Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 21
  1. #1

    Winter Tire Discussion / Debate

    Well, may be a little late to the party as it is right after Thanksgiving and some parts of the country already have the white stuff, but worth a shot. BP and I had a late lunch and we got to talking about snow tires. The whats, whys and wheres, so to speak.

    What are you folks running for winter? Give is some ideas of driving habits, impressions of your chosen snow tire and weather pattern in your geography, tire and wheel size would help, too.

    For me, I went back to Blizzaks this season. Spent the past two on Connie EWC and was less than impressed. We will see how the WS80s do this year.

    Car: 2006 ZHP Coupe
    Tires: Blizzak WS-80
    Size: 205/50-17
    Habits: Chronic speeder with about 40k behind the wheel
    Marginal snow accumulation - slushy mix with wet pack and some ice.

    Impressions so far: Twitchy as hell on the dry. As expected. May go with a different offset or spacers to widen the rear track a bit. But, looking forward to the white stuff to test these out.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    VA/DC
    Posts
    14,445

  3. #3
    I have nitto's on my e30, it goes through the snow like a tank and I can't go anywhere with the Falken all seasons... just spin the rears.

  4. #4
    Dedicated winter tires are definitely worth it on any vehicle imo.

  5. #5
    Quote Originally Posted by ELCID86 View Post
    I run Blizzaks in the winter too. Have not put them on yet.
    I was a little late this season. Thankfully, it held off.

    C&D just had a feature on winter tires: http://www.caranddriver.com/features...ce-data-page-3
    I could have used this information a week ago! I was toying with the Nokian R2s. Been a fan of Hakks for a while. About the any loyalty I have had is on summer tires, as I seem to change my mind every other winter season. Now that I have three cars (smh in shame), I will likely put R2s on my other 330Ci next season.

    Quote Originally Posted by Johnmadd
    Dedicated winter tires are definitely worth it on any vehicle imo.
    Damn skippy! The only time my cars didn't wear dedicated snows is when I was too dumb to know any better and when I lived in climates where snow was barely a thought (Vegas, MS & Honolulu).

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Branford, CT
    Posts
    16,055
    Car: 2005 330i ZHP Sedan, 6MT
    Tires: Bridgestone Blizzak LM-32
    Size: 225-45-17 all around

    Habits: Very easy on throttle most of the time with shifts occurring at 2k or less, but enjoy the occasional blast up to redline on an onramp or a "spirited" overtake. Will drift any safe chance I get (no cars around whatsoever, parked or not) at low speed in 2nd gear. When there's snow on the ground, I'm very light on the throttle with very granular clutch control in order to gain traction, but will not hesitate to go 50-60 on the snow-packed highway provided nobody's around. When there's snow on the ground, traction control remains fully disabled at all times.


    Typical conditions: Anywhere from a light dusting (maybe an inch) to 6-10 inches. Typical snowfall is around 4-6 inches per instance.

    Impressions: Awesome stability and traction overall. Noise is low (I could barely tell I had them on when they were new). Noise did increase a tiny bit as they wore, but nothing near what other winter tires sound like. They are rated for 149mph, so I'm not limited when I feel like having a blast, though that rarely (if ever) happens when these are mounted. Grip is pretty awesome for a winter tire when it's dry out, and wet grip is amazing as well. Snow traction is great as well; I have never gotten stuck or had an issue with traction off the line. I could easily out-accelerate an SUV in the snow if it only has all seasons on. How do I know? I've done it. I have only driven on ice once with these mounted, and that was when I was driving on a highway that apparently wasn't salted enough. Cars were spun out/crashed along the side of the road and I wondered why... till I hit an icy patch. I started getting a little sideways at 55mph but was able to recover without too much drama, and was able to regain traction and keep it at a reduced speed. While it was an oh-shit moment, the tires did help keep me shiny-side up.
    Last edited by az3579; 11-30-2015 at 08:06 AM.
    BP
    2005 330i ZHP / 6MT
    Imolarot / Naturbraun
    2003 330iT / 6MT
    Orientblau / Naturbraun




    It's not the car you drive, it's how you drive it.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Alexandria, VA
    Posts
    2,805
    Car: 2005 330i ZHP Sedan, 6MT
    Tires: Bridgestone Blizzak WS-80
    Size: 225-45-17 all around
    Habits: Granny shifting before 3k most times, occasional spirited jaunts if conditions allow. Not many with winter tires on in the dry as I don't see the point. Ran for one season (last year), extremely cold, good amount of snow in multiple driving outings. Absolutely ZERO issues with WS-80s and traction. Back end came out when I wanted it to, if I didn't try it would stay planted with one press of DSC button. Including up hills and around corners. Completely eliminated worry while driving around and getting caught in blizzard at ski resort (had to make return journey at night).
    Typical conditions: Anywhere from a light dusting (maybe an inch) to 4-6+ inches.

    Plan to remake this video with LSD and a little bit more production quality this winter...if it ever snows or gets cold here lol


    Current:
    1988 BMW 325is
    1996 Toyota Land Cruiser FZJ80 x3 Locked - Restoration/Project Thread on ih8mud.com
    Sold:
    "Scarlett" the 2005 BMW 330i ZHP 6MT - Project/Maintenance Thread
    2011 BMW M3 E92 6MT - Info/Maintenance Thread

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Huntsville, AL
    Posts
    4,397
    Car: 2003 ZHP Saloon
    Tires: Blizzak WS-70 2011/2012
    Size: 205/50-17
    Tires: Michelin Pilot Sports, winters of 2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2009/2010, 2010/2011
    Size: 205/50-17

    Habits: I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY. Graduated from HS in 1977 (the year of the great buzzard) driving a snow plow during it. Moved into a 24hr towing & recovery service for the local police from 79 to 84. Always 2 wheel drive dual axle trucks. Used tire chains on the outside tire when the snow got over 4-5" and never missed a call. Along with that, I've never personally owned a front wheel drive. In 1986, relocated to Cleveland, OH and spent most Christmas's back in Buffalo. That included countless, heavy snow trips. So, yeh, I know snow.

    First Bimmer was a 99 323I, that I purchased in 03/04. The car had all season Michelin's and after a snowy Thanksgiving trip to Kalamazoo. I learned how to use the different functions of the DCS. Throttle kill, wouldn't let me spin to get up my sisters driveway.

    Purchased my ZHP Saturday 12/23/2006 and also purchased the winter wheels & tires they had from the PO. Tires were Michelin Pilot Sports and in good condition. These worked OK for me for the next few years. Snow in the Northern Ohio region is a mix of everything and accumulates up to eight inches or more. Never got stuck with the Michelin's but, never had the confidence to push it. Now, with the Blizzak's that lack of confidence nearly disappeared. Those tires were incredible in the snow and ice. Traction was absolutely outstanding. The tires would bite on ice, grip on snow, crawling out of ruts and running on top and the stopping power was also outstanding. I'm currently doing winter holiday commutes to northern OH in my Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4X4 running BFG Trail T/As and can say. I would feel safer in my ZHP with the WS70 Blizzak's than I do in the 4 wheel drive Tacoma.

    Dinan; Hign Flow Intake System, & Strut Tower Brace
    Turner Motorsports; Underdrive Power Pulleys
    Koni Sport, Bridgestone; Potenza RE-11, Coby Wheel
    Stewart High Performance Water Pump
    Hawk High Performance Street 5.0 Brake Pads
    Brembo Rotor

    The purposeful face of a formidable athlete:

    The spine-tingling 330i Performance Package.

    Purchased CPO on 12/23/2006 with 28,090 miles

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Kitchener, ON
    Posts
    6,034
    Car: 2004 330i ZHP 6MT
    Tires: Michelin X-Ice3
    Size: 215/50-17
    Habits: we get some crappy weather where i live. surrounded by lake ontario on 3 sides, it's basically an island, and it's not out of the ordinary to have a 12" drifts on the road i live in. i grew up in central VT, so i've had plenty of experience driving in any snowy condition. my wife leaves DSC + DTC on and has not had any problems. i leave the DSC + DTC on most of the time - it is a very impressive system for a 'one wheel peel' RWD car. i keep speeds and throttle application sane. when i'm alone in the car, DSC + DTC are often turned off and around here, it's easy to casually hang the rear end out. but you have to understand, there might be 10 cars that go by my house in a day, and often one is a plow.

    Impressions so far: the X-Ice3's have been predictable and decent. they're not as aggressive as some other snow tires i've used (think old-school nokian hakka's), but are a nice balance for dry and snowy stuff - not twitchy, just stable and confidence-inspiring. really, you can't go wrong.

    i just picked up a set of 8/32" blizzak WS-80s 225/45/17, on silver BMW steel wheels (the 17x7 ones), for a song. i might run those for a bit and see how they are, for comparison. plus, the steel wheels look cool.
    peter

    2004 330i ZHP
    2005 330iT ZHP
    2010 328iT M Sport

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Valparaiso, IN
    Posts
    3,595
    TIRERACK.com - Revolutionizing Tire Buying
    Exactly what Guy said... the right snow tires on a low, 10 year old, RWD car can provide more confidence than a 4wd truck with all-seasons.

    Another anecdote... after my wife drove with snow tires for the first time, she has ever since basically refused to drive in the snow (even 1/4" or less) if I haven't put them on yet!

    Car: 2004 330i ZHP Sedan, 6MT
    Tires: Bridgestone Blizzak WS-80
    Size: 205-50-17 all around
    Notes: Getting the WS80s installed this Thursday. I don't drive the ZHP much in the winter, and when I do I don't drive it 'hard'. But I take it to work maybe once a week. That can include tons of ice, snow, sleet, ice, and some more ice depending on what the weather feels like doing. And I often leave before any of the roads are plowed, so there's that too. So I'm willing to sacrifice some dry handling to get the best snow/ice control possible.

    I previously used General Altimax Arctics and had no complaints except, for maybe glare ice. They're not the most expensive winter tire, but I was very pleasantly surprised with them. Great in deeper snow (I've easily made my way through at least 3 inches of fresh powder... splitters = snow plows). A little more slippage than I'd like driving on solid ice (which I have, on the toll road, in the presence of large trucks), but the relatively harder compound provides very respectable handling and phenomenal wear. Actually, anyone who wants to buy them, let me know...still around 6-7/32nds left!

    For those of you still shopping, the Sottozero 3 and Conti WinterContact Si are both great options as well.

    If you haven't seen them before, TireRack has some interesting videos touting the benefits of dedicated winter tires. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=206
    Last edited by ryankokesh; 11-30-2015 at 09:58 AM.


Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Winter Tire Size Question (245/45r17)
    By Trackerpo9 in forum Tires
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 11-06-2015, 10:49 AM
  2. WTB: 17" Winter tire/wheel set
    By Stu in forum ZHP-Related Parts & Accessories (no vehicle sales)
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 10-09-2013, 11:05 PM
  3. Winter Tire Swap - when are you doing it?
    By onepercent in forum General -- ZHP Related
    Replies: 74
    Last Post: 11-16-2012, 05:37 PM
  4. Winter Wheel/Tire Thread
    By HokieZHP in forum Wheels
    Replies: 75
    Last Post: 11-06-2012, 10:44 PM
  5. For Sale (SOLD): 16'' BMW e46/e36 Winter Wheel Tire Package -- $550
    By CERF04ZHP in forum Other Automotive Classifieds (No ZHPs)
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 09-20-2011, 03:43 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •