[monk.boy]

Sorry if this has been asked already (i need more posts to pm), but is it worth goin for winters? In Toronto

[1QuikWS6]

Some will adamently say that snow tires are not needed - I run snow tires here in PA.

Only had trouble with the all season's on the worst of days when it had snowed 8+ inches as far as starting out, but found the snows were much better as far as stopping/turning in any amount of snow. I go in to work early in the AM before any plows touch the road - basically it's just drive where ever you want on the entire road as they are totally covered and there is hardly anyone else on the road.

I like the added security of the snow's so I don't have to concentrate on driving differently in deep snow.

[monk.boy]

Thanks... good pt. I probly will run the same. Cheers.

[DESI4life10]

I have been running all season tires in the winter for 2 winters now here in Toronto. I have been caught in some big snow storms here and had no issue. The 328xi was able to get out of any situation I was in.

That being said, my all season are worn and I will be replacing them with winter tires (got a good deal). Will be my first winter driving on snow tires for this car.

[ajsalida]

Where I live people who really need snow traction use studded tires or chains on AWD or 4WD vehicles. Our local ski area has already got over 100" of snow this season for example. Anything less than studs/chains is pointless in the conditions you'd need them for. Since I don't want to do that I do not drive the Xi under those extreme conditions, and use Conti DWS in the 99.9% of other times, most of which involve clear pavement. It is a good year round AS tire and an excellent snow tire, outside of where you'd want studs/chains. In those conditions (super deep wet snow) they do OK but you need to be very careful.

So I am saying that snow tires alone (no studs or chains) are not the end-all of snow traction, you can still get stuck. IMHO the additional capability a set of snows only + AWD gives you over a set of good AS + AWD is not worth the hassle and extra wear, and poor dry performance. Super deep snow is why I have a 4WD pickup truck with M+S tires. And in my experience at least the limiting factor is ground clearance, which no tire will give the Xi over a truck.

PS: I live near Wolf Creek ski area, they get apprx 500" of snow a year on average, in town we only get 20 feet or so.

[AWD Addict]

If you have the money, I'd suggest getting true winters. If you dont' want to spend the dough, you'll have a bit lesser drivability no doubt, but you'll be fine with good A/S rubber.

Down here in Boston, I run pure summers and winters for each season. Just threw on the Nokian's a week ago. Figures, it's been 65 degrees since I did it.

[FCBuff]

Snows FTW.

[Fozzy]

I think you should want summer tires for the performance and look (get biggger wheels than OEM), this means you can run the all seasons as winter tires, or buy separate winters.

All seasons are fine in toronto with an xdrive but winters are just awesome. I was caught in snow storms up north last year and the handling with winters and xdrive was almost summer like.

[BMCoupe_782]

I'm running non runflat, all seasons (Conti DWS) for the first time this winter in NJ. I anticipate solid grip and traction in light to moderate snow and I probably won't drive in heavy snow conditions...

[monk.boy]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Just got me a set of blizzak's. Hopefully I'll be able to punch it through everything in Vermont.

Cheers.

[1QuikWS6]

You'll definitely be happy with the Blizzaks - that's what I have and there was no problem getting thru any snow - even after a storm that dumped 22"

[Alarbus]

Since my dad can fall back on his Suburban with snows, he leaves the all seasons on his 07 328xi. I put snows on my 06 325xi, and having driven both in the snow back to back, the snows do make a huge difference. And honestly, the only advantage the Suburban offers over the BMW with snows is ground clearance. The traction and stability controls work great with the right tires. That said, if there's ice, just stay home.

I put 16" LM-25s on first, and having swapped to non run flats for summer, I put WS-70s on for this winter. You won't get the same feel/handling in dry, clean roads, but it makes up for it in snow and slush.

[zipstic]

People always state they get around with all season tires in the winter without any problem, which I'm sure is generally true. However, if you ever get into an emergency situation when you have to stop/start/turn etc that's where dedicated snow tires will really show their worth and can save you from accidents.

[AWD Addict]

Originally Posted by BMCoupe_782

I'm running non runflat, all seasons (Conti DWS) for the first time this winter in NJ. I anticipate solid grip and traction in light to moderate snow and I probably won't drive in heavy snow conditions...

Just put these on my wife's AWD turbo S40. I'm veryimpressed. Huge improvement over the Michelin A/S rubber she had on there. She's lead footed, so I really didnt have an option to cheap out. Money was very well spent. Looking forward to see their snow performance, but they passed the dreaded wet leaves test, so I think they'll be very nice.

[JTWCT]

All seasons should be fine if you drive carefully. Snow tires will be better but not absolutely needed.

[Sam335ix]

I just put in the Blizzak ws60 on and I can't wait for the first snow storm!!

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by zipstic

People always state they get around with all season tires in the winter without any problem, which I'm sure is generally true. However, if you ever get into an emergency situation when you have to stop/start/turn etc that's where dedicated snow tires will really show their worth and can save you from accidents.

+1 I don't even understand what people are talking about..... what's with all "getting stuck".... I got stuck 1 time in past 5-6 years. and getting stuck is not a safety concern. winter tires are for driving, turning, braking.... thats what u do when u drive. all-season tires are plain dangerous in winter and no good in summer. the only place u win is by saving time switching tires. both me and my wife have winter sets for our cars.

high performance winter tires are also excellent in dry and wet

edit: the only place for all-season tires is when your winter season is around 30-40F and very little or no snow at all. summer tires are no good at those temperatures and snow tires are overkill for 30F. I know people in this forum do this.

[MJR63]

I'm putting on my Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's tonight! Love them!

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Originally Posted by BMCoupe_782

I'm running non runflat, all seasons (Conti DWS) for the first time this winter in NJ. I anticipate solid grip and traction in light to moderate snow and I probably won't drive in heavy snow conditions...

ditto

[ajsalida]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

+1 I don't even understand what people are talking about..... what's with all "getting stuck".... I got stuck 1 time in past 5-6 years. and getting stuck is not a safety concern. winter tires are for driving, turning, braking.... thats what u do when u drive. all-season tires are plain dangerous in winter and no good in summer. the only place u win is by saving time switching tires. both me and my wife have winter sets for our cars.

high performance winter tires are also excellent in dry and wet

edit: the only place for all-season tires is when your winter season is around 30-40F and very little or no snow at all. summer tires are no good at those temperatures and snow tires are overkill for 30F. I know people in this forum do this.

http://blog.tirerack.com/blog/chads-...is-the-verdict

Most AS tires I'd agree with you. However, If you haven't driven a set of DWS, you might want to try them. I thought the same as you but after quickly wearing out multiple sets of very expensive hi-perf snow tires on dry pavement I got tired of it. Anyway, DWS has very good to excellent snow perf and excellent treadwear & handling otherwise. Not ultimate summer tires by any means but I need some snow/ice capability maybe up to 8 months of the year.

As for snow I live at 8k ft and drive to 12k ft often. We have much fresh snow on the roads now and hardpack. And dry pavement. Last few days have been sub zero deg F in the AM, the DWS are outstanding on un-sanded plowed ice/snow roads. Way better than my 4WD Tacoma with new M&S tires, on the same exact roads/conditions, though that is more a function of weight distribution and smarter AWD.

They are very good in unplowed snow up to about bumper/spoiler height and then the Taco takes over for the real deep stuff.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by ajsalida

http://blog.tirerack.com/blog/chads-...is-the-verdict

Most AS tires I'd agree with you. However, If you haven't driven a set of DWS, you might want to try them. I thought the same as you but after quickly wearing out multiple sets of very expensive hi-perf snow tires on dry pavement I got tired of it. Anyway, DWS has very good to excellent snow perf and excellent treadwear & handling otherwise. Not ultimate summer tires by any means but I need some snow/ice capability maybe up to 8 months of the year.

As for snow I live at 8k ft and drive to 12k ft often. We have much fresh snow on the roads now and hardpack. And dry pavement. Last few days have been sub zero deg F in the AM, the DWS are outstanding on un-sanded plowed ice/snow roads. Way better than my 4WD Tacoma with new M&S tires, on the same exact roads/conditions, though that is more a function of weight distribution and smarter AWD.

They are very good in unplowed snow up to about bumper/spoiler height and then the Taco takes over for the real deep stuff.

yeah those are nice tires and probably is an exception. but after that S letter wears out they will be just like any other AS tire. Pilot PA3s are also winter tires with all-season performance in mind. those 2 must be similar

[smellfish]

Put the 3Ds on today; back to 18s. Sad panda.