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      09-12-2012, 01:31 PM   #1
Maz335i
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Winter Tire Choice

Guys,

If I gave you a list of winter tires, which one would you choose and why:

Square setup: 225-45-18

Hankook W310 iCept
Goodyear Ultra Grip WRT
Bridgestone Blizzak WS70
Yokohama IG20
Michelin Xi2
Bridgestone Blizzak LM60
Pirelli W210 Sottozero
Yokohama W-Drive
Michelin PA3

Consider there is not a big difference in pricing (roughly $50 to $150 towards the bottom 3).

I've used the Michelin Xi before but would like something slightly better in snow and black ice.

I'm considering getting the M5 reps in black for the winter and in 18".
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      09-12-2012, 07:19 PM   #2
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I've had blizzak before on a 350z and that thing was unstoppable in MN thick snow.
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      09-12-2012, 07:27 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pohlease
I've had blizzak before on a 350z and that thing was unstoppable in MN thick snow.
That's a good thing right?
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      09-12-2012, 07:28 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pohlease
I've had blizzak before on a 350z and that thing was unstoppable in MN thick snow.
That's a good thing right?
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      09-12-2012, 07:32 PM   #5
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I've got Blizzaks for my ride.
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      09-12-2012, 08:05 PM   #6
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I've said this a few times ... but there are like 10 different types of Blizzacks... might help the OP to state which Blizzacks you went with. Personally, just picked up Blizzack LM-60s (winter performance tire).
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      09-12-2012, 08:21 PM   #7
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Sorry. LM-25's for me. I'm not looking to drag race or hit the low ET on the Nurburgring in February. I'm just looking to get from point-A to Point-B in a few inches of snow safely with a $55k car.
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      09-12-2012, 08:26 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by martinf79
I've said this a few times ... but there are like 10 different types of Blizzacks... might help the OP to state which Blizzacks you went with. Personally, just picked up Blizzack LM-60s (winter performance tire).
Thanks Martin!
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      09-12-2012, 08:27 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fshubert
Sorry. LM-25's for me. I'm not looking to drag race or hit the low ET on the Nurburgring in February. I'm just looking to get from point-A to Point-B in a few inches of snow safely with a $55k car.
I agree!

I want to be safe and get from one point to another.

I was thinking of getting Blizzaks LM60 too or the Pirelli Sottozero?
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      09-12-2012, 08:38 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maz335i View Post
I agree!
I was thinking of getting Blizzaks LM60 too or the Pirelli Sottozero?
For an 18" set-up, the BMW recommended and approved snow tires are Pirelli W240 Sottozero II RFT, 225/45VR18.
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      09-12-2012, 09:01 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DerekS
Quote:
Originally Posted by Maz335i View Post
I agree!
I was thinking of getting Blizzaks LM60 too or the Pirelli Sottozero?
For an 18" set-up, the BMW recommended and approved snow tires are Pirelli W240 Sottozero II RFT, 225/45VR18.
That's what my contact said.

But I don't want RFT's...too expensive.
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      09-12-2012, 09:35 PM   #12
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The Blizzak WS series tires are the best bet for actual snow and ice. The LM series are more of a "winter tire" than a snow tire. They remain pliable at low temps, but don't have the bite that the WS tires do on snow and ice. Dry handling is compromised with the WS. Likewise, snow/ice traction is compromised with the LM. BOTH are leaps and bounds better than any all season tire.

This actually holds true for all of the "performance" tires vs. "snow" tires.
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      09-12-2012, 10:27 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic View Post
The Blizzak WS series tires are the best bet for actual snow and ice. The LM series are more of a "winter tire" than a snow tire. They remain pliable at low temps, but don't have the bite that the WS tires do on snow and ice. Dry handling is compromised with the WS. Likewise, snow/ice traction is compromised with the LM. BOTH are leaps and bounds better than any all season tire.

This actually holds true for all of the "performance" tires vs. "snow" tires.
^this
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      09-13-2012, 02:49 PM   #14
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blizzaks. the best winter tire. my opinion only. We live in the snowbelt and I love these tires!
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      09-13-2012, 02:57 PM   #15
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Although not on OP list, Michelin PA4 would be a good choice to try out ... it's supposed to be better than PA3 and on par with LM60.

I am going for the PA4 this winter.
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      09-13-2012, 03:03 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ocso1606 View Post
blizzaks. the best winter tire. my opinion only. We live in the snowbelt and I love these tires!
Which one's?

LM60?
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      09-13-2012, 03:23 PM   #17
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I am thinking LM60 myself, just because in Chicago its mostly cold we have to deal with (like 0-15 degrees all winter) but its normally dry and even when we get snow the roads are cleared by the next day. 95% of the time will be driving on cold clear roads. The only reason I am/was considering the WS60/70 is because we do still get a lot of ice even when the roads are clear.

On our '12 X3 I purchased WS60 tires and my wife said she never felt so confident driving in the snow with them, her last two cars were both all wheel drive but had all season tires, she said the handling in snow with the WS60 tires blew her old cars away. Since she normally has the kids (1 and 3) I decided it was worth it to go dedicated snow tires in the winter this time, whats $1500 over 3 years for the safety of your family, especially when you are saving the wear on your summer tires while doing so.

So to sum it up, depending on how much snow you actually get and how you drive, that should decide if you go with winter performance or snow/ice tires.
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      09-13-2012, 03:48 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mako View Post
I am thinking LM60 myself, just because in Chicago its mostly cold we have to deal with (like 0-15 degrees all winter) but its normally dry and even when we get snow the roads are cleared by the next day. 95% of the time will be driving on cold clear roads. The only reason I am/was considering the WS60/70 is because we do still get a lot of ice even when the roads are clear.

On our '12 X3 I purchased WS60 tires and my wife said she never felt so confident driving in the snow with them, her last two cars were both all wheel drive but had all season tires, she said the handling in snow with the WS60 tires blew her old cars away. Since she normally has the kids (1 and 3) I decided it was worth it to go dedicated snow tires in the winter this time, whats $1500 over 3 years for the safety of your family, especially when you are saving the wear on your summer tires while doing so.

So to sum it up, depending on how much snow you actually get and how you drive, that should decide if you go with winter performance or snow/ice tires.
I'm confused!

If this is the case then why is the Blizzak WS70 cheaper than the Blizzak LM60? The WS70 is $960 and the LM60 is $1060.

If the WS70 is better in snow (which is what I want), then I rather save the $100 and go with these...I dont care about performance in winter as I rather move from point A to point B safely and reach home without any issues.

I'm confused man...
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      09-13-2012, 03:49 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maz335i View Post
I'm confused!

If this is the case then why is the Blizzak WS70 cheaper than the Blizzak LM60? The WS70 is $960 and the LM60 is $1060.

If the WS70 is better in snow (which is what I want), then I rather save the $100 and go with these...I dont care about performance in winter as I rather move from point A to point B safely and reach home without any issues.

I'm confused man...
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      09-13-2012, 04:26 PM   #20
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^ slightly different rubber compound as well. The winter performance will handle better during dry & wet braking, the snow & ice tire will not perform as well (in comparison to the winter performance ones) but will excel in traction of both snow & ice. Due to the bigger & deeper tread block of snow & ice tire, they will also be more noisier on dry pavement as well.
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      09-13-2012, 06:13 PM   #21
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If you want maximum snow and ice grip, you'll need Blizzak WS, Michelin X-Ice or Nokian Hakka R.
Tires like Blizzak LM, Michelin PA, Pirelli zottozero are performance winter tires that will be better in the cold when it's dry and wet.
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      09-13-2012, 07:52 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobblehead View Post
Although not on OP list, Michelin PA4 would be a good choice to try out ... it's supposed to be better than PA3 and on par with LM60.

I am going for the PA4 this winter.
Same for me Pilot Alpin PA4 for my 335 2013. This is a performance tire, good for cornering... but if you just want something good in snow, go for Blizzak or Michelin Xi2
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