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[Ryan@IND]

I know that TireRack has a good guide on some of the best winter tires on the market. However, there are a couple of brands missing and i really wanted to share some information on the choices available.

With Winter just around the corner, most are looking to do a quick change to some winter tires on your daily BMW. Most consumers have very little experience when it comes to Winter Tires, and it is certainly information that is not easy to find.

This is by no means a comprehensive list but rather a guide to choose the tire that really suits your driving and weather conditions. Since many members, have different needs when it comes to widths and specs, i am not listing any specific combination.

* Please note that due the overwhelming amount of tire sizes available, I will list some of the most popular brands and we can discuss further on the M3 specific fitments.


Performance Winter


Blizzak LM-60 (Performance)



Bridgestone Blizzak designed to combine the basic tread design of the Blizzak WS60 with a high-silica tread compound to blend high-speed durability and dry-road cold weather handling with snow traction.

Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans

Features:
- Stable winter driving on dry/wet and snow-covered roads
- High silica content tread compound
- Bridgestone's Uni-T technology
- H - Rated (130mph)
- Available in RFT version (in limited sizing)

Sizes:
17" / 18" / 19" / 20"



Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 (Performance)



The Alpin PA3 was designed to retain the feel and precision of your ultra high performance sports car during the deep winters. Focus is on enhancing traction, handling on dry, wet and snow covered conditions.

Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans

Features:
- Sunflower oil-enriched Helio compound to increase low temp traction
- Asymmetic tread design with Variable Thickness Sipes (V.T.S) for both dry and wet handling
- Polyester cord body under twin steel belt construction, reinforced by BAZ technology for superior comfort and high-speed capability
- V - Rated (149mph)

Sizes:
16" / 17" / 18" / 19"


Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II (Performance)



Pirelli's premier winter performance tires developed for the sports car in mind. Developed with the philosophy that winter/snow tires must perform in a variety of unpredictable weather conditions, not just in the snow belt states.

Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans

Features:
- Features Pirelli's Temperature Dynamic Compound technology which optimizes wet and icy surface traction
- Interactive Brickwork Siping that increases both lateral and longitudinal stability with more biting edges for snow traction
- Twin steel belt reinforced with spiral wrapped polyamide construction (less sensitive to temp change)
- V - Rated (149 mph)
- Available in RFT version (in limited sizing)

Size:
17" / 18" / 19" / 20"


Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D (Performance)



Dunlop developed the SP Winter Sport 3D for those cars that come equipped with low profile tires. They are designed to provide dry, wet and snow-covered road competence by delivering traction throughout winter's cold temperatures.

Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans

Features:
- Reactive Silica mixing providing high elasticity at low temperatures for dependable grip
- Directional tread design reduces hydroplaning
- Three distinct traction zones: central for traction in acceleration and braking, Intermediate for high stability and control, 3D sipes in shoulder for increased dry road stability and handling
- Twin steel belt reinforced by Nylon to optimize contact patch
- Mix of H (130mph) / V (149mph) / W (168mph)
- Available in RFT version (in limited sizing)

Size:
15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19" / 20"



Vredestein Wintrac xtreme



Designed by Giugiaro, this is the premier high performance Winter tire by Vredestein. Low noise and enhanced tread life through even tire wear are key signature features of the Wintrac Xtreme.

Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans

Features:
- Straight sipes across the tread for a good grip on snow Zigzag sipes in the tread shoulders for perfect handling
- Increased grip on wet surfaces Excellent aquaplaning stability Good performance on snow and ice
- Low noise levels throughout the tire’s life-span Perfect driving performance in winter conditions
- Mix of H (130mph) / V (149mph) / W (168mph)

Size:
15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19" / 20"




Studless Ice/Snow



Blizzak WS60 (Studless Ice/Snow)



the Blizzak WS60 is Bridgestone's signature Studless Ice and Snow winter tire, developed for the everyday car. It is designed to deliver wintertime traction and control that inspires driver confidence by getting the most out of the vehicle's potential

Application:
- Coupes
- Sedans
- Minivans
- Light crossover vehicles

Features:
- Dual compound tread with silica-enhanced Tube Multi-cell compound (enhanced water repelling)
- Directional tread design that features independent tread block with 3-D zigzag to enhance grip
- Enhanced hydroplaning resistance
- R - Rated (106mph)

Sizes:
15" / 16" / 17" / 18"


Michelin Pilot X-Ice Xi2 (Studless Ice/Snow)



Michelin's studless ice and snow winter tires for the everyday driver that combines enhanced ice and snow traction with predictable wet and dry road handling.

Application:
- Coupes
- Sedans
- Minivans
- Light crossover vehicles

Features:
- Silica-based winter tread rubber compound
- Firm at high temperatures for wet and dry stability with flexibility at lower temps for snow and ice traction
- Directional tread design that helps evacuate water and slush
- Independent tread blocks for traction on ice and snow conditions
- Cross Z-sipes increase tread and shoulder block stability to provide lateral and longitudinal stiffness
- Twin steel belts reinforced by spirally wound nylon
- T - Rated (118mph)

Size:
13" / 14" / 15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19"


Nokian Hakkapeliitta R (Studless Ice/Snow)



Nokian Tyres invented the Winter tires in the 1930s. The Hakkapeliitta R is designed to function on all winter conditions and temperature fluctuations while maintaining grip on any road surface; ice, snow, wet or dry.

Application:
- Coupes
- Sedans
- Minivans
- Light crossover vehicles

Features:
- Pump Sipes efficiently wipes the wet ice dry and remove water at the point of contact
- Sharp shoulders improve lateral grip, Break booster and center rib to increase driving stability
- Ultra-low rolling resistance for increased fuel efficiency.
- Canola-silica compound in the tread improves the tire’s wet grip and reduces rolling resistance without compromising the tire’s good winter properties
- The Single Wire Bead structure ensures the durability of the tire, while lowering the tire’s rolling resistance, i.e. the tire rolls lightly
- R - Rated (106mph)

Size:
13" / 14" / 15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19" / 20"




All-Season Performance



Nokian Hakkapeliitta WR G2 ("Forget the Forecast" All Season)



This "All-weather Plus" tire is pretty unique to Nokian and truly offers the best performance in every season. The asymmetrical inside-out tread pattern different areas of the tread to focus on the different driving conditions you will encounter throughout the year.

Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans

Features:
- Asymmetrical treat pattern for diverse properties
- Unique design and siping of outer shoulder for easy handling and stability on all surfaces
- Innovative slush edge design ensure superb grip in winter conditions
- Center design features 3D siping for better handling and stability on wet and dry conditions
- Power on/off stabilizer improves stability in all driving conditions, especially in powerful accelerations
- Ultra-low rolling resistance for increased fuel efficiency.
- Mix of H (130mph) / V (149mph) / W (168mph)

Size:
13" / 14" / 15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19" / 20"


* Please direct sales iquiries to this thread (per forum regulations): http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=449739

[Crazy Bimmer]

Ah some tires that i didnt know were offered. Nice to have more options! Thanks wsto!

[JCtx]

Are any of those made in BOTH stock 19 sizes???? That's the $64K question . Thx.

[Brosef]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

Are any of those made in BOTH stock 19 sizes???? That's the $64K question . Thx.

the Wintersport, Sottozero and LM-60 are all available in a staggered size that would fit the OEM 19's:

235/35R19
255/35R19

[MShao825]

What a helpful breakdown. I'll be putting my Blizzak LM-60's back on tonight BRRR!

[MonteCarloM3]

thanks, curious no mention of the M3's though

[signes]

Nice write up, thanks. Nokians all the way for me.

[Ryan@IND]

Originally Posted by signes

Nice write up, thanks. Nokians all the way for me.

me too...

check out this consumer report on performance winter tires.

[Ryan@IND]

for those that do dedicated winter in those areas with deep snow, don't be afraid to go with a square 245/40-18 all around.

this is a great "dedicated" set up that you can use for quite some time and rotate as well. we usually do them with 18 - 8.5 wheels.

[worktom]

Good evening, have just bought the original BMW set here in Austria with the mentioned Michelin tyres. They usualy are among the best in every years consumer test. And I can use the 235/40/18 W with chains that are obligatory on some roads in Austrian winter.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Julius@WSTO

for those that do dedicated winter in those areas with deep snow, don't be afraid to go with a square 245/40-18 all around.

Hey Julius - I've got some 17" rims with 235/45 r17s currently mounted. Any chance I could buy a new set of tires to mount on those rims and they'd work on a 2011 m3 coupe?

Thanks!

[mwlmd]

17" wheels won't clear the front disc brakes. 18" is min.

[Ryan@IND]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Hey Julius - I've got some 17" rims with 235/45 r17s currently mounted. Any chance I could buy a new set of tires to mount on those rims and they'd work on a 2011 m3 coupe?

Thanks!

Originally Posted by mlaynemd

17" wheels won't clear the front disc brakes. 18" is min.

i have never done a 17" on the M3.

would have to know exactly which wheel (including specs) to even answer that question for you. Let me know which ones. but just by the tire size, i can tell it is going to look Horrible on the M3 as far as fitment goes. That looks like a 17 - 8.0".