Best winter tires for stock 17" rims?

geko29 · 11-26-2012, 01:32 PM

In the next week or two, I'm planning on replacing the abysmal ContiProContact AS RFTs on my 335d with snow tires, on the stock 17x8" turbine rims (type 284, I think). In the spring, I'll grab a new set of wheels and put summer tires on them. My question is, what's the best bet for this? I'm assuming I'll stick with the stock 225/45/17, rather than downsize to 205/50/17, given that 225 is already a little iffy with 425lbft of torque on tap, even for dry roads.

I'll most likely want to buy at Costco (and the selection in-club differs from what's shown on costco.com), but will go elsewhere if there's a clear standout that they don't offer/can't get. So what winter 17s can you guys recommend?

Kolyan2k · 11-26-2012, 03:57 PM

Dunlop WinterSport or Blizzak LM60s

zipstic · 11-26-2012, 04:14 PM

What are your priorities for winter tires? Are you willing to give up dry handling for max snow traction? Is snow traction more important than ice traction? Do you have to drive in snow to get to work/school/etc?

I would recommend the General Altimax Arctic's if you want really good snow and ice traction. You'll give up a little in dry performace.

geko29 · 11-27-2012, 07:45 AM

I'm looking for competent performance in the snow, with hopefully better dry/wet performance under 40F than my current tires, which are the worst I've ever had--ideal combination of rough ride, poor handling, rapid treadwear, and absolutely ZERO grip in the wet, especially when cold. They're at 12k now and might barely make 15k if I weren't trashing them now (was originally planning on keeping them through one winter, and getting snow tires next year, but I don't think I'd live that long if I kept them on). From what I'm reading, this is typical--they have a useful life of 8-10k, before which they perform pretty well, then they're utter crap until wearing out around 20k.

My past 8 winters in my E46 were on the Continental ExtremeContact (original first, then DWS), and the only trouble I had was after it was lowered, heavy snows (8" or more) that hadn't yet been plowed would actually lift the car off the ground in intersections, which was a bit scary (and obviously no tire can grip when it's not touching the ground). But other than that I was fine.

Wound up ordering the LM-60s from Costco. After their $100 off promotion ($70 on the tires, $30 on installation), should come to about $760 installed including mounting/balancing/road hazard and tax.

11-26-2012, 01:32 PM	#1
geko29 Major 1565 Rep 1,422 Posts Drives: 2023 M3 6MT Join Date: May 2012 Location: Illinois, USA iTrader: (2)	Best winter tires for stock 17" rims? In the next week or two, I'm planning on replacing the abysmal ContiProContact AS RFTs on my 335d with snow tires, on the stock 17x8" turbine rims (type 284, I think). In the spring, I'll grab a new set of wheels and put summer tires on them. My question is, what's the best bet for this? I'm assuming I'll stick with the stock 225/45/17, rather than downsize to 205/50/17, given that 225 is already a little iffy with 425lbft of torque on tap, even for dry roads. I'll most likely want to buy at Costco (and the selection in-club differs from what's shown on costco.com), but will go elsewhere if there's a clear standout that they don't offer/can't get. So what winter 17s can you guys recommend?
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11-26-2012, 03:57 PM	#2
Kolyan2k Major General 922 Rep 5,538 Posts Drives: 2006 S2000 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boston iTrader: (1)	Dunlop WinterSport or Blizzak LM60s
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11-26-2012, 04:14 PM	#3
zipstic Major 484 Rep 1,188 Posts Drives: 2008 e92 335xi Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 335xi Coupe [10.00]	What are your priorities for winter tires? Are you willing to give up dry handling for max snow traction? Is snow traction more important than ice traction? Do you have to drive in snow to get to work/school/etc? I would recommend the General Altimax Arctic's if you want really good snow and ice traction. You'll give up a little in dry performace. __________________ http://www.ishopwheels.com
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11-27-2012, 07:45 AM	#4
geko29 Major 1565 Rep 1,422 Posts Drives: 2023 M3 6MT Join Date: May 2012 Location: Illinois, USA iTrader: (2)	I'm looking for competent performance in the snow, with hopefully better dry/wet performance under 40F than my current tires, which are the worst I've ever had--ideal combination of rough ride, poor handling, rapid treadwear, and absolutely ZERO grip in the wet, especially when cold. They're at 12k now and might barely make 15k if I weren't trashing them now (was originally planning on keeping them through one winter, and getting snow tires next year, but I don't think I'd live that long if I kept them on). From what I'm reading, this is typical--they have a useful life of 8-10k, before which they perform pretty well, then they're utter crap until wearing out around 20k. My past 8 winters in my E46 were on the Continental ExtremeContact (original first, then DWS), and the only trouble I had was after it was lowered, heavy snows (8" or more) that hadn't yet been plowed would actually lift the car off the ground in intersections, which was a bit scary (and obviously no tire can grip when it's not touching the ground). But other than that I was fine. Wound up ordering the LM-60s from Costco. After their $100 off promotion ($70 on the tires, $30 on installation), should come to about $760 installed including mounting/balancing/road hazard and tax. Last edited by geko29; 11-27-2012 at 07:54 AM..
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