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[tomob63]

I have Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2's and do not like them at all on my E90

They are fantastic as performance winters, but forget it from a light dusting of snow and higher.

Have read a lot of positive info on the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R, however cannot find these in a size that will replace what I have in the rears.
I'm running 255/40/18 for the PA2s

Checked Tirerack, and Nokian site and cannot find a size.

Where on the internet can I purchase these tires, and what size is recommended for an 18x9.5 rim?

[signes]

I have the Hakka Rs in 245/40 on OEM 18s. It really is the only size option that works for the E9x in 18. As you have seen Tire Rack and other online sites do not carry them (there are some smaller ones and a few in Canada but didn't want to go with a less established site.) I wound up getting them locally as there were a few dealers here that sell a lot of Nokians.

I assume you are going to replace all four tires, correct? The wording of your post kind of implies that. Wouldn't recommend mixing.

I've had most other brands of snows and nothing so far can touch these tires in the snow and ice. Be aware that they are very squishy so you will give up a lot in the way of dry traction but IMO well worth the trade off for the snow traction they provide.

[signes]

This was one website that I considered. There is another place

https://www.tiresbyweb.com/p-8972-no...a-r-tires.aspx

There was a place I went to in Chicago when I lived there that was decent. Search for Nokian in the city and it should come up.

[Ryan@IND]

the 245/40-18 is really the only option available for the Nokian HAKKAPELIITTA R

we are a vendor for Nokian tires, shoot me a pm if you need a set.

[Auto]

Nokian tyres are amazing, drive'em here in sweden for ever. No issues!

[567567567]

http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...akkapeliitta+R

[BMRLVR]

Never used them on an M3 or BMW before but I did use them on my VW Golf 1.8T and I have to say I have never used a set of tires before or after the Hakka R's that can compare. These things were so good that you had to pull slowly into the driveway or the car would climb up the side of the house

Seriously though, the Hakka R's are probably the best winter tires available bar none, snow, ice, slush, it didn't matter. If you can find a size that works get them, you will not be dissapointed.

[enfield]

I went with a square setup. They make 235/40/18's and that's the size BMW recommends. I switched to the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R's from the PA2's and boy what a difference for the better!!

[AWD Addict]

I'm running the older version Rsi, which is a very similar tread pattern. Best winter tires I've ever driven on.

They're amazing.

I'm actually about to put a set of the Rs on soon.

[Hoyt]

How are the R's in the deeper snow.... Say around the 2-4 in depth?

[signes]

Don't know if would call 2-4 deep but they are best in snow like that. Deep slush or slimy old snow is the biggest challenge (apart from pure ice) IMO.

[Nitronic]

I run Hakkapeliitta R on my OEM 19". They are perfect and haven't had any trouble here in snowy Finland!

[m3tor]

Originally Posted by enfield

I went with a square setup. They make 235/40/18's and that's the size BMW recommends. I switched to the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R's from the PA2's and boy what a difference for the better!!

Are you still happy with the Hakka Rs on your M3? And could I ask you where you bought them please? I'm in the GTA. I'm thinking about switching out of my PA3s for some better snows (also in a 235/40/18) and have always wanted to try Hakkapeliittas. Thanks

[stefan]

Nokian's are the best tires I've ever run in winter. I've generally owned sporty cars but here's how I would rank the winter tires I've tried. I've been religious about documenting and noting tire differences over the last few winters. Most of these were on BMWs (325is, E46 M3, E92 M3) and the Dunlops were actually on a GR STi.

1. Nokain Hakka R's
2. Blizzak WS-60
3. Blizzak LM-60
4. Pirelli Sottozero
5. Blizzak LM-25 (discontinued)
6. Michelin X-Ice
7. Dunlop Wintersport 3D (terrible)

[m3tor]

Originally Posted by stefan

Nokian's are the best tires I've ever run in winter. I've generally owned sporty cars but here's how I would rank the winter tires I've tried. I've been religious about documenting and noting tire differences over the last few winters. Most of these were on BMWs (325is, E46 M3, E92 M3) and the Dunlops were actually on a GR STi.

1. Nokain Hakka R's
2. Blizzak WS-60
3. Blizzak LM-60
4. Pirelli Sottozero
5. Blizzak LM-25 (discontinued)
6. Michelin X-Ice
7. Dunlop Wintersport 3D (terrible)

Thanks for the awesome information! Much appreciated!

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by stefan

Nokian's are the best tires I've ever run in winter. I've generally owned sporty cars but here's how I would rank the winter tires I've tried. I've been religious about documenting and noting tire differences over the last few winters. Most of these were on BMWs (325is, E46 M3, E92 M3) and the Dunlops were actually on a GR STi.

1. Nokain Hakka R's
2. Blizzak WS-60
3. Blizzak LM-60
4. Pirelli Sottozero
5. Blizzak LM-25 (discontinued)
6. Michelin X-Ice
7. Dunlop Wintersport 3D (terrible)

I have run Nokian Hakka R and they are very good serious snow tires and not very good for dry performance.

I have run Blizzak WS60 and they are also very good serious snow tires and not very good for dry performance. The WS70 are little better overall from my understanding.

I have run Michelin X-Ice and they are pretty good serious snow tires and OK in dry weather.

I have run Dunlop Wintersport 3D and they are OK snow tires and pretty good in dry weather.

You have to make a compromise. The really serious snow tires are miserable when the roads are dry and you want to go fast. The snow tires that handle pretty well on dry roads are merely OK in the snow. Since the roads are not terrible all the time, I have compromised towards better handling the last few times I have bought tires. I used to compromise the other way.

A serious snow tire that I like a lot and that is not on the copied list because it is available only in smaller diameters is the Continental Extreme Winter Contact. I put a set of those on my wife's 535xi and they are not jiggly like the Hakka R or WS60, are pretty good in the snow, and offer decent handling on dry pavement for a serious snow tire. No chance for an M3 fit the last time I checked sizes.

My 99M3 is on X-Ice and my 08M3 is on WinterSport 3D, here in NH where we usually get 5-10 feet of snow per year.

[signes]

Good summary from both of you. There is a pretty big tradeoff between pure ice/snow tires and "performance" winters. I have erred on the side of maximum snow grip given my need to drive in the mountains in snow, but I pay a big price when it is dry. Really squishy tires that do not offer much dry performance compared to the capabilities of the car. When they were new it was almost laughable when I first tried going around a corner at "normal" speed...

[stefan]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

I have run Nokian Hakka R and they are very good serious snow tires and not very good for dry performance.

I have run Blizzak WS60 and they are also very good serious snow tires and not very good for dry performance. The WS70 are little better overall from my understanding.

I have run Michelin X-Ice and they are pretty good serious snow tires and OK in dry weather.

I have run Dunlop Wintersport 3D and they are OK snow tires and pretty good in dry weather.

You have to make a compromise. The really serious snow tires are miserable when the roads are dry and you want to go fast. The snow tires that handle pretty well on dry roads are merely OK in the snow. Since the roads are not terrible all the time, I have compromised towards better handling the last few times I have bought tires. I used to compromise the other way.

A serious snow tire that I like a lot and that is not on the copied list because it is available only in smaller diameters is the Continental Extreme Winter Contact. I put a set of those on my wife's 535xi and they are not jiggly like the Hakka R or WS60, are pretty good in the snow, and offer decent handling on dry pavement for a serious snow tire. No chance for an M3 fit the last time I checked sizes.

My 99M3 is on X-Ice and my 08M3 is on WinterSport 3D, here in NH where we usually get 5-10 feet of snow per year.

Agreed on most fronts, except the Dunlops (I'll get to that). I am mainly coming from a snow/ice perspective. However, have you tried the new Blizzak LM-60s? They have enormously good dry performance, and as a result that is what I'd run on the M3. Sottozero's now just to try something new. Similar dry performance with better snow performance from the Blizzak's.

Yeah the Hakka's are soft tires for sure but that's what makes them so solid in bad conditions. As for the Dunlops, I found that not only were they basically miserable in very cold snow conditions, but the dry performance despite being decent was incredibly noisy. Probably the noisiest winter tire in the dry I have ever run.

[pbonsalb]

Have not tried LM60s, but from what I have read, I would try them. They are not a serious snow tire. They are more of a compromise tire, with OK dry road handling and OK snow handling. I would probably like them.

As I wrote, the decision is a compromise and I have gone both ways over the years. If you really have to get somewhere in a lot of snow and this is your only car, you want the hard core snow tires that handle miserably on dry roads. When I had one car and was driving 20k per year, I ran the hardcore snows and suffered on dry pavement.