BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-11-2012, 10:49 AM   #45
mooney058
Private First Class
12
Rep
102
Posts

Drives: F25 (Sept 2012) 525i (gone)
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Belgium

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
I've used Hakkapeliitta, Blizzaks and IceX tires on my cars and I think I'll go with Blizzaks for the X3 as I've found they provide the best grip IMO.
it depends very much where and in which conditions you drive - so tires should be matched to the specific conditions. In Europe we have 'northern' winter tires (softer rubber compound, lower speed index) and 'central europe' winter tires - higher speed index, different thread pattern, not that soft rubber. Even between 'central european' type of tires there are variations - some are marked with a mountain and snow flake sign (meaning good to go to mountains) and some are anly marked 'm+s' (mud and snow) for 'normal' central european winters - good for German autobahns etc, but may not be sufficient in mountainous areas.
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2012, 07:51 PM   #46
lbjgh
Lieutenant Colonel
lbjgh's Avatar
Canada
104
Rep
1,511
Posts

Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North of Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Over here the mountain and snowflake denote winter rated tires. I haven't seen winter tires without the mountain and snowflake symbol.

Tires marked "M + S" – or "mud and snow" tires, also known as "all-season" tires— continue to provide safe all-weather performance, but may not always be suitable for severe snow conditions.
Attached Images
 
__________________
2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2012, 08:21 PM   #47
E92LNGCGY
Lieutenant Colonel
429
Rep
1,732
Posts

Drives: F97/Q5/982 GT4
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

I'm considering a set of 17" for winters. I currently have the 19" M Sport wheels. Is it a bad idea to go 17"? The cost difference between 17 and 18 is significant. Although cosmetically I think 17 will look tiny.
Appreciate 0
      09-12-2012, 04:15 AM   #48
Chris55
Second Lieutenant
Chris55's Avatar
Switzerland
28
Rep
220
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35d M Sport
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Switzerland

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWLVX View Post
Thanks. No I wasn't joking. The first time I've had a car with staggered setup so I didn't really think this would make a difference really. So I take it that you've already driven your staggered setup in snowy conditions? I'd be a bit disappointed if the X3 was throwing wobblies over a few cm of snow extra for the rear wheels.
I've had several cars with staggered set up, but no, I didn't drive my X3 with this setup in snow... as it is new!

I also will not even try it as I have enough experience driving in snow and don't want to risk my life and that of others.

I suppose the worst case scenarios would be on the autobahn, in a curve, and hitting an unexpected patch of slush, or having to make an unexpected/ emergency lane change.

BMW in Germany and Switzerland do offer a staggered winter option but no one recommends it if you plan on driving in the snow (which makes me wonder why it's even offered). Of course the staggered option does look better.
Appreciate 0
      09-12-2012, 04:20 AM   #49
Chris55
Second Lieutenant
Chris55's Avatar
Switzerland
28
Rep
220
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35d M Sport
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Switzerland

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by E92LNGCGY View Post
I'm considering a set of 17" for winters. I currently have the 19" M Sport wheels. Is it a bad idea to go 17"? The cost difference between 17 and 18 is significant. Although cosmetically I think 17 will look tiny.
I'm not really sure but I somehow wouldn't go with the 17" as, besides looking not that great, it might be too small for break clearance and weight (if you have the 6 cylinders) etc...
I think your best bet, just to be sure, is to check with BMW.
Appreciate 0
      09-12-2012, 06:24 PM   #50
JHnTN
New Member
JHnTN's Avatar
United_States
0
Rep
6
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35i Msport pkg
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Southeastern US

iTrader: (0)

I'm planning on going with 17 inch. Tire Rack says there are no clearance problems and I like the extra rubber between the car and our potholes (really bad in winter).
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 04:10 AM   #51
Rodion
First Lieutenant
Finland
27
Rep
350
Posts

Drives: X3 (F25)
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Helsinki, Finland

iTrader: (0)

Finnish car magazine tested winter tyres (in Finnish winter) and here are the results:

Tyre size: 205/55 R 16

First the average score and then the mark. They tested all tyres with same "scale", and there was 16 different tests. Tests were done on ice, on snow, on wet asphalt and on dry asphalt.

Studded winter tyres:
8,5 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7
8,5 Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice Arctic
8,5 Continental ContiIceContact
8,2 Michelin X-Ice North XIN2
8,2 Dunlop Ice Touch
8,1 Bridgestone Noranza 2 Evo
8,0 Pirelli Winter Carving Edge
7,8 Gislaved Nord Frost 5
7,7 Vredestein Arctrac
7,7 Sava Eskimo Stud
7,0 Agi Sarek 2
6,9 Nankang NK Snow SW-7

Winter tyres, no studs
7,5 Nokian Hakkapeliitta R
7,4 Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice
7,4 Dunlop SP Ice Sport
7,4 Continental ContiVikingContact 5
7,3 Vredestein Nordtrac 2
7,3 Michelin X-Ice XI3
7,1 Pirelli Icecontrol Winter
6,9 Bridgestone Blizzak WS70
6,4 Cordiant Winter Drive

High speed winter tyre
7,0 Nokian WR D3
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 08:00 AM   #52
FX3OK
Private First Class
FX3OK's Avatar
11
Rep
112
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3 28i
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: ontario

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodion View Post
As they say: if you want good and cheap, you have to buy two (ie. the good and the cheap)
Nice little tour of Helsinki well done. Just curious. What was the temperature outside, what day of the week and time?
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 08:38 AM   #53
Rodion
First Lieutenant
Finland
27
Rep
350
Posts

Drives: X3 (F25)
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Helsinki, Finland

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by FX3OK View Post
Nice little tour of Helsinki well done. Just curious. What was the temperature outside, what day of the week and time?
It was about -25 Celsius, (1064 hPa pressure), snowfall during that and previous day about 40cm.

3.2.2012 was Friday and clock was about 6.30 PM, I just left from the office.

Heavy snowfall came from the sea, which was mostly open, not frozen.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 09:49 AM   #54
epiphone3
Lieutenant Colonel
110
Rep
1,772
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Calgary

iTrader: (0)

I decided to order an 18-inch winter set for my 35i from **********s.com. Jurrian over there helped me out and now I am just waiting for both my car to arrive and the Winter Wheel and Tire set.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 01:54 PM   #55
lbjgh
Lieutenant Colonel
lbjgh's Avatar
Canada
104
Rep
1,511
Posts

Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North of Toronto

iTrader: (0)

No surprise the Nokian were at the top considering where the test was.

From personally experience Blizzaks work better in acceleration and braking and the Hakka RSi tires (which were a winter rated all season) were not as good on acceleration but good in breaking.
__________________
2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 02:08 PM   #56
E92LNGCGY
Lieutenant Colonel
429
Rep
1,732
Posts

Drives: F97/Q5/982 GT4
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

I bought my wheels and tire from Tire Rack. Sport Edition SE14 + Michelin Xice 3 in 18's. Great to deal with and quick shipping. Everything was perfect with no issues.
Appreciate 0
      09-27-2012, 02:54 PM   #57
no golf clubs
Private First Class
13
Rep
144
Posts

Drives: F25 2.0d SE Titanium Silver
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Scotland

iTrader: (0)

Quick question if you don't mind.

My outgoing e92 330d is being replaced by an f25 2.0se xdrive this weekend (all being well).

Now I have a set of 18" alloys with what I think are 225/45/18/v winter tyres on.

Will these be ok on my f25?

I'm thinking the profile may be too low?

If so I'll need to get some new winter rubber. The f25 has 225/60/17 H.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2012, 05:07 AM   #58
slyfox
Private First Class
slyfox's Avatar
Belgium
4
Rep
106
Posts

Drives: X3-20d (2013)
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Limburg (B)

iTrader: (0)

When I ordered my X3 20d I also order directly a set of winter wheels and tyres.



For the summer I will have 18" 307 but for the winter i wanted something a little cheaper and anyway a lot of the time they will be dirty, right?
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2012, 07:11 AM   #59
epiphone3
Lieutenant Colonel
110
Rep
1,772
Posts

Drives: 2013 BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Calgary

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by no golf clubs View Post
Quick question if you don't mind.

My outgoing e92 330d is being replaced by an f25 2.0se xdrive this weekend (all being well).

Now I have a set of 18" alloys with what I think are 225/45/18/v winter tyres on.

Will these be ok on my f25?

I'm thinking the profile may be too low?

If so I'll need to get some new winter rubber. The f25 has 225/60/17 H.
Tire size for 18-inch on X3 is 245/50/18. You would need a different tire or your speedometer and who knows what else would be thrown off. The wheel should work though.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2012, 08:19 AM   #60
Rodion
First Lieutenant
Finland
27
Rep
350
Posts

Drives: X3 (F25)
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Helsinki, Finland

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
No surprise the Nokian were at the top considering where the test was.
For the record, that magazine is highly technical and they do their tests very professionaly. Winter tyre test they change tyres all the time, the driver does not know which tyre he is driving and they repeat tests many times.

One could say it is science, not biased.

It is so expensive that they do these together with Swedes and Germans, maybe it was Teknikens Värld in Sweden and Auto Motor und Sport in Germany, who were testing same time.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2012, 10:03 AM   #61
mooney058
Private First Class
12
Rep
102
Posts

Drives: F25 (Sept 2012) 525i (gone)
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Belgium

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodion View Post
For the record, that magazine is highly technical and they do their tests very professionaly. Winter tyre test they change tyres all the time, the driver does not know which tyre he is driving and they repeat tests many times.

One could say it is science, not biased.

It is so expensive that they do these together with Swedes and Germans, maybe it was Teknikens Värld in Sweden and Auto Motor und Sport in Germany, who were testing same time.
Rodion,

Those are 'real nordic winter tyres', while in Germany and in most places elswhere in Europe, the predominant winter tyre type is for a mild winter - no gislaveds (owned now by Bridgestone?) nor nokians.
Appreciate 0
      09-28-2012, 03:15 PM   #62
no golf clubs
Private First Class
13
Rep
144
Posts

Drives: F25 2.0d SE Titanium Silver
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Scotland

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by epiphone3 View Post
Tire size for 18-inch on X3 is 245/50/18. You would need a different tire or your speedometer and who knows what else would be thrown off. The wheel should work though.
Yeah that's what I thought. Thanks for confirming.

Guess ill be spending on some rubber soon.

What do we reckon to these?

[URL]http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/toyo-snowprox-s953-225-60-r18-100-h[URL]
Appreciate 0
      09-29-2012, 03:52 AM   #63
Rodion
First Lieutenant
Finland
27
Rep
350
Posts

Drives: X3 (F25)
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Helsinki, Finland

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mooney058 View Post
Rodion,

Those are 'real nordic winter tyres', while in Germany and in most places elswhere in Europe, the predominant winter tyre type is for a mild winter - no gislaveds (owned now by Bridgestone?) nor nokians.
You are correct. The only mild winter tyre there was the Nokian WR3. And of course, non of those were all-season tyres.
Appreciate 0
      10-03-2012, 07:05 PM   #64
E60orBust
Captain
United_States
87
Rep
825
Posts

Drives: "The Brothers //M-Sport" E90/2
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: MD

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by epiphone3 View Post
Tire size for 18-inch on X3 is 245/50/18. You would need a different tire or your speedometer and who knows what else would be thrown off. The wheel should work though.
So would a 255/55/18 on 8.5" rims in a square set up be too big?
__________________
Down for Maintenance
Appreciate 0
      10-05-2012, 08:37 AM   #65
Leighton
Enlisted Member
2
Rep
40
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: New York

iTrader: (0)

Yes for two reasons. The more important is that because tread width has the greatest impact on effectiveness in snow you should be decreasing from the factory 250mm width in order to force the tire into the snow by decreasing the width of the contact patch. Of less importance but for the same reason, the increase from 50 to 55% profile increases the length of the contact patch. Any combination of changes that vary the outer diameter of the tire and the resulting number of revolutions per mile from the factory diameter and rpm will also cause the odometer to display fewer or greater miles and your speedometer lower or higher mph than true, in this case fewer and lower.
Appreciate 0
      10-05-2012, 11:21 AM   #66
colson79
Second Lieutenant
7
Rep
221
Posts

Drives: 2012 X3 35i DSB
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Wisconsin

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by E92LNGCGY View Post
I bought my wheels and tire from Tire Rack. Sport Edition SE14 + Michelin Xice 3 in 18's. Great to deal with and quick shipping. Everything was perfect with no issues.
What size tires did you put on your X3? Based on what I have been able to find Michelin does make the Xice 3 in the correct size for the X3.
__________________
2012 X3 35i | Deep Sea Blue | Oyster |
Packages | Sports | Cold Weather | Cold Weather 2 | Premium | Technology | Premium Sound
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:31 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST