[midwest 340xi 6sp]

You running All Seasons year round or going Winter Shoes when it's ice, snow and cold?

On my X6's I always had 19's or 20's with summer rubber, so winter shoes were a must.

I had the All Seasons on my X5d and hated em... I live in the midwest of the US, and ended-up putting winter rubber on a week or two into the first winter with it.

Just ordered the 28i and wondering if it's inevitable I'll be doing it again?

What's been your experience with the run-flat all seasons?

[slam]

I already picked up my Winters. Dealers are selling almost at cost during the Summer. Not willing to take the chance in Canada.

[02420X3]

I prefer winter shoes, although I sure didn't need them last winter.

[empirevalley]

I got Bridgestone Blizzaks as winter tires for my 28i - a necessity here in Colorado if you drive in the mountains in winter.

[BeeMdblU]

snow tires are safer for temperatures below 34

[Chris55]

For sure get some winter tires.

[n55x3]

We are in Ohio and occasionally see snow, sometimes deep. Unfortunately, after owning the X3 for about 18 months it has yet to see snow. Last winter snow was a non-issue. First time in about 30 years that we didn't even have to shovel our drive. I was excited to see how the OEM GY RFTs all seasons would do in the white stuff but alas, haven't had the chance.

From past experience, with our location I've been able to get by just fine with all seasons and the occasional deep snow. I have Continental DWS all seasons on our Subaru and they are fantastic. 2 years ago we pulled a Suburban out of a deep snowy ditch with the Subaru when the Contis were new, even while pulling from a snow covered road. True story!

[Fryguy29]

I know this will be unpopular, but I used all seasons last winter and they worked well in the Wisconsin snow, although it wasn't as much as a normal winter. I know, that winters would be better, but I don't have anyplace to store 8 tires. Given. How I mostly drive on plowed roads. I'm willing to take the chance.

[denrusso]

For those of you that have an extra set of tires:

Do you also have an extra set of wheels too and then just jack the car up after the season and change the wheels? Or do you need to take the wheels to a shop and have them installed?

If you don't have an extra set of wheels, do you tend to use the dealer for or a specialized wheel/tire store to swap the tires? What's the cost to do this?

I have storage space, but would prefer to only purchase a set of tires as wheels can be a bit expensive. On the other hand, I think it would be a pain in the @ss to pack up the tires in the trunk of the x3 and take them somewhere to be swapped. I'd imagine this can be a dirty job.


Thanks,
dr

[empirevalley]

In reply to denrusso, I purchased the Blizzak/wheel combination from Tire Rack and I put the snow tires on in the fall and take them off in the spring. It's good exercise. I store the tires in my garage. I do carry a Slime/air compressor kit (purchased from Amazon) just in case I get a flat in the Blizzaks.

[philtrick123]

Just to throw my two pennies worth in (two cents worth in the US).
In the UK we rarely get enough snow to justify winter tyres, although the tyre industry are now starting to push them as a package including storage.

I currently drive a Santa Fe which was great (on standard tyres) on an occasion last year when we did get snow. I tried to assist a foolish RWD 3-series driver who was trying to tow a trailer in the snow. He got stuck trying to get up an incline. I hooked up my tow rope, and managed to pull the car and load and a few yards, but even then my 4 wheels started to loose traction. Fortunately I'd purchased some autosocks. Once I'd put these on, I had zero traction loss. For occasional use I can strongly recommend them. Easy to fit, Easy to remove, easy to store in the boot (trunk- US). I'm going to get some more when the X3 arrives, the existing autosocks are the wrong size for the X3.

http://www.autosock.us/

PS I am not connected to this company :-)

[DasBavaria]

Well, I always used all seasons on my E39, which was interesting to say the least. But I drove a Ford Escape last winter (Work) and I think I will be getting winter tires from now on.

Anyone know the best place to get some in the Great White North?

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

I figured you guys from Canada would know better than that

Originally Posted by DasBavaria

Well, I always used all seasons on my E39, which was interesting to say the least. But I drove a Ford Escape last winter (Work) and I think I will be getting winter tires from now on.

Anyone know the best place to get some in the Great White North?

[ings]

My three week old X3 was bought mainly because I needed AWD for frequent winter driving on secondary and semi-ploughed tertiary roads 200 kms north of Toronto (Canada).

So it was a no brainer to also purchase snow tires. For simplicity I also purchased a second set of rims. I plan to store the 4 wheels in a large garden shed I have.

I plan to use the summer tires 8 months a year and the winter tires 4 months a year. Over the life of the car I'll have to replace the summer tires roughly twice as often as the winter tires.

[Larrylotus]

If you go with a second set of wheels, do you choose regular steel with BMW hubcaps ? Or expensive oem mags ? I guess you then loose the tire pressure sensor ? Does this give a constant error in the dashboard ? (2013 X3 28i)

[02420X3]

You must (well, should anyway) buy TPMS sensors with the wheels. It's your choice whether you buy expensive BMW wheels, or aftermarket alloys with BMW hubs. Tirerack.com is one place that will sell you tire/wheel combos, with TPMS, Hunter Roadforce balanced (if you opt for it), the correct centering rings (if needed), and the correct length lugbolts (if needed). Your dealer (and probably several sponsors here) would be happy to sell you BMW wheels and winter tires too.

[lbjgh]

So you say they are stored in a garden shed eh? Where did you say you lived?

Originally Posted by ings

My three week old X3 was bought mainly because I needed AWD for frequent winter driving on secondary and semi-ploughed tertiary roads 200 kms north of Toronto (Canada).

So it was a no brainer to also purchase snow tires. For simplicity I also purchased a second set of rims. I plan to store the 4 wheels in a large garden shed I have.

I plan to use the summer tires 8 months a year and the winter tires 4 months a year. Over the life of the car I'll have to replace the summer tires roughly twice as often as the winter tires.

[02420X3]

Originally Posted by denrusso

For those of you that have an extra set of tires:

Do you also have an extra set of wheels too and then just jack the car up after the season and change the wheels? Or do you need to take the wheels to a shop and have them installed?

If you don't have an extra set of wheels, do you tend to use the dealer for or a specialized wheel/tire store to swap the tires? What's the cost to do this?

I have storage space, but would prefer to only purchase a set of tires as wheels can be a bit expensive. On the other hand, I think it would be a pain in the @ss to pack up the tires in the trunk of the x3 and take them somewhere to be swapped. I'd imagine this can be a dirty job.


Thanks,
dr

DR,

I bought winter wheels to go with my winter tires. There is an excellent independent BMW shop near my office, which I am beginning a relationship with by having them do my seasonal wheel changeovers. I may also use them for supplemental oil changes. I definitely will use them if I choose to own my X3 after the warranty expires.

Dealers often offer storage for a fee. I have adequate space to store my extra set, so it's not a problem for me.

My local independent shop also offers wheel cleaning for a small price, so the wheels that I take home are clean.

I'm a wee bit uncomfortable that I don't have a good way to tie the wheels down when they're in-transit, and they sometimes slide around a bit.

There is obviously additional cost involved in buying a 2nd set of wheels and a 2nd set of TPMS. I justify it in a minor way by not having to have the tire/wheel setup Hunter Road Force Balanced twice a year, and by knowing that my BMW wheels will not be going on a tire machine operated by the latest minimum wage hire at my BMW dealer. (My local independent is a 2-man shop, both with gobs of experience.)

Anyway, those are my opinions. Yours may vary.

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by 02420X3

DR,

I bought winter wheels to go with my winter tires. There is an excellent independent BMW shop near my office, which I am beginning a relationship with by having them do my seasonal wheel changeovers. I may also use them for supplemental oil changes. I definitely will use them if I choose to own my X3 after the warranty expires.

Dealers often offer storage for a fee. I have adequate space to store my extra set, so it's not a problem for me.

My local independent shop also offers wheel cleaning for a small price, so the wheels that I take home are clean.

I'm a wee bit uncomfortable that I don't have a good way to tie the wheels down when they're in-transit, and they sometimes slide around a bit.

There is obviously additional cost involved in buying a 2nd set of wheels and a 2nd set of TPMS. I justify it in a minor way by not having to have the tire/wheel setup Hunter Road Force Balanced twice a year, and by knowing that my BMW wheels will not be going on a tire machine operated by the latest minimum wage hire at my BMW dealer. (My local independent is a 2-man shop, both with gobs of experience.)

Anyway, those are my opinions. Yours may vary.

All of my past winter tires were on their own wheels and with tpms if vehicle was equipped with it. I suspect I won't be happy with the all seasons in winter and I'm going to hunt around for winter tires. I'll just have them mounted on the existing 18" oem wheels the vehicle comes standard with

Not ideal, but I don't think I'll be keeping this car at lease end. Am hoping they'll have some diesel x3's within the next 36 mos

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Tire Rack has some decent winter tire prices right now with their $50 and $70 gift cards for those in the market...

[E92LNGCGY]

Winter tires is a must (at least for me) in Canada. We have some unpredictable weather here. I'm looking for a set (wheels and tires) and seems like Tire Rack may be the way to go about $2k US with 18's and Pirelli Sottozero II (245/50/18)

[midwest 340xi 6sp]

Originally Posted by E92LNGCGY

Winter tires is a must (at least for me) in Canada. We have some unpredictable weather here. I'm looking for a set (wheels and tires) and seems like Tire Rack may be the way to go about $2k US with 18's and Pirelli Sottozero II (245/50/18)

The only better value I've found to TireRack is to buy pre-owned.