[deano802]

Debating to get a set early now the weather is turning crap!!!!

The BMW multi spoke 284 17" wheel and winter tyre set is £1500.

A lot of money, but 1. I'd rather spend that than be in a nasty accident on the motorway! 2. last year I lost control of the merc I had going round a bend on the lane near my house at about 12mph and ended up costing around the same to repair the suspension after the front offside slid straight into the curb.

From what I've been reading they grip much better from 7deg and below, which would mean standard tyres are useless here for a good 5-6 months of the year.

The downside is they look pretty bad, the cost, storing them and having to change them over!

[ed335d]

Can't believe we're talking about winter tyres in August

I'm not buying any - will be using the ones I bought last year

A second hand set of OEM 18's (or reps) with tyres will be closer to £1k

So much better than standard tyres in the right conditions - just got to watch the drivers behind you, as you'll be able to stop so much quicker.

The outlay isn't lost money - you'll always get something back for them, especially if you sell at the right time of year!

[willhollin]

136 days till Christmas!

[ed335d]

Originally Posted by willhollin

136 days till Christmas!

Only 18 days 'til I fill your stockings

[penport]

Yep I'm going to buy some - already got a set of OEM 17in wheels off fleabay for £250 - just waiting for the right time to get the tyres. I'm assuming the tyre shops will get them in about Sept/Oct ??

[wayne71]

I'm seriously thinking about it, couldn't get the car off off my drive in the winter yet saw loads of BMW's with winter tyres whizzing around french ski resorts in snow and ice.

I've just had a thought, imagine RFT with snow chains, it would be like driving on square wheels!

[pjs]

I'm thinking X5

[FPO]

I discussed this with my local pro tyre. They said you need to order them now as the tyre manufacturers only produce a short run for a period over summer and when stocks gone, it really is gone!
I don't really see the point though. If the roads are too treacherous then I'm not leaving the house. There's nothing stopping all the other drivers on the road misjudging the conditions and ploughing into you at 60mph. So much for the winter tyres then!

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by pjs

I'm thinking X5

piece of crap in the snow with super wide summer slicks and 4wd won't help you stop.

my father in laws x5 wouldn't get of the drive in the snow. my 335 with winters on had no probs. in fact we picked them up when the x5 was stuck.

[quattrogmbh]

yep. Already done.. 450 quid from ebay

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by FPO

I discussed this with my local pro tyre. They said you need to order them now as the tyre manufacturers only produce a short run for a period over summer and when stocks gone, it really is gone!
I don't really see the point though. If the roads are too treacherous then I'm not leaving the house. There's nothing stopping all the other drivers on the road misjudging the conditions and ploughing into you at 60mph. So much for the winter tyres then!

winter tyres are really called cold weather tyres as they make all cold, wet driving much safer not just snow and ice.

summer tyres aren't tested below 7 deg C.

i got my set last year on some 18" reps for under a 900 quid all brand new. they'll last 4 winters at least as there is virtually no wear from nov to march this year.

[deano802]

Originally Posted by FPO

I discussed this with my local pro tyre. They said you need to order them now as the tyre manufacturers only produce a short run for a period over summer and when stocks gone, it really is gone!
I don't really see the point though. If the roads are too treacherous then I'm not leaving the house. There's nothing stopping all the other drivers on the road misjudging the conditions and ploughing into you at 60mph. So much for the winter tyres then!

The point might not be there for you, but when I have to drive from London to Plymouth or to Liverpool for a meeting when it's -1deg and snowing the point is I would like to stay alive and get there safely!!!

After listening to you guys gonna have a look on eBay for some 17's.

[MOB]

£100 for a set of 16" alloys

£100 for a set of decent part worn winters

I'm ready lol

[V330d]

Got a set of OEM 17's with half worn tyres for 180, going to fit them soon to get some value out of the current tyres effectively reducing the cost of the rims to near zero (vs putting michelins on my 18 Mv3). Then fit best avail winters to run from dec to march.
Not sure if I should get rfts or normal tyres
my car did ok last year but had brand new tyres.

[cdb]

I went and got a second hand set of MV3 alloys, and a set of Falken winters form mytyres

its not just about driving in snow, it's about outside temparatures and the effectiveness of the tyre

[deano802]

Originally Posted by cdb

I went and got a second hand set of MV3 alloys, and a set of Falken winters form mytyres

its not just about driving in snow, it's about outside temparatures and the effectiveness of the tyre

How much did you pay for the mv3's, they are the only decent wheels on eBay, there is one lightly used set I can find for around £400!

[doughboy]

I bought a set of rep MV3's, brand new £300. The finish is brilliant and the OE BMW centres fit perfectly. (8x8J ET34 all round so I can rotate the winters)

From www.wheelworx.net

[briers]

Originally Posted by doughboy

I bought a set of rep MV3's, brand new £300. The finish is brilliant and the OE BMW centres fit perfectly. (8x8J ET34 all round so I can rotate the winters)

From www.wheelworx.net

Don't think they do these any more

Great price tho, wish they still had em.

[doughboy]

Yeh I noticed they're not on their website anymore, but they were not made by wheelworx they were just selling on.

Might be worth a call. A quick haggle got me down to £300 all in.

[Rob55]

This will be my first RWD this winter. Bricking it slightly..

I think I will have to buy snow chains if we have a repeat of last winter, as my road was a constant sheet of ice for over 1 month.

On a side note, £1500 is madness. Get yourself some scabby 17s off ebay for about 150 quid and get the tyres priced elsewhere than BMW, I'd be surprised if you couldn't do the whole thing for less than £6-700!

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by deano802

The downside is they look pretty bad, the cost, storing them and having to change them over!

They look great have you checked out the vredestein wintrac extreme design??

As you have them on for 5 months, it's worth getting a decent size to match, or be close to your OE size. If you're on 19's then going for old 17's is a big step and not necessary. Don't think of winter as a 'cheap get-by' they are for half the year nearly, so treat them with the same respect as your summer rubber.

If you put them on decent wheels (thats why i stuck to 18"s) no one will even notice.....

.....until you pass them down the outside lane - full of slush at 50mph - with the same grip as a wet summer day.......

.....or drive round the outside of them on a freezing greasy wet roundabout while they tippy toe round.....

[deano802]

Originally Posted by doughboy

They look great have you checked out the vredestein wintrac extreme design??

As you have them on for 5 months, it's worth getting a decent size to match, or be close to your OE size. If you're on 19's then going for old 17's is a big step and not necessary. Don't think of winter as a 'cheap get-by' they are for half the year nearly, so treat them with the same respect as your summer rubber.

If you put them on decent wheels (thats why i stuck to 18"s) no one will even notice.....

.....until you pass them down the outside lane - full of slush at 50mph - with the same grip as a wet summer day.......

.....or drive round the outside of them on a freezing greasy wet roundabout while they tippy toe round.....

Agreed after research gonna find a set of MV3's 18" and the vredestein look the best buy on my tyres!!!