Winter Tire Thoughts

floydarogers · 10-19-2017, 10:54 AM

There are a couple of things not noted yet. While every winter tire (snowflake in USA) will beat the heck out of any all-season/summer tire, there is one major difference in winter tires is their performance rating: High or not.

For instance, the Michelin Pilot Alpine 4 (PA4) is a hp tire while the Michelin xIce is not. The xIce is better on snow, but doesn't brake and handle on dry roads as well as the PA4. Other brands are similar - although many do not differentiate the difference in the names (Blizzak is applied to all Bridgestone snows, for instance, even though some are HP and some (WS-80 for instance) are not.

Non-HP tires are cheaper and available in more sizes, especially on 17" wheels.

Another difference is RFT versus go-Flat: very few RFTs in anything but OEM sizes, and the bigger rims (19", 20") are hard to find. Costco has been nasty lately about fitting go-flats on cars requiring RFT's (BMWs) unless you have a spare.

Costco has both Blizzaks, and Michelins (PA and xIce). While Hakkapellita has a sound reputation, I doubt that they're SIGNIFICANTLY better than those two brands. They're available at Les Schwab and other indy tire shops.

3Series · 10-19-2017, 10:55 AM

There are basically two types of winter tires, regular and extra strength.

Pretty much any regular winter tire is good enough for urban winter driving and occasional treks into the mountains.

If you are rural and spend a lot of time in places that don't have good plowing, you would want the extra strength tires.

It's a winter tire, you just want one that can stop your car. You can rely on reviews and "tests" but anything is better than none. With that said, I would go with whatever you can get a deal on.

3Series · 10-19-2017, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydarogers

There are a couple of things not noted yet. While every winter tire (snowflake in USA) will beat the heck out of any all-season/summer tire, there is one major difference in winter tires is their performance rating: High or not.

For instance, the Michelin Pilot Alpine 4 (PA4) is a hp tire while the Michelin xIce is not. The xIce is better on snow, but doesn't brake and handle on dry roads as well as the PA4. Other brands are similar - although many do not differentiate the difference in the names (Blizzak is applied to all Bridgestone snows, for instance, even though some are HP and some (WS-80 for instance) are not.

Non-HP tires are cheaper and available in more sizes, especially on 17" wheels.

Another difference is RFT versus go-Flat: very few RFTs in anything but OEM sizes, and the bigger rims (19", 20") are hard to find. Costco has been nasty lately about fitting go-flats on cars requiring RFT's (BMWs) unless you have a spare.

+1 What he said. Reg winter tire vs Extra Strength.

Niart906 · 10-19-2017, 02:18 PM

Never had trouble with Blizzaks over the years. I've also used Dunlops and had good results. Currently running Hankook iPikes on 17" wheels but wouldn't recommend them.

metallicpea · 10-19-2017, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floydarogers

There are a couple of things not noted yet. While every winter tire (snowflake in USA) will beat the heck out of any all-season/summer tire, there is one major difference in winter tires is their performance rating: High or not.

For instance, the Michelin Pilot Alpine 4 (PA4) is a hp tire while the Michelin xIce is not. The xIce is better on snow, but doesn't brake and handle on dry roads as well as the PA4. Other brands are similar - although many do not differentiate the difference in the names (Blizzak is applied to all Bridgestone snows, for instance, even though some are HP and some (WS-80 for instance) are not.

Non-HP tires are cheaper and available in more sizes, especially on 17" wheels.

Another difference is RFT versus go-Flat: very few RFTs in anything but OEM sizes, and the bigger rims (19", 20") are hard to find. Costco has been nasty lately about fitting go-flats on cars requiring RFT's (BMWs) unless you have a spare.

Costco has both Blizzaks, and Michelins (PA and xIce). While Hakkapellita has a sound reputation, I doubt that they're SIGNIFICANTLY better than those two brands. They're available at Les Schwab and other indy tire shops.

Good points. I've driven some HP winters that are closer to good all seasons than non HP Blizzaks. To be specific, I would go with the WS80s. Not HP and not runflats. Unbelievable ice and slush traction on a RWD vehicle.

Ice and slush are the areas where lesser winter tires suffer the most. Since this is more common for me than super deep powdery snow, it's where I focus my attention.

chrispitude · 10-19-2017, 04:47 PM

Some Blizzak models do not use the famous multi-cell compound. These models are no better than your average snow tire (in my experience).

John Casey · 10-19-2017, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metallicpea

Good points. I've driven some HP winters that are closer to good all seasons than non HP Blizzaks. To be specific, I would go with the WS80s. Not HP and not runflats. Unbelievable ice and slush traction on a RWD vehicle.

Yes, thanks for the comments floydarogers.

Blizzak WS80 seem to check the boxes (good reputation here, readily available at local shops, etc.).

kpgray · 10-19-2017, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Casey

This I have read and because of that have intentionally went with summer performance and a dedicated set of winters. No need for "all seasons" here.

A set of tires not metioned here but worthy of consideration are the Pirelli brand SottoZero's. I switched from an xDrive F30 with all season Continental tires, to RWD with summer tires. Picked picked up a set of Pirelli Sotozero's and put them on 18" BMW square set of rims. These are Run-Flat tires. Overall, I am very happy with them going into my third season. These have been smooth, quiet, good traction, in fact these are much better than the all seasons on my other F30. The Sottozero's are very highly rated in Tire-rack for class. I will just get these again when I need a new set. I highly recommend these.

rjc32000 · 10-19-2017, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Casey

It’s getting to be that time of year. Which brands of winter tires have you found to be superior? What are your experiences with different brands of winter tires? Does any brand stand out? For example, Michelin X-Ice? Continental WinterContact? Bridgestone Blizzak? Or?

I run Blizzak WS-70 (the older version of the newer WS80s) on my 335 (and previously on the F30 328) in Anchorage, AK where we have a real winter. I think they are amazing.

chrispitude · 10-21-2017, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjc32000

I run Blizzak WS-70 (the older version of the newer WS80s) on my 335 (and previously on the F30 328) in Anchorage, AK where we have a real winter. I think they are amazing.

Ahhh yes, the WS-* tires have the multicell compound. I wish they came in runflats, as they ARE amazing.

We went out to eat in an ice storm, just because we could. The employees at the restaurant were only there because nobody was able to get home. We didn't realize how slippery it was until we got out of the car and had to make a human chain to get ourselves to the front door.

spiff56747 · 10-23-2017, 08:20 PM

I have Dunlop SP Winter Sport for when I lived back in Boston - as probably many will tell you, the difference between winter tires and allseasons is night and day, especially on a rear wheel drive car. The car basically turned into a tank on snowy roads. Didn't really try on ice

Worth the purchase for sure.

10-19-2017, 10:54 AM	#23
floydarogers Curmudgeon and Pedant 690 Rep 3,489 Posts Drives: 2010 335d, 2014 328d Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (0)	There are a couple of things not noted yet. While every winter tire (snowflake in USA) will beat the heck out of any all-season/summer tire, there is one major difference in winter tires is their performance rating: High or not. For instance, the Michelin Pilot Alpine 4 (PA4) is a hp tire while the Michelin xIce is not. The xIce is better on snow, but doesn't brake and handle on dry roads as well as the PA4. Other brands are similar - although many do not differentiate the difference in the names (Blizzak is applied to all Bridgestone snows, for instance, even though some are HP and some (WS-80 for instance) are not. Non-HP tires are cheaper and available in more sizes, especially on 17" wheels. Another difference is RFT versus go-Flat: very few RFTs in anything but OEM sizes, and the bigger rims (19", 20") are hard to find. Costco has been nasty lately about fitting go-flats on cars requiring RFT's (BMWs) unless you have a spare. Costco has both Blizzaks, and Michelins (PA and xIce). While Hakkapellita has a sound reputation, I doubt that they're SIGNIFICANTLY better than those two brands. They're available at Les Schwab and other indy tire shops.
	Appreciate 3 wrickem2101.00 metallicpea714.00 John Casey126.00 Quote

10-19-2017, 10:55 AM	#24
3Series Private 10 Rep 64 Posts Drives: 3 Series Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	There are basically two types of winter tires, regular and extra strength. Pretty much any regular winter tire is good enough for urban winter driving and occasional treks into the mountains. If you are rural and spend a lot of time in places that don't have good plowing, you would want the extra strength tires. It's a winter tire, you just want one that can stop your car. You can rely on reviews and "tests" but anything is better than none. With that said, I would go with whatever you can get a deal on.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-19-2017, 02:18 PM	#26
Niart906 First Lieutenant 179 Rep 331 Posts Drives: 2017 M3, 2003 M3 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Dalton, PA iTrader: (0)	Never had trouble with Blizzaks over the years. I've also used Dunlops and had good results. Currently running Hankook iPikes on 17" wheels but wouldn't recommend them. __________________ 2017 F80 M3 - Mineral White/Amaro Brown 2003 E46 M3 - Jet Black/Cinnamon
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-19-2017, 04:47 PM	#28
chrispitude Private First Class 40 Rep 145 Posts Drives: E91 325xiT 6MT, F31 328xdT Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Allentown, PA iTrader: (0)	Some Blizzak models do not use the famous multi-cell compound. These models are no better than your average snow tire (in my experience).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-23-2017, 08:20 PM	#33
spiff56747 Private 35 Rep 96 Posts Drives: 2012 335i 6 speed Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	I have Dunlop SP Winter Sport for when I lived back in Boston - as probably many will tell you, the difference between winter tires and allseasons is night and day, especially on a rear wheel drive car. The car basically turned into a tank on snowy roads. Didn't really try on ice Worth the purchase for sure.
	Appreciate 0 Quote