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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > Regional Forums > USA - Mid-Atlantic > Snow Tires for DC Region



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      10-24-2006, 03:15 PM   #1
HeadlessChicken
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Snow Tires for DC Region

I wanted to see what everyone around DC thought about snow tires. In particular I am interested in what people with 330/335s are doing. I think they have bigger brakes so the issues are a little different than for 325s. Yes, I have read the threads, but I wanted to know who you used locally for install and when you make the switch over to snows and switch back to regular. I talked to a couple people on Sunday and many were leaning toward the Tire Rack deal. I'm just not sure if we get enough snow to justify it... but I don't want to learn that lesson the hard way.
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      10-24-2006, 03:52 PM   #2
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we have a very light winter here in DC Metro area, and bcoz of that I stayed away from more knobby/noisy tires. I use Michelins Pilot Alpins, for better ride, noise and comfort.
I put ine on thgiving thru about April ea. yr.

ps its not advisable to do staggered tires btw for winters set, njoy yur car
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      10-24-2006, 04:02 PM   #3
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Lawl, I got a staggered set from AJ.
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      10-24-2006, 04:22 PM   #4
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ROFL - lolz
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      10-24-2006, 04:26 PM   #5
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They are all seasons anyway, I doubt I'll need a dedicated winter set...unless the blizzard of '96 comes back this year for revenge.
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      10-24-2006, 05:09 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shimshimhada
Lawl, I got a staggered set from AJ.


Ha... hope you enjoy those tires!!! They really are great!!!


Im trying out a set of Falken Ziex 512 All Season Performance tires this winter season. They look completely identical to the Bridgestone RF's (sidewall protection), they look to have some decent tread depth, and have been getting some great reviews.

They go on tomorrow, so Ill be sure to post a review of them shortly.

I would actually say avoid winter tires. For the amount of time that it snows here, you really dont need winter tires. While the bridgestone RF's are actually not that bad in colder weather (this week it has been in the 30's for my commute to work), They will not do well in the snow and ice.

Find a good set of all season performance tires, and youll be all set...
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      10-24-2006, 05:09 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shimshimhada
They are all seasons anyway, I doubt I'll need a dedicated winter set...unless the blizzard of '96 comes back this year for revenge.

You going to mount them on a new set of rims???
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      10-24-2006, 09:27 PM   #8
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AJ, let me/us know how the tires do under some good spirited driving.

Also, where you getting them installed?
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      10-25-2006, 04:34 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tman
AJ, let me/us know how the tires do under some good spirited driving.

Also, where you getting them installed?

Mounting and Balancing being doen by Ashburn Service and Tire Center (Ashburn Village right around the corner from me)....

I wont be doing as much spirited driving at first, but I really am hoping for a big reduction in tire noise as well as softening the ride a little over the RF's...

I have an extra 162 wheel, and I will also be mounting one of my RF's on it for a spare...
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      10-25-2006, 07:06 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bavarian19
You going to mount them on a new set of rims???
I'm going to drift out these Potenzas.
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      10-25-2006, 09:00 AM   #11
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I plan to get snows on 17" rims -- the Tire Rack "recommended" package. It may be overkill for our region, but the reviews on the Dunlop Winter Sport M3 DSST tires are generally good for dry pavement as well as snow, slush, rain, etc. I plan to mount them around late November. I'll let you guys know how they work out.

BTW, you can buy them from Tire Rack mounted and balanced already at no charge, so that's what I'll do. Then I could just put them on myself, but I don't have a jack (!) or a lift to use. I think I'll schedule my "break in" oil change with Passport sometime in late Nov, and I'll ask them to change out the tires while they're at it.

BTW - what PSI should I use for the snows, with no staggered setup? All four are 225/45 x 17.
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      10-25-2006, 10:44 AM   #12
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BK,

So the TireRack package is NOT staggered? That answers one question I guess. Also, are you aware of any issues with tire pressure sensors? Sorry for my ignorance, but I haven't had the car long enough to figure this all out. I may just try to share with my wife on the bad days. She has a Pilot.
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      10-25-2006, 03:06 PM   #13
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1 - They are not staggered. In general, snow tires are not going to be staggered.

2 - Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think the '06 E90 doesn't have TPM sensors. My basic understanding is that the computer just monitors whether one wheel suddenly starts spinning faster than it should due to a loss in tire pressure (and the resulting smaller tire diameter). This is why when you put on new tires or adjust air pressure, you have to reset the system -- it learns what the new tires' spin rate "should" be. That becomes the basis for determining whether there is a sudden loss in pressure. So there should be no problem with tire pressure sensors and the winter tires. I just need to remember to initialize the system.

My question remains, though -- what tire pressure should I run the winters? Anyone know?
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      10-25-2006, 03:26 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadlessChicken
BK,

So the TireRack package is NOT staggered? That answers one question I guess. Also, are you aware of any issues with tire pressure sensors? Sorry for my ignorance, but I haven't had the car long enough to figure this all out. I may just try to share with my wife on the bad days. She has a Pilot.

Believe it or not, you actually want a little less width out of snow tires. If your going to drive on snow, you want your tires to slice through the snow, and not sit on top of it. They are not staggered for that reason...
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      10-25-2006, 03:48 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BK
1 - They are not staggered. In general, snow tires are not going to be staggered.

2 - Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think the '06 E90 doesn't have TPM sensors. My basic understanding is that the computer just monitors whether one wheel suddenly starts spinning faster than it should due to a loss in tire pressure (and the resulting smaller tire diameter). This is why when you put on new tires or adjust air pressure, you have to reset the system -- it learns what the new tires' spin rate "should" be. That becomes the basis for determining whether there is a sudden loss in pressure. So there should be no problem with tire pressure sensors and the winter tires. I just need to remember to initialize the system.

My question remains, though -- what tire pressure should I run the winters? Anyone know?

I would assume that you would keep the PSI around what you would have for the fronts...
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