XSeries-forum

Useful find - thanks
Off to my lock-up at the weekend to check depth on my Vreds and swap-over.
I think I can get another year out of them.

I just put on a set of  Nokian WR SUV 3 RunFlats (255/55 R18 109V XL) and so far impressions are OK.  But even in 18" their ride is harsher than my 19" non-RFT Uniroyals.  I chalk this up to the stiff RFT sidewalls, but for winter I wimped out on the idea of changing a tyre in the icy Alsatian winter.  :'(

If you are considering this tyre, drop me a PM.  I will do a complete writeup on them in a few weeks or months (after the real winter hits).  Here's my latest summer tyre writeup: http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,10569.0.html

BMW did officially offer in their accessories catalogue style 214 alloy wheels,  the same 275 width up front and 315 rear in 20 inch as a winter set up, using Pirelli ice and snow tyres. It wasn't cheap and think it was £4500 at the time. So they must have tested them and surely they work and work well.
Im a big fan of winter tyres and I have a set of these. I have  never had a chance to use them so I am hoping all these reports of a super cold winter are true. Come on the snow. Of course I will report back my findings, assuming I make it home.
Regards,
Nat.

I was paranoid that if I didn't get the star marked tyres the rolling radius would be wrong and the transfer box would be damaged...may want to check on this.

Pirelli Scorpion winters fitted...........they do have a star on the sidewall .

Now where is the snow ?

Just put 4 new Pirelli Scorpion STR's 235-55-R17 on a 2006 X3 3.0d manual.  I rather stupidly assumed these were all weather tyres but now discover they are summer tyres. 
Heading down to the French/Italian border end November and I hear they are strictly enforcing the winter tyres only policy in certain regions.  Safety is paramount so will get winter tyres if necessary....any recommendations anyone?
Difficult to find any clear info on this but was wondering if carrying snow chains would suffice?  Better learn how to put them on first!

I use Pirelli Scorpion Ice @ Snow on my X6.  They are full winter tyres.  Bought them to fit the staggered 19” setup.  They’re currently in storage with BMW so I can’t check the size.  I bought the RFT version, but that’s because there is no spare on the X6.  You don’t need RFTs on the E53 so can get cheaper ones.

When changing from summer to winter and vice versa back to summer do the wheels need balancing
each time ? 

If you put new/different tyres on the same rims then yes.  I have two sets of rims (19” & 20”).  BMW store the off car set - they now have a number of storage sites around the UK.  Takes a couple of days to get them from storage and £45 to change them - with a 90 minute safety check included.

I haven't read the whole 21 pages so I apologise if this has already been discussed.

Bearing in mind that we've only had full-on laying snow for more than a couple of days for 2 of the last 20 winters, and on ice (which we do get slightly more of) even winter tyres are useless unless they have studs, are 4-season tyres fitted from, say, October until the end of March a viable option?

I have been using winter tyres for many years but can't help wondering if they are the really best option when the only benefit is their low temperature capabilities.

Many folks assume winter tyres mean snow tyres. They don't. Winter tyres have better traction and increased stopping distance over summer tyres in temperatures under 7 degrees Celsius.
I fit them to my X3 and the handling in British wet, icy winter weather is greatly enhanced.

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My winter sets have many more little cuts (sipes?) in each tread block which helps increase the grip.  It was icy in the East this morning but the X6 just mosy’d round most corners with its usual aplomb.  No slide, no drama.  Boring really 

Have been trying to get an OEM compatible set for my X6 for a couple of weeks now.  No stock anywhere in the UK from what I can see, nor in Germany with Tyreleader(dot)co(dot)UK.

Is there a general shortage of these tyres this year?  So far Yokohama are all I can get, but with a BMW Warranty I need to stick to their rules. 

Does anyone know how close MO (made for Merc) are to the BMW specs?  They come up as an option when BMW is selected.  I can’t find any detailed answers, but if they are also ‘matched’ sets then that might be an alternative.

I got these oem.
Willl they not fit X6
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre ... 2610707723

With spigot rings yes. Tyres are 6 years old (09/12) and 5.5mm giving you 1.5mm service before needing replacement (winter tyres need 4mm to work in snow).