store them = thanks!

So some quick maths for someone keeping the car for three years and doing 6000m a year (and please someone feel free to point out an error!):

Four winter tyres = £680
Storage = £60
Tyre change = £48

Annual cost = £263 - or 4p a mile.

I guess that's not bad especially when it means in those 3 years I def won't need to buy another set of summer tyres (although my tyres might last 3yrs/18000miles anyway). And of course the extra safety they provide - hmmm....might well have to look at these!

[rich1068]

That's exactly how I 'justified' the cost of winters on my E91. I leased the car for 4 years, I'd normally need another set of tyres on over that period, I'm just buying them upfront. The summers would be on for two years, the winters would be on for two years.

As it happened, the car developed a fault that couldn't be fixed and went back to BMW. The wheels and tyres I'd bought don't fit on the F3x so I ended up selling them as a set at a small loss

[Carjack]

Originally Posted by pops_f30

Can't wait for it, finally a chance to see what difference my first set of winter tyres really make on a BMW....hope it comes down thick and fast!!

Also, it will substantiate buying new alloys and tyres for the winter!

Withthe Continental snow tyres on my previous E90 320D I found that the only limitation was the depth of snow. I did not like the front of the car acting as a sort of snow plough! Snow or ice was no prob!
A set of tyres on 16" steel wheels cost about £600.
With the current F30 320D with M-sport brakes I can only obtain alloy wheels for the 18" wheels. Cost about £2000. So am holding off for the time being.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by zofinger

So....say i would like to get some winter tyres...I'm guessing
1) they're going to cost me close to £1k?
2) will the local dealer change them for free in March and October?
3) will they store the set I'm not using and if so, roughly how much do they charge?

I've no doubt winter tyres are safer in colder temps (even if there's no snow on the ground) so I'm sold - but are they a realistic option for someone who doesn't HAVE to drive if the road conditions are tricky (i don't need the car to commute).

In answer NO mate in your case just leave it as is.

[letsavit]

Not looking forward to snow at all, had a range rover for years now I'm in a rear wheel drive BMW.

[zofinger]

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

In answer NO mate in your case just leave it as is.

Thanks.

Do u have winter boots?

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by zofinger

Thanks.

Do u have winter boots?

Yep wheels and dunlop winter sports, they are on for four months a year.

[zofinger]

Great car. Love it.

And given you have winter tyres and are, all things considered, saying getting them is probably not for me gives me confidence im doing the right thing.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by zofinger

Great car. Love it.

And given you have winter tyres and are, all things considered, saying getting them is probably not for me gives me confidence im doing the right thing.

If you do not have to drive in snow don't.

[vigalent]

After my first winter in my old e90 2 years ago without winters fitted, I vowed never again.

Before last winter I picked up a set of 16" alloys of eBay for £100, and got a set of ultragrips fitted for just over £400.

It's the best decision I ever made. Luckily when I swapped the old e90 for a f30, the old alloys fitted with no problems. It looks a bit poor compared to the 18's that came with it, but for the safety, I'll happily put up with it.

[pops_f30]

So I have experienced driving with winter tyres and its light and day from driving a 3 series with summer tyres.

Popped her into Eco pro and she did the rest, breaking particularly impressive.

Pirelli Sottozero II I salute you.

[rjberry]

Snow go for me. I'd prefer to stay at home and keep warm The long drive up a steepish hill before reaching the main road covered in 5-6 inches of snow may also be enough to dissuade me.

[f1swk]

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

Yep wheels and dunlop winter sports, they are on for four months a year.

what wheels are they, looks like prorace are they 17s

[Nexstar2011]

Originally Posted by pops_f30

So I have experienced driving with winter tyres and its light and day from driving a 3 series with summer tyres.

Popped her into Eco pro and she did the rest, breaking particularly impressive.

Pirelli Sottozero II I salute you.

Ditto. Really pleased I bought the tyres now!