Winter Tyres 3 Series

[Ross_328i_sport]

Afternoon,

Well that it’s that time of year again the winter tyre question. Having moved to a rural location it is the first year where I am going to purchase winter tyres for the 3 series as I do not wish to move to the wrong wheel drive or 4wd if I can help it for a period of 2 – 4 weeks a year where the UK has snow.

I am about to purchase some 16 inch wheels and will required tyres of 205/65/16 I would appreciated your previous experiences of which tyres are worth considering in the snow and which are not much better than ‘Summer tyres’

Appreciate your responses

Thanks

[knitware]

Ross_328i_sport said:

Afternoon,

Well that it’s that time of year again the winter tyre question. Having moved to a rural location it is the first year where I am going to purchase winter tyres for the 3 series as I do not wish to move to the wrong wheel drive or 4wd if I can help it for a period of 2 – 4 weeks a year where the UK has snow.

I am about to purchase some 16 inch wheels and will required tyres of 205/65/16 I would appreciated your previous experiences of which tyres are worth considering in the snow and which are not much better than ‘Summer tyres’

Appreciate your responses

Thanks

I have had Pirelli Sottozeros and Nokian winter tyres fitted, both excellent and have the Pirelli ordered again.

You have quite small wheels but I found these:

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/nokian-wr-c-v...

Oponeo are a good company, really good prices, I've used them twice and delivered within days.

Winter tyres are not just for snow, this is still a misconception, have a read:

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-article/winter-tyres-...

and:

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-article/winter-tyres-...


Winter tyres are idea at low temps, < 7 degrees and wet weather, however I ran my Nokians all year on my BMW 325i with no problems, they won't go pop or throw you off a cliff.

[andyiley]

Why van tyres might I ask?

I ask in ignorance as the OP wants them for a 3 series, what is the difference?

[budgie smuggler]

Go on here:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/

Look down the right hand side, they have a whole load of winter, summer, all season tests from various magazines etc to look through.

[knitware]

andyiley said:

Why van tyres might I ask?

I ask in ignorance as the OP wants them for a 3 series, what is the difference?

I don't know actually, it was just an example but i'm guessing its the speed rating.

The OP ultimatly has to choose the type and brand of tyres himself.

[andyiley]

OK, my mistake, I thought you were suggesting them specifically for his car.

[ladderino]

I have Continental WinterContact 810s on my 3 series - they're great.

Like others have said, it's not just about snow. I swap over when temps go below 6 degrees, and it makes a big difference to grip and braking distance.

[Silver993tt]

I've been using Nankang winter tyres for the last 7 years. Not exepensive and work perfectly well in cold wet and snow covered roads. You don't need to spend top money on winter tyres.

[pauldavies85]

I think tyre side is 205/60 r16, I had some on my saloon. New car can only fit 18's due to brake size, making it a touch more expensive.
I used dun lops 3d's before, think they're now on 4d's. These were awesome, I used in the alps!

Now I've got cheaper nakangs, time will tell but treads dost compound feel looks spot on, much cheaper too.

[Ross_T_Boss]

Nokia or Dunlop are two I've heard good reports on. I have just put Pirelli winter sottozero's on my 3 series and whilst I can't talk for snow they have proved great for early morning freezing conditions and heavy rain. They are still reasonable in 14C dry.

I also have an RS2 with a set of winter alloys and the cheap Nankang's. Personally, I'll pay more for premium rubber next time, because they don't handle the milder weather well. At 12-15C if it's dry they are lethal, quite fun in that it's a bit like driving on a greased road, but on the motorway with kids in the back that's not acceptable to me. But what I will say is in sub 7C temps they feel very good, and in snow they were fantastic, tests showed they aren't far behind the premium rubber in proper winter conditions. If you're not going to be driving it much in milder weather they are a budget option, just make you swap them back if planning to drive alot when it gets mild and take it easy if you have to.

[Alex L]

I bought these at the weekend on a punt that they'll fit my F30 company car...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-Dunlop-winter-sport-ty...

[RicksAlfas]

I've used 205/55/16 Goodyear Ultragrip 8s on my E90 for the last 3 winters and they've been great.

OP - is your size correct? It will be in the handbook or on the door sticker.

[andyiley]

[quote=Ross_T_Boss]Nokia or Dunlop quote]

Bloody 'ell! They make tyres now?

[Maracus]

andyiley said:

Ross_T_Boss]Nokia or Dunlop quote said:

Bloody 'ell! They make tyres now?

Nokia first started off making rubber products before moving into telecommunications.

[andyiley]

Every day is a school day.

[Lowtimer]

RicksAlfas said:

I've used 205/55/16 Goodyear Ultragrip 8s on my E90 for the last 3 winters and they've been great.

OP - is your size correct? It will be in the handbook or on the door sticker.

I've always found the Ultragrip 8 superb. Used them with great happiness in 205/55 16" on my E91. Need to get rid now as I have gone back to an E39 5-series.

Ross, drop me an email / PM as it may be to your advantage.

Edited by Lowtimer on Wednesday 3rd December 18:54