Winter tyres for 3 series - help

[E-bmw]

Back on track.

Sorry about that OP, please continue.

[g3org3y]

I've used (mid-range!) Hankook (I*cept Evo) winters on my E36. Found them very decent in the snow (and rain). They were quite sensitive to the warmer weather though, notably more movement on cornering. Worn well though. This winter was mild and I've not had to use them.

I run 17s for my summer tyres, for winters I dropped a size to 16s. Mounted on cheapo BMW OEM alloys from ebay. Saves the faff (and cost) of swapping tyres on the rims.

[nickfrog]

E-bmw said:

Back on track.

Sorry about that OP, please continue.

Don't worry, I am sure the OP will forgive your semantic derailment.

He might even end up with a set of Nokian premium winters.

[omar2010]

Thanks a lot guys. All really helpful information.

All / any bickering is forgiven!

[E-bmw]

nickfrog said:

Don't worry, I am sure the OP will forgive your semantic derailment.

He might even end up with a set of Nokian premium winters.

Padantic, I would accept. Although there was no derailment by me. I was simply correcting an error on you part.

Semantic, I think you need to review your understanding of. Premium doesn't even come into it.

[MattOz]

I've used Contis, Michelin Pilot Alpins and Falken Eurowinters on my 3 series. Never been stuck in snow, despite being caught in some pretty rubbish conditions. I run mine in OEM 18" sizes. They're even good when it's muddy.

[nickfrog]

E-bmw said:

nickfrog said:

Don't worry, I am sure the OP will forgive your semantic derailment.

He might even end up with a set of Nokian premium winters.

Padantic, I would accept. Although there was no derailment by me. I was simply correcting an error on you part.

Semantic, I think you need to review your understanding of. Premium doesn't even come into it.

There would be an error if there was an objective way of defining premium. But there isn't it. Sometimes, most get it wrong. Which is good news in this instance as clearly explained. For me the brand of a premium product becomes a premium brand, by definition. As I said, each to their own (marketing vs function).

As for semantic, it's perfectly appropriate. Unlike padantic (sic)...

[E-bmw]

If every website out there puts Nokian in the category "mid-range" or "budget", you can safely say "Premium" they ain't.

As I have already said (so many times now I am getting bored) that doesn't mean they aren't any good.

Build a bridge & get over it!

[nickfrog]

E-bmw said:

If every website out there puts Nokian in the category "mid-range" or "budget"

They don't - or I failed to find any that did.

I think you need to get over it otherwise you'll soon tell us that a Hakkapeliitta is not perceived as a premium product in markets that understand tyres.

IMO, premium performance = premium brand, irrespective of brand perception, marketing or brand snobbery. I am totally happy for you to disagree and I am aware that you are not criticising the product as you have said it several times, not that it needed to be said at all as the tests are quite eloquent.

A Nokian D4 outperforms a Michelin = it's means that Nokian is a premium brand as they make premium products, not that this is new anyway.

All IMO only obviously, but I am well aware that you have a problem about Nokian being perceived as such, which I respect and not wanting to hurt your feelings, I think you need to simply review your understanding of the word subjective. As a said already, popular/commercial perception doesn't always correlate reality, not that it needs to do on this occasion.

Edited by nickfrog on Sunday 8th May 11:02

[E-bmw]

First web site searched.



My tyres, one of the biggest sellers in the UK, Are Nokian in the Premium list? (search as long as you like) No.



Are they on the Budget list? That'll be a yes then.


You can perceive them however you like, that does not make them a "premium brand".

[f1nn]

Winter tyres....in May.

It's started early this year.

[E-bmw]

We had snow in Leeds every day 2 weeks ago........... Has it just carried on longer than normal..........

I understand what the OP is saying though, he is new to RWD & wants to buy out of season to save, he may well do so, never tried buying winters now.

[nickfrog]

E-bmw said:

First web site searched.



My tyres, one of the biggest sellers in the UK, Are Nokian in the Premium list? (search as long as you like) No.



Are they on the Budget list? That'll be a yes then.


You can perceive them however you like, that does not make them a "premium brand".

It seems that some consider Nokian as as a premium brand and that some don't. Sorry to hear you can't grasp the concept of subjectivity based on your assumption that all websites
consider them as other than premium, not that it has any relevance, once again.

[E-bmw]

I see you chose the AA website, so lets stay there then.


AA Tyres Premium brands as sold on their own website.




AA mid-range tyres as sold on their own website.

Part 1


Part 2


AA Budget tyres as sold on their own website



Yes, that's right, they consider them to be such quality that they won't even sell them.


You keep referring to, and questioning my subjectivity, and yet all along I have never professed that the product they make is of a poor quality, just that they do not fall into the category "premium brand".

I ask you one final time, find an influential website selling/reviewing/testing tyres out there that lists "premium brands" and find Nokian in any of the lists of "premium brands", not just an obscure sentence on a website that includes the words premium & Nokian in the same sentence.

Just another couple of the many sites that don't.