Do you put on winter tires for the cold seasons?

[Derekrpd]

Do you guys swap out your summer tires when driving in the cold seasons or just keep them on? I'm assuming the M cars come stock with Michelin Pilots or some equivalent. Asking because I have a 335xi and want to get rid of the run flats but not sure I want to get in a situation of swapping wheels and tires every summer/winter. Thanks!

[joooiiiiii]

I swap every season. October - April (winters). It's required here in Germany as well but if I was in an area that had a possibility of ice and snow on the roads--I would put winters on them. The tire compounds are vastly different. It also, increases longevity of your summers (and winters) because you switch them every season.

[Jojipoji]

I have two sets of rims. One for mpss and another for snow tires.

[F80Dreamer]

I use one set for all seasons...but have to admit that in Dallas it actually gets kinda hairy for a few days per year. Like today, where it is around 32 degrees, and the summer tires are just like rocks. Not bad enough where I need dedicated winter set up (overkill), but need to be extra careful on days like today. On my E92 M3 I used to have, I put on a set of Michelin Pilot All Season 3's and for me they were the perfect 3 season tire.

[Mandi90TT]

Here in Colorado, I switch every winter to a set of winter performance tires. They do okay in the snow, but where they really shine compared to summer tires is the cold. They don't become blocks of ice in the cold like summers are wont to do.

Your location says Massachusetts, I would definitely get a set of winter tires if I lived there.

[MattxG908]

I run MPSS's year round in Pennsylvania. It's definitely not an ideal setup. I just don't ever really drive in the snow, and my day to day driving is mostly within the small city I live in.

Getting snow tires is one of those things that's kinda on my list of things to do, but I find with my situation I just don't need to. I can work from home and don't have any kids so if the forecast calls for snow I just don't venture too far.

[SherM4n]

Despite our modern weather prediction methods and equipment, precipitation can still surprise you. Twice in the past couple of years ago, a late surprise snowstorm has occurred while I was at work that dumped less than an inch of snow on us, but enough to cover the cold roads. I was in a quattro TT and TT RS, but since they happened after I had changed the cars back to their summer wheels they were still slippery, nerve-wracking trips home. Better safe than sorry, and I definitely wouldn't want to go through the entire winter with that worry; with x drive and winter tires you'd be prepared for about anything.

[gunsmoker]

I replaced my MPSS with MPS A/S 3+

[2011zx10R]

Originally Posted by Derekrpd

Do you guys swap out your summer tires when driving in the cold seasons or just keep them on? I'm assuming the M cars come stock with Michelin Pilots or some equivalent. Asking because I have a 335xi and want to get rid of the run flats but not sure I want to get in a situation of swapping wheels and tires every summer/winter. Thanks!

I'm running Continental DWS 06
High performance All-Seasons in Connecticut. 3 season tire!

Check tire rack see how many sold compared to others and read the reviews.

I think they are outstanding!

They handle light snow and any other weather with aplomb!!!

[halfempty]

+1
An extra set of wheels is very handy. Our winters here will have weeks that are well below freezing, and then weeks that are in the 50s or higher. I will switch back to my summer set for warmer days just to save my winter tires from the unnecessary wear that comes with higher temps. It's tedious but worth it to me. I prefer this over the all-season option.

[JamesMA]

Absolutely - Oct/Nov thru sometime in zapril - it's a must in a RWD car IMHO. the myth is that you need AWD to have good traction in the winter and people have become used to the idea of All Season tires. All Season tires are generally crap - not good at anything really except if you have an AWD / heavy car. In a RWD car, a dedicated set of snows and separate set of summers gives you traction and performance when you need it.

[Derekrpd]

Thank you for all the replies fellas. I was very helpful. In Massachusetts the winters can obviously be long, cold, and snowy.

[scott13]

Originally Posted by Derekrpd

Do you guys swap out your summer tires when driving in the cold seasons or just keep them on? I'm assuming the M cars come stock with Michelin Pilots or some equivalent. Asking because I have a 335xi and want to get rid of the run flats but not sure I want to get in a situation of swapping wheels and tires every summer/winter. Thanks!

On a M car, or any car with RWD, my experience is that swapping out the summer tires is a must--they're useless (dangerous) in New England winter months.

But, since you're asking about a 335xi...you have AWD right? My previous car was a 335 with xDrive and it was perfectly fine through the winter on all seasons. Granted it will be *better* with a set of dedicated snows, but I never had any real problems on all seasons.

[M3SQRD]

I swap to winter performance tires on all of my cars during the winter months.

[BoxKing]

Never swap out my summers for winters... its been far cheaper to just rent a car the day before a snow fall, than it is to have an entire new set of wheels and rims, plus removal/install costs if you're not doing them on your own.

Its not just the simple math behind this, its the logic M3/M4's, should not be driven in during snow falls... and you should be smart enough to know that the tires dont grip at all under freezing temps, and not to mention when the roads have salt brine all over them, which make the conditions even worse.

RENT AN SUV.... 40-60/day... Ive only needed to do this a few times over the past 2 years - thats less than one tire.. and far less if you add a new winter rim to match.

[N54MPower]

Originally Posted by BoxKing

Never swap out my summers for winters... its been far cheaper to just rent a car the day before a snow fall, than it is to have an entire new set of wheels and rims, plus removal/install costs if you're not doing them on your own.

Its not just the simple math behind this, its the logic M3/M4's, should not be driven in during snow falls... and you should be smart enough to know that the tires dont grip at all under freezing temps, and not to mention when the roads have salt brine all over them, which make the conditions even worse.

RENT AN SUV.... 40-60/day... Ive only needed to do this a few times over the past 2 years - thats less than one tire.. and far less if you add a new winter rim to match.

This logic is based on the premise that you should only buy winter tires to drive in snow.

The reason for the winter tires in temps below 50 degrees F is the superior traction and braking offered by the compound optimized for driving in those conditions. It's far safer for the operator of the vehicle and everyone around them if the car is equipped with winter tires, not just for snow on the ground but for the overall conditions like black ice.

There's no way a car (especially a RWD car like the M3) accelerates the same or even close when comparing rock hard summer tires with winter tires below 50 degrees. The improved braking is hands down better even in dry conditions with winter tires in the cold versus summer tires. The safety factor far exceeds the cost of the additional wheels and tires.

[Mandi90TT]

Originally Posted by BoxKing

its the logic M3/M4's, should not be driven in during snow falls... a

Huh. I must have missed that in my owner's manual. Did you get a special version of it? Or, maybe you got a special M3/4 that shuts down at the sight of snow? Your loss, buddy, your loss.

Me, I will enjoy my M year round, rain, snow, sleet, and sunshine.

[BoxKing]

I daily my car like a Mailman!

As far as driving under certain temps with winter tires.. to comment on the above; Winter Tires or even specialized Summers can only help aid someone that knows how to drive in certain conditions, they do not make a inexperienced operator better (maybe luckier). For instance, I do not put the car under WOT unless the tire temps/conditions are ideal.

[TooFan328i]

I have had the car for 3 years now. This is the first year I put winters on, and man what a difference. The summer tires are like bricks in cold weather. The summers yield harsh rides and have literally no grip even on dry days in winters. I would have never realized this huge difference had I not switched this time.

[hilld]

I run a winter / summer setup. My summers are the stock staggered 19" 437M's and for a winter setup I run some square Apex 18" wheels with Michelin Alpin PA4 245/40-18 winter performance tires. I prefer the 18's in the winter due to more pot holes and generally shittier roads. It gives extra .5" of rubber before the wheel makes contact with the road, meaning a little bit more protection.

Like other have said, I switch in Oct and Apr generally, unless the weather dictates otherwise. Generally summer tires lose grip below 45* F, due to the harder rubber. Winter tires suck (squirley) above 60*F generally and will wear faster.