Best winter tyres ??!!

[MJim]

I'd like to get my ducks lined up for getting kitted out for the winter, especially as I understand that pretty much everyone sold out last winter. I'll be driving to the Alps this winter and understand that some countries won't allow you to drive without winter tyres fitted.

I've got 19in M sport wheels - 285 rears and 255 fronts. My understanding is that these are fine for winter tyre use. What are the best tyres to go for? Also is it okay to change tyres on the same rims and back again each year or is it best to buy a new set of wheels? Hoping to save on the cost here ...

[X5Sport]

Those rims will indeed be fine for Winter Tyres. The OEM 'recommended' ones that I fitted are Pirelli Scorpion 'Ice & Snow' RFTs. If I had been unable to get RFTs then I would have put 'Puncture Safe' into the non-RFT version. It's a water based solution and works well. You need 19 Units per wheel.

Not having a spare in the X6, it would have given peace of mind in the event of a nail or screw through the tyre! We get a fair few round here coz of there being builders merchants in either direction from us.

[MJim]

Many thanks for the advice. Do you know if it's fine to change tyres and back again each year, or is it better to leave tyres settled on the same rims? I presume it's okay but thought I'd ask. I do have a preference for not buying a spare set of wheels to save on cost / storage !

[X5Sport]

I'm not sure how the beads fair if the tyres are swapped back and forth. Some tyre places won't refit tyres, others are absolutely fine about it.

I was very lucky that another X6 Owner did not want the 19" OEM wheels at delivery - fitted some ACS ones instead - so the Dealer flogged me the whole set, brand new for £500. The OEM RFT tyres went on the E53 (which was getting to needing a new set) and the rims were reshod with Pirelli's and are now stored by BMW for me free ready for Winter.

[ChrisLux]

I use either Continental Winter Contact or Yokohamas on mine .
Last winter I cudn't get the Conti's so my tyre specialist suggested
I tried the Yoko's instead .
Fantastic tyre .

Was on the M5 in Dec with 6'' plus of snow in the outside lane doing
70mph and it was as solid as a rock and cutting thru the snow with
no Problems . Nothing kept up with me .
Also went skiing and the car didn't miss a beat

[AW8]

[quote=""ChrisLux""]Was on the M5 in Dec with 6' plus of snow in the outside lane doing
70mph and it was as solid as a rock and cutting thru the snow with
no Problems . Nothing kept up with me.[/quote]

.................Impressive but slightly frightening

if nothing else good testimony to car, tyres & courage of driver.

[MJim]

Many thanks for the advice, and good to hear about the car's capabilities, although I'm not sure I fancy 70mph in 6in snow myself. Okay I guess on a wide empty road in a straight line...

[CondorX5]

I'm keen on Vredestein Snowtrac or Wintrac Extreme tyres everytime.....not easy to find stocks though, was looking for some on the main suppliers and there were none only a few weeks back....keep an eye out for the brief window they become available at Camskills or Tyremen......performance from the Vredesteins is just superb in ice and snow.

[ChrisLux]

[quote=""AW8""][quote=""ChrisLux""]Was on the M5 in Dec with 6'' plus of snow in the outside lane doing
70mph and it was as solid as a rock and cutting thru the snow with
no Problems . Nothing kept up with me.[/quote]

.................Impressive but slightly frightening

if nothing else good testimony to car, tyres & courage of driver.[/quote]


I apologize , as re-reading what I wrote , it sounds a little gung-ho and irresponsible .

I've been living in Lux for 23 years , and having to drive for normally between 3 and 6
months of the year on winter tyres , a lot of the time in treacherous snowy conditions ,
I believe I have picked up more experience than the average driver . However , that
doesn't mean I should be blase .

What I was trying to get over , but perhaps didn't say it in the right manner , is that they
are excellent tyres which are well matched to the E53 (and other models too I'm sure)

I hope that sounds a little better than my first attempt

[Avtar]

I have the Pirelli ICE & SNOW Run Flats on a spare set of 19"s. They were great during the snow last winter, I would recommend that you get a spare set of rims if you have the storgae space, much easier.

[AW8]

[quote=""ChrisLux""]

I apologize , as re-reading what I wrote , it sounds a little gung-ho and irresponsible .

I've been living in Lux for 23 years , and having to drive for normally between 3 and 6
months of the year on winter tyres , a lot of the time in treacherous snowy conditions ,
I believe I have picked up more experience than the average driver . However , that
doesn't mean I should be blase .

What I was trying to get over , but perhaps didn't say it in the right manner , is that they
are excellent tyres which are well matched to the E53 (and other models too I'm sure)

I hope that sounds a little better than my first attempt [/quote]

Chris............Not an issue. In past I have pressed on with some momentum in snow before & with less winter driving experience than you & using normal tyres on lesser vehicles than those discussed here. Indeed I cringe at some of my exploits driving when younger.

I've know folk can make good progress with well shod vehicles & appreciate that outside of ther uk folk travel faster than 20mph on snow.......... That said your further comments do put things in a nicely into clarified context

[sunexim]

[quote=""Avtar""]I have the Pirelli ICE & SNOW Run Flats on a spare set of 19"s. They were great during the snow last winter, I would recommend that you get a spare set of rims if you have the storgae space, much easier.[/quote]
What are your budget for it??

[X5Sport]

Take a very deep breath!

Around £700-£800 for tyres alone - not Dealer prices which will be higher. If you are also buying rims then anything from a few hundred for second hand, up to £1800 for new - or more if you're buying the fancier designs like style 215s on an E71.

[sunexim]

[quote=""X5Sport""]Take a very deep breath!

Around £700-£800 for tyres alone - not Dealer prices which will be higher. If you are also buying rims then anything from a few hundred for second hand, up to £1800 for new - or more if you're buying the fancier designs like style 215s on an E71.[/quote]
OMG!
It stopped my breathing. It is not affordable for everyone!

[X5Sport]

That's the trouble with these big wagons, they have large wheels and the tyres get expensive. The major brands like Goodyear, Pirelli, Bridgestone and Dunlop being more expensive. As mine is under warranty I had to go with the OEM tyre match.

There are cheaper brands so you may be able to make a slight improvement. If you're lucky as I was and got a set of rims for £500 that makes the bill a lot easier. And if you don't have runflats that also makes a difference - possibly a big difference. My figures are for RFT tyres which the X6 has, and on the 19" Style 268 rims. I use 20" Style 214 for the Summer. Smaller rims are better for Winter, and for the E53, a set of 17" (around £900 a set new so half the price of the E71 types) would be best - which again reduces the bills.