[EVTee]

With winter approaching, it seems like now is the right time to start hunting for winter tires packages. I've looked at Tirerack for winter packages and the recommended size was 225/45/17, that sounds about right so I'm going with that.

For all of you winter experts out there, this will be my first RWD winter experience, but I've driven with all seasons in an AWD car and FWD when we got our heaviest snowfall. I've seen a few options regarding the tires, but I'm unsure if I must go RFT as selections are much more limited and they are usually priced higher compared to non-RFT winters.

I've narrowed it down to a couple choices for winter RFTs:
1. Bridgestone Blizzak LM25 (seems like the only RFT Blizzak that Tirerack carries)
2. Pirelli 210 Sottozero

There were significantly more choices when it comes down to non-RFTs, but based on reviews I've seen here and around the web these seem to be the general favourite:
1. Dunlop Winter Sport 3D
2. Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 or the newer WS70
3. Continental Extreme Winter Contact
4. Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3


I haven't seen good prices on any of these tires from Canadian vendors around Vancouver, so all the pricing research I've done was through Tirerack.

I live at the plateau in Coquitlam, which means that I'd have to make it up the huge hill to get home. Given all these winter tire choices, which one would you recommend best for Vancouver's winter conditions?

Generally I'd like to spend as little as possible for something that gives me excellent traction in the white stuff, while providing a reasonably quiet ride on dry conditions. I tend to mellow down and drive more conservatively during the cold months, so I'm leaning towards something that will give me a better traction in the wet / snow / ice / slush rather than corner carving dry performance.

Please do share your experiences with these tires or recommend one that you personally like best. If anyone knows where to get these tires locally for a good price, please let me know too.


Cheers

[perfectg]

I have the bstone Lm22 non rft tires for winter and absolutely love them. With a couple sandbags in the trunk for extra traction I have yet to get stuck in snow.

Im actually mounting them today, cause car is sitting for a month.

[john335i]

I had these (Toyo Snowprox S952 Tires) on my 335i for 3 winters, never got stuck and handled very well. In terms of pricing you could consider these guys. I know they are in Ottawa but the pricing is good and no duty/brokerage.

http://www.ottawatiresdirect.com/45-...8_198_255.html

[Blackadder]

I am in the same boat as you. I'm looking at putting winters on my 17's and leave my summers on the 19's. I phoned around and next week I am popping down to Discount Tire in Bellingham and picking up 4 Continental Extreme Winter Contacts. Mounted, balanced and all taxes comes to $650US.

The best deal at a local shop in the Lower Mainland was $1800!!!!!

[hubble bubble]

225/45-17 is definately the right size. That's what I have on my 335i, and my old e46. Never used winter run-flats.

I live in Calgary and ski in the Rockies every weekend from November to April. I run Nokian Hakkapellittaa R. They were recommended by a BMW driving instructor. Most of the Subaru and Mitsubishi guys in town prefer them too. Not available at Tirerack, but I am sure you can find them for a decent price in Washington.

Blizzaks are well rated, but they have a reputation for wearing fast. Dunlops seem to be a favourite on these forums. Michelins are, I think, the newest. I took the liberty of looking them up on Consumers Reports (available on line or at your local library) and THEY rate the Michelin as one of thier top pics - along with the Nokian WR G2 and Hankook Winter icept.

Keep in mind that all of the tires you mentioned are winter "performance" tires. They will be good on cold, dry roads but not much better than a good all-season in the snow. None of them will give you the snow traction of a "real" snow tire - like a Michelin Xice.

Nokian Hakkas are one of the best rate on CR as a "real" snow tire and "performance" snow tires. I can't rave enough about them.

[TwinPowerF30]

I have blizzak LM60s. It was pretty good handling in the dry last year.

[ryanful]

I live at the very top of Lynn Valley (up in the snow).

I have WS50 on another vehicle and have never gotten stuck.


Just bought a set of Blizzak WS70 for the BMW so fingers crossed

[EVTee]

I'm leaning more towards the Blizzaks or Dunlops, but still unsure about RFT or non-RFT since I have very bad luck with tire punctures. Has anybody used those fix a flat kits? If so, how'd they work out?

I'm also considering the Hakkas, but Tirerack doesn't carry them.

Originally Posted by john335i

I had these (Toyo Snowprox S952 Tires) on my 335i for 3 winters, never got stuck and handled very well. In terms of pricing you could consider these guys. I know they are in Ottawa but the pricing is good and no duty/brokerage.

http://www.ottawatiresdirect.com/45-...8_198_255.html

I looked at their site and their prices seem reasonable, but when I tried to get a shipping estimate for their winter tire / wheel package it said that no shipping options available (pickup only).

What are the differences between the Blizzak WS vs. LM series?

[john335i]

LM has a higher Speed Rating and Max Load than the WS.

[TTE90]

Quiet snow tires are important too in the dry. Hate the drone.

[que2k]

I picked up a set of Continental TS790 with 17" M6 replicas a couple of years ago from tiretrends.ca

They are located in maple ridge. At the time the US dollar wasnt as good so it made more sense and less hassel to get them locally.

I have a 335xi so a little more of an advatage than the OP but when the big snow storm hit a coupld of years ago here in Van I was crusing around no problems (just dont get high centered)

[TwinPowerF30]

with the high dollar, just buy from tire rack.

[EVTee]

Thanks for the advice guys! I've requested numerous quote from local and eastern guys but nobody comes close to tirerack.

I've decided to place an order for the Rial Salerno 17" & Continental Extreme Winter Contact and got them to ship to an installer in Bellingham. That way I'll just go south of the border when the wheel and tires arrive at the installer.

I decided to go with the Contis since they scored the best in the last comparison test done by tirerack and they're cheap too.

[TwinPowerF30]

how much was total? i bought mine local last year and they price matched tire rack's price and installed.

[ah gon]

Originally Posted by weiweiwei

how much was total? i bought mine local last year and they price matched tire rack's price and installed.

would like to know which tires shop that u bought your tires?

[subtlestylez]

Originally Posted by Blackadder

I am in the same boat as you. I'm looking at putting winters on my 17's and leave my summers on the 19's. I phoned around and next week I am popping down to Discount Tire in Bellingham and picking up 4 Continental Extreme Winter Contacts. Mounted, balanced and all taxes comes to $650US.

The best deal at a local shop in the Lower Mainland was $1800!!!!!

How don you transport your old tires? Won't you have to declare and pay duty and taxes for them?

[TwinPowerF30]

Originally Posted by ah gon

would like to know which tires shop that u bought your tires?

mfrt on marine drive

[ah gon]

Originally Posted by weiweiwei

mfrt on marine drive

thanks!

[Yvette]

Originally Posted by weiweiwei

mfrt on marine drive

they took 2 hours to mount winter tires on my wheels.
they also scratched my wheels.
I dont recommend them.

[Blackadder]

Originally Posted by subtlestylez

How don you transport your old tires? Won't you have to declare and pay duty and taxes for them?

My old tires weren't worth keeping so I just left them down there. I believe the tax would be 12% on $600 so it would only be $72 at the border.

[bugsandry]

EVTee, How much is price out the door for your order? Thank you.

[OEMconcept]

Hey guys, just like to let you all know that we sell tires the cheapest in Canada. Have a look at our lineup and send us a PM for pricing!

[ OEMconcept ] Winter Tire Selection