Snow tires!

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Nov 29, 2011 | 09:55 AM

#11

esandes

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Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 1,138

Quote:

Originally Posted by kolbs_91

I ran my B5 through some pretty deep **** on just the stock wheels and Cooper all-seasons that came on the car when I bought it. I didn't really see the need for winter tires with quattro, but I suppose if you got enough of the white stuff to make them worthwhile...

I've driven my E46 through a couple good snow storms on Dunlop Winter Sport 3D's, and even with the RWD I've never been totally hopeless. Seem to be pretty good tires. As far as reasonably-priced all-seasons go, Continental ExtremeContact DWS seem to have a nice balance between grip and versatility.

i have the DWS and they are not good for winter. they have a harder rubber compound to make them last so long, since they have a long tread warranty. softer tires are best for winter. the best, true all season i've used came stock with the car-pirelli four seasons P6. once you try the winter tires you never want to use all seasons again. if i were to only pick one set of tires to use all year, they would be the P6 though.

Nov 29, 2011 | 11:08 AM

#12

kolbs_91

5th Gear

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 7,953

From: Edmonds, WA

My Dad had DWS on his 330xi last winter and didn't have any problems at all. The couple of times I drove it in the snow it seemed just fine.

Nov 29, 2011 | 01:02 PM

#13

esandes

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Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 1,138

Quote:

Originally Posted by kolbs_91

My Dad had DWS on his 330xi last winter and didn't have any problems at all. The couple of times I drove it in the snow it seemed just fine.

maybe for "spring-like" winters they're ok. where i live it gets to -40. the DWS tires are too rigid at low temperatures. for serious winter conditions, nothing beats winter tires.

all season tires are no subsitute for winter tires unless the all season rubber is soft enough. the pirelli P6 have been known (on this forum) to wear "prematurely" for an all season tire-as mine did. they wear out so fast because the pirelli P6 all season rubber is so much softer than the DWS.

Nov 29, 2011 | 03:31 PM

#14

kolbs_91

5th Gear

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 7,953

From: Edmonds, WA

I agree that winter tires are the best--and that's why I have a set--but for those ballin' on a budget, it might be smarter to buy all-seasons. Perhaps it's not -40* where the OP lives. He asked for opinions on winter AND all-season tires, so I gave a response covering both.