Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[mdosu]

I have two questions as I shop for winter tires:
I live in an area that'll only recieve on average 3 snow days a year, and it's not deep and usually melts the next day. Mostly it's just cold and wet winters.


1. Can I get by with just winter tires in the rear and PS2 in the front? (i know it's a bit risky, but I feel like given my area conditions, it should be okay.)

2. Can i run 245/40/18 in the front and 235/40/18 in the rear? (again I feel like given my conditions, I should be okay, I don't plan on going over 100 mph)

thanks

[richardbb85]

dude, we had more than 10 snow days last year......

this year is going to be worst!!!!

[montreal red]

if you dont get a lot of snow days then just dont drive the car when there's a lot of ice and snow out. dont mix winter and summer tires... you'll really screw up your handling. you wont be able to steer the car properly with ps2s in the front under icy conditions.

[signes]

1. You will have great traction so you go off at the first hint of a turn at maximum speed

2. Should drive as well as a forklift.

Seriously, those are both completely absurd. Either don't drive it on snow/cold days or buy a set of performance oriented winters (like PA3, Wintersport M3). BTW, PS2s on cold wet roads (no snow) can easily mean crash. Hard Z-rated rubber does not do well below 40 deg ambient. Add moisture and you're asking for trouble.

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by mdosu

1. Can I get by with just winter tires in the rear and PS2 in the front?

Wish I had read more before I thought I could make it back home with some snow. PS2s are absolute crap in winter conditions. And no, I'm not blaming the tires; they're NOT designed for it. I just mistakenly thought they were better, that's all. THEY ARE NOT. Lost control of my car... on a freaking straight road, for crying out loud. Must have hit something (a cockroach, for all I know); probably a small pothole, or even a wind gust that put some lateral load on my car and I was at 45º the next second. Not fun, especially on your birthday . Please don't do the same mistake I made. I hardly ever snows here, but next time a storm is anywhere close to where I'm going, car will stay parked in the garage. Can't justify winter wheels and tires for one or two days a year; I can use other cars.

Originally Posted by signes

BTW, PS2s on cold wet roads (no snow) can easily mean crash.

After my accident, was losing traction at the least provocation when heading back, with just wet roads (around freezing). And yes, DSC is always on, but wasn't any help that day. I'm only going to use my M3 in winter when there's zero chance of rain 500 miles around. That day it was supposed to be dry, but a freak storm turned south rather than east (never snows around here). And if I ever catch another one, I'm staying the hell put . This car would be perfect with ultra-high-peformance all-season tires, or even high-performance all-season: all the grip you need on the streets, plus adequate winter performance for those few days a year you need it. And the worst news is nobody makes anything other than summer tires for our 19" sizes yet. Guess I'm stuck with PS2s for now.

[jrlee53]

Winter tires for all 4 corners are a must if its your only car or daily driver. I have Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's on my 19's last year and it was more than adequate to get me through the rough stuff. If it gets really heavy, just don't drive out, where would you need to go in a 6 ft snow storm? I'd just call a taxi for emergencies since some are using SUV's now. No point in driving summer tires at all in the winter, especially in the front where the steering is done.

[mdosu]

yeah i got it now..i just trying to throw some absurd options out there.

I'll probably just go with high performance all-seasons with the suggested 235/40/18 on all corners.

[gthal]

Originally Posted by mdosu

1. Can I get by with just winter tires in the rear and PS2 in the front? (i know it's a bit risky, but I feel like given my area conditions, it should be okay.)

This... in my opinion... is insane!

[mdosu]

would 245/40/18 on all 4 corners be okay?

[M3 Esq]

Originally Posted by mdosu

would 245/40/18 on all 4 corners be okay?

Are you putting them on the stock wheels? If so, I am not sure 245/40 will give you enough coverage in the rear. You would be safer running 255/40. Check the winter tire sticky as it has a lot of information on winter tire set-ups, including proper sizing.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by McLoven

Are you putting them on the stock wheels? If so, I am not sure 245/40 will give you enough coverage in the rear. You would be safer running 255/40. Check the winter tire sticky as it has a lot of information on winter tire set-ups, including proper sizing.

thanks, I figure since the manual allows for 235/40/18 for all corners with M&S tires, the 245 size should be okay too.

[signes]

The 235/40 suggestion in the manual is for their winter wheel set (8x18 IIRC), won't fit on OEM rears. I run 245/40 all around on OEM 18s and haven't had any issues. Pretty stretched on the rears but within mfg tolerances. Ideal setup would be to run 4 front OEM 18 fronts, just hard to find somebody willing to sell 2 fronts only (and too expensive to buy new.)