[swhoyle]

Are they really that much better?

In terms of snow and ice, are we talking night and day difference or just a bi better?

[dxb335d]

Well if your dependant on your car possibly.

My 335d was off the road winter 09-10 due to the snow and summer tyres. But only a week.

[AlanQS]

If it is like last winter, you don't need them. If like the previous two winters, then, you do need them. Like Carlos, during the three weeks or so of constant snow, my car didn't move.

Are they worth it, are they that good? Simply, yes. If you have a lot of snow and/or temperatures consistently around zero or if it is very wet and cold, you will be much safer with winter tyres.

I suppose, the further south you are, the safer you tend to be, but location would not have helper you in 2009 and 2010.

You pays your money, you takes your choice...

[dxb335d]

I agree mate, I have a work car so can just park the car up if I don't need it.

But to someone dependant on there car then maybe yes... But 7-8 hundred quid for maximum 3 weeks?! I ain't so sure.

[davyk31]

Yes they may cost you £700-£800 if you include a spare set of wheels which is advisable but remember you then save on wear on your expensive summer tyres. They also have very good residual value if the tyres aren't too worn when you are done with them.

[swhoyle]

Thanks

2 years ago I had an mx5 that I couldn't get up my street when it snowed, and it is not a particularly steep hill. I also recall pushing both an e90 and c class merc out of our works car park because they couldn't get any grip.

If in these type snowy conditions its anything like that in the BMW then ill be screwed, if they will make a night and day difference ill take the plunge

Since I only have 16 inch wheels anyway I'm not sure if I should just get tyres fitted to my existing wheels

[davyk31]

Yes if you are already running 16s then get winter tyres fitted to those, won't cost you a fortune, probably £350-£400 and as I say you save wear on the summer tyres therefore its a bit of a no brainer to me, go for it !!

[smacg]

I just fitted a set of conti tp830's (think thats what they are from memory) and I notice a big difference, even in the wet. We had snow up here last friday and a few crashes as people / roads weren't prepared for it. The car does drive differently/softer but under braking in the wet it feels much more assured. Now the clocks have changed and most of the time its <7 degrees Im hoping they are worht it.

[BIFCAIDS]

I think the driver comes into play as well, this year up north It snowed in Feb and I was coming back from a bmw dealer in Wilmslow and we ended up stopping on a fairly steep hill both me and my dad were cringing at the thought of setting off again anyway took the handbrake off and we slowly set off no wheel spin no nothing I was very impressed and he's got a 320d m-sport coupe. But I do think we should have to have them by law. Stops people from saying "oohh I cant get to work" etc

[Jedimindtrix]

Well worth it I'd say, I've ran them on my D3 for two years, they've paid for themselves.

I have a set of Pirelli sotozerros that are on 16" steelies, I usually put them on mid November till the end of February.

I'm a newbie by the way

[rickyjones1209]

I ain't bothering with winter tyres I think I'll take my chance. The rears on mine probably only have a few months left in them but I'd rather spend the money on some decent tyres in spring.

I may regret this decision when I struggle to get home from work!!

[Jedimindtrix]

I doubt you'll need them in Cheshire

Gets cold up here in the north though.

[jimmylad]

I would have a set of winter tyres for any car I get from now on.

Apart from the initial big hit money wise they do make a difference. While some on here were stranded with summers on my car was pulling my half loaded transit van down the street with no problem at all with the winters on. Road was fairly level but I didnt think it woud do it.

Will be going into my 3rd winter soon & the winter tyres must have only used 1.5mm of tread if that (low milage driver now car wise) & the assymetric 2's will be saved for summer. Best of both worlds.

I put mine on the day before we had all that really bad snow (more luck than judgement) 2 years ago so I have never drove the car in snow on summer tyres.

Just got some all season tyres for my van now.

[edowen]

night and day.

[Bee Pee]

Whilst we don't get much snow down here in the tropics of SW London, TC off, winter tyres on and some ballast as far astern in the boot as possible - dispels all the rumours abt beemers being rubbish in the snow.

[IanS100]

Good winter tyres on a cheap set of reps makes a lot of sense, I fitted mine last week and as a bonus, the car feels sooo much better than it did with the crappy RFT

[jimpom23]

I looked into this very topic myself recently and after hours of reading I found those who had them say you can't live without them and those who didn't sneer from the sidelines having saved hundreds.

Basically, if you live in Scotland and it snows regularly and you need to use your car then they are of benefit.

If you live anywhere else and need your car for work (i.e. you're an on call nurse or a contractor on a day rate) then get them.

If you live anywhere else and have another car you can use in the event of a few days/weeks of snow then don't bother.

Bottom line is it is cost and hassle - you'll have to have rims to spec for warranty I believe, you'll also need to let your insurance company know and face potential cost for doing so. A lot of people buy cheap winter tyres which aren't worth bothering with so you'd have to go top spec but then I also read reports in the press that even around the lower single digits the worst summer tyre outperformed the best winter tyre.

So with all that in mind you should be able to reach a decision

[IanS100]

Originally Posted by jimpom23

Bottom line is it is cost and hassle - you'll have to have rims to spec for warranty

Winter wheels shouldn’t affect warranty unless they cause damage to some OE parts, it doesn’t necessarily follow that none OE wheels are sub standard

Originally Posted by jimpom23

you'll also need to let your insurance company know and face potential cost for doing so.

Insurance company told of winter tyres / aftermarket wheels – no problem & no cost

Originally Posted by jimpom23

A lot of people buy cheap winter tyres which aren't worth bothering with so you'd have to go top spec but then I also read reports in the press that even around the lower single digits the worst summer tyre outperformed the best winter tyre.

My understanding is that top quality summer tyres often outperform cheap winters, not that summer tyres of equal quality do. The moral there is buy good tyres, but there again, that should always be the case if you value your life

[E92Dan]

You wouldnt compromise on grip in the summer so why compromise in the winter. Also they are cold weather tyres designed to give you good grip in cold weather, it doesnt matter if you dont get any snow. They dont cost any more to run as you can only use one set at the time!

[JNW1]

I don't think there's a right or wrong answer to this as to me it depends on personal circumstances (and a big part of that is where you live). If you often struggle to get around in winter and/or you're often struggling for grip in cold conditions on summer tyres you'd probably benefit from winter tyres. However, if you've never got stuck and seldom worry about traction or your ability to stop you probably don't need them. I completely understand why someone living in the Highlands of Scotland or the Peak District would fit winter tyres but I'm not so convinced that someone living in Hampshire or Kent would need them!

Touching wood I've never found winter driving that much of a problem and even in the bad winter we had a couple of years ago my old M3 CS never got stuck or felt like it was going to put me in a ditch. However, the part of North Yorkshire where I live isn't terribly remote and I admit I may think differently if I lived up in the Dales or on the North Yorkshire Moors; horses for courses IMO and for that reason I'm against the idea of making winter tyres compulsory!

[SteveC]

Winter wheels aren't that expensive when you take a long term view and factor in summer tyre savings and selling on the winters when you change cars

Then winter wheels can save you an expensive and/or big accident....anything from low speed hitting the kerb to major skids and spins or accidents caused by extended braking distances.

Then there's the peace of mind aspect. If it does snow and you're on summers, you'd better stick to cleared roads....anything else and you will get stuck. Pulling out of snowy sideroads is a real iffy proposition on summer tyres and even minor inclines can spell disaster.

If you live in a hilly region, its expecially difficult in snow and ice....nothing worse than sliding down a hill with no braking or steering.

On my 330d and X5 the difference between summer and winter tyres on wintry roads is huge...it converts an almost undriveable car into one of the best gripping/steering/braking cars on the road.

So for me its a no brainer. Winter tyres just make life a whole lot easier and only cost a few hundred quid when everything is taken into account.

[Jules59]

Originally Posted by BIFCAIDS

But I do think we should have to have them by law. Stops people from saying "oohh I cant get to work" etc

My better half is an out-patient dept clinical nurse specialist - her staff are not allowed to use that excuse - she goes and picks all up in her Landrover .