All season tires or summer tires in the snow?

wasupdu · 12-08-2008, 05:43 PM

I'm kinda in a pinch here and I'm stuck driving my Z4 for the next 2 weeks in the snow.

I have 19" M6 replica wheels with SUMMER tires (90% tread remaining) and I also have the stock 18" wheels with all-seasons but 2 of them are nearly bald with about 10% tread remaining and the other 2 have about 40% tread remaining.

I drove home today with the 19" M6 reps on (summer tires) and it was an absolute nightmare. The yellow triangle was ON more time than it was off...LOL.

What wheels/tires should I go with for the next 2 weeks and common sense would tell me to put the all-seasons on and the better tires go on the REAR? Can someone confirm this for me?

3002 tii · 12-08-2008, 06:06 PM

i'd take 18s with 2 bald just b/c summers are shit i nsnow, but the wider 19s only make it worse. or sell your 18s and get a dedicated winter set like i did. have oem 18s on michelin ps2, oem 17s on blizzaks.

Mikewarlover · 12-08-2008, 07:11 PM

I am really wondering how will winter tires cope with snow compared to summer is it very safe to drive out z in snow with winter tires?

MMMazing07 · 12-08-2008, 08:20 PM

summer tires turn into rocks once the temp gets below freezing. i drove in snow this weekend with T1-Rs and i almost spun many times. all seasons are better in snow but still not great. snow tires will be the best in the winter due to the softer compound. they have thick tread blocks and cut through the snow rather than going over it. i ran winter tires last winter and it was awesome. i was hauling ass in 2 inches of snow.

AtoB · 12-08-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

i'd take 18s with 2 bald just b/c summers are shit i nsnow, but the wider 19s only make it worse. or sell your 18s and get a dedicated winter set like i did. have oem 18s on michelin ps2, oem 17s on blizzaks.

same. except i'd keep the 18' rims and mount snows. i did and they drive very well in the white stuff.

Rick Hunter · 12-08-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikewarlover

I am really wondering how will winter tires cope with snow compared to summer is it very safe to drive out z in snow with winter tires?

I don't think there would be many issues with the Z on winter tires and snow (provided that you drive according to conditions). I'd be more concerned about my car being hit from some dumbass around me who doesn't have proper tires or proper driver training.

Dammmittt · 12-08-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Hunter

I don't think there would be many issues with the Z on winter tires and snow (provided that you drive according to conditions). I'd be more concerned about my car being hit from some dumbass around me who doesn't have proper tires or proper driver training.

I worry about that everyday...

As far as driving in the snow goes, I just avoid it, although the one time I've driven in the snow with summers on was "a blast"

MVF4Rrider · 12-09-2008, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMMazing07

summer tires turn into rocks once the temp gets below freezing. i drove in snow this weekend with T1-Rs and i almost spun many times. all seasons are better in snow but still not great. snow tires will be the best in the winter due to the softer compound. they have thick tread blocks and cut through the snow rather than going over it. i ran winter tires last winter and it was awesome. i was hauling ass in 2 inches of snow.

Agree. Main reason winter tires work so well in snow is the tread moves around alot and keeps snow/ice from being trapped in the tread. Summer times will trap snow/ice in the tread which in affect turns them into slicks. Plus as said above, summer tread designs have no bite either. Any car can be driven with winter tires in snow with decent success, with or without chains. Of course, AWD combined with winter tires and/or chains is quite advantageous. Here in Germany BMW sells chain sets for all their cars (upwards of 300 Euros per set).

Deda · 12-09-2008, 05:03 AM

i will always go for winter tyres.

nmulax · 12-09-2008, 09:43 AM

Search Craigslist, the classified section of Zpost/E90post, or the BMWCCA classifieds. Try and find a slightly used set of winter tires.

When I lived in Michigan, I had a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks on my 330i in the winter. Never had an issue. In the spring I moved to Phoenix, and sold my winter setup to a fellow board member.

All-seasons are better in snow then summer tires... but all-seasons are average at everything, great at nothing. I'd rather have a set of great winter tires, and a set of great summer tires.

ZStig · 12-09-2008, 10:28 AM

My car couldn't get up a 1% incline on summer tires with half an inch of snow... Summer tires are downright suicidal

buddrinker · 12-09-2008, 12:35 PM

Tried to drive mine last winter. Left drivway and did a 360. Now its parked for the winter. Not worth the damage it might get. Leaving it in the garage Just gives you that can't wait till spring feeling and makes it that much more sweeter when you get to drive her again.

Burt Reynolds · 12-09-2008, 06:52 PM

Dont even bother trying to drive your Z in snow with summers. Remember, it is less about being able to go forward and more about being able to stop. Summer tires may be able to get going but forget about grip in corners or when coming to a stop. I vote for snow tires on 18s.

12-08-2008, 05:43 PM	#1
wasupdu Lieutenant 25 Rep 413 Posts Drives: Z4 3.0, CLS63 AMG Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 Mercedes CLS63 ... [0.00] 2005 BMW Z4 [0.00]	All season tires or summer tires in the snow? I'm kinda in a pinch here and I'm stuck driving my Z4 for the next 2 weeks in the snow. I have 19" M6 replica wheels with SUMMER tires (90% tread remaining) and I also have the stock 18" wheels with all-seasons but 2 of them are nearly bald with about 10% tread remaining and the other 2 have about 40% tread remaining. I drove home today with the 19" M6 reps on (summer tires) and it was an absolute nightmare. The yellow triangle was ON more time than it was off...LOL. What wheels/tires should I go with for the next 2 weeks and common sense would tell me to put the all-seasons on and the better tires go on the REAR? Can someone confirm this for me? __________________ 2005 BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0 - Black Sapphire with Red Extended Leather / NAV / Premium & Sport Pkgs / 19" wheels / M steering wheel / Xenon 2013 Mercedes CLS63 AMG
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12-08-2008, 06:06 PM	#2
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.22]	i'd take 18s with 2 bald just b/c summers are shit i nsnow, but the wider 19s only make it worse. or sell your 18s and get a dedicated winter set like i did. have oem 18s on michelin ps2, oem 17s on blizzaks. __________________ Follow for latest mods
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12-08-2008, 07:11 PM	#3
Mikewarlover Major 40 Rep 1,165 Posts Drives: white Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Richmond BC iTrader: (0)	I am really wondering how will winter tires cope with snow compared to summer is it very safe to drive out z in snow with winter tires?
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12-08-2008, 08:20 PM	#4
MMMazing07 More than you can afford pal....ferrari 180 Rep 1,471 Posts Drives: Z4M Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	summer tires turn into rocks once the temp gets below freezing. i drove in snow this weekend with T1-Rs and i almost spun many times. all seasons are better in snow but still not great. snow tires will be the best in the winter due to the softer compound. they have thick tread blocks and cut through the snow rather than going over it. i ran winter tires last winter and it was awesome. i was hauling ass in 2 inches of snow.
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12-09-2008, 05:03 AM	#9
Deda Major General 563 Rep 7,034 Posts Drives: BMW M5 comp Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Croatia iTrader: (0)	i will always go for winter tyres.
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12-09-2008, 09:43 AM	#10
nmulax Brigadier General 378 Rep 4,320 Posts Drives: '07 Z4 M Coupe Join Date: May 2006 Location: Metro-Detroit iTrader: (5) Garage List 2007 Z4M Coupé [7.66]	Search Craigslist, the classified section of Zpost/E90post, or the BMWCCA classifieds. Try and find a slightly used set of winter tires. When I lived in Michigan, I had a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks on my 330i in the winter. Never had an issue. In the spring I moved to Phoenix, and sold my winter setup to a fellow board member. All-seasons are better in snow then summer tires... but all-seasons are average at everything, great at nothing. I'd rather have a set of great winter tires, and a set of great summer tires. __________________
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12-09-2008, 10:28 AM	#11
ZStig instagram 997turbotom 279 Rep 7,377 Posts Drives: Interlagos Z4MR Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Delray Beach, FL iTrader: (4)	My car couldn't get up a 1% incline on summer tires with half an inch of snow... Summer tires are downright suicidal __________________
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12-09-2008, 12:35 PM	#12
buddrinker Enlisted Member 4 Rep 42 Posts Drives: Bmw Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Alberta iTrader: (0)	Tried to drive mine last winter. Left drivway and did a 360. Now its parked for the winter. Not worth the damage it might get. Leaving it in the garage Just gives you that can't wait till spring feeling and makes it that much more sweeter when you get to drive her again.
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12-09-2008, 06:52 PM	#13
Burt Reynolds Captain 53 Rep 689 Posts Drives: 2007 M Coupe Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Windy City iTrader: (0)	Dont even bother trying to drive your Z in snow with summers. Remember, it is less about being able to go forward and more about being able to stop. Summer tires may be able to get going but forget about grip in corners or when coming to a stop. I vote for snow tires on 18s. __________________ 2007 M Coupe w/NAV/Premium/Extended Leather, Clearbra, DICE, 4.10 BMW Motorsport Polished LSD, Active Autowerke Gen IV Headers, Supersprint Race Exhaust and X-Pipe, ESS Tuned DME, KWV3 Coilovers, Volk RE30, OEM Strut Tower Brace, Short Antenna, JL AMP, JL 10W7, Valentine V1.
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