Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Best winter tyres ??!!

General car related chat
Post Reply
User avatar
MJim
Member
Member
Posts: 854
Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:19 pm

Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by MJim » Mon Jul 04, 2011 5:40 pm

I'd like to get my ducks lined up for getting kitted out for the winter, especially as I understand that pretty much everyone sold out last winter. I'll be driving to the Alps this winter and understand that some countries won't allow you to drive without winter tyres fitted.

I've got 19in M sport wheels - 285 rears and 255 fronts. My understanding is that these are fine for winter tyre use. What are the best tyres to go for? Also is it okay to change tyres on the same rims and back again each year or is it best to buy a new set of wheels? Hoping to save on the cost here ...
Current: 40d M Sport, deep sea blue, oyster, 19in
Spare: VW Golf V5

History: TVR Chimera 5.0
First Car: Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18784
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by X5Sport » Mon Jul 04, 2011 9:08 pm

Those rims will indeed be fine for Winter Tyres. The OEM 'recommended' ones that I fitted are Pirelli Scorpion 'Ice & Snow' RFTs. If I had been unable to get RFTs then I would have put 'Puncture Safe' into the non-RFT version. It's a water based solution and works well. You need 19 Units per wheel.

Not having a spare in the X6, it would have given peace of mind in the event of a nail or screw through the tyre! We get a fair few round here coz of there being builders merchants in either direction from us.
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

User avatar
MJim
Member
Member
Posts: 854
Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:19 pm

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by MJim » Tue Jul 05, 2011 9:29 am

Many thanks for the advice. Do you know if it's fine to change tyres and back again each year, or is it better to leave tyres settled on the same rims? I presume it's okay but thought I'd ask. I do have a preference for not buying a spare set of wheels to save on cost / storage !
Current: 40d M Sport, deep sea blue, oyster, 19in
Spare: VW Golf V5

History: TVR Chimera 5.0
First Car: Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18784
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by X5Sport » Wed Jul 06, 2011 1:42 pm

I'm not sure how the beads fair if the tyres are swapped back and forth. Some tyre places won't refit tyres, others are absolutely fine about it.

I was very lucky that another X6 Owner did not want the 19" OEM wheels at delivery - fitted some ACS ones instead - so the Dealer flogged me the whole set, brand new for £500. The OEM RFT tyres went on the E53 (which was getting to needing a new set) and the rims were reshod with Pirelli's and are now stored by BMW for me free ready for Winter.
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

User avatar
ChrisLux
Member
Member
Posts: 379
Joined: Tue Aug 10, 2010 11:24 am
Location: Luxembourg/Wolverhampton

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by ChrisLux » Fri Jul 08, 2011 12:55 pm

I use either Continental Winter Contact or Yokohamas on mine .
Last winter I cudn't get the Conti's so my tyre specialist suggested
I tried the Yoko's instead .
Fantastic tyre .

Was on the M5 in Dec with 6'' plus of snow in the outside lane doing
70mph and it was as solid as a rock and cutting thru the snow with
no Problems . Nothing kept up with me .
Also went skiing and the car didn't miss a beat
'18 F25 Alpina XD3 Bi-turbo, Sapphire Schwarz

‘97 E36 B8 4.6 Touring (19/27) , Individual Tannen Grun

'02 E39 ACS5 3.0d Touring , Individual Velvet Blau - sold

'05 E53 X5 3.0d , Sapphire Schwartz - sold


Freude am Fahren - Sheer Driving Pleasure

AW8
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3189
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 6:04 pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by AW8 » Fri Jul 08, 2011 1:10 pm

[quote=""ChrisLux""]Was on the M5 in Dec with 6' plus of snow in the outside lane doing
70mph and it was as solid as a rock and cutting thru the snow with
no Problems . Nothing kept up with me.[/quote]

:w00t: .................Impressive but slightly frightening ;)

if nothing else good testimony to car, tyres & courage of driver.
Gone - 2002 E53 X5 4.4i Sport (Pre Facelift) Owned 2006-2016.

Site & Forum Admin Team Member.

User avatar
MJim
Member
Member
Posts: 854
Joined: Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:19 pm

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by MJim » Sun Jul 10, 2011 12:08 am

Many thanks for the advice, and good to hear about the car's capabilities, although I'm not sure I fancy 70mph in 6in snow myself. Okay I guess on a wide empty road in a straight line...
Current: 40d M Sport, deep sea blue, oyster, 19in
Spare: VW Golf V5

History: TVR Chimera 5.0
First Car: Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9

User avatar
CondorX5
Snr Member
Snr Member
Posts: 1409
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 8:45 pm

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by CondorX5 » Sun Jul 10, 2011 8:19 pm

I'm keen on Vredestein Snowtrac or Wintrac Extreme tyres everytime.....not easy to find stocks though, was looking for some on the main suppliers and there were none only a few weeks back....keep an eye out for the brief window they become available at Camskills or Tyremen......performance from the Vredesteins is just superb in ice and snow.
X5 2005 Le Mans Blue 4.8is
Fully loaded but Now semi-retired! 

X5 2012 Alpine White 40d MSport 21" style 215 black alloys, rear entertainment, media package, comfort seats and a load of other options.

User avatar
ChrisLux
Member
Member
Posts: 379
Joined: Tue Aug 10, 2010 11:24 am
Location: Luxembourg/Wolverhampton

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by ChrisLux » Mon Jul 11, 2011 12:49 pm

[quote=""AW8""][quote=""ChrisLux""]Was on the M5 in Dec with 6'' plus of snow in the outside lane doing
70mph and it was as solid as a rock and cutting thru the snow with
no Problems . Nothing kept up with me.[/quote]

:w00t: .................Impressive but slightly frightening ;)

if nothing else good testimony to car, tyres & courage of driver.[/quote]


I apologize , as re-reading what I wrote , it sounds a little gung-ho and irresponsible .

I've been living in Lux for 23 years , and having to drive for normally between 3 and 6
months of the year on winter tyres , a lot of the time in treacherous snowy conditions ,
I believe I have picked up more experience than the average driver . However , that
doesn't mean I should be blase .

What I was trying to get over , but perhaps didn't say it in the right manner , is that they
are excellent tyres which are well matched to the E53 (and other models too I'm sure)

I hope that sounds a little better than my first attempt :)
'18 F25 Alpina XD3 Bi-turbo, Sapphire Schwarz

‘97 E36 B8 4.6 Touring (19/27) , Individual Tannen Grun

'02 E39 ACS5 3.0d Touring , Individual Velvet Blau - sold

'05 E53 X5 3.0d , Sapphire Schwartz - sold


Freude am Fahren - Sheer Driving Pleasure

Avtar
Member
Member
Posts: 362
Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 2:04 pm
Location: Chertsey, Surrey

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by Avtar » Mon Jul 18, 2011 12:50 pm

I have the Pirelli ICE & SNOW Run Flats on a spare set of 19"s. They were great during the snow last winter, I would recommend that you get a spare set of rims if you have the storgae space, much easier.
Current Drives:

Alpina D5 BiTurbo
E70 3.0sD SE (Sold)
E46 330 Convertible
Alpina B3 S BiTurbo (SOLD)

History:

E39 528 Sport, 530 Sport
E38 735 Sport
E36 318iS, 320, 325

AW8
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 3189
Joined: Fri Jul 30, 2010 6:04 pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by AW8 » Mon Jul 18, 2011 11:04 pm

[quote=""ChrisLux""]

I apologize , as re-reading what I wrote , it sounds a little gung-ho and irresponsible .

I've been living in Lux for 23 years , and having to drive for normally between 3 and 6
months of the year on winter tyres , a lot of the time in treacherous snowy conditions ,
I believe I have picked up more experience than the average driver . However , that
doesn't mean I should be blase .

What I was trying to get over , but perhaps didn't say it in the right manner , is that they
are excellent tyres which are well matched to the E53 (and other models too I'm sure)

I hope that sounds a little better than my first attempt :)[/quote]

Chris............Not an issue. In past I have pressed on with some momentum in snow before & with less winter driving experience than you & using normal tyres on lesser vehicles than those discussed here. Indeed I cringe at some of my exploits driving when younger.

I've know folk can make good progress with well shod vehicles & appreciate that outside of ther uk folk travel faster than 20mph on snow.......... That said your further comments do put things in a nicely into clarified context ;)
Gone - 2002 E53 X5 4.4i Sport (Pre Facelift) Owned 2006-2016.

Site & Forum Admin Team Member.

sunexim
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:34 am
Contact:

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by sunexim » Thu Aug 11, 2011 8:10 am

[quote=""Avtar""]I have the Pirelli ICE & SNOW Run Flats on a spare set of 19"s. They were great during the snow last winter, I would recommend that you get a spare set of rims if you have the storgae space, much easier.[/quote]
What are your budget for it??

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18784
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by X5Sport » Fri Aug 12, 2011 10:28 am

Take a very deep breath!

Around £700-£800 for tyres alone - not Dealer prices which will be higher. If you are also buying rims then anything from a few hundred for second hand, up to £1800 for new - or more if you're buying the fancier designs like style 215s on an E71.
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

sunexim
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2011 7:34 am
Contact:

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by sunexim » Fri Aug 12, 2011 11:24 am

[quote=""X5Sport""]Take a very deep breath!

Around £700-£800 for tyres alone - not Dealer prices which will be higher. If you are also buying rims then anything from a few hundred for second hand, up to £1800 for new - or more if you're buying the fancier designs like style 215s on an E71.[/quote]
OMG!
It stopped my breathing. It is not affordable for everyone!

User avatar
X5Sport
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
Posts: 18784
Joined: Fri Sep 03, 2010 4:09 pm
Location: Planet X6......

Re: Best winter tyres ??!!

Post by X5Sport » Fri Aug 12, 2011 12:00 pm

That's the trouble with these big wagons, they have large wheels and the tyres get expensive. The major brands like Goodyear, Pirelli, Bridgestone and Dunlop being more expensive. As mine is under warranty I had to go with the OEM tyre match.

There are cheaper brands so you may be able to make a slight improvement. If you're lucky as I was and got a set of rims for £500 that makes the bill a lot easier. And if you don't have runflats that also makes a difference - possibly a big difference. My figures are for RFT tyres which the X6 has, and on the 19" Style 268 rims. I use 20" Style 214 for the Summer. Smaller rims are better for Winter, and for the E53, a set of 17" (around £900 a set new so half the price of the E71 types) would be best - which again reduces the bills.
:ant: Never anthropomorphise computers. They hate that.

Post Reply