[trombs]

We're relocating from CA to Portland for work, and I don't know what to do about tires for my 335i during winter. It's currently running the stock sport package 18" RFTs, which I gather are useless in ice.

We've got a Lexus GX for trips to Hood and Bachelor, but it's my wife's daily driver, so I can't borrow it for work.

Advice? It's $1500 for a decent winter tire/wheel package from Tire Rack. Is that overkill for Portland? The existing tires have only 7k on them, so I'm not exactly keen on permanently swapping them for all-seasons.

[98005xi]

GL on the move....I made the move from SF about 6 years ago to Seattle. We drove our 525 up and that same winter, we were skidding around and got stuck in a huge snowstorm (had to walk 2 miles to sister-in-laws and stay for 3 days). After THAT winter, we got a 535xi. Since then, we've only bought xi models!

However, I'm sure someone will chime in with their tire selection for your 18s. I'm running a set of stock 17s with Blizzaks LM-25 with the recommended 225/45R17 size. They worked just fine last winter. I'm sure the same setup will be good for your non-xi. I'm running a square setup (non staggered) with 15mm spacers in the rear.

Hope that helps. Again, I'm sure more peeps will chime in with help and advice.

-alex

[daheechang]

i had blizzaks and hankook ice bears on my 162s and drove up to stevens every weekend for 3 years. drived like a dream until that big ice storm few years back. as long as it was snow or slush i never had a problem. once the ice hits, i can't imagine even the xi's doing well

[98005xi]

Originally Posted by daheechang

i had blizzaks and hankook ice bears on my 162s and drove up to stevens every weekend for 3 years. drived like a dream until that big ice storm few years back. as long as it was snow or slush i never had a problem. once the ice hits, i can't imagine even the xi's doing well

That's good to know Andrew. Did you mount those Blizzaks and Hankooks on stock sizes on ur 162s? Which models, if you don't mind me asking.

--------------------------------

Just as another comparison, on my old Accord beater (really old and very beater), I have a set of Costco Michellin X-Ice. They run pretty well...almost like a very soft compound compared to the Blizzaks. I got excellent traction on ice the last 2 winters, just as long as I didn't drive very fast. Don't know if that helps, but just to toss that out as well.

I can say this....being originally from CA, I don't know shit about driving in snow/ice. I have crazy friends that tell me that I don't need 4wd or snow tires - I think they're insane - and that I don't know what I'm doing in snow here in WA. I got the xi's and I'm happy. The beater has snow tires and it's gotten me thru some icy conditions. Just take your time and don't overestimate your car's ability - just play it safe. =]

[trombs]

Roughly how many snowy/icy days does the area get every winter? I appreciate that it varies widely year to year. I'm wondering if it's enough to justify getting full snow tire set or, if it's just a few days a year, I'll stay home when the conditions are bad.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by trombs

Roughly how many snowy/icy days does the area get every winter? I appreciate that it varies widely year to year. I'm wondering if it's enough to justify getting full snow tire set or, if it's just a few days a year, I'll stay home when the conditions are bad.

Can't say for sure in Portland, but up here in Seattle and surroundings, it usually snows about 2-3x per season. The snowfall is not much, usually about 2-3". That absolutely will put this city to a halt. Driving on fresh powder snow is ok. However, once it goes through the freeze-thaw cycle a couple times, then it becomes hard packed ice. Even the best snow tires with xi won't help at that time. The other problem that you'll face is freezing rain. Plus, we have some pretty hilly areas here, so going up and down hill can be problematic. You can search Youtube for videos of hilarious drivers.

People up here in coastal PNW do not have any idea on how to drive in snow / freezing rain, so they panic at the slightest snow. In addition, a lot of them do not think they need all-season / winter tires, so you'll see people slipping and sliding all over the road, abandoning their cars on the side of the freeway during snow storms. It's pretty amusing when I cruise by in my M3 after work.

[trombs]

Originally Posted by Kev

People up here in coastal PNW do not have any idea on how to drive in snow / freezing rain, so they panic at the slightest snow. In addition, a lot of them do not think they need all-season / winter tires, so you'll see people slipping and sliding all over the road, abandoning their cars on the side of the freeway during snow storms. It's pretty amusing when I cruise by in my M3 after work.

What are you using for winter tires on the M3, Kev?

[Kev]

I was using a set of LM25. I would recommend going for the newer LM60.

[andybui82]

http://www.rei.com/product/822406/tu...r-30-snowshoes

[atown88]

Originally Posted by Kev

Can't say for sure in Portland, but up here in Seattle and surroundings, it usually snows about 2-3x per season. The snowfall is not much, usually about 2-3". That absolutely will put this city to a halt. Driving on fresh powder snow is ok. However, once it goes through the freeze-thaw cycle a couple times, then it becomes hard packed ice. Even the best snow tires with xi won't help at that time. The other problem that you'll face is freezing rain. Plus, we have some pretty hilly areas here, so going up and down hill can be problematic. You can search Youtube for videos of hilarious drivers.

People up here in coastal PNW do not have any idea on how to drive in snow / freezing rain, so they panic at the slightest snow. In addition, a lot of them do not think they need all-season / winter tires, so you'll see people slipping and sliding all over the road, abandoning their cars on the side of the freeway during snow storms. It's pretty amusing when I cruise by in my M3 after work.

I'm assuming you're not coming from Harborview right? I just can't imagine how i'm going to get too and from work. That hill on James, oh boy.

[pentaxis]

I live in PDX and have for the last 6 years. I have never switched out from my summer tires on any car. Yes, you do get 2-5 days of nastiness a year. Not worth an entire different set of tires and wheels to me though.

That being said, I would avoid driving right after they sand if you have something that is polished. I had a set of Volk GT7's on my last car, and they didn't like the sand.

Portland is pretty mild as far as climate goes. For the day or two that snow is on the ground, just make it a sick day if ya can. Then go have a snowball fight with your girlfriend/wife since you most likely won't see snow for another season.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by atown88

I'm assuming you're not coming from Harborview right? I just can't imagine how i'm going to get too and from work. That hill on James, oh boy.

Actually I was at HMC that month

I agree that going up hill is close to impossible on James (that's why they close the road). I usually take Boren or Broadway instead to get down hill.

[DaanBMW]

You can get 1-4 snow storms per year here in PDX, and most of time it either melts away fast, or if not the whole city shuts down, including your work. So... that should cover the really bad stuff.

If you don't need it to go up in the mountains, then _maybe_ you can get by with just summer tires like pentaxis is suggesting. I've never tried so I can't recommend it.

On my previous cars (vw's), I for one always had a set a traction tires on smaller 15" wheels for the winter season, but I do go skiing. (I utterly hate chains and studded tires, but that's just me.)

For the bimmer I have summer performance tires on staggered 18", not really a good setup for the winter. So I bought a set of 17" non-staggered wheels and planned to put traction tires on, but since they came with virtually brand-new all-seasons I will give this a try this season. I would NOT buy all-seasons but since they came free... Not sure if I'll hit Mt Hood in this setup, probably not (have wife's TDI for that). But I would not recommend summer performance tires even for the mild winters we have here.

[Lavalamp425]

I'm in Seattle and not Portland, but I've been fine running 225/45R17 LM-22s (RFTs) on my RWD 335i. I ski on weekends and they work great, and also kept me mobile during snowstorms the last few years. Lots of fun going around SUVs in the snow.

Normally if you don't plan on going into the mountains, I'd recommend just getting all-seasons. But since your summer tires are so new I'd say just bite the bullet and get snows, preferably in 17". They're worth it.

[san6279]

I'm in Seattle and run staggered Pirelli Sottozero runflats. Worked great, and the ride is quite a bit better than stock runflats due to the softer compound.

[trombs]

Thanks for all the feedback. I decided to play it safe and ordered a set of Blizzak LM-60s on 17 Rial Salernos. Good times.

[VP Electricity]

Got here late. You will rarely need the Blizzaks, but I like mine. They are a little loud, but work great in water also. I have xDrive, though. I run them on 17" as well.

When/if it snows, NO ONE knows how to drive in it.

[dlee82889]

So I'm very close to getting a 2012 335is coupe with the 19s (summer performance tires). A couple questions in regards with the winter conditions in Seattle. I've recently relocated to Seattle and haven't seen what winters are like. From reading these posts, I'm getting a little wary of whether summer performance tires are safe for the winter time.

So:

1) anyone else driven 335is with the 19s in/around seattle area (everett, seattle, renton) during the winter?
2) If I order 335is, I will drive it up from Los Angeles to Seattle during December/January timeframe. If I plan on driving mostly on I-5 to get to Seattle, would there be problems with snow/ice in Oregon, southern WA area?

In my short driving history, I've driven a honda accord (all season tires, FWD) in pittsburgh for 2 years during harsh winter/snow/ice conditions and I've really had no problems as long as I was a bit careful. But I heard it's significantly easier to drive in winter conditions with a FWD than RWD.

I don't plan on driving the 335is outside of seattle area during the winter season, and will mostly be I-5 commute.

Any advice will be helpful!

[philthy84]

Originally Posted by dlee82889

So I'm very close to getting a 2012 335is coupe with the 19s (summer performance tires). A couple questions in regards with the winter conditions in Seattle. I've recently relocated to Seattle and haven't seen what winters are like. From reading these posts, I'm getting a little wary of whether summer performance tires are safe for the winter time.

So:

1) anyone else driven 335is with the 19s in/around seattle area (everett, seattle, renton) during the winter?
2) If I order 335is, I will drive it up from Los Angeles to Seattle during December/January timeframe. If I plan on driving mostly on I-5 to get to Seattle, would there be problems with snow/ice in Oregon, southern WA area?

In my short driving history, I've driven a honda accord (all season tires, FWD) in pittsburgh for 2 years during harsh winter/snow/ice conditions and I've really had no problems as long as I was a bit careful. But I heard it's significantly easier to drive in winter conditions with a FWD than RWD.

I don't plan on driving the 335is outside of seattle area during the winter season, and will mostly be I-5 commute.

Any advice will be helpful!

Yes during the timeframe your planning that drive certain portions of I-5 are shut down completly to road traffic even if you have chains, four wheel drive, ect... The usual areas are around Mt. Shasta in Northern CA and around the Siskiyou mountain range CA/OR boarder area. Personally I would just hold off on buying the car till your at your new location. I wouldn't put my brand new car through that type of abuse with all the salt and gravel they lay down on I-5 during that time of year.

[Kev]

Originally Posted by philthy84

Yes during the timeframe your planning that drive certain portions of I-5 are shut down completly to road traffic even if you have chains, four wheel drive, ect... The usual areas are around Mt. Shasta in Northern CA and around the Siskiyou mountain range CA/OR boarder area. Personally I would just hold off on buying the car till your at your new location. I wouldn't put my brand new car through that type of abuse with all the salt and gravel they lay down on I-5 during that time of year.

+1, Just ship your car up in an enclosed transport

the other thing to consider is Seattle is relatively more hilly compared to Pittsburgh so there would be places that you wouldn't be able to travel to with your regular tires, which turn to hockey puck at 4-6 celcius

[atown88]

So wait, the consesus is that Blizzaks are not needed in Seattle? And since i'm on Summers now, would I have to get at least All Seasons anyway?

[98005xi]

Originally Posted by philthy84

Yes during the timeframe your planning that drive certain portions of I-5 are shut down completly to road traffic even if you have chains, four wheel drive, ect... The usual areas are around Mt. Shasta in Northern CA and around the Siskiyou mountain range CA/OR boarder area.

When we moved up from SF 5 years ago, we made it an important consideration to drive our cars up before or after the wet/cold temps. If you must, at least keep a good eye out on the forecast and look for dry weather...at the very least. Keep in mind, a loaded vehicle handles/drives drastically different than an empty one.

Originally Posted by Kev

the other thing to consider is Seattle is relatively more hilly compared to Pittsburgh so there would be places that you wouldn't be able to travel to with your regular tires, which turn to hockey puck at 4-6 celcius

This is VERY true. I'm used to climbing up and down SF streets/hills, but having to deal with ice and other reckless drivers (who wind up sliding down said hills) becomes an exercise in futility. This winter looks to be a pretty cool one - on the heels of last year's La Nina present.

Once you're up here, be sure to change your driving habits and slow down in winter weather. My biggest advice is to don't assume that other people know how to actually merge or change lanes safely. They will signal and expect/wait for you to give them space (because they haven't paid enough attention to the approaching exit/interchange/offramp), whereas in CA people will generally not signal and aggressively change lanes/move where there's room (and do it quickly). It's an anticipation/expection thing. Be patient and you'll get used to it (it's pointless to get frustrated - just join in the fun).

Good luck with the move!

-alex