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      08-07-2016, 06:58 PM   #1
SaMaster14
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Salt Protection and Winter Tires (advice please)

Hi everyone, a couple of months ago I made a post that I would be taking my car out to Indiana when I start law school and August has crept up on me. The car will be shipping out on Wednesday.

I've driven my old 335is in the snow a bit (on the stock run flats too.....), but it was at the end of the lease and only a couple of times. I want to get the best protection possible for my M3.

Although I'm not planning on driving much during the winter (thankfully I found an apartment that is both within walking distance of the campus and has a covered garage), I will probably invest in a set of all weather or winter tires. (Blizzaks were recommended, but so were general all weather tires). What other recommendations to people have?

Also, what is the deal with salt protection? I've heard of armorall? It's something I've never had to do or research before, but I want to protect my M3 from the elements as much as possible!

Thank you for any advice!
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      08-08-2016, 08:52 AM   #2
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I have Michellin X-ice winter tires, they worked out great last winter and seem to wear well. They also have better dry pavement performance compard to the blizzaks I've had, which tend to give a feeling of drifting from side to side. I wouldn't worry about salt protection, just rinse/wash car when it gets built up on exterior and you should be fine. A layer of car wax would help as well.
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      08-08-2016, 03:07 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bch53211
I have Michellin X-ice winter tires, they worked out great last winter and seem to wear well. They also have better dry pavement performance compard to the blizzaks I've had, which tend to give a feeling of drifting from side to side. I wouldn't worry about salt protection, just rinse/wash car when it gets built up on exterior and you should be fine. A layer of car wax would help as well.
Thank you for the reply! I will definitely look into those Michelin tires. And I'll probably get a full wax right before winter starts and make sure just to wash away any salt that might get on the car during winter
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      08-11-2016, 07:26 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bch53211 View Post
I have Michellin X-ice winter tires, they worked out great last winter and seem to wear well. They also have better dry pavement performance compard to the blizzaks I've had, which tend to give a feeling of drifting from side to side. I wouldn't worry about salt protection, just rinse/wash car when it gets built up on exterior and you should be fine. A layer of car wax would help as well.
What wheel size, tire width front and rear did you go with? In the past I have gone down in wheel size to get more sidewall and a square set up so I can rotate them. I'm contemplating sticking with a 19" this time.
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      08-15-2016, 05:05 PM   #5
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Basic tire rack winter package - square set up 18/8 245/45/R18 - wheels are Rial P10 $189ea tires are $181ea.
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      08-16-2016, 09:51 AM   #6
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Square tire setup is a must IMO. Bridgestone is bringing over the euro Blizzak LM001 which has great reviews to replace the not so great LM32's. I will personally be running these this winter in 255/40R18. I have only ran Blizzaks on all three of my BMWs in Michigan winters for the past six years and have only gotten stuck one time. All RWD.

I picked up a second oem 18" setup on the forums here for my winter duty set.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ndard%20Brakes
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      08-18-2016, 08:08 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bch53211 View Post
Basic tire rack winter package - square set up 18/8 245/45/R18 - wheels are Rial P10 $189ea tires are $181ea.
Looks like that setup is close to $2k if you get the TPMS added. Curious, have you encountered any potholes? I've read some of the reviews of the cheaper rims on there saying that they easily get bent from these encounters.

Wonder what the chances are that they'll add 20" tires that'll work on the ZCP rims.
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      08-18-2016, 08:11 AM   #8
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I did not get the tpms, I can monitor the tires myself. You just have to deal w the warning light. I live in Milwaukee and we have harsh winters and plenty of potholes. It has not been an issue.
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      09-20-2016, 08:49 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Agent11br View Post
Square tire setup is a must IMO. Bridgestone is bringing over the euro Blizzak LM001 which has great reviews to replace the not so great LM32's. I will personally be running these this winter in 255/40R18. I have only ran Blizzaks on all three of my BMWs in Michigan winters for the past six years and have only gotten stuck one time. All RWD.

I picked up a second oem 18" setup on the forums here for my winter duty set.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....ndard%20Brakes
Why exactly is a square setup a must? I run Blizzaks on the oem 19" wheels and they work great.
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      09-20-2016, 12:30 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by xander85 View Post
Why exactly is a square setup a must? I run Blizzaks on the oem 19" wheels and they work great.
First off, I don't exactly know what a square setup is, but I assume it's the same width tires front and back.

My guess on why square is better (no experience, so might be completely wrong) is because the back tires are going to be following the front tire's path. Meaning a square setup would have the rears driving over compact snow from the fronts. If the back tires are wider, then there is going to be some fresh snow that they drive over.

Again, totally a guess, but I was wondering the same thing when I read that.
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      09-21-2016, 01:56 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Halewafa
Quote:
Originally Posted by xander85 View Post
Why exactly is a square setup a must? I run Blizzaks on the oem 19" wheels and they work great.
First off, I don't exactly know what a square setup is, but I assume it's the same width tires front and back.

My guess on why square is better (no experience, so might be completely wrong) is because the back tires are going to be following the front tire's path. Meaning a square setup would have the rears driving over compact snow from the fronts. If the back tires are wider, then there is going to be some fresh snow that they drive over.

Again, totally a guess, but I was wondering the same thing when I read that.
The square set up is mainly to be able to rotate. And also in the snow narrower tire has better traction than wider one so no benefit to having a wider rear tire.

If you are looking for a new set, come check out the group buy we have going on, in the wheel and tire subforum. We are getting a pretty good deal. There are several tire options too.
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      09-23-2016, 09:42 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by xander85 View Post
Why exactly is a square setup a must? I run Blizzaks on the oem 19" wheels and they work great.
Same width tires, you want to run the narrowest you can in snow, esp in the rear. Tracking in the snow is then in alignment as well. Makes tire rotation easier, replacing one tire is easier as well from damage, etc. Also, in my past seven years of driving in Michigan winters with BMW's, despite always rotating tires one pair will tend to wear out quicker so by having all the same size you can just buy a new pair and rotate in.
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