Winter wheels 35is

[TitanTim]

Anybody had any experience with All Season tyres, seems like the best of both worlds, and saves the hassle of buying spare wheels, was thinking of fitting them to our Skoda Yeti though, not the Z4, that'll be tucked up in the garage.

I've got Vredestein Quadrac 3 all seasons fitted to the Z3 which I use specifically during the winter and leave them on all year. When I had the Z4 it went straight into the garage end of Oct until the following March and will be doing the same with M135i. Those people who say they can sail through snow and ice with no problems on summer runflats are kidding themselves and at worse a danger to other road users, don't care what they say but summer runflats are dangerous in winter conditions.

I was in a quandry when deciding on full winters or all seasons but decided on the latter. Winter before last we had a good six to 10 inches of snow and I was amazed how the Z3 performed, no drama or wheelspin at normal throttle speeds even up snow covered hills. Obviously full winters are better still but I think all seasons are more than good enough where you get occasional bad weather.

I remember in 2010 when we had a bad winter I got stranded in my 118d M Sport on 18" runflats in a paltry 3" of snow, the car was simply undriveable no matter how you used the traction control or throttle, it was 3 weeks until I could drive it again until all the snow and ice had cleared. After that I was always stressing when there was snow forecast so took the plunge and bought a set of BMW winter wheels with Dunlops. It simply took away all the stress of driving with insufficient tyres.

Tim.

 

[SO8]

I have winter wheels from my last 330d LCI that I think will fit as they were to replace 19's on the 330d - but am assuming the offset is different ... so they can't be used :-(

As I have a Smart diesel me feels that will be used during the winter a lot more than the 35iS !

 

[ronk]

My zed goes away in the winter and I use my D3 with it's winter tyres.
Now that is set up for winter. It's worth remembering that you're just as stuck as the bloke in front who thinks he's a hero on his summer rubber. :thumbsdown:

 

[SO8]

It's worth remembering that you're just as stuck as the bloke in front who thinks he's a hero on his summer rubber. :thumbsdown:

Now that is exactly why I use the Smart car ... it is small enough to squeeze past. All I need are winter wheels for that - £700 for a full set of alloys and tyres ... a bit different in price to a BMW winter wheel set !

 

[CornishRob]

It's worth remembering that you're just as stuck as the bloke in front who thinks he's a hero on his summer rubber. :thumbsdown:

Now that is exactly why I use the Smart car ... it is small enough to squeeze past. All I need are winter wheels for that - £700 for a full set of alloys and tyres ... a bit different in price to a BMW winter wheel set !

Yeah, I bet a smart would be good in the snow due to being light. I have driven a lot of Defenders in the snow- 90, 110 & Td5 Disco as I lived in the Apls for 3 winters, and they are a great in the snow, but can be hard to stop, even on proper snow tyres (not generic M&S) due to their weight.

Don't get me wrong, I would rather be in a Land Rover or similar, but you have to know their limits and limitations or you will make a big dent in something!!

 

[Stark]

I loved the smugness of having a Range Rover Sport in the snow

I went to visit a client with some colleagues and we had to go up a very steep winding drive to his house in Blackburn, covered in snow. My colleagues in an Ml and me in my RRS....theirs slid back down the hill and crashed into a wall....mine kept going no problem.....

Miss it in so many ways...the cool box one of the main reasons, in the summer!!

 

[CornishRob]

I loved the smugness of having a Range Rover Sport in the snow

I went to visit a client with some colleagues and we had to go up a very steep winding drive to his house in Blackburn, covered in snow. My colleagues in an Ml and me in my RRS....theirs slid back down the hill and crashed into a wall....mine kept going no problem.....

Miss it in so many ways...the cool box one of the main reasons, in the summer!!

Yep, discos, Rangies and Defenders, Land Cruisers etc are in a different league when you venture off road or in bad weather compared to ML, X5, XC90, Q7 etc!

 

[ronk]

Yep, discos, Rangies and Defenders, Land Cruisers etc are in a different league when you venture off road or in bad weather compared to ML, X5, XC90, Q7 etc!

That's the reason I've kept mine. It's a proper bit of kit for bad weather - especially on proper rubber!

 

[ronk]

Anybody had any experience with All Season tyres, seems like the best of both worlds, and saves the hassle of buying spare wheels, was thinking of fitting them to our Skoda Yeti though, not the Z4, that'll be tucked up in the garage.

I've got Vredestein Quadrac 3 all seasons fitted to the Z3 which I use specifically during the winter and leave them on all year. When I had the Z4 it went straight into the garage end of Oct until the following March and will be doing the same with M135i. Those people who say they can sail through snow and ice with no problems on summer runflats are kidding themselves and at worse a danger to other road users, don't care what they say but summer runflats are dangerous in winter conditions.

I was in a quandry when deciding on full winters or all seasons but decided on the latter. Winter before last we had a good six to 10 inches of snow and I was amazed how the Z3 performed, no drama or wheelspin at normal throttle speeds even up snow covered hills. Obviously full winters are better still but I think all seasons are more than good enough where you get occasional bad weather.

I remember in 2010 when we had a bad winter I got stranded in my 118d M Sport on 18" runflats in a paltry 3" of snow, the car was simply undriveable no matter how you used the traction control or throttle, it was 3 weeks until I could drive it again until all the snow and ice had cleared. After that I was always stressing when there was snow forecast so took the plunge and bought a set of BMW winter wheels with Dunlops. It simply took away all the stress of driving with insufficient tyres.

Tim.

Ive notice a lot of people out here in Germany (rural area) seem to leave their winters in all year round. It tends to be the more ordinary cars but as you don't drive the z3 hard and it's not that powerful you would probably be ok with full winters year round. Are all weathers not just a compromise?
People say they (winters) wear excessively - the vredestein wintracs on my disc have 20k plus on them now and I would say they are half worn. The car is nearly 3 tonnes. By comparison the standard pirellis were goosed at 20k.

I'm surprised your 135 is going away for the winter as the zed did.? I thought you needed a four seater these days?
You could have gone for a 35is!

 

[TitanTim]

Anybody had any experience with All Season tyres, seems like the best of both worlds, and saves the hassle of buying spare wheels, was thinking of fitting them to our Skoda Yeti though, not the Z4, that'll be tucked up in the garage.

I've got Vredestein Quadrac 3 all seasons fitted to the Z3 which I use specifically during the winter and leave them on all year. When I had the Z4 it went straight into the garage end of Oct until the following March and will be doing the same with M135i. Those people who say they can sail through snow and ice with no problems on summer runflats are kidding themselves and at worse a danger to other road users, don't care what they say but summer runflats are dangerous in winter conditions.

I was in a quandry when deciding on full winters or all seasons but decided on the latter. Winter before last we had a good six to 10 inches of snow and I was amazed how the Z3 performed, no drama or wheelspin at normal throttle speeds even up snow covered hills. Obviously full winters are better still but I think all seasons are more than good enough where you get occasional bad weather.

I remember in 2010 when we had a bad winter I got stranded in my 118d M Sport on 18" runflats in a paltry 3" of snow, the car was simply undriveable no matter how you used the traction control or throttle, it was 3 weeks until I could drive it again until all the snow and ice had cleared. After that I was always stressing when there was snow forecast so took the plunge and bought a set of BMW winter wheels with Dunlops. It simply took away all the stress of driving with insufficient tyres.

Tim.

Ive notice a lot of people out here in Germany (rural area) seem to leave their winters in all year round. It tends to be the more ordinary cars but as you don't drive the z3 hard and it's not that powerful you would probably be ok with full winters year round. Are all weathers not just a compromise?
People say they (winters) wear excessively - the vredestein wintracs on my disc have 20k plus on them now and I would say they are half worn. The car is nearly 3 tonnes. By comparison the standard pirellis were goosed at 20k.

I'm surprised your 135 is going away for the winter as the zed did.? I thought you needed a four seater these days?
You could have gone for a 35is!

All seasons are basically half summer and half winter tread and thought as you say they would be a bit of a compromise, however they performed perfectly in deep snow and ice, pretty impressed to be honest. I think if I went for full winters I would be compromising too far the other way for summer use as the compound is too soft. For me personally they do the job. If I lived say in Scotland or more rural then would probably go full winters.

The 1er will be spending most of its time off the road this winter, depends on the weather when I need the boot space for a wheel chair, less so during winter. If I came back to a Z4 I think it would be the Coupe than an E89 maybe to replace the Z3 but only if I found one which was mint. After the 1er I think I would find the standard E89s ride and handling a letdown for me :? Would be interested to try one with Adaptive suspension though.

Tim.

 

[ronk]

As I say, ive had full winters on the d3 for years and the wear rate is excellent ! I reckon 2x std Pirelli rubber. I went down that route as that's all vredestein did at the time. They'll be cracked before there worn out I'm certain.
I worked on the principle that at least they were 100%?for more than half the year. How often is the road temp above 7c if you count mornings and nights? I'm in Germany now and have noticed how many still have winters on.

I would have thought the tin top was a better winter option? You never know when the a chair has to come out do you?

As for the handling of the E89 (m sport suspnand run flats ) I have to say that I cant complain. Maybe iit is firm but that's what' I expected of the car coming from e85 - the only thing I regredt is only getting a 3.0lt if only for my yearly trip to Germany.more than adequate for uk but a little more would help on the fast stretches ie when moving into the Porsche / Audi lane.

 

[KERMIT1970]

Found a set of 17" rims from a e36 offset of 30 should be fine. Looking at these http://www.oponeo.co.uk/shopping-cart. Need to look at TPS as I have the new silver v/v's fitted.

 

[SO8]

Do many people on here use their Z4's with winter tyres ... or is it just a few ??

 

[mr wilks]

Found a set of 17" rims from a e36 offset of 30 should be fine. Looking at these http://www.oponeo.co.uk/shopping-cart. Need to look at TPS as I have the new silver v/v's fitted.

Nothing in that shopping basket Gordon :? Wise move getting sorted before the stampede if the white stuff fall's
What rubber you gone for ?

 

[TitanTim]

Do many people on here use their Z4's with winter tyres ... or is it just a few ??

I think alot of owners have access to another vehicle more suited to winter use, if the Zeds an everyday all year round motor I would seriously be looking at winter tyres. I used to put the Z4 away come winter time and will be doing the same with the M135i, rear wheel drive and summer tyres/runflats are pretty hopeless. I put some all seasons on my Z3 which is great in the snow so use that instead.

I found out the hard way in 2010 when we had a bad winter and got stranded in the 1 Series, 18s on summer runflats and was shocked how bad and dangerous the car was in just a couple of inches of snow. Bit the bullet after that and spend £1250 on a set of BMW winter wheels. If I wanted a set for the M135i I would be looking at £1750 around the same for the E89 unless you can find alternative aftermarket wheels.

For safety and stress free driving a must in my book.

Tim.

 

[KERMIT1970]

Still looking,but it was the nokian winters that get good reviews.Our other car is a 640 so could be scuppered if we get a bad winter :x Had bm`s the last 12 years & it`s never been a issue as we are next to the sea & it`s usally ok.
Bought my son a wee polo to learn to drive in,so that might become the main car lol He sits his test in a few weeks so that wont be a option

 

[ronk]

Any old metal does for the wheels . Second hand , after market who cares. They are going see plenty salty slush.
Buy all the kit when the sun is shining and nobody is thinking of the dark days!

When I bought the winter wheels for my daughters car I got them eBay a pair at a time. Just have to be patient and during the summertime you can be!

 

[mr wilks]

Any old metal does for the wheels . Second hand , after market who cares. They are going see plenty salty slush.
Buy all the kit when the sun is shining and nobody is thinking of the dark days!

When I bought the winter wheels for my daughters car I got them eBay a pair at a time. Just have to be patient and during the summertime you can be!

Man after my own heart i "collected" a set of Pirelli SottoZero 245 40 18 over the summer months 1 at a time & ended up with 4 matching on 6mm for £135 total

Fitted them a while back to new rims on our A6 , got a 10 day France trip over xmas & fortunately they grip like fury on all surfaces in all conditions

 

[R.E92]

Winter tyres have more to offer than just traction in snow :wink:
Better grip on straights & bends in both cold & wet circumstances along with superior braking distances & in my own experience far less aquaplaning at motorway speeds when hitting standing water .

I agree 100% but you will still have folk who say that they can defy the basic laws of physics!
Unfortunately only law will convert them. Hopefully before they slide into me or mine some icy day!

Why would there be a law forcing people to use winter tyres in the UK?

We have incredibly mild winters where I live. Having winter tyres fitted to my car would actually give me less traction for the majority of the winter which would be dangerous.

 

[ronk]

The same reason there are laws about crash helmets and seat belts! Some people have to be protected from themselves.

Winter rubber is designed to perform at 7deg and below - ie most of the winter on mainland UK . You don't say where you live?

It brasses me off when I get stuck behind somebody in the snow who is ill equipped for the coditions - there are penalties in Germany for causing problems like that.