[E92LNGCGY]

I hate to say it but winter is just around the corner. I've started doing some research on winter tires for the F25. I would like to get some feedback from members about the tires that you are using on your F25. Please list brand/model/size and your opinion about the tire. I think this will benefit all of us hearing how the tire performs in real world situations.

[troggy1969]

Dunlop Wintersport M3 235x55x17.

Haven't tried them in snow yet but the reviews are good

[nyalpine90]

tirerack.com

gives u all info u need

[BMWLVX]

I'm considering keeping my 19" M-Sport wheels for the winter. Has anyone done this and how did it go? How was the winter where you live?

[E92LNGCGY]

Are you going to use all season or winter tires? I would hate to buy 19's for winter. 18's aren't cheap can't imagine 19.

We occasionally get deep snow but usually worried more about ice than anything.

[mooney058]

Originally Posted by BMWLVX

I'm considering keeping my 19" M-Sport wheels for the winter. Has anyone done this and how did it go? How was the winter where you live?

I always have a separate full set for winter - you could easily swap it yourself if it gets colder sooner, etc. So 19'' M-Sport is for summer/spring/autumn and 18'' for winter. The last couple of years its been snowing and snow staying for longer than usual. I also drive 1-2 times to Alps, so winter tires are a must for me. By having two sets you save your summer tires above 7 C driving and winter tires for bellow 7 C. Still have to decide whether to go with Dunlop 3D (there is alreadt 4D model, but not yet 'approved' by BMW - no star marking yet on a tire) or Pirelli Sottozero II - had the first Sottozero on my 5 serries and was very happy with it (and I do come originaly from the North, where both winters and winter driving could be very difficult/hard ...

[ianfp]

When I eventually get my X3, I will want to keep the 19" wheels. Can anyone tell me if winter tires are available for the 19" wheels (369M)
Thank you
Ian

[BMWX3MDD]

I m considering to get winter rubber on as well, should I go for 17" or 18"?? not sure..

[E92LNGCGY]

Originally Posted by D3R9

I m considering to get winter rubber on as well, should I go for 17" or 18"?? not sure..

I'm getting 18's but the price difference between 17 and 18 is noticeable. I wonder if we get enough buyers will Tire Rack give us a discount?

[gareth12468]

I've got the Pirelli Winter Sottozero Series II non-RFT last year.....

[Franck_Qc]

For the winter I have the recommended kit by BMW
Wheels: BMW Style 305 (17")
Tires: Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero serieII RF 225/60-17

(Summer; Wheels: BMW Style 308 (18"), Tires: Pirelli Cinturato P7 RF All Season 245/50-18)

[Midwest X6]

BMW OEM Winter Packages are grossly over-priced imo...I've had very good luck with Tire-Rack wheels and a good set of winter tires..I've gone that route on 5 & 3 series as well as X5 and X6 too.

Buyer beware and do your homework on type of winter tire (ie snow/ice vs performance tire, right loads etc..) for example Blizzak has a WS series and LM series - they're both winter tires, but the WS is like driving on rubber bands and I'd never want to own a pair of them again.

I'm a big proponent of winter tires in the snow-belt, but I'm tempted to try my all seasons this year after the mild winter last year

I started a thread on winter tires about a week ago..It's on page 2 and has a lot of good info on it too.

[Midwest X6]

Originally Posted by ianfp

When I eventually get my X3, I will want to keep the 19" wheels. Can anyone tell me if winter tires are available for the 19" wheels (369M)
Thank you
Ian

Here in the states, winter tires are available for 19", but they are significantly more costly than 18" or 17"

Not sure about your side of the pond..

[Midwest X6]

Originally Posted by D3R9

I m considering to get winter rubber on as well, should I go for 17" or 18"?? not sure..

Personally, I would go 17" if you are planning on getting a separate set of wheels for them..

Also remember that a thinner tire is actually going to give you better winter traction than a wider tire

[BMWLVX]

My X3 is on leasing, so if I opt to go for smaller tyres the leasing company have a tendancy to select the fugliest alloys ever for their cusotmers. I know, I know…it's probably safer than ending up in the ditch.

[somf]

Hi All:

Since I plan on leasing my X3 35i MSport for only 3 years … I do not want to buy separate winter rims and therefore plan on just flipping the Winter Tires (rubbers) every winter season.

As per Tire Rack, the only winter RF tires that are available for 19" (245/45R19 8.5) M-Sport 369M wheels is :
1). Pirelli Winter Sottozero Series II - RFT
2). Pirelli Winter Carving Edge - RFT


Has anybody successfully done this rubber “flipping” scenario on their the M-Sport 369M rims in the past ?

[rmeir]

personally I dont want to change tires every season, I want one tire that does well in all conditions. So far in reading this I havent seen one that does. and in all the refrences to tire rack. I have been there and looked around and frankly the website is useless. it doesnt tell me what I want to know about all season tires. it recommends a winter tire and a summer tire but not a all season, dont have to change it tire. I know that they are out there as my wife has had great luck with her highlander with all seasons. falls under the heading of give me a break.

[MattUK]

Will be sticking with the wheels and tyres I've used all year. Last year when I ordered this we had just come out of a snowy period, and the dealer said all the X3's with the standard tyres had handled the UK snow with no problem.

I drove around in last years snow in this and it was fine.. of course, Southern Snow in the UK doesn't come close to comparing to the Europe and American versions

[mooney058]

Originally Posted by rmeir

personally I dont want to change tires every season, I want one tire that does well in all conditions. So far in reading this I havent seen one that does. and in all the refrences to tire rack. I have been there and looked around and frankly the website is useless. it doesnt tell me what I want to know about all season tires. it recommends a winter tire and a summer tire but not a all season, dont have to change it tire. I know that they are out there as my wife has had great luck with her highlander with all seasons. falls under the heading of give me a break.

'all seasons' works average at best both in hot and cold conditions - simply because rubber compound is different for hot and cold conditions. For cold weather you want soft rubber, as at low temperature softer rubber stays elastic and grippy, while harder summer tyres become like plastic at bellow 7C. The pattern of the tyre is also different - for snow driving you need many small sections that rubs and splits when you brake on a snow, etc etc etc. Just like shoes - winter shoes are for winter, summer shoes are for summer - unless you live in a place where variation in temperatures is mild.

[BMWX3MDD]

Originally Posted by Franck_Qc

For the winter I have the recommended kit by BMW
Wheels: BMW Style 305 (17")
Tires: Pirelli Winter 210 Sottozero serieII RF 225/60-17

(Summer; Wheels: BMW Style 308 (18"), Tires: Pirelli Cinturato P7 RF All Season 245/50-18)

This is what make me wonder, as I checked the bmw's site they have both winter tires, but the 17" indicate for 28i, and 18" just saying for x3...

I also checked tirerack and they just recommended 17" & 18".. so not sure 28i should go for 17", 35i > 18"...

As Canadian spec, 28i or 35i also come in 18" for stardard wheels...

[BMWX3MDD]

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

Personally, I would go 17" if you are planning on getting a separate set of wheels for them..

Also remember that a thinner tire is actually going to give you better winter traction than a wider tire

thanks.. as I thinking the same way... but not sure for 300hps car is it okay in 17"... I previous own the Acura MDX (same horses) and I used 18" winter tires, feel very safe.. not sure what will be like in X3.. smaller car with same power..

[ianfp]

Originally Posted by Midwest X6

Here in the states, winter tires are available for 19", but they are significantly more costly than 18" or 17"

Not sure about your side of the pond..

Thanks for that! This side of the pond they will probably be 40% more expensive, as is the cost of the car!
Ian