[JC335xi]

Originally Posted by catcher22

I used to. I'm on a dedicated summer/winter set now.

All seasons are good with the XI. Wear is pretty quick, but it'll get you around as long as clearance isn't an issue.

I had All-Seasons for the past 6 years or so without any issues.

All that said..

I WISH I WENT TO DEDICATED SETS EARLIER. It's trading year-long medicrioty (all seasons) for year-long superiority (dedicated sets), to the tune of a few hundred dollars.

This. I have always run dedicated summer/winter sets. I tried all seasons once a few years ago (Conti DWS). Sure they did fine but that was it, they were just ok, acceptable, adequate.... Personally I'm not looking for just "ok" so I went right back to winters the next year.

[ucdbiendog]

in the winter i run mud and snow all season tires. i don't get up to the mountains enough to justify pure snow tires. so i carry chains just in case.

[madbim]

Conti Extreme Contacts in the Summer and Michelin X-Ice3 in the winter

[DrMike]

Originally Posted by thegrinchboy

Continental DWS works well for all seasons. I do still have dedicated snows though, even with xDrive, to get up to the mountains for skiing.

+1

[Internal Combustion]

I run conti DWS (installed by previous owner). Bought the car in 4/13, so only 1 winter on them. I live in Ohio and we had 5 snows last year, one being 6+ inches. Car did great. Didnt slide. Good traction in the snow. For moderate snow areas, they're just fine. Id like to have dedicated winter/summer (more for the summer performance), but they are not penalty tires. They have pretty good grip too, cut a 1.78 on a slippery track on them. Hard to beat a 1.78 60' and 6" of snow on the same set!

[EDwelly]

I am installing the DWS on Friday. Maybe when these wear out I can get summer/winter but for now these appeared to be the best all around option.

[Jnat]

DWS FTW. I am a multiple time purchaser of this tire, great all around. It won't handle like a summer tire and it won't be quite as good as a Blizzak but as an all around, IMO, nothing better.

[EDwelly]

I got the DWS' installed this past Friday. So far everything is pretty good. Ride is a bit smoother but I have to say I miss the Pirelli P7 RFTs. Maybe in a couple more weeks these will get "settled" in but for now, there are more than adequate. I think I just prefer the stiffer ride if that makes sense. However I am running the OEM 17" wells. I assume the RFTs would get stiffer the larger the wheel.

[alexb]

Originally Posted by ccraig13

I'm really loving my A/S 3's I put on in April. I have dedicated Michelin X-ice for the winter though. I hate the thought of switching back to the winters. Handling is subpar (as expected) but I must say, when the snow hits the ground it's like driving on dry pavement. It also means switching back to stocks rims away from my Apex

I am definitely too cheap to have a second set of winter tires and rims for the car. I'm running Michelin Pilot A/S 3's also, on my stock 17-inch rims. Couldn't be happier! They were pretty reasonably priced, I thought, due to the all-season rubber and the 17-inch size.

I also invested in a Slime compressor kit from amazon (like $40) which is the kind of thing so useful, I should have had it when I was on RFTs. The ride is a hell of a lot smoother now with the Michelins. It's also my gut feeling that the car handles better, especially over bumpy surfaces.

[ccraig13]

Originally Posted by alexb

I am definitely too cheap to have a second set of winter tires and rims for the car. I'm running Michelin Pilot A/S 3's also, on my stock 17-inch rims. Couldn't be happier! They were pretty reasonably priced, I thought, due to the all-season rubber and the 17-inch size.

I also invested in a Slime compressor kit from amazon (like $40) which is the kind of thing so useful, I should have had it when I was on RFTs. The ride is a hell of a lot smoother now with the Michelins. It's also my gut feeling that the car handles better, especially over bumpy surfaces.

The A/S 3's ride very comfortably. I had hankook ventus v12's (Also, non-RFT) prior to these and they ran much firmer than the Michelins, granted, the Hankooks are a pure summer tire. Another nice thing the A/S 3's have over the V12's, is they are rated at twice the mileage. The V12's only claim up to 20k miles, while the A/S3's claim 45k miles. They only cost me $60 more per tire, so I think it'll be a better investment. I'm still torn on whether the V12's gripped better though. Reason being, is because my new wheel setup is wider (8.5" instead of 8" ), I figured the wider tires would grip better, but I feel like the V12's understeered less. Anyways, I'd be interested in hearing how your A/S 3's take on the snow.

[Styles]

Can't beat winter/summer setup but, I run Conti Extreme DWS year round in New Hamp. and have been very impressed! Had some pretty nasty snow/ice storms and they have been great paired with X-Drive, plus I live on top of a hill and have had no trouble. Not to bad in summer either...

[SLOWER]

I love the DWS. Very happy with their snow performance last winter.

[koches]

Michelin A/S 3s. No heavy snow yet in Maryland

[kfriceman]

I run Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position, this is classified as an Ultra Performance All-Season tire. I am very pleased with the set, these are also non-runflats.

-Kevin

[danniexi]

dedicated winter tires. i took the advice of the forum members years back and can't thank them enough. no all season tire can perform like a dedicated winter set. AWD or not.

[SOL403]

In the winter I use Michelin X-ice and in the summer I use Michelin Super Sport

[biscut]

I was running stock wheels with winter tires and switching over to my 3 season set up....but now I just keep my Behrn rims with Conti full contacts and they seem to be just fine for reasonable snow.

I got the idea to try it from a friend who spends time on Subaru forms.

[acurael]

I just got conti DWS and couldn't be happier. Although we have mild winters in general (vancouver, canada). Usually only snows for a week or so if that.

[drmdvl]

A/S tires will get you by but you do compromise a bit of acceleration, handling, and most of all stopping during the bad ice/snow storms. I've run both setups with xdrive. However, I find dedicated winter tires are hands down the way to go.
BTW - I've used michelins and blizzaks in the past, but my Hakka r2s blow those tires away!
Thanks to forum members who have recommended them.

[NEFARIOUS]

I'm in SoCal and despite always wanting to tear this up in the snow, I haven't had the chance to. Not to mention with 2 jobs in a row with irresponsible bosses, I haven't experienced what it's like to not ride on Conti RFT's.

[Dan Villa]

Originally Posted by theduker456

I have xDrive and I use Michelin A/S 3's and I had no problems in our horrible winter last year (suburbs of Philly). They grip great and the treadwear rating for all seasons tends to be about twice as long as summer tires.

The first time you hit a pot hole in non-runflats and your teeth don't chatter you will wonder why you did not make the move sooner.

I have the AS 3's and I'm disappointed in snow traction. Great in cold wet and dry just not snow. Compared to my old g37 sedan on goodyears is night and day. I'm definitely disappointed in these tires.

[vapore0n]

edit:
My tires are Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP, and I like them.
Have been great in heavy snow, and in wet/dry. Reviews on TireRack seem to be better than the A/S.