[ellipsis212]

Any of my fellow tri-state BMW drivers w/ "i's" NOT running winter tires during the cold months? Have you stranded yourselves in the past in snow/ice? Has anyone tried using all-seasons on a RWD in the winter?

I'm trying to decide if I really need to have a separate set of rims/tires because it's pricey and I don't have a good place to store the opposing set in my Manhattan apartment.

Thanks.

[Sara]

You need them. Take it from me http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193202

[exclusivo]

if yours staying in the city, I would say you could get by without them. once you leave the 5 boroughs, they are pretty much a necessity.

it snowed the first weekend I got my car, and at first i was scared, but you adapt your driving to the weather conditions, which is not hard to do in Queens and manhattan, since the streets are manageable from people driving on them regularly. you might have to take extra precaution if you driving in the snow storm itself, of coarse.

[ellipsis212]

i guess i'm concerned about when i leave the city since i bought the car to get OUT of here! it's sounding more and more like if you're caught out w/out snows then you're totally F'd.

i also don't want a 12pg thread dedicated to slamming me for not getting them, so i'll take a page from Sara's book and hook some up.

[exclusivo]

yep, then you should def invest in a set

[TiAg335i]

You ARE fucked if you have a 335i with summer tires in the snow. I know from experience.

[PNF]

+1. You need a set. This is not a question. You Need a set.

Dont cheap out, or the last thing you know is you in a crushed BMW.

[gemini330zhp]

Winter tires or get a Jeep!!! SUMMER TIRES WILL NOT GET YOU THROUGH THE WINTER!!!!!

[Crisp]

I have a 335i with summer tires on.

You can get by if you know what you are doing...and I mean, really know what you are doing and have experience driving RWD cars in the snow with summer tires.

At a clear intersection, I applied a little more throttle than necessary (maybe 500 rpm more) and that's all it took for the tail to kick out and the car to do almost a 180.
This was with traction control FULLY ON, not off, not DCT!

Like I said, if you know what you are doing, you are fine with 3-4 inches of fresh snow. If it's 6 inches of fresh snow and there is a slight grade to the road and you are dead stopped, you wont be going anywhere.
I could not make it up my driveway in reverse when there was 2 inches of snow. I had to take a rolling start at about 5mph from the street and aim the car right into the garage. lol

This is how steep my driveway is. (I know the marble does not help with traction either but just giving you an idea of how bad the tires are in the snow) :

[Tim2189]

Originally Posted by Sara504

You need them. Take it from me http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193202

dont take it from her, she just doesnt know how to drive

since your in the city im sure it shouldnt be to bad with the plows but if i were you id just use the subway the days it snows

[mathjak107]

relying on knowing what your doing works just great...that is until it dosnt.... i have lived in new york for all 56 years of my life and i no longer would even think of not getting a car with awd after expierencing the difference in control and stability in not only snow but rain too...rwd is great when conditions are good but im no longer interested in compremising my safty and abilities when conditions turn nasty out

[gemini330zhp]

Originally Posted by Crisp

I have a 335i with summer tires on.

You can get by if you know what you are doing...and I mean, really know what you are doing and have experience driving RWD cars in the snow with summer tires.

At a clear intersection, I applied a little more throttle than necessary (maybe 500 rpm more) and that's all it took for the tail to kick out and the car to do almost a 180.
This was with traction control FULLY ON, not off, not DCT!

Like I said, if you know what you are doing, you are fine with 3-4 inches of fresh snow. If it's 6 inches of fresh snow and there is a slight grade to the road and you are dead stopped, you wont be going anywhere.
I could not make it up my driveway in reverse when there was 2 inches of snow. I had to take a rolling start at about 5mph from the street and aim the car right into the garage. lol

This is how steep my driveway is. (I know the marble does not help with traction either but just giving you an idea of how bad the tires are in the snow) :

With my E46 M3 with summer tires I could not get up my driveway with 2 to 4 inches of snow with a slight incline. Until I put on Continental Extreme contacts and my car can go through 6 to 8 inches of snow with no problem. I would never risk driving a car with full summer tires with snow and ice.

Heres some videos

I've driven M cars since 1995(and RWD since before that) and never had winter tires or an issue. Not saying this is the way to go, clearly having a winter setup is beneficial, just sharing my experience.

[csupernova]

I can get through winter with all season tires just fine. But have difficulty going uphill with 3 to 4 inches of snow. I will not risk with a summer tire during winter since it is way too dangerous.

[ejazbmw]

i got through the winter with generals UHP but i have XI but i still slipped here and there it was a rather fun winter though lol

[ejazbmw]

oh and i forgot i don't recommend it

[Bimmer335i07]

I've had my summer tires (General Exclaim UHP) on throughout this winter and didn't have any problems. When there was about 3-5 inches of snow, I had a little problem with traction, but had no problems getting home. Just had to be careful and drive slowly.

[ellipsis212]

Now here is my next question:

Do I a) get a 2nd set of wheels and keep the winter tires on them?
or b) take my wheels to the tire shop 2x year for swapping summers/winters?

Is there a risk of damage to your tires/wheels when you get them taken on/off? How much does it cost to mount/dismount 18" tires?

Thx

[easyman]

Originally Posted by ellipsis212

Any of my fellow tri-state BMW drivers w/ "i's" NOT running winter tires during the cold months? Have you stranded yourselves in the past in snow/ice? Has anyone tried using all-seasons on a RWD in the winter?

I'm trying to decide if I really need to have a separate set of rims/tires because it's pricey and I don't have a good place to store the opposing set in my Manhattan apartment.

Thanks.

BMW of manhattan used to have a deal where if you bought snow tires from them they would store your other set. Some local tire shops may charge a small fee to store your tires.

[ImolaZHP]

I got a set of used snow from a guy in CT when I first had my E46. After 3 years lease on the E46 and another year with the 335, they are still working good. I would no doubt get snow for RWD. That's peace of mind. You just need to figure out where to store the extra tires.

Do the math, assume it costs x to unmount, mount and rotate a tire. It cost 8x each year to switch them twice. If you keep the car for 3 years, that's 24x.

Don't flame me, let's say that's $20 mount and rotate. It would be $480. Get some cheap wheels from Tirerack for Winter would be better. You save making yourself dirty taking 4 tires back and fro from the tire shop. After all you still have some residual value on the wheel and tires. I have had my cheap 17" with Dunlop Winter Sport M3 for 4 years. They are still working.

[ZJP]

I drove my e30 with a/s tires through the snow last winter with no problems.

[mathjak107]

i did to and after 2 very difficult instances of getting out of my driveway with x-drive im ordering snow tires next week

as i always say nothing is a problem until its a problem