Winter tyres work!
Discussion
Being the owner of the 'worst car in the snow' (so my BMW garage says) and having being stranded in my drive for three weeks last year, I lobbed a set of cheap Nankang snow tyres on my 330i Touring Auto in October and today, after a snowy night...voila - Grip Heaven.
I did a hill start in thick snow this morning with no problem and a few braking tests in a deserted car park and the transformation is incredible.You won't beat physics, but it's a lot safer and more controllable than it was.
If you're thinking about winter tyres and can still get some, they definitely work, and thanks for the advice from here last year.
I did a hill start in thick snow this morning with no problem and a few braking tests in a deserted car park and the transformation is incredible.You won't beat physics, but it's a lot safer and more controllable than it was.
If you're thinking about winter tyres and can still get some, they definitely work, and thanks for the advice from here last year.
Edited by KH on Tuesday 30th November 09:15
Hmmm I'm tempted.
The 1 series is to light on the rear. I have never in 10 years of driving been stuck in the snow, I would quite happily drive over the Cat and Fiddle when its closed in a front wheel drive clio... yet I drove off the drive to let my girlfriend out this morning and couldnt get back on it.
18" 35 profile runflats = not a chance of grip.
The 1 series is to light on the rear. I have never in 10 years of driving been stuck in the snow, I would quite happily drive over the Cat and Fiddle when its closed in a front wheel drive clio... yet I drove off the drive to let my girlfriend out this morning and couldnt get back on it.
18" 35 profile runflats = not a chance of grip.
david_h said:
I've put some on my 330ci auto, Continental winters, but I'm yet to try them.
I do hope they live up to the hype though, RWD and auto is the worst.
Also got 3 bags of sand to go in the boot.
Just put it into manual (tiptronic) mode and select 3rd gear. (depending on speed it may try to revert to 2nd - but just pop it back into 3rd once on the move)I do hope they live up to the hype though, RWD and auto is the worst.
Also got 3 bags of sand to go in the boot.
Last year I drove a 323i Auto in the most appalling conditions using this technique.
Didn't get stuck once.
No winter tyres either.
Also, it's not about getting stuck, but being able to Stop. Winter tyres definitely stop you sliding while braking.
Don't forget (if you have it) to Turn the DSC to OFF. A yellow warning triangle will show on your warning lights. Keep it switched off in the snow.
That 3rd gear tip's a good 'un.
Don't forget (if you have it) to Turn the DSC to OFF. A yellow warning triangle will show on your warning lights. Keep it switched off in the snow.
That 3rd gear tip's a good 'un.
Edited by KH on Tuesday 30th November 10:07
I was waiting at the end of my road for a lift this morning.
An E46 M3 slid to a halt at the junction then slowly got away, rears spinning until he got onto the salted main road. Two minutes later a 330Ci pulled up on black steel wheels with I assume winter tyres - no spinning just steady, good progress with no drama.
I think I'm sold - just have to 1. find a set of cheap steel wheels, 2. get some winter tyres and 3. find somewhere to store the set I remove.
An E46 M3 slid to a halt at the junction then slowly got away, rears spinning until he got onto the salted main road. Two minutes later a 330Ci pulled up on black steel wheels with I assume winter tyres - no spinning just steady, good progress with no drama.
I think I'm sold - just have to 1. find a set of cheap steel wheels, 2. get some winter tyres and 3. find somewhere to store the set I remove.
I have a 528i on the standard 16" turbine alloys (225/55). Summer tyres + snow = stationary.
After watching Mrs J's little Punto drive out of snow that my car wouldn't even move from, last year, I decided that a set of winters was required. 4 x Avon Ice Touring STs later, and the transformation is remarkable. Mrs J has binned the Punto in favour of a 206CC (it's "cute", apparently) and it's a t
t to get moving on its 205/45 17-inch wheels.
My car? Driving around like a 4x4. Yesterday I drove into and out of a foot of fresh snow. Up a hill of hard-packed snow you'd have trouble standing up on. From "oh st, it's snowing and I've got to drive somewhere >fear<" I've gone to "lemme at it!". Braking is better. Turn-in is more positive. Traction isn't a problem.
I'm frothing, I know.
ETA: I didn't fit steelies; just winter tyres of the same size as the summers. Speed rated to 130MPH, too!
After watching Mrs J's little Punto drive out of snow that my car wouldn't even move from, last year, I decided that a set of winters was required. 4 x Avon Ice Touring STs later, and the transformation is remarkable. Mrs J has binned the Punto in favour of a 206CC (it's "cute", apparently) and it's a t
t to get moving on its 205/45 17-inch wheels.My car? Driving around like a 4x4. Yesterday I drove into and out of a foot of fresh snow. Up a hill of hard-packed snow you'd have trouble standing up on. From "oh s
t, it's snowing and I've got to drive somewhere >fear<" I've gone to "lemme at it!". Braking is better. Turn-in is more positive. Traction isn't a problem.I'm frothing, I know.
ETA: I didn't fit steelies; just winter tyres of the same size as the summers. Speed rated to 130MPH, too!
Edited by CommanderJameson on Tuesday 30th November 12:43
Good for you! - it's a great feeling of smugness after being jeered at by all the 4x4 drivers last year. Bring it on! And of course, feeling and being safe is what it's all about.
LG, The handbook will give you the tyre sizes you need. I found buying steel wheels too expensive so I just put winter tyres at £75 a corner on my original alloys.
I put the winter tyres on in October when it was mild and they were fantastic. Lovely and sticky. I know you're not meant to and that they wear out quicker.I couldn't see any wear at all. More tread than a tractor.
LG, The handbook will give you the tyre sizes you need. I found buying steel wheels too expensive so I just put winter tyres at £75 a corner on my original alloys.
I put the winter tyres on in October when it was mild and they were fantastic. Lovely and sticky. I know you're not meant to and that they wear out quicker.I couldn't see any wear at all. More tread than a tractor.
Edited by KH on Tuesday 30th November 12:53
I wasn't feeling very smug this morning as I was still sliding around and ABS was cutting in every time I braked. Then when I actually tried to walk across a road I realised how little grip there was - solid ice! Seeing a little Polo struggling on a very slight incline made me feel better.
Have to say, only partially impressed with the Pirelli Snowsport 210's which are part of the 16" RFT winter package from BMW. Tried to get up a hill with about a foot of snow (possible ice underneath) and struggled. Had to take a good run up and made it after about three go's. Was expecting something better but then they're not the nordic type tyre so I suppose this is what I should expect? Starting off from thick snow not that impressive either.
mekondelta said:
Have to say, only partially impressed with the Pirelli Snowsport 210's which are part of the 16" RFT winter package from BMW. Tried to get up a hill with about a foot of snow (possible ice underneath) and struggled. Had to take a good run up and made it after about three go's. Was expecting something better but then they're not the nordic type tyre so I suppose this is what I should expect? Starting off from thick snow not that impressive either.
Run flats 
Tread needs to be softer for best performance. Run flats end up behaving like hockey pucks. At least it has a better tread pattern / spacing for the snow.
Edited by briers on Thursday 2nd December 10:39
KH said:
Don't forget (if you have it) to Turn the DSC to OFF. A yellow warning triangle will show on your warning lights. Keep it switched off in the snow.
Do nothing of the sort. You may need DSC off for a hill start, but you should keep it on otherwise, unless it is preventing the wheels from turning.Zod said:
KH said:
Don't forget (if you have it) to Turn the DSC to OFF. A yellow warning triangle will show on your warning lights. Keep it switched off in the snow.
Do nothing of the sort. You may need DSC off for a hill start, but you should keep it on otherwise, unless it is preventing the wheels from turning.I took my 335 on an empty carpark full of snow just to test a few "things". With DSC on fully (as normal) loads of traction and turn in on my winters.
DSC half off, back end will flick out nicely and be pulled back in. Acceleration introduces some slip, even slight acceleration.
DSC fully off, could barely get the thing moving, wheels spinning frantically. The whole car would swing all the way requiring full manual correction.
However, the test wasn't needed as it's fairly standard outcome.
One thing's for sure, the winters only work with DSC on. Might not be so necessary on say a 320.
Edited by briers on Thursday 2nd December 10:54
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff