What's your favorite winter performance tire?

440GCSTL · 10-17-2017, 01:52 PM

Anyone have any favorites?

Pr3dict · 10-17-2017, 02:04 PM

sottozero ftw

440GCSTL · 10-17-2017, 06:01 PM

Those were on my list. Was also thinking about the Nokia WRG3. They call it an all weather, but from what I can see from reviews it sounds similar to a performance winter.

rudy@tirerack.com · 10-17-2017, 06:17 PM

Pirelli Sottozero 3, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4. Blizzak LM series and the Dunlop wintersport series are all excellent.

1QuikWS6 · 10-18-2017, 04:18 AM

Blizzak get's my vote - only winter tire I have ever used on any of my BMW's

dr.roro · 10-18-2017, 09:36 AM

I was very happy with Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tires last winter. 225/45/18 all around.

Ali Shiralian · 10-18-2017, 10:23 AM

Just bought Pirelli sottozero 3 for the Ftype and Blizzak for the Lexus RX

chrispitude · 10-18-2017, 11:53 AM

I like the Sottozeros because they are nondirectional and can be rotated between sides each season.

Uber Commuter · 10-18-2017, 11:55 AM

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2; All the other tires mentioned are good, but they don't compare to Hakkas

dougt.ah3 · 10-18-2017, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uber Commuter

Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2; All the other tires mentioned are good, but they don't compare to Hakkas

x2

run them on 3 of my cars

440GCSTL · 10-19-2017, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougt.ah3

x2

run them on 3 of my cars

Do they still do pretty well in dry conditions as well. We have not been getting much snow in our part of the midwest for several years but you also just never know.

dougt.ah3 · 10-20-2017, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 440GCSTL

Do they still do pretty well in dry conditions as well. We have not been getting much snow in our part of the midwest for several years but you also just never know.

I've not noticed any traction issues in dry conditions. But then again I don't race around. Driven to S Cal and back with the R2's, across the Mojave, with no concerns or issues.

RDY4TKF · 10-20-2017, 08:21 AM

Michelin Alpin

440GCSTL · 10-20-2017, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDY4TKF

Michelin Alpin

Can't get Alpins in a 225/45/18 for some reason.

kokoli84 · 10-21-2017, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 440GCSTL

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDY4TKF

Michelin Alpin

Can't get Alpins in a 225/45/18 for some reason.

Same problem, only 235/45/18 available. Im thinking to go SottoZero 3 225/45/18.

Pr3dict · 10-21-2017, 04:17 PM

Just bought sottozero 3's in stock sizes.

440GCSTL · 12-26-2017, 01:26 PM

At the last minute I opted out of the performance winters and went for a set of Michelin X-Ice Xi3's thinking that I'd trade some dry weather performance for a little better ice and snow. Just had to make a 4 hour trek through the worst ice and snow I've driven on in some time and have to say the tires were scary good.

I'd still like to try some performance winters at some point to see how they would do but for me the bar is now set pretty high for what kind of traction you can get out of a studies winter.

The only downside is that I was expecting more comfort going from 19" RFT to an 18 non RFT and there is just very little difference in ride quality. Not sure if that means the winters are generally that way or maybe my RFT's are not as bad as I thought.

floydarogers · 12-26-2017, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 440GCSTL

...
The only downside is that I was expecting more comfort going from 19" RFT to an 18 non RFT and there is just very little difference in ride quality. Not sure if that means the winters are generally that way or maybe my RFT's are not as bad as I thought.

A bit of both, I think. My Bridgestone WS80 are just about as noisey as my Pilot Sport ps2 zp. Ride is a tiny bit better - not quite as much of a crash when hitting potholes and such, but that's probably due to them being /45 profile rather than /40 and /35.

To the OP: While Nokian tires are obviously very good winters, I have yet to see a comparison of them against the Blizzak and xIce and others. People saying they're the best really have little evidence of that assertion. Buy them and you'll be fine. But you'll also be fine if you buy any other *real* snow tire that has a snowflake on it.

Bridgestone Blizzak WS80, Michelin xIce are 1 & 2 in tirerack and other tests, with Conti, Dunlop, Pirelli and a few others right behind. You frankly won't lose anything buying any of those.

A step behind in the snow are the performance snows: Blizzak LM-xx, Michelin Pilot Alpine PA4, Conti, Dunlop, Pirelli and others. You trade a bit - a very small bit IME - of snow performance for better dry-road performance.

ProperBimmer · 12-28-2017, 02:30 PM

Blizzak on all my BMW's over the last 18 years. Rwd and awd, in dry conditions or snow they have never let me down.

Rob340i · 12-28-2017, 03:12 PM

+1 not as many years, but none the less bridgestone blizzacks were the best snow tire lived in the tug hill plateau region of upstate NY for the 4 years! And Colorado for 6 years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProperBimmer

Blizzak on all my BMW's over the last 18 years. Rwd and awd, in dry conditions or snow they have never let me down.

Climb Mode · 12-28-2017, 04:51 PM

I have Pilot Alpin 4's in a square 245 set up. I've been extremely happy with it, though I don't have experience with other winters for comparison though.

I think the 'skinnier tire being better for winter' idea is a bit of a fallacy. There are situations where skinnier can help with heavier snow, but I find it much more common that putting wider rubber down to the pavement helps with grip on plowed/semi plowed but still slippery roads.

ProperBimmer · 12-28-2017, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Climb Mode

I have Pilot Alpin 4's in a square 245 set up. I've been extremely happy with it, though I don't have experience with other winters for comparison though.

I think the 'skinnier tire being better for winter' idea is a bit of a fallacy. There are situations where skinnier can help with heavier snow, but I find it much more common that putting wider rubber down to the pavement helps with grip on plowed/semi plowed but still slippery roads.

Yeah I don't buy that shit either. Always replaced my oem staggered sizes with exact blizzak replacements. No issues ever.

10-17-2017, 01:52 PM	#1
440GCSTL Private First Class 53 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2018 440 Gran Coupe Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (1)	What's your favorite winter performance tire? Anyone have any favorites? Last edited by 440GCSTL; 10-17-2017 at 02:19 PM..
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10-17-2017, 02:04 PM	#2
Pr3dict Second Lieutenant 74 Rep 248 Posts Drives: '17 340 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	sottozero ftw
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10-17-2017, 06:01 PM	#3
440GCSTL Private First Class 53 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2018 440 Gran Coupe Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (1)	Those were on my list. Was also thinking about the Nokia WRG3. They call it an all weather, but from what I can see from reviews it sounds similar to a performance winter.
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10-17-2017, 06:17 PM	#4
rudy@tirerack.com New Member 26 Rep 15 Posts Drives: 1-800-428-8355 EXT 4664 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: rudy@tirerack.com iTrader: (0)	Pirelli Sottozero 3, Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4. Blizzak LM series and the Dunlop wintersport series are all excellent.
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10-18-2017, 04:18 AM	#5
1QuikWS6 No 55mph 1621 Rep 8,476 Posts Drives: F32 435ix MSport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Blitzburgh, PA iTrader: (113) Garage List 2022 BMW M440ix Vert [0.00] 2015 BMW 435ix MSport [0.00] 2000 Pontiac Trans Am [0.00]	Blizzak get's my vote - only winter tire I have ever used on any of my BMW's __________________ F32 435ix//MGM//M Sport-Prem-Tech-Driver Assist-Lighting-Cold Weather-Dyn Handling Pkgs//M4 Black Lthr Int w/M4 Alum Blade Trim//HK w/Bavsound Stg3//763M//M4 Euro LCI Tails//M4 Mirrors w/CF Covers//AWCarbon CF F/R Spoilers-Side Splitters-Diffuser 6WB/ID6 HU+HUD/IND M4 Alcantara Armrest//PURE S2 Turbo//AA FMIC+DP//ER CP+TIC//3.5bar TMAP/TS DV//AWE Tuning Exh w/Blk Tips//Turner MS CF Intake//BM3 Cary Jordan Tune//MPerf Diff//PrecRW Ignition Kit
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10-18-2017, 09:36 AM	#6
dr.roro Captain 196 Rep 832 Posts Drives: 2019 G01 X3 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435i Coupe [0.00] 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i [0.00]	I was very happy with Michelin X-Ice Xi3 tires last winter. 225/45/18 all around.
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10-18-2017, 10:23 AM	#7
Ali Shiralian Lieutenant Colonel 813 Rep 1,986 Posts Drives: 2014 335i xdrive, 2014 X5 3.5d Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Owen sound, Ontario, canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2017 Lexus RX 350 F ... [0.00] 2017 Jaguar F Type ... [0.00] 1990 Miata [9.00] 2014 X5 [9.00]	Just bought Pirelli sottozero 3 for the Ftype and Blizzak for the Lexus RX
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10-18-2017, 11:53 AM	#8
chrispitude Private First Class 40 Rep 145 Posts Drives: E91 325xiT 6MT, F31 328xdT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Allentown, PA iTrader: (0)	I like the Sottozeros because they are nondirectional and can be rotated between sides each season.
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10-18-2017, 11:55 AM	#9
Uber Commuter Lieutenant 722 Rep 474 Posts Drives: 2014 328D xDrive Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 328d xDrive [0.00]	Nokian Hakkapeliitta R2; All the other tires mentioned are good, but they don't compare to Hakkas
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10-20-2017, 08:21 AM	#13
RDY4TKF Private 55 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 2013 Red 335i MSport Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Yorkville IL iTrader: (0)	Michelin Alpin
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10-21-2017, 04:17 PM	#16
Pr3dict Second Lieutenant 74 Rep 248 Posts Drives: '17 340 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	Just bought sottozero 3's in stock sizes.
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12-26-2017, 01:26 PM	#17
440GCSTL Private First Class 53 Rep 158 Posts Drives: 2018 440 Gran Coupe Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (1)	At the last minute I opted out of the performance winters and went for a set of Michelin X-Ice Xi3's thinking that I'd trade some dry weather performance for a little better ice and snow. Just had to make a 4 hour trek through the worst ice and snow I've driven on in some time and have to say the tires were scary good. I'd still like to try some performance winters at some point to see how they would do but for me the bar is now set pretty high for what kind of traction you can get out of a studies winter. The only downside is that I was expecting more comfort going from 19" RFT to an 18 non RFT and there is just very little difference in ride quality. Not sure if that means the winters are generally that way or maybe my RFT's are not as bad as I thought.
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12-28-2017, 02:30 PM	#19
ProperBimmer Banned 231 Rep 423 Posts Drives: 15 X5, 14 335 Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	Blizzak on all my BMW's over the last 18 years. Rwd and awd, in dry conditions or snow they have never let me down.
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12-28-2017, 04:51 PM	#21
Climb Mode First Lieutenant 119 Rep 322 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	I have Pilot Alpin 4's in a square 245 set up. I've been extremely happy with it, though I don't have experience with other winters for comparison though. I think the 'skinnier tire being better for winter' idea is a bit of a fallacy. There are situations where skinnier can help with heavier snow, but I find it much more common that putting wider rubber down to the pavement helps with grip on plowed/semi plowed but still slippery roads.
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