Got New Snow Tires for BMW XI

[BISCUT]

Today was my first real experience with 328XI. Morning commute was with a little snow the OE Conti run flats were a little low and I hated the tire. Snow performance was IMHO middle of the road. SO when I got to work I text my friend (she runs a tire shop for her family).

My plan was to use the 205/55/16 OE rims for my snow set....but I've loved the Vadestein (spelled wrong I'm sure) Quatrac 3 and asked for those....she refused me! Put Firestone Winterforce on instead. Snowed all day, enough to keep roads rummy. Drive home I took the back roads for less traffic and WOW! These things were awesome in the snow. Accelerated from 25-40 was smooth and didn't toss me around as I drove. Impressed with the tire and the XI system.

$480 total out the door. She's a good friend so I just shook my head but that girl knows her tires. Happy guy here. These will be my mid-December to mid-March tires. Summer I'll be getting 18" Behern Bavarian rims and nw spring/summer/fall rubber.

Starting to REALLY like the I6 and my 328XI A LOT! Funny thing is if it were not an X I would not like it.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: BISCUT
Funny thing is if it were not an X I would not like it.

Why is that?

I actually prefer RWD to AWD. And with proper winter (at)tire, mine handles the white stuff admirably.

 

[cos]

Let us know if they are loud on the hwy.

I run "H" rated performance snow tires (Michelin Primacy Alpin) because they feel and sound just like a standard touring tire.

 

[BISCUT]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: BISCUT
Funny thing is if it were not an X I would not like it.

Why is that?

I actually prefer RWD to AWD. And with proper winter (at)tire, mine handles the white stuff admirably.


Pete, For me I need the AWD. I have the F150 for the heavy, deep snow (I travel northern New England often; especially White Mts. NH). I drove a 2010 and 2012 3 series rear drice in snow prior, granted tires were nothing special, it didn't make me feel as if it's a good winter ride.

Here is my noodle: I wan't to take the Xi to the mts as I can get 24+ mpg as opposed to 16 or so from the F150. Big deal when you are talking my house to Mt. Washington and back is about 650miles. My escape is a Mt trip once a month so it makes a big difference.

The Camry ith Vaderstein's is pretty [censored] good in winter but wouldn't take it northern NH or northern VT, or ME in later Dec, Jan, or Feb, and most of March, sometimes April, etc... I often travel in places where there is nothing but YOU.

My only drawback I see from the Xi is clearance and consideration of a miscalculation or skid as it wouldn't take much to bury the low car in deep snow and you're done. I travel forest roads sometimes and that is a truck only endeavor in the winter.

 

[Rand]

winterforce are old and outdated. I'd take altimax arctics 10-1 over those.


winterforce is

very good in snow,

bad in dry, bad in wet, bad on ice unless studded then mediocre,
VERY LOUD, Good chance they wear uneven or have belt issues.

 

[krzyss]

Summary:

Look I have nice car with cheap, not so good tires.

As mentioned above wait till you drive on something else than snow.

Krzys

 

[BISCUT]

Had them on a dry highway....fist 100 miles were a little loud. Now they seemed to have settled to a low hum. Not silent but certainly not loud. I'm guessing they will be louder upon rotation as well until they get settled in. Lots of rotations in order for the X (every 5k). I hear they eat tires if you don't.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Originally Posted By: Rand
winterforce are old and outdated. I'd take altimax arctics 10-1 over those.

winterforce is

very good in snow,

bad in dry, bad in wet, bad on ice unless studded then mediocre,
VERY LOUD, Good chance they wear uneven or have belt issues.


Having actually run Winterforces, I say this: PABLUM! They were superb in snow, very good on wet pavement, good on ice. They were noisy, though no worse than the GY Assurances they replaced. They wore evenly and had about 60% tread after 20K miles.

 

[Rand]

I have actually had them too.

I stand by my comments.

Of course its a matter of perspective.

I'd say the blizzack ws-70 are
mushy, average dry, average wet, good on snow, great on ice.

comparing winterforce to other snow tires

Good in deep snow, ok on packed snow/ice if studded, average at best on ice, much louder than average.

They are at least as good as most generic older designs, like cooper wintermaster+

But you can get much better tires such as the altimax arctic for similar price.

 

[BISCUT]

Originally Posted By: Rand
I have actually had them too.

I stand by my comments.


So far I agree with the good in snow. Have to get some more time under em to report back on the rest.

What vehicle were you running them under? It's a very aggressive tread pattern for sure. I wonder about the ice comment...Is any tire good in ice? If so take me to school as I will buy it!!! I'm thrilled with a tire that moves me well in the snow. I'm not afraid to travel as well as the conditions allow. I've found, especially I-91 Vermont around 100 - 30 mile marker to get a little icy and no tire seems to do well with it.

Been in a lot of blinding blizzards on that road over the last 20 years. I'm 41 and can recite exits and mile markers (like a good trooper should!) but never have I seen bridges ice the way they do there!!! White River comes down from White River Junction (ex 10) and dumps into Brattleborough (ex 1-3) sure causes some of it. Just always seems slick in th lower south portions. SHow me a gooooood tire, better than I have.

 

[Rand]

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Altimax+Arctic

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: Rand
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=General&tireModel=Altimax+Arctic


Just purchaced the AltiMax Arctic(195-65-15) for our duaghter's Mazda3 which currently has Hankook Optimo H727(205-55-16). The H727's(still have 6&7/32nds) were OK in the first 3 Rochester/Buffalo/Niagara Fall winters when newer but, this winter which hasn't officaly started yet, they're causing the ABS to work OT with all of the snow/ice we've gotten ALREADY.

The H727's "starting from a stop" traction is still quite good in deep snow/slush but, on that less plowed roads, the stopping can cause some concern to say the least and there is no way that I am aware of to defeat the ABS. I don't like ABS in the winter time but, that's just me!

As with many of my Honda's, this Mazda isn't one of the better FWD vehicles(using only A/S tires) in the snow that we've owned.

I haven't installed the Arctic's yet as they just arrived from TR the other day(tire/wheel pkg). I'll try to get to it today and give some reveiws in another thread, over time/mileage.

Wouldn't cha know it! We're getting better/warmer conditions this week/weekend(no snow). I really want to try'em out!
I'll have to check the weather forcast over the next 5 day outlook.

 

[Garandman]

Originally Posted By: Rand
winterforce are old and outdated. I'd take altimax arctics 10-1 over those.

winterforce is very good in snow,

bad in dry, bad in wet, bad on ice unless studded then mediocre,
VERY LOUD, Good chance they wear uneven or have belt issues.
Oh, would that be the General Altimax Arctic? The tire that is actually a renamed Gislavid NordFrost 3 that was retired by Gislavid around 2007? FWIW the last CR winter tire test ranked the Goodyear UltraGrip Ice slightly above the Altimax Arctic. Their ice braking and snow braking ratings were identical.

Both these tires are older tech designs that have relatively higher rolling resistance, poorer wet road and dry road handling and braking, and are noisier than the latest two generations of snow tire. Gislavid sells the NordFrost 5 in Canada only but the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 and Nokian Hakkapaliita R2's and a few others are the latest generation products.

I guess they bigger question is why people buy $40,000 or $50,000 cars, then purchase cheap tires that compromise their performance every mile they drive.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Garandman
I guess they bigger question is why people buy $40,000 or $50,000 cars, then purchase cheap tires that compromise their performance every mile they drive.

I have Altimax Arctics on my car, and I don't feel they are a compromise at all. One of the best winter tires I've ever had, actually. The fact that they're reasonably priced is just an icing on the cake.

 

[Garandman]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete

I have Altimax Arctics on my car, and I don't feel they are a compromise at all. One of the best winter tires I've ever had, actually. The fact that they're reasonably priced is just an icing on the cake.
What other winter tires have you tried?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Michelin Pilot Alpin, Nokian WR, Nokian W, plus some others which I currently don't recall.

 

[stephen9666]

To the OP-

Did the shop say anything about the speed rating difference? It appears your OE tires were at least H rated, and Winterforce tires have a lowly S speed rating.

There are epic threads about speed rating where some people here get their panties in a major wad about the issue. There are critics and defenders of many shops that won't install lower speed rating.

There are lots of claims bandied about concerning liability, but it seems in this case the shop had no problem installing a lowly S-rated tire on that vehicle.

Here's the most-recent thread on the speed rating topic:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...res#Post3219435

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: Garandman

What other winter tires have you tried?



Bridgestone Blizzack ws-70, michelin xice xi2, xice xi3, Cooper Wintermaster+, Cooper Wintermaster ST, Firestone Winterforce,Yokohama IG20, Continental Extreme Winter Contact, General altimax arctic, Nokian WRG2 Suv(xl)

I would take the winterforce or generals over most studless if it was deep or unpacked snow ONLY. They are beast, There are exceptions and compromises with all tires, and the actual conditions that occur and how frequently they occur.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
Did the shop say anything about the speed rating difference? It appears your OE tires were at least H rated, and Winterforce tires have a lowly S speed rating.

This is a hotly debated topic, indeed. I'm just not sure how it applies to winter tires. Most car manufacturers tend to be more lenient with tire speed ratings when it comes to winter tires. Many BMWs come with high performance V/Z/Y/W-rated tires from the factory. Finding capable winter tires in such speed ratings is problematic. And while it is possible to find V-rated winter tires, they are typically geared more towards dry/wet performance than towards actual snow performance. This may or may not be ideal for some people.

 

[Rand]

like the pilot ALPIN PA4 or dunlop sp winter sport 4d