[CBS]

Curious if anyone has any recommendations on Winter tires for their X3?

Not interested in studded but do want a dedicated winter tire.

[jjax3]

I have the Michelin PA4s, they're non run-flat but I do most of my driving in the city so I don't feel very vulnerable without a spare.

The PA2s are the run-flat edition.

[CBS]

Thanks jjax3, I'll check into the PA2 ZP. I'll assume you had good success with your PA4.

[Tangsta]

I got Dunlop Wintersport 3D runflats... one of BMW's OEM packages. They seem to do the job quite well.

[CBS]

Thanks Tangsta, I'll assume since you are in Calgary that you gave them a good, thorough test!

[Tipsy McStagger]

Originally Posted by jjax3

I have the Michelin PA4s, they're non run-flat but I do most of my driving in the city so I don't feel very vulnerable without a spare.

The PA2s are the run-flat edition.

I don't have enough good to say about the PA4. Awesome for cold, dry conditions like Minneapolis with lots of "shoulder season" where it's <50F. They ride much better than the stock LS2s, are V rated, and handle packed snow and ice with aplomb. Much better for winter freeway driving than something like a Hakka 7. The 3D are very similar tires in that respect.

[cadman50]

Originally Posted by Tipsy McStagger

I don't have enough good to say about the PA4. Awesome for cold, dry conditions like Minneapolis with lots of "shoulder season" where it's <50F. They ride much better than the stock LS2s, are V rated, and handle packed snow and ice with aplomb. Much better for winter freeway driving than something like a Hakka 7. The 3D are very similar tires in that respect.

What makes you say they are better than the Hakka 7 for freeway? I'm in the market for winter tires. The Dunlops are the most expensive of the group. The Michellin's or Nokian's seem like a good compromise between the Dunlop's and Bridgestones as far as cost. Still undecided about RFT vs. non-RFT. How are the Michellin's for noise and wear?

[Chris55]

I have 309s 19" with Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D RSC 245/45R19 102V XL (non staggered for winter).

I have the pressure set at 35 lbs (2.4 bar) in the front, and 40 lbs (2.8 bar) in the back.

I like them and must say they worked well last year.

[Tangsta]

Originally Posted by CBS

Thanks Tangsta, I'll assume since you are in Calgary that you gave them a good, thorough test!

I would like to say that I did, but we didn't get a whole lot of snow here in Calgary last winter. For the times that it did snow though, the tires did fantastic. I only ever triggered DSC when I was really trying - just to make sure it was still working.

[mtbmaniac]

I have Hakka R's on my stock M-Sport wheels and love them. They are non-runflat and are very comfortable on the dry pavement here in CO. The Hakka R tires are fantastic in the snow. It is my second set, I had an Audi S4 Avant before the X3 with Hakka Rs for three years and they were the best snow tires I've ever owned.

[Tipsy McStagger]

Originally Posted by cadman50

What makes you say they are better than the Hakka 7 for freeway? I'm in the market for winter tires. The Dunlops are the most expensive of the group. The Michellin's or Nokian's seem like a good compromise between the Dunlop's and Bridgestones as far as cost. Still undecided about RFT vs. non-RFT. How are the Michellin's for noise and wear?

Sorry I meant Hakka R. The 7 is one of the studdable tires, IIRC. The Hakka R like a lot of gooey, proper snow tires has a low speed rating, so a softer sidewall with mushier turn in, sloppier cornering and they get squirmy at freeway speed. The PA4 and 3D/4D are more of a "continental" winter tire and are V rated, so much more stable at speed. Superior traction on cold wet and dry roads, freshly plowed roads, etc. while retaining some of the handling characteristics of a good summer tire. We both telecommute and the overwhelming majority of the driving we do is on cold wet and dry or plowed roads, so handling, noise and grip in those conditions supercedes the need to drive in 8 inches of freshly fallen snow. It just doesn't happen and if it does, I've go a Jeep Cherokee with true 4x4 and good clearance, fitted with snow service rated Kumhos. It doesn't have the grip of the X3 w/PA4 but will plow through anything.

Now if I lived a few blocks over into Minneapolis proper, whiich isn't plowed as throroughly, and had to take city streets into downtown every day, I'd go the route of most here and choose the gooier, softer Hakka R, X ice 3, etc. (no studs allowed). If I had to commute by freeway every day, I'd opt for the PA4 or 3D/4D becauuse more often than not, the roads are cold and dry or wet, or thorougly plowed. We just don't have the volume of snowfall or the elevation changes here to neccessitate a hardcore snow tire. Again, unless you live in the city. The overwhelming majority of people here run A/S tires with no real issues

The PA4 have epic grip and composure in the conditions most often encountered in a very cold, relatively dry winter such as ours, with months below freezing and around 4 feet of snowfall on average. No question, an Xice 3 or Hakka R is a superior pure snow tire but if most of your driving is on cold wet and dry or plowed roads, I'd take a hard look at the PA4 or 3D/4D.

[Tipsy McStagger]

I guess I failed to answer your primary questions. I can't speak to wear as we have maybe 4500 miles on the PA4 though you could probably safely assume that a less gooey tire will last longer than a gooier one if both are driven in the conditions I describe.

As to road noise, it's honestly one of the quietest, most composed tires I've driven. much quieter than the stock LS2 even with full tread and the difference in unsprung weight (combined with lighter CSL rep winter wheels) is palpable.

[xDrive35i]

Blizzaks. Only Blizzaks.

[empirevalley]

My 2012 X3 came with 245/50R18 tires. Tire Rack recommended that I downsize to 225/60R17 Bridgestone Blizzak WS70 snow tires. I purchased 4 Blizzaks mounted on 4 replacement wheels from Tire Rack in December 2011. The Blizzaks are excellent in the snow here in Colorado and are pretty quiet at highway speeds. These are not runflats and I carry a Slime compressor kit just in case of a flat tire.

[boogysbmw]

I may have a full rim/tire setup for sale in a few weeks. Less then 1000 miles on them

[boogysbmw]

Up for sale soon

[cadman50]

Originally Posted by Tipsy McStagger

Sorry I meant Hakka R. The 7 is one of the studdable tires, IIRC. The Hakka R like a lot of gooey, proper snow tires has a low speed rating, so a softer sidewall with mushier turn in, sloppier cornering and they get squirmy at freeway speed. The PA4 and 3D/4D are more of a "continental" winter tire and are V rated, so much more stable at speed. Superior traction on cold wet and dry roads, freshly plowed roads, etc. while retaining some of the handling characteristics of a good summer tire. We both telecommute and the overwhelming majority of the driving we do is on cold wet and dry or plowed roads, so handling, noise and grip in those conditions supercedes the need to drive in 8 inches of freshly fallen snow. It just doesn't happen and if it does, I've go a Jeep Cherokee with true 4x4 and good clearance, fitted with snow service rated Kumhos. It doesn't have the grip of the X3 w/PA4 but will plow through anything.

Now if I lived a few blocks over into Minneapolis proper, whiich isn't plowed as throroughly, and had to take city streets into downtown every day, I'd go the route of most here and choose the gooier, softer Hakka R, X ice 3, etc. (no studs allowed). If I had to commute by freeway every day, I'd opt for the PA4 or 3D/4D becauuse more often than not, the roads are cold and dry or wet, or thorougly plowed. We just don't have the volume of snowfall or the elevation changes here to neccessitate a hardcore snow tire. Again, unless you live in the city. The overwhelming majority of people here run A/S tires with no real issues

The PA4 have epic grip and composure in the conditions most often encountered in a very cold, relatively dry winter such as ours, with months below freezing and around 4 feet of snowfall on average. No question, an Xice 3 or Hakka R is a superior pure snow tire but if most of your driving is on cold wet and dry or plowed roads, I'd take a hard look at the PA4 or 3D/4D.

Nice description Tip. i have a dilemma. I'll be driving alot on highways but I'll also expect to drive in mountainous areas with unplowed roads. So which type of tire to get. The speed rated one or the deep snow rated one. Tough choice. I'd like not to give up alot of handling but of course going to a winter tite I'll be compromising the handling anyway. I'm going from a 19" AS tire to a 18" winter. they'll be on for 4+ months so i will do my share of driving on mostly plowed or dry cold roads. Seems like the PA4 or PA2 might be a good choice. Someone just told me that the Blizzaks turn into a AS tire after they are worn down by a certain percentage so I'll have to look at that. Tire rack has the WS60 at a ridiculous price of $516 for 4 but not sure they are still available.

[boogysbmw]

I have blizzaks on my 18s and they did amazing in snow storms Missouri had this year.

[Tipsy McStagger]

Originally Posted by cadman50

Nice description Tip. i have a dilemma. I'll be driving alot on highways but I'll also expect to drive in mountainous areas with unplowed roads. So which type of tire to get. The speed rated one or the deep snow rated one. Tough choice. I'd like not to give up alot of handling but of course going to a winter tite I'll be compromising the handling anyway. I'm going from a 19" AS tire to a 18" winter. they'll be on for 4+ months so i will do my share of driving on mostly plowed or dry cold roads. Seems like the PA4 or PA2 might be a good choice. Someone just told me that the Blizzaks turn into a AS tire after they are worn down by a certain percentage so I'll have to look at that. Tire rack has the WS60 at a ridiculous price of $516 for 4 but not sure they are still available.

I'm thinking Nokian Hakka R if I'm you. The unplowed mountain roads probably call for a grippier tire and the Nokians have low rolling resistance. I just wouldn't plan on doing much driving in the three digit speed range over winter but really, how often do you do that anyway?

On the flipside you might have a better overall experience with PA4s and a set of chains in case things get really ugly.

[CBS]

Awesome feedback, thanks everyone.

Ok, now I'm complicating my OP question slightly: factor in Run Flat.
The X3 is my Wife's car - she (and I) would prefer a winter tire with RFT.

Hakka R2 SUV and PA2 ZP are on our short list.

Thank you in advance,

Chris

[mcmasman]

Nokian Hakka series, some of the best winter tires! 245 all corners non-runflat.

[BeeMdblU]

Originally Posted by mcmasman

Nokian Hakka series, some of the best winter tires! 245 all corners non-runflat.

I have the runflats and they were great last winter, in snow they felt like driving on rails