DC Metro area and Snow tires...

[Sandman99]

Does anyone living in the DC Metro area put snow tires on their M3s over the winter?

[Lorde]

Originally Posted by Sandman99

Does anyone living in the DC Metro area put snow tires on their M3s over the winter?

I've seen an E92 do it. I personally don't have a spare set of wheels (yet). Best just to keep the M in the garage or wait til the roads clear.

[LucWerkz]

I use summer tires in DC and Pittsburgh during the winter....which I don't recommend at all. Traction is gone with 0.5 inches of snow on the ground.

[richardbb85]

i did for the last 2 winters, glad i didnt do it this winter.

[cotmfk]

335 here, but I use snow tires. Stock wheels for snows, aftermarket for summer. It definitely makes a big difference. I am 450+wtq, but I don't fear the snow.

[blackbeast535]

I use the Pirelli Soto Zero's staggered setup. Well worth the investment this winter where I live. Only had trouble one when I was stuck on a hill in traffic and the road was a sheet of ice.

[Blade929]

I do. Blizzaks on my stock wheels

[Lorde]

Originally Posted by Blade929

I do. Blizzaks on my stock wheels

Blizzaks, or any other dedicated snow tire will work wonders in comparison to the stock summers.

[Boost3dm3]

also running blizzaks and tire rack wheel package

[Sandman99]

Thanks everyone...looks like winter tires are the consensus...

One more question...I am supposed to receive delivery of my M3 towards end of March...probably late enough in the season to not worry about winter tires until next winter?

Thoughts?

[Pat@sonictuning]

Originally Posted by Sandman99

Thanks everyone...looks like winter tires are the consensus...

One more question...I am supposed to receive delivery of my M3 towards end of March...probably late enough in the season to not worry about winter tires until next winter?

Thoughts?

By that time you'll be fine. Shouldn't have to worry about buying winter tires. The tires I run in the winter which I love are the Conti DWS.

[mdosu]

yeah, if you're getting your car in March, I wouldn't install winter tires for this year, it's too late. The general rule of thumb is, if temperatures are consistantly below 40 degrees daily, then it's time for winter tires.


This is the first year I installed snow tires. Prior to this, I've always used all-season tires during winter time. It's impossible for me to gauge how much better snow tires are vs all-seasons, since it hasn't really snowed this year in DC.

I think 2 weeks ago, there was sleet and some (1/2 inch?) accumulation on the ground, my snow tires handled it like a champ, but my old all-seasons would have no issues either.

March is actually a good time to start looking for winter tires for the next winter season. Alot of new and used tires out there for sale.

[CDM3DCT]

Winter tires with the winter we are having this year and the past 2 years?


HA!...

[besiktas]

I have a winterset that i am trying to sell because i am moving to houston in april.
The tires have about 1000 miles on it and the wheels are 18" OEM silver.
PM me if interested.
They are mounted and balanced already so all you have to do is put them on.

[checkmate]

Originally Posted by besiktas

I have a winterset that i am trying to sell because i am moving to houston in april.
The tires have about 1000 miles on it and the wheels are 18" OEM silver.
PM me if interested.
They are mounted and balanced already so all you have to do is put them on.

great condition unused tires-good seller.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by CDM3DCT

Winter tires with the winter we are having this year and the past 2 years?


HA!...

yeah, exactly, I regret buying my snow tires this year, or even mounting winter tires this year....They're coming off in about 2 months from today, there goes another $120+ of dismount/mounting fees...

i should have just made the winter wheel investment.

[Sandman99]

Originally Posted by CDM3DCT

Winter tires with the winter we are having this year and the past 2 years?


HA!...

Obviously snow had been almost non-existent the past 2 years...but doesn't just the cold temps affect the performance of the tires?

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by Sandman99

Obviously snow had been almost non-existent the past 2 years...but doesn't just the cold temps affect the performance of the tires?

yes, but we haven't gotten the really cold temps, or any consistency in those temps this year. Our cold temps are around 20 degrees, so I can't feel the difference on my summer tires. Just to be on the safe side, I decide to swap this winter, i did it in mid-January too. I usually swap around November. My summer tires go back on in April.

It's ice that you have to worry about with summer tires.

I don't drive my car to work, so this car gets most of it's work over the weekends and about 3 weekday nights a week. I was really debating this year whether I could get away with summers this year. I woudl have limited my driving during certain days....

[besiktas]

Yes cold temperatures affect the performance but snow tires are not necessary with cold temperatures. just dont drive as if you are racing in cold weather.

but the question is, what are the odds of having 3 consecutive historically warm winters in a row?
so probably a cold winter is coming next year.

The other advantage of having a second set is (based on my recent experience) if you destroy your tire on a saturday when dealers are closed. you can switch the 2 tires on that axle and continue driving until the dealers open, order the tire and have it ready.

It also pays off when you drive to a ski resort and you end up having a blizzard. I got out of 8 inches of snow with these tires when my friends X6 got stuck. (it was very embarrassing for him)

[Sandman99]

Originally Posted by mdosu

I don't drive my car to work, so this car gets most of it's work over the weekends and about 3 weekday nights a week. I was really debating this year whether I could get away with summers this year. I woudl have limited my driving during certain days....

If I move forward with the M3, it would be a DD for me...so I guess it is even more important to have a winter wheel/tire setup...

[huyner328]

I was going to get snow tires/wheels but decided to get a beater instead.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by Sandman99

If I move forward with the M3, it would be a DD for me...so I guess it is even more important to have a winter wheel/tire setup...

i would say you should get the winter tires if it's a DD.

You need to also do the calculation on mounting costs to figure out whether in your timeframe it's worth buying just a dedicated wheel setup and you can just install yourself. For me it was 5 seasons (10 swaps for winter-summer, summer-winter) which is my breakeven.

I think by next winter I'm at a breakeven point, beyond it, it would be cheaper for me to buy the wheel setup. I'm banking on the moving out of DC area to California. You may be banking on length of car ownership or moving, and factor time and effort, etc. I do my swaps at the dealership, so I get a loaner and save on time.