Hello,

I just ordered a 335xi sedan. It has sport package but the stock 17" all season as opposed to the 18" performance tires. I've had a RWD 328i with 17" performance tires and have always put 4 16" Bizzak tires on in winter or the car just won't go in snow. No surprise there, it's just the way it is.

Anyone out there have experience with the 17" all season on a 335xi or 330xi in the winter? Do you need to go with snow tires or are the all season tires with the AWD a good match?

I live at the top of a decent hill and the Blizzak's on the 328i RWD worked very well but I'm hoping the all season will do fine with AWD. If not I'll just order another set from Tire Rack as it looks like the 16" I have will not fit this car.

Any info helpful.

Thanks in advance.

IMO, a set of winter tires will help even an AWD car. I had a set for my last Audi A6 and drove it in the snow with both all-seasons and winter tires and the difference wasn't drastic. You do notice slightly better rain traction and slightly better snow traction but it did fine with the all-seasons. I'm not sure how our 328xi will do but I don't plan on putting winter tires on it (or our Q7) at this point.

I ordered a 335 convertible but couldn't get sport and 17's. I wish I could. (Rim risk in NYC)

I had a Volvo v70R which is AWD, 300hp, 17" Rims and heavy, so a good comparison on many levels. I never had All Seasons and would swap from Summer to Winter Tires for the 3 Winter Months for the past 3 years. Dunlop Winter Sport M3. The performance was incredible dry, wet, ice or snow. Great winter tires that still felt *right* on dry pavement.

If all you want to do is get up a hill you were able to get up with Winters and RWD in my opinion and experience you could get up the same hill with All Seasons and AWD. For the ultimate get another set of cheap 16's and Blizzacks (or Winter Sport M3) and a snow plow.

I have always used all season tires in snow with my 02 WRX Wagon. I have never had any issues. But I don't drive fast in the snow either. Having said that there's no doubt that winter tires on an AWD car will perform better in the snow.
If you can afford to buy a second set of wheels buy them from the Tirerack with dedicated snow tires. When your stock all season tires tires wear out replace them with summer tires and put them on your stock wheels.
This will give you the best performance all year round.

I mounted Blizzaks on my Audi A8Ls 19" wheels for the winter and NOTHING stopped that car from moving! That being said, I have mounted Pirelli P-Zero Nero M+S all-season tires to my 18" wheels for the 328XI coupes upcoming winter driving. It really is hit-or miss in S E Pa. in terms of snowfall so I believe with out recent history(now watch what happens!) that the M+Ss should be fine. I have Blizzaks mounted on the original 17" wheels the car came with "just in case" the season appears to be going the other way. I "upgraded" to the 18" 335 wheel with a staggered pattern and no one makes a snow tire in a 35 series.

Thanks for all of your replies. Much appreciated. One last question on this topic.

Do any of you know if it is true that 16" rims will NOT fit on the 335xi? The set I have has brand new Blizzak's and fit the 328i but my dealer said that the bolt pattern on the e90 was different than the e46 and that the brakes were too big to fit 16" on the 335.

Thanks again.

Thanks for all of your replies. Much appreciated. One last question on this topic.

Do any of you know if it is true that 16" rims will NOT fit on the 335xi? The set I have has brand new Blizzak's and fit the 328i but my dealer said that the bolt pattern on the e90 was different than the e46 and that the brakes were too big to fit 16" on the 335.

Thanks again.
I believe the 16 is too small for the 335 (not the 328 or 323 though). Go with the snow tires. AS suck in snow and low temps. -20F is not unheard of in MA and AS will become hockey pucks in those temps. Plus I'd be more worried about stopping not climbing the hill.

I believe the 16 is too small for the 335 (not the 328 or 323 though). Go with the snow tires. AS suck in snow and low temps. -20F is not unheard of in MA and AS will become hockey pucks in those temps. Plus I'd be more worried about stopping not climbing the hill.
I have the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on my 328 and have to admit that while they're better than the Pole Positions I had that they still are useless on the RWD car in the snow. I think "all season" means all seasons but winter with these tires. It's hard to imagine they'll be much better with AWD. Good point. Thanks

Yes the 16's are too small to fit over the brakes. Snow tires will always be better, but if you don't get a ton of snow, all seasons will be fine.

I have the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on my 328 and have to admit that while they're better than the Pole Positions I had that they still are useless on the RWD car in the snow. I think "all season" means all seasons but winter with these tires. It's hard to imagine they'll be much better with AWD. Good point. Thanks
I had the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on my previous e36, but would only leave them on during the late fall (Nov and sometimes early october) mainly to delay having to put the snows on (which were narrow 15s on ugly steels rims w/covers) and to avoid the rush everyone had for putting their snow tires on in Oct/Nov. However when the snow really hit, I was quick to put my snows on as they became close to useless (225 width contributed to that too).

The all seasons are good for 1 winter (maximum) before it starts to lose grip in snow. If you are a performance oriented driver in winter I would recomend snow tires. If you drive slow in snow or icy roads then you should be all right. Keep in mind that snow tires will not keep you out of trouble. It merely gives you more time to respond and better handling in snow. The ultimate responsibility is the driver.

The all seasons are good for 1 winter (maximum) before it starts to lose grip in snow. If you are a performance oriented driver in winter I would recomend snow tires. If you drive slow in snow or icy roads then you should be all right. Keep in mind that snow tires will not keep you out of trouble. It merely gives you more time to respond and better handling in snow. The ultimate responsibility is the driver.
might I ask what you mean by performance oriented driving in winter?