12-13-2011, 06:12 PM | #67 |
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pulled the trigger on a set of low-cost aluminum wheels (so when she bends one on a pothole it won't cost an arm and a leg, and so the stock wheels don't deal with salt) and a set of 17 inch 60 series blizzaks. with TPMS, mounting/balancing, shipping no tax (love that), and a rack to hang the summers up im out of there for under $1500US.
watch it won't snow this season..
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12-13-2011, 06:30 PM | #68 |
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Blizzaks have a couple of different types of snow tires iirc, the lm series and the ws series. The WS are the best snow and ice tire, but give up a bit on dry roads. The LMs are Blizzaks "performance" snow tire and are good on dry roads and give up a bit of snow ice grip to the WS series. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/bridge...tone-tires.jsp
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12-13-2011, 07:17 PM | #69 |
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Ok, just to stir up this slightly derailed thread a bit ...
I see "snow tires" and "Winter tires" being used as if there's a difference. And, perhaps there is. If so, what is the difference? Same thing with winter wheels. Huh? Keep in mind I'm from California, I don't live in snow territory, but can get to places that measure it in feet, not inches, in about 3 hours. Main roads are either plowed or closed. They use no salt, only sand on the plowed roads. All-season with traction-aid devices (i.e. chains) is all I expect to need here, but you folks dealing with snow constantly ... what're the differences?
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12-13-2011, 07:59 PM | #70 | |
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12-14-2011, 09:13 AM | #71 |
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12-14-2011, 01:39 PM | #72 | |
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I did briefly consider a second set of wheels with Blizzaks, but it just didn't make sense - From SF to snow country is ~three hours, 2.5 of which is through the Central Valley. |
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12-14-2011, 02:29 PM | #73 | |
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And if any of you feel uncomfortable driving in certain conditions, remember that you can elect to leave your car in the garage until conditions clear. Nobody is forcing you to drive your car; it is expensive and, more importantly, the people with you are invaluable. No disrespect, by the way. I completely agree with you, Le Chef, but I wanted to bring that to the attention of this thread. You are not the only one who has made that claim, and I understand what you're getting at. Last edited by xDrive35i; 12-14-2011 at 02:36 PM.. |
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12-14-2011, 02:42 PM | #74 | |
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In all seriousness, though, they do look great. Definitely a nice distraction from a salt covered vehicle, something I'm not looking forward to this winter. Just curious, though--I found these wheels on Tire Rack but without BMW labels. Are these the ones you've fitted? If so, I bite my tongue. How did you get the BMW hub center? Last edited by xDrive35i; 12-14-2011 at 02:58 PM.. |
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12-14-2011, 02:43 PM | #75 |
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Thanks - that's a very good point - it's often that people will say "Do I need to spend the money?" You provide another alternative.
Having watched from a bus window earlier this year how poorly equipped many drivers were when the blizzard hit Chicago you can only wish they had stayed at home as you suggest rather than make a mess of it and block a major artery with their abandoned cars. |
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12-14-2011, 02:56 PM | #76 | |
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12-14-2011, 05:51 PM | #78 |
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12-14-2011, 08:27 PM | #79 |
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FYI: Amazon sells various versions of the BMW center caps including BMW OEM models. There are some very nice ones for as little as $35 for a set of four.
You do have to be sure of the wheel bore size since they come in 65, 68 and 70mm sizes. See: BMW Wheel Caps Also available are some beautifully made domed-alloy stick-on versions that can be applied over the usual aftermarket cap that is supplied with the wheels. Amazon calls these "decals" but they are actually very nicely made, adhesive-backed metal cap "covers" and work fine. Also available is the "too cool for snow tires", "M" version (as a complete cap). |
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12-15-2011, 02:39 PM | #80 |
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When I first moved from Tennessee to Alaska, I drove the Al-Can highway at the end of August/Early September. I hit snow coming into Whitehorse, on my (at the time) M-sport summer tires. It took me two days to finish what should have taken less than one, and I was white-knuckle praying every time I hit an incline or curve. I ended up buying a set of dedicated winter wheels/tires almost immediately after making it to Anchorage, and even with those, I had to really be wary of the throttle.
When an x-drive CPO became available at the local dealer, I jumped on it. I still run my winters, even though the OEM all-seasons are ok. Buy winters if your area has snow regularly! |
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12-15-2011, 11:51 PM | #81 |
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Interesting thread. Like always, filled with 50% top gear guys who ALWAYS demand the best. And the rest of us who just live in the real world with budgets and compromises. This is how it works in Minnesota winters. On EVERY snowy day all winter your x drive, traction control, all season tire equipped X3 BMW will be easily up to the challenge. No problem. Of course you will STILL have to be an good driver, alert, tuned in. But forget the snows UNLESS you:
1. Live in the mountains with near daily snowfalls. 2. Work at a ski area and commute five times a week. 3. Need the best always and no expense is too much ever. 4. Tend to worry about worst case scenarios regarding danger to your loved ones. |
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12-16-2011, 04:01 PM | #82 |
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these look pretty good with the centers..
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12-16-2011, 04:10 PM | #83 |
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have to admit, the videos showing the testing between all seasons and dedicated winter tires were pretty compelling... this set of blizzaks with wheels is relatively cheap - not run-flat so yeah gotta have a small spare or in my case a conti comfort kit in the unlikely event (don't jinx it!) of a flat..
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12-16-2011, 05:53 PM | #84 | |
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"The ContiComfortKit combines a powerful, high-volume, 12-volt air compressor, integral pressure gauge and a latex liquid tire sealant packaged in a compact, lightweight unit that's easy to store in the vehicle. (Kit is 9.5"W x 7"H x 3.75"D.) This product's sealant may interfere with the tire pressure monitoring sensors on vehicles with direct TPMS, possibly leading to error prompts and incorrect pressure readings. Use of this product on direct TPMS vehicles could also result in damage to the tire pressure sensor inside the wheel. Please contact your sales specialist at Tire Rack for more information." |
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12-17-2011, 11:43 AM | #85 | |
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The well proven facts are that all vehicles operating in countries with an ambient temperature below 7 degrees C, benefit from the implementation of Winter Tyres. |
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12-17-2011, 12:24 PM | #86 |
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Disingenuous?
i think our worlds are just different - it's not a case of superiority of one over the other but having different priorities. But post rationalizing your decision and implicitly criticizing others, based on an arbitrary set of rules seems a bit disingenuous.
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12-17-2011, 01:38 PM | #87 | |
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another issue is local meteorological variation. before i moved to ct i never experienced an ice storm. they are a regular feature of winter here. at least once or twice a year you wake up to a world of beauty: every twig and branch glistens, coated with a quarter inch of ice. then you have to go somewhere... |
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12-17-2011, 01:42 PM | #88 |
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+1 The posters who live in winter climates and don't buy winter tires have all sorts of excuses and rationalizations.
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