[Peepers]

Hey xi guys …

I have a ’11 e92 335xi and the car is starting to feel really loose when driving. It’s to the point where I’m scared to take on ramps too fast as it feels like the car is going to break loose and lose control. The only modification I did was remove the OEM 17” all seasons and mounted 225M 19” staggered with OEM Potenza RFTs (225/35/19 & 255/30/19). The temperature outside is starting to get colder (approx 0-5* celsius) and I know these are “performance type” tires and my snows (197’s with 225/45/18’s on all 4 corners) will be put on in a week but I’m wondering if I have an underlying issue?

What’s everyone’s thoughts?

[Assari]

I have a 08 335xi e92 and I put on my winter tires (17 inch 225/45/17 Blizzaks) 1 week ago. After that the car become very loose compared to the summer setup I am running, which is bmw original 18 wheels with original tire size on them. But if u r running 19´s the car should be quite stable. The onle explanation that I have is that it´s slippery out there, cause it is here every time the temperature goes below 0 celsius. Just get your winter tires on and you should be fine, cause all season tires don´t provide that good grip on slippery surfaces compared to winter tires.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Remember to re tighten your lugs after swapping your wheels (approx 100kms)

[Ctm309]

Were the 17" OEM's RFT? If not it might be that the harder RFT's are skipping around a bit, their famous for that. Hence the sliding sensation.

[e85sbm]

Sounds like the tires are not getting the proper amount of traction. Typically summer performance tires are not effective at anything less than 7 to 10 degrees celcius. Below these temperatures, the compound of the rubber hardens and becomes less pliable (ie. hard like a puck).

Also, I am surprised to hear you are still running on summers in December while living in Toronto!!!

[Fozzy]

^ exactly. I would say running summers in cold is the reason. Winters aren't just for snow.

[Er3k]

My Hancooks got loose on me about a week ago because I drove around on them in temps lower than 45 degrees. I have an XI so the system caught all slippage that I had to contend with. Just put your snows on and you will be fine, I just put mine on some General Altimax Arctic's a couple of days ago and the problem disappeared completely.

[ajsalida]

Is this a trick question? Put the old 17" back on, if it is not loose then it was the 19" summer tires.

[zipstic]

Originally Posted by e85sbm

Sounds like the tires are not getting the proper amount of traction. Typically summer performance tires are not effective at anything less than 7 to 10 degrees celcius. Below these temperatures, the compound of the rubber hardens and becomes less pliable (ie. hard like a puck).

Also, I am surprised to hear you are still running on summers in December while living in Toronto!!!

Exactly

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

I'm running Continental DWS all-seasons and they perform excellent in warm, cold, and rain. Haven't driven in snow yet!

[amclint]

Originally Posted by Bubba Ho-Tep

I'm running Continental DWS all-seasons and they perform excellent in warm, cold, and rain. Haven't driven in snow yet!

Same here, tested in snow yesterday (1/4 inch) and they are great so far !

[wdlfbio]

Summer tires in cold temps are not good. They really lose traction. If you are going to run summer and winter tires, get dedicated winter tires. They are far better than all seasons.

[HellsBells]

it's the tires or the pressure...