[Rudy@tirerack]

Keith's 2016-2017 Winter Tire Guide

When shopping for winter tires, it's best to find a tire that fits your specific needs. Much like when shopping for summer tires, some people are most concerned with getting the highest performance possible and nothing else matters. While others realize they do not need the "race" performance and would rather have a touring tire that will provide better ride quality and tread life.
This same logic applies to winter tires. There is not one single tire that will fit everyone's needs.

-If you live in an area where you do not see much snow, but still need a winter tire for the bad days, it would be best to look at the performance winter/snow category. These tires will handle very well on dry roads, but will still provide adequate traction in the ice and snow. These performance winter tires typically have higher speed ratings.
-If you live in an area where you wake up to fresh snow covered roads often or maybe are new to driving in the winter, you are going to want the absolute best winter traction. The studless ice & snow category is going to provide the best winter traction, but will give up some dry road responsiveness. When the going gets tough, these tires will give you the most confidence in bad weather.

In the performance winter category, here are some of the top performers this season. Click on each and it will take you to the details:

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4
Bridgestone Blizzak LM001

The Pirelli and Michelin have proven themselves and are currently the highest rated in this category. The Blizzak LM001 is brand new this season and while we expect it to be a class leader, we have not yet been able to test it.


Next up, for the people looking for the most winter traction and do not mind giving up some dry road handling, the studless ice & snow category is going to work best. Here are some of the top performers in this category:

Bridgestone Blizzak WS80
Michelin X-Ice Xi3
Continental WinterContact SI

I personally use the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 on my vehicle because I feel this tire provides the best balance between winter traction, ride quailty, dry road performance and treadlife. If you are solely concerned with the best ice/snow traction, the Blizzak WS80 does have a slight advantage. The WinterContact SI is still a very good competitor, but is slightly behind the two leaders.

*All these are not available in every size. The size you are using may dictate which tires you can use. Many of the performance winter tires are available in the larger 18"-20" sizes, while the studless ice & snow tires are typically more popular in the 16"-18" sizes.*

Most people will not be installing their winter tires on until later in November or even December. Please know, certain sizes and models have limited availability and will sell out before the snow actually gets here so please try to plan in advance and order earlier rather than later.

Feel free to email me directly if you would like to go over your options or if you have any questions. Keith@tirerack.com will be the fastest way to get to me.

If you do order online, when checking out please be sure to reference "Keith/F30Post" as your previous contact. This is the only way the forum receives credit.

[join the Roundel]

Keith,

Looking for a little more rim protection. Will 245/40/18's fit ok on 398 rims for my to be delivered 2017 340iX with track package? I understand stock is 225/45/18s, but I don't see the PA4's in the wider 235 size, and the Pirelli Sottozero 3s I only see in the 225 or the 245/40's.
Thanks for your help.

[rsgl]

Keith, I'm expecting an F31 with Track Package. Do the Track Package performance brakes require 18" rims, or will 17" clear?

Rob

[Rudy@tirerack]

Originally Posted by rsgl

Keith, I'm expecting an F31 with Track Package. Do the Track Package performance brakes require 18" rims, or will 17" clear?

Rob

Rob,

The track package car will require 18" wheels. 17" will not clear the brakes.
Congrats on the new car!

[rsgl]

Thanks Keith, it's as I thought. Regards-

[Bimmer-Mac]

Hey Keith- thank you for all of your info! I was hoping you could provide some advice- I have a 2016 340i xDrive, with the Track Handling Package, and 18" 398 style alloys which came with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. I want to purchase winter tires for these alloys and am torn between Michelin X-Ice Xi3 or the Pilot Alpin PA4. Do either of these come in the correct size for the alloys I want to reuse? Which do you think would be better for driving on generally well plowed roads? Many thanks in advance.

[Rudy@tirerack]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Mac

Hey Keith- thank you for all of your info! I was hoping you could provide some advice- I have a 2016 340i xDrive, with the Track Handling Package, and 18" 398 style alloys which came with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires. I want to purchase winter tires for these alloys and am torn between Michelin X-Ice Xi3 or the Pilot Alpin PA4. Do either of these come in the correct size for the alloys I want to reuse? Which do you think would be better for driving on generally well plowed roads? Many thanks in advance.

If the roads are generally clear, the PA4 would be the better option. It is a better handling tire on dry roads. Although, it should be said, the X-Ice Xi3 is not bad in the dry. The Xi3 still performs better on dry roads than any other studless ice/snow tire. The Xi3 will also create better traction when the conditions are bad.

In the size 225/45/18, the PA4 is not available. So that makes the decision a little easier.
If you are set on the PA4, you could use size 245/40/18 as an alternative size. Although the narrower 225/45/18 would be best for winter traction.
Personally, if I was in your situation, I would go with the 225/45/18 Michelin X-Ice Xi3.

Please let me know if I can help further.

[madsmith]

Hi Keith,

I have a '14 435i M-sport with the blue brakes and 19" type 442 wheels. I'm looking to put on a set of snow tires and am deciding between two options. I'd like a square set up for a few reasons, not least of which is avaible tire stock.

1) Put snows on the 442 rims. My question is this: Tire Rack support said to put on 235/40/19, but I've seen 234/35/19 listed elsewhere on this forum. Which is correct?

2) Go down to 18" and buy new rims, also with a squared set up - the correct size should be 235/45/18 or 235/40/18?

Thanks for the help!

Matt

[Bimmer-Mac]

Originally Posted by Keith@tirerack.com

If the roads are generally clear, the PA4 would be the better option. It is a better handling tire on dry roads. Although, it should be said, the X-Ice Xi3 is not bad in the dry. The Xi3 still performs better on dry roads than any other studless ice/snow tire. The Xi3 will also create better traction when the conditions are bad.

In the size 225/45/18, the PA4 is not available. So that makes the decision a little easier.
If you are set on the PA4, you could use size 245/40/18 as an alternative size. Although the narrower 225/45/18 would be best for winter traction.
Personally, if I was in your situation, I would go with the 225/45/18 Michelin X-Ice Xi3.

Please let me know if I can help further.

Thank you so much for you suggestion, Keith!!

[Rudy@tirerack]

Originally Posted by madsmith

Hi Keith,

I have a '14 435i M-sport with the blue brakes and 19" type 442 wheels. I'm looking to put on a set of snow tires and am deciding between two options. I'd like a square set up for a few reasons, not least of which is avaible tire stock.

1) Put snows on the 442 rims. My question is this: Tire Rack support said to put on 235/40/19, but I've seen 234/35/19 listed elsewhere on this forum. Which is correct?

2) Go down to 18" and buy new rims, also with a squared set up - the correct size should be 235/45/18 or 235/40/18?

Thanks for the help!

Matt

Thanks for checking with me Matt!
To answer your questions:
1) 225/40-19 , 235/40-19 & 245/35-19 are the only recommended square sizes for 19"

2) If you go down to 18", we would recommend size 225/45-18 , 235/45-18 or 245/40-18.

Any of those sizes would work. Of course for winter, the narrower the better.

Thanks again!

[madsmith]

Originally Posted by Keith@tirerack.com

Thanks for checking with me Matt!
To answer your questions:
1) 225/40-19 , 235/40-19 & 245/35-19 are the only recommended square sizes for 19"

2) If you go down to 18", we would recommend size 225/45-18 , 235/45-18 or 245/40-18.

Any of those sizes would work. Of course for winter, the narrower the better.

Thanks again!

Thanks for the help!!

[ssanth2]

Keith,

I have a 2016 428i drive with M sport and a 19" staggered set.

225/40/19 front
255/35/19 rear

I am thinking of going with a Sparco Pro Corsa 17 X 7.5 squared set.

I am thinking between the Blizak WS80 and LM001.

1. will the above combo fit my vehicle? I am assuming it will
2. What would you recommend between the WS80 and LM001?

Thank You!

[Slickz]

Minimum 18" wheels are required to clear M sport brakes. For Illinois I would recommend studless snow tires vs a performance snow tire.

[AG23]

Hi Keith - I am looking to order set of all season ultra high performance tires for 435i gran coupe with 19 x 8 front/19x8.5 rear staggered to replace runflats.
I am looking at the Michellin Pilot A/S 3+
Would the following tires be correct?
225/40ZR19 93Y XL (front)
255/35ZR19 96Y XL (rear)

[Rudy@tirerack]

Originally Posted by ssanth2

Keith,

I have a 2016 428i drive with M sport and a 19" staggered set.

225/40/19 front
255/35/19 rear

I am thinking of going with a Sparco Pro Corsa 17 X 7.5 squared set.

I am thinking between the Blizak WS80 and LM001.

1. will the above combo fit my vehicle? I am assuming it will
2. What would you recommend between the WS80 and LM001?

Thank You!

Thanks for checking with me. Sorry for the delayed response, I do not check this nearly as often as my email.

1. Yes, this combo will work on your vehicle.
2. Please look to the top of this thread to see the difference between the two Blizzak tires. In brief... If you need the best traction possible, go with the WS80. If your roads are typically clear, but you need a winter tire for the bad days, go with the LM001.

Thank you!

[Rudy@tirerack]

Originally Posted by ajg.esq

Hi Keith - I am looking to order set of all season ultra high performance tires for 435i gran coupe with 19 x 8 front/19x8.5 rear staggered to replace runflats.
I am looking at the Michelin Pilot A/S 3+
Would the following tires be correct?
225/40ZR19 93Y XL (front)
255/35ZR19 96Y XL (rear)

Yes, those sizes are correct. Thanks for checking!

[Jadar]

I run the Blizzak ws80 on my wife's 228i m sport and she's never had an issue. No mountains. They are a bit loud but what winter tire isn't.

I also run the blizzak DM-V2 on my truck and I absolutely love them. Not as noisy as the ws80 and on a RWD truck 8-10" of snow is no problems.

Thanks for posting this up great info, much appreciated.

[AG23]

Originally Posted by Keith@tirerack.com

Yes, those sizes are correct. Thanks for checking!

Thank you!

[motch]

Keith...
Great Thread. Thanks for posting~

I started a Thread before you did looking for advice about my car and a winter tire setup. No one ha responded yet.
As such, when I looked at the tires you mentioned, I get a message stating "This tire isn't available for your 2017 BMW 440i xDrive Convertible M Sport Brakes."

Is it possible to get in contact with you through TireRack and talk and then order them directly?!

Thanks
Motch

[Rudy@tirerack]

Originally Posted by motch

Keith...
Great Thread. Thanks for posting~

I started a Thread before you did looking for advice about my car and a winter tire setup. No one ha responded yet.
As such, when I looked at the tires you mentioned, I get a message stating "This tire isn't available for your 2017 BMW 440i xDrive Convertible M Sport Brakes."

Is it possible to get in contact with you through TireRack and talk and then order them directly?!

Thanks
Motch

I am guessing that is a error in the website.
Feel free to call me directly at 800-428-8355 ext 4799 or email me at keith@tirerack.com

[galois]

Originally Posted by Keith@tirerack.com

If the roads are generally clear, the PA4 would be the better option. It is a better handling tire on dry roads. Although, it should be said, the X-Ice Xi3 is not bad in the dry. The Xi3 still performs better on dry roads than any other studless ice/snow tire. The Xi3 will also create better traction when the conditions are bad.

In the size 225/45/18, the PA4 is not available. So that makes the decision a little easier.
If you are set on the PA4, you could use size 245/40/18 as an alternative size. Although the narrower 225/45/18 would be best for winter traction.
Personally, if I was in your situation, I would go with the 225/45/18 Michelin X-Ice Xi3.

Please let me know if I can help further.

Hi Keith,

First of all, thanks for all the great advice, very helpful thread! Just a quick clarification question on the above (I'm in the same boat): Is there any issue with running the squared 225/45/18 X-Ice Xi3s on the staggered 398 wheels? I'd prefer to not buy a second set of wheels (really love how these look!) and drive in the mountains a good bit so probably need the studless snows, but just want to make sure I won't run into any issues with the square tires on staggered wheels.

Otherwise was thinking of going with the LM001s in a staggered setup, but there don't seem to be a lot of reviews yet and they're pretty difficult to find.

Thanks!

[Rudy@tirerack]

Originally Posted by galois

Hi Keith,

First of all, thanks for all the great advice, very helpful thread! Just a quick clarification question on the above (I'm in the same boat): Is there any issue with running the squared 225/45/18 X-Ice Xi3s on the staggered 398 wheels? I'd prefer to not buy a second set of wheels (really love how these look!) and drive in the mountains a good bit so probably need the studless snows, but just want to make sure I won't run into any issues with the square tires on staggered wheels.

Otherwise was thinking of going with the LM001s in a staggered setup, but there don't seem to be a lot of reviews yet and they're pretty difficult to find.

Thanks!

Yes, 225/45-18 will fit on wheels 7.00-8.50 so they would work on both front and rear.