yet another winter tire question

[Fielding Yost]

As noted in my sig, I have a non-SP, 5 speed e39 (yes, my "mods" are my lame attempt at humor). It's got the stock 16" rims with the all-weather tires. I know that winter tires would be a plus, but are they really necessary for my old fogie-esque bimmer? I live in the Detroit area, so we get our fair share of snow, sleet, etc.

I was under the impression that the snow tires were really necessary for bimmers with the sports package, which is most bmw's. I took that to mean that maybe it wasn't essential for non-SP bimmers with the all-weathers.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks.

 

[Average Jae]

sport package is for better handling by setting up w/ stiffer shocks and such. it makes the car sportier by making it more responsive in turns and such but it doesn't necessary make the car go faster, nor have the tires get more traction.

that said, all seasons are usually ok for everything but isn't good at anything either. i like to have snow tires for the rear wheel drive cars, since it'll give way better traction when starting off, not to mention better stopping traction. winter tires will make your car safer, no matter if you have a fwd, rwd, awd. you really wouldn't want your 40k bimmer to turn into a 40k tin can skidding down the crappy michigan roads do you? ^^;;

i'd say see how your all seasons handle in the snow, then decide from there. if you decide to go w/ snows, you might also want to pick up the tires w/ set of dedicated rims, steel or otherwise. this way you won't have to pay for the tire mounting fees every season, and won't hack up your summer rims. (depends on how much you like your rims)

 

[Trev]

i'd say see how your all seasons handle in the snow, then decide from there. if you decide to go w/ snows, you might also want to pick up the tires w/ set of dedicated rims, steel or otherwise. this way you won't have to pay for the tire mounting fees every season, and won't hack up your summer rims. (depends on how much you like your rims)

That's just what I did.. steel wheels with WS-50 Blizzaks for the winter.

The problem is, I just put them on last weekend, and now it's warming up again. Anybody know what the highest temperature is at which you can drive Blizzaks without premature wear? Probably should have waited another week or two, but we were starting to see snow and cold. It's always a crap shoot in the Autumn and in the Spring knowing when to change your tires.

 

[Fielding Yost]

Well, I was afraid that this was going to be the suggestion. Ave J, I totally understand the rationale that it's worth spending the money to avoid the heartache of an accident. Now that I've got a kid in the car, my safety concerns have been heightened even more. I'm just averse to spending the $$ on a winter tire package when my bimmer is a lease. This is my first lease, and I'm really missing the pride of ownership. It just makes me hesitant to spend a lot of money on a car that I'm returning in a couple years.

I suppose that if I buy winter rims for my current e39, there is no reason that I couldn't run them on an e60 if I end up (getting drugged) and buying one of those. Looks like I'll have to visit tirerack.com soon.

Thanks for the input.

 

[Trev]

I'm just averse to spending the $$ on a winter tire package when my bimmer is a lease. This is my first lease, and I'm really missing the pride of ownership. It just makes me hesitant to spend a lot of money on a car that I'm returning in a couple years.

When I recently traded an Audi A4 for a BMW, they gave me a better price because I included the winter wheels and tires as part of the swap.

I don't know, but if the company you are leasing from plans to sell the car as a certified used car later on, perhaps they would give you a similar deal? Might not hurt to ask them?

Bob

 

[Average Jae]

Fielding Yost: i feel for ya, but you know, it's your safty at hand. but like i said, test out your all season tires, in the snow. they usually descent in light snow, but once it starts to pile on, i would just sit at home for the storm.. they are usually pretty good around here when it comes to plowing snow.. (but then again i live in troy w/ all the corp bldgs, and pretty straight roads.) btw where are you by?

promise, they'll be hell lot better than my summer tires besides if past winters are any indication, most of the winter should be snow free.. or the rain the day after will wash it away (good for driving, horrible if you enjoy snowboarding)

Trev: i'd say you should be ok. from what i heard the newer snow tires are more resistant to heat than previous generations. but i'd stay away from sprited driving at high speeds.. damn the fickle weather eh? i thought i had to shelf my car, but it's nice and warm this week, so i'm back w/ my summer car