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      12-28-2012, 08:18 AM   #1
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Winter driving

Now that we have lots of snow on the ground, I just want to give and update on driving my X3 35i. The car is equiped with the original goodyear A/S tires 245/45 x19 (square). I have approx 10,000 kms.

The feel of the tires in 4 to 5 inches of snow and on slippery roads was suprisingly good. Braking was good probably not as good as a dedicated snow tire but still it was good.

This is the first winter for these tires and while I am satisfied that I did not upgrade to winter tires, by next winter they will show significantly more wear and really would not be suitable for heavy winter driving.

The all wheel drive is a real winner
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      12-28-2012, 09:11 AM   #2
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I have had mixed results...in the slushy/icy stuff, I wasn't impressed...they struggled the most in braking. In the powdery stuff, they were quite good. Think I am going to swap them out at the end of the season with winter rubber once leftovers go on sale. Since I run the 20 inch 310 staggered setup with summer rubber in the warmer months, it's kind of a no brainer to turn the OEM 19s into dedicated winter wheels...plus, no more run flats!
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      12-28-2012, 03:47 PM   #3
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I fully agree no more run flats.
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      12-28-2012, 04:05 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Amber View Post
I fully agree no more run flats.
I went into this purchase knowing about the run-flats and also previously vowing never to buy a car with them . I'm starting to have 2nd thoughts, so hopefully the advantages will outweight the disadvantages, as manufacturers continue to improve the technology and (hopefully) prices come down as (if) they gain more acceptance. I wonder though, if BMW Roadside Assistance (and towing) would cover a vehicle equipped with non-OEM tires, and more specifically non-run-flat tires. I'll have to find some fine print to read, I guess.
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      12-28-2012, 07:25 PM   #5
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You ordered a really nice vehicle, the tires will be run-flats and over the first year you can decide whats best for you for the long term......enjoy.
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      12-28-2012, 10:41 PM   #6
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My old Honda with decent snow tires was better than my two tonne AWD X3 with sottozero's.
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      12-29-2012, 07:41 AM   #7
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Every time I see someone stopped on the side of the road in the rain, sleet, or snow changing a tire or calling a tow truck while their suit gets ruined and they're missing their business meeting or daughter's volleyball game, I'm glad for the runflats.
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      12-29-2012, 07:43 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
My old Honda with decent snow tires was better than my two tonne AWD X3 with sottozero's.
Physics. The level of traction the larger car needs to achieve to move, turn, and stop is far greater than the lighter Honda. Our Mini Cooper S with A/S tires is a beast in the snow until it gets deeper than the cars clearance!
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      12-29-2012, 09:15 AM   #9
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Ya I hear ya Nahoa... I suppose I'm just pissed because I bought the bmw winter wheel package with mediocre Pirelli's and not a decent set of winter rubber as I originally intended. The Pirelli's have very conservative tread block design especially at the outside edge of the tire... Good on dry... Bad in snow

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Physics. The level of traction the larger car needs to achieve to move, turn, and stop is far greater than the lighter Honda. Our Mini Cooper S with A/S tires is a beast in the snow until it gets deeper than the cars clearance!
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      12-29-2012, 09:46 AM   #10
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Ah, gotcha. Unfortunate. I'm luckier down here in that we get little snow. Just enough of that and slushy, icy stuff to make the Summer tires dangerous. In this stuff, the Sottozeros have worked out well.
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      12-29-2012, 06:00 PM   #11
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I ran the Sottozerros last winter and there was no snow. Today we got 4" of wet snow. I went driving around and the Sottozerros did great. I've runw/Blizzaks from '04-'08 on several vehicles (FX45, 335XI, 911 C4 cab). I was happy with the Sottozerros. No issues today. The key issue is how you stop and steer. They out perform A/S tires anyday. Remember, A/S tires are mediocre in the summer, mediocre in the winter. Driving in the snow with them is a crapshoot.
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      12-29-2012, 06:35 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richardew View Post
I ran the Sottozerros last winter and there was no snow. Today we got 4" of wet snow. I went driving around and the Sottozerros did great. I've runw/Blizzaks from '04-'08 on several vehicles (FX45, 335XI, 911 C4 cab). I was happy with the Sottozerros. No issues today. The key issue is how you stop and steer. They out perform A/S tires anyday. Remember, A/S tires are mediocre in the summer, mediocre in the winter. Driving in the snow with them is a crapshoot.
Are these the Pirelli runflats are regular?
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      12-29-2012, 09:48 PM   #13
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Runflats
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      12-30-2012, 01:00 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
My old Honda with decent snow tires was better than my two tonne AWD X3 with sottozero's.
In an earlier post I did warn you that the sottozeros sucked . Michelin, whether pilot alpin or xi2, much better.
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      12-30-2012, 01:36 PM   #15
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Ya ya, rub it in... how many thousands of dollars mistake did I make?
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In an earlier post I did warn you that the sottozeros sucked . Michelin, whether pilot alpin or xi2, much better.
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      12-31-2012, 08:43 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nahoa View Post
Every time I see someone stopped on the side of the road in the rain, sleet, or snow changing a tire or calling a tow truck while their suit gets ruined and they're missing their business meeting or daughter's volleyball game, I'm glad for the runflats.
When was the last time you had a flat tire
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      12-31-2012, 08:47 AM   #17
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Agreed. Flats are fairly rare these days unless you drive through construction areas.

This past summer about 30% of the homes in my area had the roof re-shingled. I kind of expected to pick up a roofing nail... but nope.
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When was the last time you had a flat tire
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      12-31-2012, 08:48 AM   #18
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Quote:
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When was the last time you had a flat tire
Me: 3 yrs ago, 2 yrs ago
Wife: last year
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      12-31-2012, 10:13 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
Agreed. Flats are fairly rare these days unless you drive through construction areas.

This past summer about 30% of the homes in my area had the roof re-shingled. I kind of expected to pick up a roofing nail... but nope.
I used to get one 3 or 4 times a year when I commuted by motorbike. Assumed it was because of all the filtering traffic by driving in gutters, etc. Was also a bit paranoid about the tyre shop based 50 yards up the road from my residence.
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      12-31-2012, 10:31 AM   #20
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haha, I've more flats on the motorbike as well... most recently I had a finishing nail (from a nail gun) dead centre in my tire... explain that one.



Quote:
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I used to get one 3 or 4 times a year when I commuted by motorbike. Assumed it was because of all the filtering traffic by driving in gutters, etc. Was also a bit paranoid about the tyre shop based 50 yards up the road from my residence.
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      12-31-2012, 10:35 AM   #21
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Quote:
When was the last time you had a flat tire
Last summer! I was driving my 911 which didn't have run flat tires. I do however carry an air compressor, fixaflat, and a repair kit with plugs, glue, and a reamer. I filled up the tire and drove home. The next morning I went to my tire guy who removed the nail and plugged the tire. So far since October (when I went to my winter tires) I've had 2 of my Sottozerros replaced because they had nails in them. This was done free of charge because I purchased the tire insurance when I bought my X3.
Quote:
In an earlier post I did warn you that the sottozeros sucked
Really? Based on what experience? I've been running winter tires on my vehicles since '04 so I have some experience driving on them and I don't think the Pirelli's suck. I can't say that they are better than the Blizzaks, but they certainly don't suck.
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      12-31-2012, 10:49 AM   #22
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still rocking the Good year all season. notice ABS system working hard @ stop signs on the first snow storm. probably swap for winter tires next year. thinking of getting 20" summer rim + tire. arghh $$$$$$$
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