Winter Tyres

themetz · 10-05-2010, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

There was a brochure in this months BMW Magazine offering that set-up for £700.

I think it said that packages are from £700.... and then somewhat misleadingly showed the picture of the 158 wheels

red-max · 10-05-2010, 09:44 AM

Hi Anneka,

Can you please quote me for a set of these - looks like the regular BMW UK Dealer price is £1,580, can you provide these at SYTNER Forum Members Discount of 15%, or better? :-)

Anneka @ Sytner · 10-05-2010, 09:55 AM

Hi Red-Max,
Unfortunately the winter wheels above have been discontinued.

However, there are other styles available but these will be dependent on your specific vehicle. If you can supply me with your vehicle registration number, I will be more than happy to provide you with a list of suitable alternatives. Please PM me.

xenon · 10-05-2010, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themetz

I think it said that packages are from £700.... and then somewhat misleadingly showed the picture of the 158 wheels

That old trick, eh?

Actually, if I was buying winter wheels / tyres I'd prefer a steel, utilitarian look rather then having alloys of dubious style.

atomic69 · 10-05-2010, 12:52 PM

It's good too see people coming around to the use of winter tyres in the UK, I personally would never be without them.
I can highly recommend the Nokian WR G2's. Had them on last year and just swapped over to them recently and found them to be excellent. Has no problems what so ever last year on the hills of W.Yorks. They are better then previous winter tyres I've had from the likes of Vredestein, Pirelli, Goodyear, Dunlop and Uniroyal.

Pneus-Online appear to have a very good range this year and proces llok good also.
http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/

Anneka good to see you making people more aware of the benefits of fitting winter tyres now all you need to do is convince BMW/Alpina gmbh there is a market in the UK for the xDrive 3-series. D3 BT xDrive or 330xd would be very nice....please.

2GPP · 10-05-2010, 03:53 PM

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article...-Tyre-Test.htm
Worth a read on winter tyre performance.

2GPP · 10-06-2010, 04:56 AM

Also this from Autocar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drOtBWhGxks

xenon · 10-06-2010, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomic69

all you need to do is convince BMW/Alpina gmbh there is a market in the UK for the xDrive 3-series. D3 BT xDrive or 330xd would be very nice....please.

Can't make them in RHD (easily) as the g/box won't fit around the steering column in RHD.

atomic69 · 10-06-2010, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xenon

Can't make them in RHD (easily) as the g/box won't fit around the steering column in RHD.

I see, shame that. Vera at Alpina gmbh seemed to think it was possible to get a RHD B3 xDrive when I enquired with them a few months back to see if they have any plans on producing a D3 BT with xDrive.

doughboy · 10-06-2010, 09:46 AM

and this ones a good read:

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/24...es_tested.html

Quote:

Originally Posted by atomic69

all you need to do is convince BMW/Alpina gmbh there is a market in the UK for the xDrive 3-series. D3 BT xDrive or 330xd would be very nice....please.

But they still need winter tyres on.....

atomic69 · 10-06-2010, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doughboy

But they still need winter tyres on.....

Absolutely, it's all about traction. Every car I've owned for the last 16years+ has had a set of winter rubber but there are other benefits to 4wd/AWD than just in winter.

davyk31 · 10-06-2010, 01:45 PM

What are the winter tyres like on the dry sunny winter days we sometimes get? Wouldn't want to have to keep swapping over from original to winter tyres would rather run winter ones for 3 or 4 months.

doughboy · 10-06-2010, 02:29 PM

Dry sunny winter days are still cold - winters grip like glue. Summers grip like granite.

Any weather at 7 degC or less and you're better on winters.

atomic69 · 10-06-2010, 03:40 PM

Just to clarify the 7degC reference often quoted by tyre manufactures is actually ground/road temp and not air temp. You would be surprised just how often the road temp is 7degC or below in the UK.

There is not actually much of a problem running the new generation of winter tyres all year round, yes you will ultimately sacrifice some traction in the summer months and have increased wear and tyre noise but unless you drive everywhere like you've stolen it then it should not cause you any issues.

My Mrs have had the Nokian WR G2's on since last sept and has done about 9,000m on them without any adverse wear or behaviour.

Carjack · 10-13-2010, 11:51 AM

For my winter tyres I am leaning towards a set of:-

Continental Wintercontact TS830P Contiseal 205/55 R16 91H on steel wheels.
Total about £700 delivered.
Much as I prefer alloys, steel are more resistant to the slide into the kerb and if I did I would'nt be fussed.
I think Contiseal, as this will give a little more protection against loss of air whilst my Wife has the motor. Can't amagine her sqeezing gel in!
The steel wheels will be 16". I have currently 17". I understand, in Norway, it is thought best to go a size down, being better in the snow.
It would seem that some new motors in Norway are supplied with a summer and a winter set of tyres/wheels. The winter set always being one size down.
Thanks for all your posts which have been most interesting!

Now I have to pick up the 'phone or will I change my mind again!

doughboy · 10-14-2010, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carjack

Much as I prefer alloys, steel are more resistant to the slide into the kerb and if I did I would'nt be fussed.

a) With winters on you won't be sliding into any curbs - thats the whole point!!

b) steels rims edges bend very easily, more so than alloys which just get scratched

c) Do you want to drive round warm wet london for 5 months with a set of 16" steels on??

Carjack · 10-14-2010, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doughboy

a) With winters on you won't be sliding into any curbs - thats the whole point!!

b) steels rims edges bend very easily, more so than alloys which just get scratched

c) Do you want to drive round warm wet london for 5 months with a set of 16" steels on??

doughboy, I do appreciate your comments.
However, if you hit ice on a camber you WILL slide into the kerb whether you have winter tyres or not. Winter tyres on snow is a different matter.
Some years ago I did slide into the kerb and I had great difficulty in getting out. In fact, I had to chip the ice away, to get a grip, with my ex army folding entrenching tool, which I always carry winter or summer.
Steel will always be more resilient to a kerb hit than alloy due to the harder structure of its material. Its amazing what you can do with a hammer on a bent steel rim.
The feeling of having the best tyres & wheels available for the job, when you are in trouble, for me, will far out way the feeling of having 16" wheels driving down the High Street.

doughboy · 10-15-2010, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carjack

The feeling of having the best tyres & wheels available for the job, when you are in trouble, for me, will far out way the feeling of having 16" wheels driving down the High Street.

Grip is much improved, even on ice, its pretty remarkable, but at more than walking pace you'll still slide.

Re the wheels, thats part of the reason why I went for a set of rep alloy 18s, £300 for 4 instead of £1200 for four BMW alloys¬

davyk31 · 10-15-2010, 03:42 AM

What tyre size do you need to go for if its 18" wheels, either staggered or non staggered?

doughboy · 10-15-2010, 04:29 AM

Stick with OE tyre sizes for the respective wheel size.

18x8J = 225/40/18
18x8.5J = 255/35/18

That's the staggered 18" sizes, but I just went for 4 off front wheels at 18x8J with 225/40/18.

The 30mm less rubber on the back doesn't really make any difference in the winter IMO.

davyk31 · 10-15-2010, 04:42 AM

What kind of price are the 225/40/18, was looking on Ebay as quite a lot of 17" winter tyres for sale but not a lot of 18".
Would prefer to go 18" to give at least a reasonable look to the car over winter.

Carjack · 10-15-2010, 06:21 AM

Have decided to proceed and will try to get some flash wheel trims to cover up the steel wheels.

i.e. 4 x 205/55 R16 91H Continental Winter Contact TS830P Contiseal

ex mytyres.co.uk at Total £676.40 delivered. Delivery date TBA

Got in touch with those nice people at BMW Insurance who said as long as I advise them when they are fitted, there will be no surcharge on the Policy!

When I fit them I'll let you know how I find them. I have of course the BMW kit for wheel changing!

All I need now is the BMW gel kit, so I will be off shortly to those nice local BMW dealers!

Second thoughts, it might be Halfords!

Regarding the performance of rubber tyres on ice, I cannot find any freely available records of trials undertaken by anybody. I have a feeling that if you are on pure ice you wont stop until gravity slows you down or you hit something!

10-05-2010, 09:44 AM	#24
red-max First Lieutenant 42 Rep 379 Posts Drives: 520d M Sport Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Hi Anneka, Can you please quote me for a set of these - looks like the regular BMW UK Dealer price is £1,580, can you provide these at SYTNER Forum Members Discount of 15%, or better? :-) Attached Images __________________ 2018 G30 520d M Sport with M Sport Plus - Mediterranean Blue Previously: 2015 F32 430d M Sport, 2012 F10 520d M Sport, 2009 E92 320d M Sport, 2006 E92 335d, 2004 E60 530d, 2000 E39 525d, 1997 E39 523i
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 09:55 AM	#25
Anneka @ Sytner 191 Rep 834 Posts Drives: - Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: - iTrader: (0)	Hi Red-Max, Unfortunately the winter wheels above have been discontinued. However, there are other styles available but these will be dependent on your specific vehicle. If you can supply me with your vehicle registration number, I will be more than happy to provide you with a list of suitable alternatives. Please PM me.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 12:52 PM	#27
atomic69 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 32 Posts Drives: Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	It's good too see people coming around to the use of winter tyres in the UK, I personally would never be without them. I can highly recommend the Nokian WR G2's. Had them on last year and just swapped over to them recently and found them to be excellent. Has no problems what so ever last year on the hills of W.Yorks. They are better then previous winter tyres I've had from the likes of Vredestein, Pirelli, Goodyear, Dunlop and Uniroyal. Pneus-Online appear to have a very good range this year and proces llok good also. http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/ Anneka good to see you making people more aware of the benefits of fitting winter tyres now all you need to do is convince BMW/Alpina gmbh there is a market in the UK for the xDrive 3-series. D3 BT xDrive or 330xd would be very nice....please.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2010, 03:53 PM	#28
2GPP Private First Class 26 Rep 197 Posts Drives: E91 335i M Sport Join Date: May 2006 Location: South, UK iTrader: (0)	http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article...-Tyre-Test.htm Worth a read on winter tyre performance. __________________ E91 335i M Sport
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2010, 04:56 AM	#29
2GPP Private First Class 26 Rep 197 Posts Drives: E91 335i M Sport Join Date: May 2006 Location: South, UK iTrader: (0)	Also this from Autocar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drOtBWhGxks __________________ E91 335i M Sport
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10-06-2010, 01:45 PM	#34
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	What are the winter tyres like on the dry sunny winter days we sometimes get? Wouldn't want to have to keep swapping over from original to winter tyres would rather run winter ones for 3 or 4 months.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2010, 02:29 PM	#35
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Dry sunny winter days are still cold - winters grip like glue. Summers grip like granite. Any weather at 7 degC or less and you're better on winters.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-06-2010, 03:40 PM	#36
atomic69 Enlisted Member 0 Rep 32 Posts Drives: Alpina D3 Bi-Turbo Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Just to clarify the 7degC reference often quoted by tyre manufactures is actually ground/road temp and not air temp. You would be surprised just how often the road temp is 7degC or below in the UK. There is not actually much of a problem running the new generation of winter tyres all year round, yes you will ultimately sacrifice some traction in the summer months and have increased wear and tyre noise but unless you drive everywhere like you've stolen it then it should not cause you any issues. My Mrs have had the Nokian WR G2's on since last sept and has done about 9,000m on them without any adverse wear or behaviour. Last edited by atomic69; 10-06-2010 at 03:46 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2010, 11:51 AM	#37
Carjack Stormtrooper 170 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 330i G20 M-Sport Portimao Blue Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	For my winter tyres I am leaning towards a set of:- Continental Wintercontact TS830P Contiseal 205/55 R16 91H on steel wheels. Total about £700 delivered. Much as I prefer alloys, steel are more resistant to the slide into the kerb and if I did I would'nt be fussed. I think Contiseal, as this will give a little more protection against loss of air whilst my Wife has the motor. Can't amagine her sqeezing gel in! The steel wheels will be 16". I have currently 17". I understand, in Norway, it is thought best to go a size down, being better in the snow. It would seem that some new motors in Norway are supplied with a summer and a winter set of tyres/wheels. The winter set always being one size down. Thanks for all your posts which have been most interesting! Now I have to pick up the 'phone or will I change my mind again!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2010, 03:42 AM	#41
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	What tyre size do you need to go for if its 18" wheels, either staggered or non staggered?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2010, 04:29 AM	#42
doughboy Major General 1545 Rep 8,970 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 Comp 6MT Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (2)	Stick with OE tyre sizes for the respective wheel size. 18x8J = 225/40/18 18x8.5J = 255/35/18 That's the staggered 18" sizes, but I just went for 4 off front wheels at 18x8J with 225/40/18. The 30mm less rubber on the back doesn't really make any difference in the winter IMO.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2010, 04:42 AM	#43
davyk31 Major General 1042 Rep 6,946 Posts Drives: Macan GTS :-) & F40 M135i Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Northern Ireland iTrader: (0)	What kind of price are the 225/40/18, was looking on Ebay as quite a lot of 17" winter tyres for sale but not a lot of 18". Would prefer to go 18" to give at least a reasonable look to the car over winter.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2010, 06:21 AM	#44
Carjack Stormtrooper 170 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 330i G20 M-Sport Portimao Blue Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Have decided to proceed and will try to get some flash wheel trims to cover up the steel wheels. i.e. 4 x 205/55 R16 91H Continental Winter Contact TS830P Contiseal ex mytyres.co.uk at Total £676.40 delivered. Delivery date TBA Got in touch with those nice people at BMW Insurance who said as long as I advise them when they are fitted, there will be no surcharge on the Policy! When I fit them I'll let you know how I find them. I have of course the BMW kit for wheel changing! All I need now is the BMW gel kit, so I will be off shortly to those nice local BMW dealers! Second thoughts, it might be Halfords! Regarding the performance of rubber tyres on ice, I cannot find any freely available records of trials undertaken by anybody. I have a feeling that if you are on pure ice you wont stop until gravity slows you down or you hit something!
	Appreciate 0 Quote