Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[mdrobc13]

Originally Posted by gsrbri

I'm interested, if you still have them. I'll shoot you a note. -Brian

Sold a month ago. Sorry.

[nolan12]

Thanks Ben for helping me out and purchasing one of these.

[gobrigavitch]

I just bought a used 2009 E90 M3 this spring. It came with the stock 18 inch wheels which have a little road rash on all 4. I think I'll buy some new Apex ARC-8's for the summer and use these for the winter since they show some wear and tear already anyway. Ideally I'd like to go non-staggered, but my thinking is it's likely not worth it since I have these wheels already.

Here in Saskatchewan we don't get many big snow falls, but it rarely get's above freezing from December to March. The smaller residential roads can get some significant ruts by March and all the roads are prone to getting very icey. I'd like winter tires that will maintain good ground clearance and have really good ice traction. What would you recommend for the stock OEM 18's for tires given those requirements?

[mazing]

Originally Posted by gsrbri

I'm interested, if you still have them. I'll shoot you a note. -Brian

I have a set of replica M3 18" wheels with Conti DWS and TPMS sensors that I may look to sell. The have about 5K on them only been through 2 winters. They were for my 2009 M sport 335I. Not sure if you are still in the market for tires. What year is the car you are looking to put them on?

[mazing]

Originally Posted by ben@tirerack

Either would work, the Dunlop will look a bit more stretched, but technically they do fit a 10" wheel per the manufacturer's guidelines. The Dunlops look like they're sold out for the season, at least from our stock. Dunlop will be a little better handling on clear roads, Blizzak a little better in severe weather.

Ben
I have a set of 18" replica M rims from my 2009 335i M Sport that I want to use on my 2011 M3 as a winter setup.
The front is:
Size/Offset:18x8.0 ET35
The rear is:
Size/Offset:18x9.0 ET35
Can I use these on my new car?
I also have TPMS Sensors that were purchased back in October 2009 as well (I have heard that those won't work with 2011) Is that true?
If so how much is it going to cost to run this setup on my 2011 M3, I am sure I need spacers (and probably longer bolts) and new TPMS sensors.
Can you quote?

[gemini330zhp]

Hey Ben I want to put Blizzak LM 60 on stock 18s.

I was considering fr 245/40/18 dia 25.7
rr 265/35/18 dia 25.3

or fr 245/40/18 dia 25.7
rr 275/35/18 dia 25.6

Would either combo work??? Thanks for any info

[gobrigavitch]

I've heard really good things about Nokian winter tires so I went to a local shop that sells them. I want to use my OEM 18" rims for the winter and get some new summer rims. They make a 245/40-18 which is great on the front, but for the back I can get the 245/50-18 or a 255/45-18. The outside diameter on the 265/40-18 that are on now is 26.3. The 255/45-18 would be 27". Will I run into issues other than a slight speedo change with the bigger tires? The 245/40-18 would be about the same difference but smaller. I think 25.6 or so and would be really stretched on the back (If it's even within range at all)

If it's not going to work then I'll likely have to go with Blizzak LM-60's. How much ice traction will I be giving up going from the Nokians to the Blizzaks?

[cheekoman]

Originally Posted by pleahy

Here are some photos in relation to my post above. Hope that helps your winter setup decision making.

Hey pleahy... Thinking about buying the setup Ben recommends, however I'm wondering how far in the rear wheels sit? You're running that exact setup correct? Are you running a spacer in the rear to pop them out a bit?

I live in VT and even though we definitely get some inclement weather, I don't want my car looking "odd" for almost 6 months out of the year.

Do you have a photo showing this?

[cheekoman]

Anyone running a studded setup?

Living in VT, we have generally very cold temperatures and icy conditions from time to time. I also like to head up to the ski mountains pretty much every weekend. I'd be interested to see if anyone is running a studded setup for the winter. I imagine you can only buy studded tires in 18" sizes.

I'm hoping to get a full setup including studs for under 2k if possible.

[gthal]

I the conditions needed studs, I would likely not use the M3. To me, the M3 is a light to medium winter weather car. If snow is above 4" or 5", or if the conditions are really, really bad, I wouldn't drive it. But that's just me.

[cheekoman]

Originally Posted by gthal

I the conditions needed studs, I would likely not use the M3. To me, the M3 is a light to medium winter weather car. If snow is above 4" or 5", or if the conditions are really, really bad, I wouldn't drive it. But that's just me.

Good point...
I don't plan on driving it in really bad weather. My wife has an exploder I can drive on the really bad days, but I'm wondering if studs will be a good option for icy/cold weather conditions. I do understand that tire technology has come a long way, so if they're not needed then I'll go with studdless.

[884487]

gobrigavitch, have you read up on tirerack.com about the difference between Studless winter and Performance witner tires? Also Car and driver had a good article on witner tires http://www.caranddriver.com/features...mparison_tests

I debated Studless (Nokian Hakka R or Michelin X-ice) vs Perf winter (Blizzack LM-60) and decided to go with the LM-60s. My reasons, I am pretty confident in the snow and ice (Ice raced for years, drive with stability control off in winter) and would rather give up some snow/ice performance for crisper handling in the dry. For a perf winter, the LM60 leans more to snow/ice traction, less dry traction then the other perf winter tires.

[cheekoman]

Originally Posted by 884487

gobrigavitch, have you read up on tirerack.com about the difference between Studless winter and Performance witner tires? Also Car and driver had a good article on witner tires http://www.caranddriver.com/features...mparison_tests

I debated Studless (Nokian Hakka R or Michelin X-ice) vs Perf winter (Blizzack LM-60) and decided to go with the LM-60s. My reasons, I am pretty confident in the snow and ice (Ice raced for years, drive with stability control off in winter) and would rather give up some snow/ice performance for crisper handling in the dry. For a perf winter, the LM60 leans more to snow/ice traction, less dry traction then the other perf winter tires.

Thanks 8.... I'll check those out. Thanks for sending the link along... It was a good read.
CM

[gobrigavitch]

Originally Posted by 884487

I debated Studless (Nokian Hakka R or Michelin X-ice) vs Perf winter (Blizzack LM-60) and decided to go with the LM-60s. My reasons, I am pretty confident in the snow and ice (Ice raced for years, drive with stability control off in winter) and would rather give up some snow/ice performance for crisper handling in the dry. For a perf winter, the LM60 leans more to snow/ice traction, less dry traction then the other perf winter tires.

Where abouts in Canada do you live? Are the cleared roads mostly dry or icy? I'm thinking about going with the Hakkapalitas because here in Prince Albert we have alot of roads that don't get cleared well for weeks at a time. Some of the main roads get cleared within 2 days of a snowfall, but even then they can have ice at the intersections for weeks at a time. If we get a cold snap where the temp sticks below -20C for a week or two the roads get really slick as even the salt doesn't work. The residential roads only get cleared once or twice a year so they have packed snow and/or ice for the majority of winter. That's why I'm thinking that a really good snow/ice tire may be better for me than a performance winter. I'm not fully decided though.

The Hakkapalita's come in 245/40-18 or 255/45-18. The 245 will be about 2/3 of an inch too small and the 255 will be about 2/3 of an inch too big. If the 255 will fit I'm thinking more sidewall is likely better for extra clearance, but I've heard the M3 doesn't tolerate the extra height well so that's why I wouldn't to get other's opinions.

[Zzhou]

I found out that there are two different price for Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D 235/40R18, one is 212 each, and the other is 242 each, what difference between these two tires?

[abehwang]

Say I get the Sport Edition A7 18x8 all around with a 235/40/18 winter setup
Will it rub if I have 18mm front/15mm rear spacers?
I don't want to take the spacers on and off each year

[sandwood]

If anyone is interested, I'm shortly going to list a set of Sport Edition A7s with Michelin Pilot Alpin 235/40, 255/40 for sale. Rears have at least one winter left, fronts have lots of tread. I'll list them in the next week or so.

[abehwang]

Originally Posted by sandwood

If anyone is interested, I'm shortly going to list a set of Sport Edition A7s with Michelin Pilot Alpin 235/40, 255/40 for sale. Rears have at least one winter left, fronts have lots of tread. I'll list them in the next week or so.

PMed
dibs

[nmehta211]

Any particular reason why no one is selecting the Pirelli Scorpio setup in the exact sizes of the stock 18" setup? I need tires just for occasional snow and ice, but otherwise the car is garaged most of the week. A little too much snow for the all-season setup, but don't need the square setup.

Was thinking Pirelli in 245/40-18, and Pirelli 265/40-18.

[k5ng]

Originally Posted by zhouzitao

I found out that there are two different price for Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D 235/40R18, one is 212 each, and the other is 242 each, what difference between these two tires?

I also saw that while shopping for my set. Called Tirerack and was told that there is no difference. The $242 was made specific for a Mercedes. Why would anyone pay $30 more even if they had a Merc, I don't know. Ordered my staggered set with Ben at Tirerack and now ready for my E93's first NE winter.

[Zzhou]

Originally Posted by k5ng

I also saw that while shopping for my set. Called Tirerack and was told that there is no difference. The $242 was made specific for a Mercedes. Why would anyone pay $30 more even if they had a Merc, I don't know. Ordered my staggered set with Ben at Tirerack and now ready for my E93's first NE winter.

I been told by Ben the same thing. I ordered 235 front, 255 rear Dunlop 3D with A7, Scheduled Delivery: Oct 3. will but on my MY12 E92 for the first IN winter~

[GrussGott]

Hi guys,

Sorry, read the thread and am still confused. Will 245/40-18 square work on
The stock staggered 18s?

Or how about 245/40 up front with 245/45 rear? I'm in MN so I need real winter traction for snow and ice.

I'm hoping to stick with nokian wrg2 although if Ben has a good deal on equal or better tires ...

Thanks!