[iranjha]

Planning to take a cross country road trip from Chicago next March (don't worry, there'll be a write up with tons of pictures) and trying to figure out snow tires/tire chain/whatever situation just in case we run into something passing through Colorado.

The obvious best choice would be getting snow tires fitted but for a vast majority of the trip we'll be in 70° weather. Obviously winter tires are a no go unless... it's snowy and wintery. So this won't work unless my service advisor can ship my tires to Denver and then Denver back to Chicago lol.

Other option is all season tires with tire chains (any recommendations?). This seems less safe because it's not practical to have chains on 24/7 at all and so I'd basically be all season in possibly wet and cold conditions which with an F90 will lose traction.

Open to other ideas but just want to be prepared and safe. What do I do?

[supershaft]

Just use winters? Can't really predict the weather that far out and you will have peace of mind without hassle

[iranjha]

Originally Posted by supershaft

Just use winters? Can't really predict the weather that far out and you will have peace of mind without hassle

I thought it was not safe to drive in warm climates with winter tires?? Can anyone confirm ?

[bruza]

Originally Posted by iranjha

I thought it was not safe to drive in warm climates with winter tires?? Can anyone confirm ?

I’ve done it before. Drove some Bridgestone Blizzaks for a few days in TX over Christmas Break (drove from Salt Lake City).

A few days shouldn’t be a problem, I wouldn’t drive too crazy or at high speeds but the risk is much less than driving summer tires in the snow if that makes sense.

While on the topic of snow tires, according to TireRack there are only Pirellis available sized for the F90 M5. Anyone using other tire brands?

[iranjha]

Originally Posted by bruza

I've done it before. Drove some Bridgestone Blizzaks for a few days in TX over Christmas Break (drove from Salt Lake City).

A few days shouldn't be a problem, I wouldn't drive too crazy or at high speeds but the risk is much less than driving summer tires in the snow if that makes sense.

While on the topic of snow tires, according to TireRack there are only Pirellis available sized for the F90 M5. Anyone using other tire brands?

A few days yeah but considering we have to drive back I wouldn't want the performance limitations cruising at 100 mph. Also it's a 6000 mile trip total don't know what to do

[bruza]

Originally Posted by iranjha

A few days yeah but considering we have to drive back I wouldn't want the performance limitations. Also it's a 6000 mile trip total don't know what to do

Tough call there, possible to take a more southerly route and avoid snow altogether?

[iranjha]

Originally Posted by bruza

Tough call there, possible to take a more southerly route and avoid snow altogether?

I wish but many destinations are in Colorado and Washington :/ might have to actually ask if they can ship my winter tires to BMW of Denver lol

[Ryno 27]

Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 (OEM size/spec)

With regards to driving on winters during warm climate, I drove on winter tires for a whole spring and summer season as I wanted to preserve the thread life on the summer tires before turning in the vehicle. Had zero issues other than a softer, more comfortable ride.

[bruza]

Originally Posted by iranjha

I wish but many destinations are in Colorado and Washington :/ might have to actually ask if they can ship my winter tires to BMW of Denver lol

Sounds like a fun trip nonetheless, I’ve driven much of that route (I-70, I-80 and I-90). I’m sure you’re aware but they won’t hesitate to shut the highway down through passes if conditions call for it. I was stuck in Rawlins, WY for several hours once when I-80 closed due to white out conditions.

Safe travels

[Ryno 27]

[iranjha]

Originally Posted by Ryno 27

Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 (OEM size/spec)

With regards to driving on winters during warm climate, I drove on winter tires for a whole spring and summer season as I wanted to preserve the thread life on the summer tires before turning in the vehicle. Had zero issues other than a softer, more comfortable ride.

Were you able to get it up to high speed and handle properly? Ride isn't my concern it's more that I want to be able to speed there and back home lol

[iranjha]

Originally Posted by bruza

Sounds like a fun trip nonetheless, I’ve driven much of that route (I-70, I-80 and I-90). I’m sure you’re aware but they won’t hesitate to shut the highway down through passes if conditions call for it. I was stuck in Rawlins, WY for several hours once when I-80 closed due to white out conditions.

Safe travels

Can't wait for it! Yes we are aware and prepared for that. Like you said better to be caught with winter tires in the summer than summer tires in Wyoming that time of year. Also winter tires would allow us to go up on scenic roads into the mountains without a sweat...

[Ryno 27]

Originally Posted by iranjha

Were you able to get it up to high speed and handle properly? Ride isn't my concern it's more that I want to be able to speed there and back home lol

How fast do you want to go? The winter tires are still rated for 100mph...

[iranjha]

Originally Posted by Ryno 27

How fast do you want to go? The winter tires are still rated for 100mph...

Alpin PA4 vs Sottozero II?

[Ryno 27]

Personally I LOVE Michelin tires, wife has Pirelli winters on her X5 as Michelin does not make them for her vehicle, no complaints on either. BOTH are fantastic, drove on them last winter.

[MysticBlue]

I've been caught out in snow in March driving back from Wyoming to Oregon. I am very familiar with driving the Intermountain West and it's not unusual at all for November or March driving to be sunny and 70 or heavy snow in the mountains. Ya just never know. After having the Pirelli winter tires on my X5 for 7 winters, November to March (more or less), I've got them for my M5. Used them all last winter and had no regrets. Wasn't a bad winter, so used them plenty in warm, dry weather, no problem. That's what I would recommend. If you live in Chicago, then you can obviously continue to use the winter tires in future years. Personally, I have no interest in using chains, and would never try that with this car. If things are bad enough to need chains, you are going to be going so slow, you might as well just get a room somewhere and wait out the weather.
btw, as you may already know, you really, really don't want to try to drive in the snow with these summer performance tires. They are basically like hockey pucks.

[Brosef]

just get winters. they're far from unsafe in the summer - you'll be fine (even at 100mph). I know guys that run Sottozeroes year round. biggest issue is that they wear out a little quicker in summer because of the softer rubber. I drove cross country on Sottozeros last year and it was no issue. I would have no concerns driving at high speeds on the winters in 100 degree weather. I would be far more concerned driving in cold/inclement weather (at any speed) on all seasons

[iranjha]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

I've been caught out in snow in March driving back from Wyoming to Oregon. I am very familiar with driving the Intermountain West and it's not unusual at all for November or March driving to be sunny and 70 or heavy snow in the mountains. Ya just never know. After having the Pirelli winter tires on my X5 for 7 winters, November to March (more or less), I've got them for my M5. Used them all last winter and had no regrets. Wasn't a bad winter, so used them plenty in warm, dry weather, no problem. That's what I would recommend. If you live in Chicago, then you can obviously continue to use the winter tires in future years. Personally, I have no interest in using chains, and would never try that with this car. If things are bad enough to need chains, you are going to be going so slow, you might as well just get a room somewhere and wait out the weather.
btw, as you may already know, you really, really don't want to try to drive in the snow with these summer performance tires. They are basically like hockey pucks.

How many miles do they last usually? Trying to gauge how much wear 6k mile trip in variable weather would eat them. Leading towards Michelin as well

[GhostOne_322]

Originally Posted by Ryno 27

Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 (OEM size/spec)

With regards to driving on winters during warm climate, I drove on winter tires for a whole spring and summer season as I wanted to preserve the thread life on the summer tires before turning in the vehicle. Had zero issues other than a softer, more comfortable ride.

I just ordered the same set of MICHELIN PILOT ALPIN PA4s and having them installed Wednesday. I've only heard of issues driving on summers in the winter!

[iranjha]

Originally Posted by GhostOne_322

I just ordered the same set of MICHELIN PILOT ALPIN PA4s and having them installed Wednesday. I've only heard of issues driving on summers in the winter!

Good to know. Seems to be the trend. Please update on how you like them as my trip is in March. Thanks!!! Did you put them on your OEM rims or did you buy a new set.

For everyone, is a staggered winter setup (buying the PA4s and putting them on my existing rims) bad for winter? Any experience?

[GhostOne_322]

The 275 /35/20 and 285/35/20 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4s are on TireRack just search for them by size.

[iranjha]

Originally Posted by GhostOne_322

The 275 /35/20 and 285/35/20 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4s are on TireRack just search for them by size.

Just talked to a rep and they said front/rear have different speed ratings and tread patterns... 275/35/20 and 285/35/20. You guys have no issues?