which winter wheels and tyres for my E39?
Discussion
I have Goodyear F1's (265/35 ZR18) on the rear of the car & Michelin's (235/40 ZR18) on the front during the summer (Mar to Nov/Dec) but as they are no use at all once it gets really cold. The Avon's are not the best (according to German winter tyre tests) but I have found them to be outstanding in snow and slippery conditions (below 7c). I tried using the summer tyres when I first had the car during the winter but I had to dig it out twice as ice had compacted under the tyres and in particular, summer tyres do not give you any warning that they are about to lose traction or grip, they just go. Winter tyres slow down the action so that you can feel the front or back tyres lose grip and you have time to slow or steer to counter the slide, additionally they provide much more grip and they improve stopping distances enormously. In a heavy powerful rear drive BMW I wouldn't be without them.
I put them on first for the winter of 2009, the same set went on for 2010 and they should have enough tread left on them to see me through this winter so they will do 3 years; they've also reduced the wear on the more expensive summer tyres.
Downsides, you'll notice a lot more understeer, especially on 55 aspect tyres and the overall dry grip is lower so you need to consider your driving/entry speed for corners although the ride will be softer and the wheels less likely to be damaged. You must also remember that most winter tyres have a much lower speed rating, usually around 110 mph.
I put them on first for the winter of 2009, the same set went on for 2010 and they should have enough tread left on them to see me through this winter so they will do 3 years; they've also reduced the wear on the more expensive summer tyres.
Downsides, you'll notice a lot more understeer, especially on 55 aspect tyres and the overall dry grip is lower so you need to consider your driving/entry speed for corners although the ride will be softer and the wheels less likely to be damaged. You must also remember that most winter tyres have a much lower speed rating, usually around 110 mph.
I got a set of turbines for my 540 last year and fitted them with Winter King tyres (cheapo remoulds).
I live at the top of a big hill, and not once did I get stuck, even when 4x4s were sliding off the road.
It helped that I put as much heavy stuff in the boot as I could find, and that they were 205/55/16 tyres (might have been 60, can't remember).
First time I'd used winter tyres, and even these cheapo ones were awesome. The car is no more, but the tyres will do service this year on the XJR.
I live at the top of a big hill, and not once did I get stuck, even when 4x4s were sliding off the road.
It helped that I put as much heavy stuff in the boot as I could find, and that they were 205/55/16 tyres (might have been 60, can't remember).
First time I'd used winter tyres, and even these cheapo ones were awesome. The car is no more, but the tyres will do service this year on the XJR.
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