Super Sport tires in the winter

Echo M3 · 12-19-2011, 11:30 AM

Before I get a deluge of posts telling me that I am insane to drive a car on summer performance tires in the winter, let me clearly state this: I IN NO WAY advocate driving your M3 in winter conditions with summer performance tires mounted. I WILL NOT drive my car even in a SMIDGE of snowy/icy weather. Ok, let's move on.

I had a set of Michelin Super Sport tires mounted a few weeks ago. Thus far, I am hugely impressed. Even in cold conditions (<32F), there is a surprising amount of traction, significantly more so than the PS2s I had previously. I am not comfortable with seriously hustling this car around in these temperatures, but I haven't seen a significant drop-off in grip or handling over the past 300-400 miles, which bodes well. I know that the tire construction is supposed to be superior in regards to wet and adverse weather when compared to the Michelin PS2, but...

Anyone else have a similar experience thus far? Or am I the only lunatic running summer tires in the winter?

EDIT: thanks for moving the thread

stefan · 12-19-2011, 12:11 PM

I think you'll be ok until -10*C even.. or whatever that is in F. It's snow that will really kill it at even relatively warm temperatures.

I drove PS2s in -5*C.. and before hating, know that it is unavoidable in Alberta. Drive started at 12*C and through mountain passes dropped. Grip was fine. No snow though.

smmmurf · 12-19-2011, 12:28 PM

Yep, it was 39-42F out yesterday and the grip was great.

SenorFunkyPants · 12-19-2011, 12:31 PM

I've also noticed a significant cold weather improvement in grip in the PSSs over the PS2s...even at 1C on a wet road, once I got the car rolling, I could pretty much get to full throttle in 1st with little wheelspin...Not something you could do with PS2s.

Nautik · 12-20-2011, 11:38 AM

I'm still on my PS2s. Winter set is in the garage ready to go but the bad weather seems to be coming really late this year.

I've been getting reasonable traction even out of the PS2s the couple of days it has been in the 20s, I guess it is just not recommended. However, I suspect the Winter sport tires would get better traction at the same temperature. We need Tirerack to do some testing:

Performance Summer tire in cold temps (no ice/snow) vs Winter Performance Tire in same conditions

I wonder how much the difference really is...

mmm def · 12-20-2011, 01:24 PM

you can run summer tires in the winter if you are smart & careful, as long as it is dry. If it's wet/snowing/slippery-- I'll just leave it at we told you so.

Denk · 12-21-2011, 12:23 AM

I've got 3K ml's on my PSS's. I've been really impressed with them also this winter, even when having a little fun (dry roads). Great tire!

Powerslide · 12-24-2011, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefan

I think you'll be ok until -10*C even.. or whatever that is in F. It's snow that will really kill it at even relatively warm temperatures.

I drove PS2s in -5*C.. and before hating, know that it is unavoidable in Alberta. Drive started at 12*C and through mountain passes dropped. Grip was fine. No snow though.

Here in chi-town I've driven with ps2's in subzero (dry) conditions - I drove it like a regular, ordinary everyday car and it was fine (did not push it at all). This is actually the first year I've had winter tires (PA3) and can't wait to try in snow... But yes - PS2's will handle just fine in very cold temps as long as you drive carefully and there is no snow or ice on road...

jwarner · 12-24-2011, 10:52 AM

2 nights ago I drove in 26 deg weather, with frosty, icy conditions on the road with my Conti3s and the car was fine.

If it snows, as others have stated, the grip goes away as the sipes don't clear themselves of snow (the tires become skis).

I live in the Pacific NW near Seattle and my car is my daily driver. I haven't felt compelled to change tires this winter, because if it snows I just won't drive the M3.

Traction is definitely reduced in the colder temps, but driving smartly and cautiously I do not have concerns.

Road noise also seems to have increased, I attribute this to the tires being less compliant due to the cold temperatures.

YMMV.

PhillyNate · 12-24-2011, 11:03 AM

This is my first car with dedicated summer performance tires (PS2's). I have not experienced one traction episode yet. I have 2500 miles on mine and haven't driven in temps less than 37 degrees. I also drive with all the electronic nannys on in cold temps. I'm fairly impressed thus far. I thought surely these tires would be the equivalent of driving on an ice rink. They're not thank god. I can drive this car in winter without swapping wheels. Again, thank god.

bobbyd1961 · 12-24-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pman10

Before I get a deluge of posts telling me that I am insane to drive a car on summer performance tires in the winter, let me clearly state this: I IN NO WAY advocate driving your M3 in winter conditions with summer performance tires mounted. I WILL NOT drive my car even in a SMIDGE of snowy/icy weather. Ok, let's move on.

I had a set of Michelin Super Sport tires mounted a few weeks ago. Thus far, I am hugely impressed. Even in cold conditions (<32F), there is a surprising amount of traction, significantly more so than the PS2s I had previously. I am not comfortable with seriously hustling this car around in these temperatures, but I haven't seen a significant drop-off in grip or handling over the past 300-400 miles, which bodes well. I know that the tire construction is supposed to be superior in regards to wet and adverse weather when compared to the Michelin PS2, but...

Anyone else have a similar experience thus far? Or am I the only lunatic running summer tires in the winter?

EDIT: thanks for moving the thread

i thought the same however still put the snows on

elh0102 · 12-24-2011, 12:10 PM

I think the PSS is fine for most winter weather, short of standing ice or snow. Most folks don't push these tires near their warm weather limit, and may not realize the true potential of the tire. The M3 power delivery, being so weak in the lower rpm range, makes the car very driveable with most any tire in the winter. I spent a couple of years in a ZO6, and a car with so much low end torque makes winter driving much more challenging.

prichards516 · 12-24-2011, 02:32 PM

i went through last winter on summer tires just fine, was just extra careful and didnt drive in the snow/ice.

F82_SID · 12-29-2011, 11:40 AM

Im running Super Sports here in Denver with all the snow and Ice. I will say that they seem to do way better the than PS2s. Although, I dont drive the car in snow or ice if possible but there are many occasions where I get caught in a storm or find snowy patches on the side streets. My PS2s were worthless on anything but dry pavement.

12-19-2011, 11:30 AM	#1
Echo M3 Major 123 Rep 1,432 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Super Sport tires in the winter Before I get a deluge of posts telling me that I am insane to drive a car on summer performance tires in the winter, let me clearly state this: I IN NO WAY advocate driving your M3 in winter conditions with summer performance tires mounted. I WILL NOT drive my car even in a SMIDGE of snowy/icy weather. Ok, let's move on. I had a set of Michelin Super Sport tires mounted a few weeks ago. Thus far, I am hugely impressed. Even in cold conditions (<32F), there is a surprising amount of traction, significantly more so than the PS2s I had previously. I am not comfortable with seriously hustling this car around in these temperatures, but I haven't seen a significant drop-off in grip or handling over the past 300-400 miles, which bodes well. I know that the tire construction is supposed to be superior in regards to wet and adverse weather when compared to the Michelin PS2, but... Anyone else have a similar experience thus far? Or am I the only lunatic running summer tires in the winter? EDIT: thanks for moving the thread Last edited by Echo M3; 12-19-2011 at 11:35 AM..
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12-19-2011, 12:11 PM	#2
stefan Brigadier General 2350 Rep 4,253 Posts Drives: M2 Comp Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North iTrader: (2)	I think you'll be ok until -10C even.. or whatever that is in F. It's snow that will really kill it at even relatively warm temperatures. I drove PS2s in -5C.. and before hating, know that it is unavoidable in Alberta. Drive started at 12C and through mountain passes dropped. Grip was fine. No snow though. __________________ ///M* Power
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12-19-2011, 12:28 PM	#3
smmmurf Colonel 309 Rep 2,189 Posts Drives: E92 M3 DCT 353k+ miles Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Half Moon Bay, CA iTrader: (7)	Yep, it was 39-42F out yesterday and the grip was great.
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12-19-2011, 12:31 PM	#4
SenorFunkyPants Brigadier General 2511 Rep 4,381 Posts Drives: 2019 M5 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I've also noticed a significant cold weather improvement in grip in the PSSs over the PS2s...even at 1C on a wet road, once I got the car rolling, I could pretty much get to full throttle in 1st with little wheelspin...Not something you could do with PS2s.
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12-20-2011, 11:38 AM	#5
Nautik Captain 37 Rep 636 Posts Drives: 2009 AW M3 DCT Join Date: May 2010 Location: NoVA iTrader: (0)	I'm still on my PS2s. Winter set is in the garage ready to go but the bad weather seems to be coming really late this year. I've been getting reasonable traction even out of the PS2s the couple of days it has been in the 20s, I guess it is just not recommended. However, I suspect the Winter sport tires would get better traction at the same temperature. We need Tirerack to do some testing: Performance Summer tire in cold temps (no ice/snow) vs Winter Performance Tire in same conditions I wonder how much the difference really is... __________________ 2009 e92 M3 - AW DCT - Apex Arc8s - Corsa
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12-20-2011, 01:24 PM	#6
mmm def Colonel 144 Rep 2,610 Posts Drives: 21 330, 19 ND2 RF, 11 RX350 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	you can run summer tires in the winter if you are smart & careful, as long as it is dry. If it's wet/snowing/slippery-- I'll just leave it at we told you so.
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12-21-2011, 12:23 AM	#7
Denk Brigadier General 1006 Rep 3,341 Posts Drives: 2021 X5M Join Date: May 2011 Location: PNW iTrader: (2)	I've got 3K ml's on my PSS's. I've been really impressed with them also this winter, even when having a little fun (dry roads). Great tire!
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12-24-2011, 10:52 AM	#9
jwarner Private 6 Rep 87 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 Alpine White ZCP Join Date: May 2011 Location: Bend, OR iTrader: (2)	2 nights ago I drove in 26 deg weather, with frosty, icy conditions on the road with my Conti3s and the car was fine. If it snows, as others have stated, the grip goes away as the sipes don't clear themselves of snow (the tires become skis). I live in the Pacific NW near Seattle and my car is my daily driver. I haven't felt compelled to change tires this winter, because if it snows I just won't drive the M3. Traction is definitely reduced in the colder temps, but driving smartly and cautiously I do not have concerns. Road noise also seems to have increased, I attribute this to the tires being less compliant due to the cold temperatures. YMMV. __________________ Jason - Bend, OR 2011.5 E92 - Alpine White DCT ZCP Dinan: Exhaust, Intake, ECU, UD Pulley, Pedals; AFE: Air Scoops;
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12-24-2011, 11:03 AM	#10
PhillyNate ENTHUSIAST 135 Rep 2,097 Posts Drives: 2010 Porsche Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Philadelphia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 Porsche Cayman [0.00]	This is my first car with dedicated summer performance tires (PS2's). I have not experienced one traction episode yet. I have 2500 miles on mine and haven't driven in temps less than 37 degrees. I also drive with all the electronic nannys on in cold temps. I'm fairly impressed thus far. I thought surely these tires would be the equivalent of driving on an ice rink. They're not thank god. I can drive this car in winter without swapping wheels. Again, thank god. __________________ "what I'm driving here...is an ending." Jeremy Clarkson 2010 Carrara White Porsche Cayman 6mt 2014 Whiteout Toyota GT-86 6mt(Sold 05/23/15) 2011 Alpine White BMW M3 6mt ZCP Coupe(forced retirement 06/06/14) 2008 Alpine White BMW 328i 6mt Coupe(retired 06/21/11)
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12-24-2011, 12:10 PM	#12
elh0102 Captain 15 Rep 751 Posts Drives: 2009 335i coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I think the PSS is fine for most winter weather, short of standing ice or snow. Most folks don't push these tires near their warm weather limit, and may not realize the true potential of the tire. The M3 power delivery, being so weak in the lower rpm range, makes the car very driveable with most any tire in the winter. I spent a couple of years in a ZO6, and a car with so much low end torque makes winter driving much more challenging.
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12-24-2011, 02:32 PM	#13
prichards516 Lieutenant 30 Rep 482 Posts Drives: e92 M3 zcp Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (2)	i went through last winter on summer tires just fine, was just extra careful and didnt drive in the snow/ice.
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12-29-2011, 11:40 AM	#14
F82_SID Brigadier General 208 Rep 3,153 Posts Drives: 2020 M2C 6mt HK Silver Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Denver, CO. USA iTrader: (2)	Im running Super Sports here in Denver with all the snow and Ice. I will say that they seem to do way better the than PS2s. Although, I dont drive the car in snow or ice if possible but there are many occasions where I get caught in a storm or find snowy patches on the side streets. My PS2s were worthless on anything but dry pavement. __________________ 2011/E92/M3/MR/BB/ZCV/ZP2/EDC/2MT
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