E36 M3: What is your winter tire setup?

[cb535]

Im in the market for an E36 M3...Im looking into what would be the best wheel/tire setup for the winter here in the DC metro area.

What are others in the area using?

Should I drop to a 16" wheel w/205/55 winter tires? Or use winters on the stock 17"? Or all-seasons?

How much of a performance hit will I take if I use 16" winters versus 17" winters? (safety/traction are the most important criteria though)

Also, what is the best brand to use?

(1. wet/snow traction, 2. tread life, 3. performance when dry are the top three considerations.)

I hear Blizzak LM22s are good.

[themadhatter]

you could go to 16's but it's not necessary. I'm running 17" bmw oe steel wheels with 225/45/17 Semperit snow tires.

http://www.rsiwerks.com/project332is/final/snow9r.jpg

the tires you're looking at are great. also look at the offerings from Dunlop and Michelin

[themadhatter]

forgot to add:

snow tires and durability are non-existent. hope to get 3 seasons max out of your tires. driving on snow doesn't wear them out but dry roads eat them up very quickly.

handling with snow tires is going to be bad any way you look at it - moving down to a 16" tire/wheel will amplify that.

-Ron

[dngo]

I use a set of 17x8 Moda M1s with 225/45-17 Blizzak LM-22s. They did very well last winter and still feel decent on dry roads.

Before those, I used 225/45-17 Pirelli P210 Winter Asymmetricos. They were awesome in the snow. I think the LM-22s give up a little bit of grip in the snow but are better in the dry. I'm interested to see how they feel this winter with my Quaife.

The Pirellis wore very, very well. So far, the Blizzaks are holding up well too. If you go with something like a Blizzak WS-50, then they'll wear quickly. The ones that are more dry weather oriented will last you a good, long time.

Dave

[cb535]

Yeah...I have heard that the older blizzaks wear down pretty fast when driven on dry pavement. Id be interested to know how the LM22s do.

Most of the time it will be driven on dry pavement...

[dngo]

I heard that the older blizzaks wear down pretty fast when driven on dry pavement. Id be interested to know how the LM22s do.

That's true of all Blizzaks that use their Multicell compound. They're unbelievable in snow and ice, but are terrible in the dry and wear rapidly. The LM-22s do not use that compound.

Dave

[themadhatter]

LM22 don't use that sponge cell technology - they shouldn't wear out as quickly.

-Ron

[POPS RACER]

For the winter I convert to 16" with Blizzak MZ-01.

[cb535]

Anybody running Dunlop WinterSport M3s?

[WhiteM32]

Jackstands and a heated storage unit

[hellrotvic]

In Columbus we don't too much snow, only once in a while and some ice. With my long drive to work on the highway I run 17" ASA AR1s with Sumitomo HTR+s on them (allseason tires) this should help preserve the tread longer than 2-3 winter seasons with decent dry performance. I've gone through ice storms and some severe winter conditions and had no problems but like everyone says; if you get lots of snow or ice, nothing beats a set of Blizzaks.


Madhatter: Curious but what 17" steel wheel are those from? Thanks!

[magnetic1]

you guys should really try some Vredestein Snow tires.... they are hard to find in the US, but they perform better than Blizzaks.

THey handle well on AND off the snow and doesnt make your car feel all spongy.

IN case you havent noticed, this is what I am running :)

http://www.vredestein.com/autobanden/Main.asp?menuID=3&UserSessionID=54509699&BandCategorieID=1&BandToepassingID=2&BandTypeID=465

[themadhatter]

E46 330i/ci it's meant to fit over the larger brakes of the 330 without having to fit spacers.

They are 17x7" et47 steel wheels. Steel means that even the worst jersey winter roads won't scare me. :stickoutt

part numbers for the wheels are:

36 11 6 750 254 - they are about $70 each wheel

the metal (aluminum?) hub caps are:

36 13 1 179 141 - they are about $15 each cap

the roundels are additional, they are adhesive roundels:

36 13 1 181 080 - I don't recall their retail price

the bolts are the same black bolts used to mount your OE bmw wheels. the bolts secure the hubcaps and the entire setup looks unique. some people hate how they look but this is purely a Function over Form issue for me. I don't get stuck and I don't bend wheels. :alright

now here's the kicker - I bought these on ebay for......$45! :redspot :laugh

I was going to buy them new but man did I get a great buy via ebay.

If you'd like, I can e-mail you the ETK screen capture of the wheels and related part numbers.

-Ron

[DominikM3]

94 mk3 ;)