E46 M3 Winter Options

[Tvan]

I am about to get some OEM 19" Style 67's for my E46 M3 to get through this winter. Can't run 18's because they won't clear the brakes...

My tire question is which makes the most sense between the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60's and the Continental Extremecontact DWS All-seasons?

I live in Chicago and only drive to work one day a week, my trip is 90 miles round-trip and is entirely highway driving. Most of the time that I'm in the car otherwise it's just short trips in the city. I'm wondering if I need to go with a full-blown winter snow/ice tire or if I would get better use out of a less expensive all-season that would be adequate in winter conditions.

[lithium726]

just IMO, but if you're driving on snow/ice at any time it makes no sense to get an all season. They work about as well for that as they do for autocrossing - not at all.

I know it'll hurt the pocket to get dedicated 19" snows, but it really becomes a safety issue. If I were you i'd just put the stock brakes back on for winter and run 17's... I'm running square 245/45R17 Dunlop wintersports on some old E36 8.5" wheels with spacers and the car is unstoppable.

[abradic]

I agree with lithium. I went with dedicated winter tires for my '05 Legacy GT, and that's an awd vehicle. All seasons are not going to take to the cold temps to well, and braking will not be anywhere near a dedicated snow tire. Those Continentals are at the better end of all seasons for snow, but as I have heard before...the best all season tire is still not as good as the worst snow tire in the snow. It's expensive, but dedicated snows should last you many years. Even in our Chicago climate that doesn't see outrageous snow, we still get cold temps where a snow tire is much better than an all season tire.

[Jim@tirerack]

Does the car have a big brake kit different than what comes on the car? If not I have both 17" and 18" that clear the OE brakes.

I agree with abradic that winter tires are the way to go on the BMW. I have 25 years experience in the winter on BMW's and they need the winter tire.

If I can help let me know.