[DAC17]

I just purchased my X3Mc, with the stock Continental SportContact 6 tires. Has anyone had any particular problems with driving on these tires in temps around say, 20F? I previously had a Corvette with summer tires and, in certain cases, there was cracking of the rubber compound due to the cold.

Thanks.

[spta97]

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: The summer compound becomes a hockey puck when cold. I’ve had slippage at temps below 50 degrees. Conti also states you can damage the tire if used in any way below 40. Several people get either all seasons or dedicated winter tires.

You might be fine, or you might total it. I decided to get a dedicated winter set and the cold performance is MUCH better.

Many threads on this

[GmanJeff]

Don't do it. You will damage the tires and have such reduced traction that you'll risk an accident.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=273

[mf44]

Get snow tires. Much better performance than all seasons. Then you can still use your summer tires in the warmer months with...much better performance than all seasons.

Summer tires in the winter in CT; I wouldn't do it.

[jlee]

I wish they would make a good all season in this size. We're not tracking it or anything..

[spta97]

Originally Posted by jlee

I wish they would make a good all season in this size. We're not tracking it or anything..

Several have gotten all seasons but believe they increased the size a bit.

Search for all seasons - quite a few threads.

[itsmabs]

I went dedicated winter tires, worth it. down the road I might go all season.

[BMWZ4]

Up until 7 years ago I always drove on my all seasons. I switched jobs and had to drive considerably further and decided winters were needed. What a difference.

[DAC17]

Thanks for the advice; I guess I knew that, but the price of dedicated winters and rims was killing me! Think I'll just suck it up and spring for set of winters mounted on wheels for next winter and beyond. Another cost of living in New England. In the meantime, I'll let the fun car sit until it's back to 40F (in two days...)

[Shrugged]

You can also just swap the tires. I put Scorpion Winters on. Out the door for $1,600.

[sayemthree]

U will crash and die!

[spta97]

Originally Posted by DAC17

Thanks for the advice; I guess I knew that, but the price of dedicated winters and rims was killing me! Think I'll just suck it up and spring for set of winters mounted on wheels for next winter and beyond. Another cost of living in New England. In the meantime, I'll let the fun car sit until it's back to 40F (in two days...)

I also wasn’t planning on this expense when I got the (already very expensive) car. The BMW option is about $4k.

I went with aftermarket wheels, scorpions, and OEM TPMS which reduced the price to almost half.



The other thing to factor in is your summer tires will last longer because they are not in use.

My preference is dedicated wheels as it is done in my driveway so no trips to the tire shop and no chance of scratched wheels.

Here’s my thread:

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1686076

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by BMWZ4

Up until 7 years ago I always drove on my all seasons. I switched jobs and had to drive considerably further and decided winters were needed. What a difference.

Completely agree. Winter tires make all the difference, let alone considerably increasing the margin of safety.

[mf44]

Originally Posted by spta97

The other thing to factor in is your summer tires will last longer because they are not in use.

This is important to remember; the added cost is really only the wheel cost (not the tires), as you are extending the life of your summer tires.

[shemeld_135]

Definitely get a snow setup. Not worth the risk if it snows in your area. It's amazing how much the proper tires make a difference.

I had summer tires on my 135i and there was a dusting of snow and I couldn't pull in to my drive way. The next day I changed ties to winter setup and I drove through 6-8" of snow. I was passing trucks that had awd and stuck. It was an amazing experience and now always have a winter setup for whatever car I have.

[Miko M]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Completely agree. Winter tires make all the difference, let alone considerably increasing the margin of safety.

I have winter set on every car I owned.
Safety first!
Mine set is coming in few days

[Shmuffalo]

I'm in snow area (see location), and just saw a Dodge 1500 crash into a ditch, and immediately after a car drove into snowbank in my neighbourhood... It's off a semi-busy road, so typically pull in quickly. While this guy slid in the bank my x3m braked instantly. Any car, recommend winter tires. Further, know how to drive in the snow.

[aseth]

Since I can't find scorpion winters in stock anywhere and no other brands are coming up in my search - anyone care to share their tire choices/sizes?

I plan to just swap the tires on the stock 21's

[spta97]

Originally Posted by aseth

Since I can't find scorpion winters in stock anywhere and no other brands are coming up in my search - anyone care to share their tire choices/sizes?

I plan to just swap the tires on the stock 21's

The only others I saw were Yokohama Blue Earth from what I remember. On tire rack anyway.

I would wait until the season is over depending on where you live and just don’t drive in the snow. NY winter has been lite so I can see being ok depending on your location.

Then buy yourself an early Xmas present come fall/early winter.

[aseth]

I'm in NJ. I agree it has been non-existent so far. March has brought us some random storms though. Only vehicle I have besides my e30 convertible - which I wouldn't drive in snow either! hahah

[spta97]

At this rate I think we only have a few more weeks (which sucks because I love winter and feel jipped).

If the Pirellis were available I’d see get them, but I don’t believe it is a good idea to get something you don’t want when if you wait you can get what you do want.

Hopefully you can work from home if it does snow and just be more careful until temps are in the 60s.

[RoyB]

I've been taking other cars when it's below freezing. Although I have taken the X3M out a few times below freezing. Traction was limited. Today I noticed a chip of rubber missing off one of the rear tires.