Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[WarrantyTracker]

It's time to start thinking about winter tires. I bought a set of stock 18" OEM rims and TPMs used from a forum member, and now I need the meat.

I was thinking Alpin PA2s are the right size and seem to have a lot of fans. Unfortunately the Alpin PA3s don't fit. Are the PA2s still everybody's favorite, or have they been unseated?

TIA

[freeman727]

What about the Dunlop Wintersport 3D?

[BMW Fanatic]

If you want the ultimate snow tire I'd go with Blizzak WS60/WS70. If you won't see that many days of snow in the year then I'd definitely go with the LM60's as it is way more performance orientated.

[WarrantyTracker]

Originally Posted by BMW Fanatic

If you want the ultimate snow tire I'd go with Blizzak WS60/WS70. If you won't see that many days of snow in the year then I'd definitely go with the LM60's as it is way more performance orientated.

Thanks. Not likely to see much actual snow unless I get caught out by it on my way home from somewhere, which does happen but not too often. So LM-60s would be better.

Thing is, I'm putting this on the stock 18s, not the 19s. There's no 235/40R18 for the front, though there is a 255/40R18 for the rear.

Can I get away with 235/45R18 front and 255/45R18 for the rear? LM-60 is available in those sizes, and would be $160 cheaper than the Alpin PA2s.

[WarrantyTracker]

Originally Posted by freeman727

What about the Dunlop Wintersport 3D?

Some people seem to like them. The few people I've seen comment after having both liked the Alpins better. The thing that makes me nervous is that the front size 235/40R18 is on closeout. So if I trashed one, I couldn't get a replacement.

[remmib]

I see the PA4 will be out this winter, so I guess the PA2 are getting quite old.

[BMW Fanatic]

I don't think the front can clear a 235/45/18 but then again I run 19's in summer and a 235/40/18 square set-up in winter. I'm sure somebody else will chime in but right now I am 95% sure that it won't work.