10-22-2015, 01:54 PM | #1 |
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Tire question for the locals
What wheels and tires do you Seattle area f8x owners run during the winter months? I ordered a MW/SO F80 that just went into production last week, so I'm expecting a late November to early December delivery. Normally the winters here are pretty mild, but I don't know if I should risk running on the stock wheels and tires or have a winter set ready.
I've been daily driving an S2000 year round for the last seven years and have never had anything but summer tires on it, but I hated having to worry about those one or two days a year where there would be a light dusting of snow while I was at work. I plan to have a winter set for the F80 next year for sure, just for those occasions, but it would be nice if I could postpone that purchase a bit. I had a WRX last year for winter and really only needed it driving over to Eastern WA for Christmas, and I've already sold it as part of the funding for the new car. I'm hoping the F80 will be a good enough replacement for the WRX and the S2000 that I won't miss either of them too much. |
10-22-2015, 04:57 PM | #2 |
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1. Most including me will not need anything but performance tires on the F8X here. This assumes you can either stay home or have a 2nd car in the family to use or co-ride in the 2 or so days in average a year you'll need it.
2. Never drive the F8x on snow or ice covered roads on performance tires. It sucks. 3. El Niņo year, the risk for snow and ice should be even lower than usual. 4. If you plan to drive on snow and ice and get a separate set get proper winters. |
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10-22-2015, 05:17 PM | #3 | |
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Maybe with El Niņo this year I can hold off on the winters until next year. Thanks for the input! Last edited by Vetkin; 10-22-2015 at 05:24 PM.. |
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10-22-2015, 05:25 PM | #4 |
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Even with the minimal chance of snow here, I bought winter tires and wheels. I live on top of a big hill, and figured better to be safe than sorry. Plus it saves miles on my PSS tires during the crappy weather time of year!
I do notice a major traction difference on the PSS tires when the temps drop to 50 or lower, especially if the roads are wet. -X- |
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10-22-2015, 06:03 PM | #5 | |
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10-23-2015, 12:45 AM | #6 |
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10-23-2015, 08:47 AM | #7 | |
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Kept my old car for this purpose. My plan is to keep my PSSs on the M and drive my xDrive when it looks dodgy.
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10-23-2015, 08:50 AM | #8 | |
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That said, I'm no stranger to owning high performance RWD cars in winter conditions. The answer (as others have said) is GREAT winter tires and I also would throw a couple sandbags in the trunk for extra mass on the rear wheels. Do that and you will be ok.
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10-23-2015, 10:25 AM | #9 |
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10-23-2015, 10:26 AM | #10 | |
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10-23-2015, 10:31 AM | #11 | |
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Bridgestone Blizzaks are the gold standard of winter tires. Sticky as hell. Prolly need winter rims to get them to work though, I don't think they do low profile (and you wouldn't want that anyway).
http://www.gearinstitute.com/vehicle...s70-snow-tires
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10-23-2015, 02:54 PM | #12 |
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I've never had Blizzaks so can't comment on them. In Sweden I mostly used Nokian Hakkapeliitta studded tires. They are really good and I hear the unstudded which you would of course buy here are highly rated as well. Since I never purchased snow tires here I'm not sure of availability of Nokian tires in the US but if you can find them you won't be disappointed. Go with the narrowest tire with the largest tire wall that is within BMWs spec. for tires and select wheel size accordingly. It will be the smallest wheel size within spec.
Last edited by solstice; 10-23-2015 at 03:00 PM.. |
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10-23-2015, 06:48 PM | #13 | |
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To be fair, I didn't feel that way driving the M3 during my ED, but now I'm back waiting for it as its on a vessel. Anyhow, congrats |
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10-25-2015, 01:35 PM | #14 |
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Here is my HEAVY RAIN setup:
And here is my ICE/SNOW setup: Any questions? Today its pouring with rain, so i'll be out and about in the AWD cross country, and the ///M will be safe and dry in the garage.... |
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10-26-2015, 10:09 AM | #15 |
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Light to moderate rain in the fall/winter I'll still take out the M with stock tires. In heavy rain with colder temperatures or snow/ice possibilities than its time to bring out the Audi A4 or the old Acura TL.
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10-27-2015, 10:55 AM | #16 |
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Thanks for the replies everyone. The M3 will be my only car for now so my only options in bad weather will be winter tires or to not drive at all. In this area I think I can probably get by without them most of the time, but it's good to know what tires and wheels people are running when they do put winters on this car. I plan to eventually just for peace of mind and to save wear on the summers.
If I wait I just have to hope there isn't a fluke snow storm on my delivery day. |
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10-28-2015, 07:14 AM | #17 | ||
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If you can avoid driving at all for those few days - that's another option. Of course it's not always easy to predict when that's going to happen - or when it has happened as you head off to work.
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10-28-2015, 09:42 AM | #18 |
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Went with the Rial P10 black wheels with Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 tires. 245/45/18 square setup. Got my car in February, so only got a couple months in and no winter weather. Rides and handles well though.
Picked the wheels because they were cheap, but they don't look too bad actually. -X- |
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10-28-2015, 11:06 AM | #19 |
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10-28-2015, 04:46 PM | #20 |
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I am also sortve concerned as well. I will be taking delivery at BMW spokane and was wondering if anyone had any experience driving through the pass in november. I am expecting a mid~late november delivery date. Is it too dangerous to drive with summer tires?
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10-28-2015, 09:23 PM | #21 | |
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-X- |
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10-29-2015, 12:36 AM | #22 | |
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