Hi Folks.
I took delivery on my 335xi in August... I love this car! It is:
Montego Blue
Black Dakota
Premium, Sport, C/W, Nav
I had an Audi RS6 and an M3C in the past, and this car trumps them all. I wish I had known that the 335 Coupe was going to come out in the xi, but I am still not disappointed.

My only question now is whether to get snow tires and wheels. I live in CT. I have an Audi Q7 to drive, but I will miss my Bimmer! Maybe all-seasons for moderate days? What do you all think? I have never used a car with performance tires in winter; I usually store them.

Bludog

Did you get both sport package and the wheel upgrade? If not you've already got all-seasons. If you do have the summer tires I'd go for winter tires since it makes more sense to me to have a pair of summer and a pair of winter rather than a pair of summer and a pair of all-seasons.

the xi comes with all seasons standard right? My advise is get snow tires for the winter and performance tires for the rest of the year, but that could get costly since you already have a set on. Maybe in CT you may be able to get by with the all seasons and depend on the Q7 for the bad snowy days, and then get yourself a set of performance tires for the summer to take full advantage of the handling and power of your car.
If it came with performance tires, take my advice and don't use them in the winter. I did that one year on my e36 when I was in Boston and man was that a frustrating winter. I'd be stuck in the parking lot spinning my wheels even if there was only a dusting of snow. But in this case don't get all seasons, get decent snow tires and store your summer tires for when the weather is all nice again.
Good Luck.

I did get wheel upgrade so I have performance tires. Thanks for advice. I would rather not get stuck in unexpected weather. If there is bad weather from the giddy-up I would not take the car anyway. Do you all think it's worth getting wheels along with the snows? I have always gotten separate wheels for snows but I don't know what I really saved.

I did get wheel upgrade so I have performance tires. Thanks for advice. I would rather not get stuck in unexpected weather. If there is bad weather from the giddy-up I would not take the car anyway. Do you all think it's worth getting wheels along with the snows? I have always gotten separate wheels for snows but I don't know what I really saved.
Well if you get 17" winter wheels you save a bit on the tires and you don't risk damaging the expensive 18s. But really having a 2nd set is all about convenience. It took em 2 hours to mount the winter RFT tires on my existing rims (did that because I want to get a summer set in the spring so I am doing it the other way around). With the wheels being already mounted it is just a 1/2 hour. And you save on labor cost too multiplied by the # of winters you keep em. And there is a chance you can sell them if you get another car so you get some money back.

I wouldn't care if it's awd or not...I'd never drive around here (CT) in winter without snow tires. Get wheels too and swap them out when the first snow's on its way. It's a good investment..just consider it $1300 insurance against major body work.

I wouldn't care if it's awd or not...I'd never drive around here (CT) in winter without snow tires. Get wheels too and swap them out when the first snow's on its way. It's a good investment..just consider it $1300 insurance against major body work.

And the depreciation hit from any auto body work appearing on a carfax.

I have a set of replica M6 wheels with Blizzak LM-22's I used last winter on my 335 I am considering selling. The wheels/tires only have about 3500 miles on them and have a set of the tire pressure sensors installed. Let me know if you might be interested.

I have a set of replica M6 wheels with Blizzak LM-22's I used last winter on my 335 I am considering selling. The wheels/tires only have about 3500 miles on them and have a set of the tire pressure sensors installed. Let me know if you might be interested.

JayO, i'm interested in your tires. what you looking for price wise?

I love the Montego Blue XIs... Post some pics up!

JayO, i'm interested in your tires. what you looking for price wise?


The setup cost me about $1900. I'm looking for $1000 + actual shipping costs. Email me if you are interested.

I'm still waiting for snow. Just dying to try out the Dunlop Winter Sports that I had intalled a few weeks ago.

I'm still waiting for snow. Just dying to try out the Dunlop Winter Sports that I had intalled a few weeks ago.
hahaha, I installed my ContiWinters 10 days ago but I have to say that I wouldn't be disappointed if it never snowed and I never tried them out, wishful thinking though:(.

I did get wheel upgrade so I have performance tires. Thanks for advice. I would rather not get stuck in unexpected weather. If there is bad weather from the giddy-up I would not take the car anyway. Do you all think it's worth getting wheels along with the snows? I have always gotten separate wheels for snows but I don't know what I really saved.

Like yourself, I also upgraded to the 18" wheels with summer performance tires.

I purchased a set of 17" wheels and Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires from BMW.

See my post on the PNW regional forum for details:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=874767

The BMW part number for this tire/wheel combo is 36-11-0-421-680. It consists of 1 wheel with the tire pre-mounted and balanced (TPMS sensor and valve stems are included as well). MSRP is $652.50 each.

Hi Folks.
I took delivery on my 335xi in August... I love this car! It is:
Montego Blue
Black Dakota
Premium, Sport, C/W, Nav
I had an Audi RS6 and an M3C in the past, and this car trumps them all. I wish I had known that the 335 Coupe was going to come out in the xi, but I am still not disappointed.

My only question now is whether to get snow tires and wheels. I live in CT. I have an Audi Q7 to drive, but I will miss my Bimmer! Maybe all-seasons for moderate days? What do you all think? I have never used a car with performance tires in winter; I usually store them.

Bludog

I'd get the winters. For the $1000 you'll spend that will last for 3-5 years, it'll save your hide more than once and save you the deductable for the collision, inconveniance and rate increase when it happens.

Good day folks:

Well we started to have some flurries over night and this morning, there were some accumulation. Getting out of the house early some parts of the roads were wet while others were still snow covered and yet others reported icy. The new ContiWinter Contact TS810S SSR (RFTs) performed really well with good road holding (no DTC engaged or required). Over the last couple of weeks, these tires have proven well in cooler temperatures and road holding was amazing on dry surfaces. BTW, the temperature this morning was nine degrees Farenheit.

So what's your feedback so far with the winters you've installed ?

Drive safe & enjoy your ride.
:alright

JayO, i'm interested in your tires. what you looking for price wise?

My wheels have been sold..... Thanks.

Yesterday I pulled the trigger on winter wheels and tires - didn't relish summer tires at 10 degrees. Tire Rack, wheels (with TPMS and BMW center cap) and Pirelli 210 Sottozero RF, 225/45-17, $1465. Let it snow....

Congrats on the 335xi, great car. But why get the "X" if you will never drive it in the snow? Sure the "X" is great on wet roads, I dont miss spinning my tires but if you live in CT and own a 335xi, use it in the snow!

I had enough faith in the stock rubbers. DTC/DSC kept me safe and sound

Good day folks:

Well we started to have some flurries over night and this morning, there were some accumulation. Getting out of the house early some parts of the roads were wet while others were still snow covered and yet others reported icy. The new ContiWinter Contact TS810S SSR (RFTs) performed really well with good road holding (no DTC engaged or required). Over the last couple of weeks, these tires have proven well in cooler temperatures and road holding was amazing on dry surfaces. BTW, the temperature this morning was nine degrees Farenheit.

So what's your feedback so far with the winters you've installed ?

Drive safe & enjoy your ride.


Where do reside?

I live in the Chicagoland area and they are forecasting snow with maybe a 1 - 3 inch accumulation, so having snow tires won't be an issue. I have been looking at the Conti's but been debating on getting them as we only get a few days where snow is an issue, usually the roads are passable within 24 hours of a major snowfall. It's just those few days if I happen to get stuck where I might appreciate having snow tires.

Yesterday I pulled the trigger on winter wheels and tires - didn't relish summer tires at 10 degrees. Tire Rack, wheels (with TPMS and BMW center cap) and Pirelli 210 Sottozero RF, 225/45-17, $1465. Let it snow....
Summer tires are still superior in grip to snow tires above 7C.

EDIT: Oh, just noticed you are in the US, so you probably meant 10F, so yeah, when it gets in the 30s or below, you don't want the summer tires on, they will have horrible traction, although my Potenzas were doing ok in dry 30F temps.

Hi Michael,
Sorry didn't see this thread till after I posted a similar one myself :stickoutt. Great Canadian minds thinking alike? ;)
EDIT: My other thread got towed here by the moderator (thanks) and I deleted the duplicate post.

Anyway, at the risk of a duplicate post, here is what I wrote:

1st snowfall here today, just a few cm (about 5cm or 2" of the wet stuff). I didn't get to try my Continental ContiWinterContact TS810 S SSR tires much since the roads were clean by the time I went out. Anyway, I got to try them a bit on an uncleaned sideroad and they did pretty well with the traction control kicking in ever so subtly that I barely noticed it. I also tried a donut on the partially snow covered parking lot at work but the tires dug in gripped to the asphlat so I didn't complete it (don't want to ruin the soft rubber on asphalt). So far so good, we'll see how they hold up when it REALLY starts to snow.
And by the way, the front plastic flaps under the front bumper are already acting as snow plows :(, I gotta be real careful not to have them get ripped off when there is accumulated hard snow on the ground. The 1" or so lowered hight of the sports package does make driving on uncleaned roads a bit riskier, but I'm used to that from my old e36 with SP, though it didn't have as big of flaps as the e90.

I had enough faith in the stock rubbers. DTC/DSC kept me safe and sound
If you are talking about performance tires, you will be in for a real harsh awakening when the snow starts to fall. Those things are useless in snow and DTC/DSC and ABS can't do much to compensate when the tires have absolutely no grip.

We're getting ready to get some snow...possibly some sticking by tomorrow morning. I have the 335xi, so it should do well in the snow...won't get any substantial amounts until sometime next month...possibly January...or who even knows with all this global warming going on around here...gadzooks.

We're getting ready to get some snow...possibly some sticking by tomorrow morning. I have the 335xi, so it should do well in the snow...won't get any substantial amounts until sometime next month...possibly January...or who even knows with all this global warming going on around here...gadzooks.
What kind of tires do you have on. The x-drive can only do as good as the tires can grip.

If you are talking about performance tires, you will be in for a real harsh awakening when the snow starts to fall. Those things are useless in snow and DTC/DSC and ABS can't do much to compensate when the tires have absolutely no grip.

We can handle it. You just gotta know how to drive.

We can handle it. You just gotta know how to drive.
Whatever you like man. When an idiot cuts you off or stops suddenly in front of you, and your tires have no grip whatsoever, then we'll see what your driving skills will do for you. I was as confident when I first got my e36 in Boston in 1997, but after a couple of close calls (and I can say only luck 1st and my driving skills 2nd helped me out of an accident), I decided to play it safe. Not to mention how many times I got stuck in a parking lot spinning my summer tires over less than 1 inch of snow going nowhere. It's your choice, but believe me, summer performance rubber is USELESS on snow. A great driver and great system like x-drive can only compensate as much as the traction affords them. I just hope I don't end up seeing you here complaining about how you plowed into the idiot who cut you off because you had 0 grip.
Have a save winter.

Where do reside?

I live in the Chicagoland area and they are forecasting snow with maybe a 1 - 3 inch accumulation, so having snow tires won't be an issue. I have been looking at the Conti's but been debating on getting them as we only get a few days where snow is an issue, usually the roads are passable within 24 hours of a major snowfall. It's just those few days if I happen to get stuck where I might appreciate having snow tires.

Hi ChitownIrish:

I live in Calgary, AB, Canada. Although we haven't been getting a lot of snow in the last number of years and since we are at the foothills of the Rockies, you never know when we'll get snow.

I believe it's safer to have the winters on anyway since I leave the house before the traffic starts building up at an ungodly hour (usually 5ish). Whatever the case, if the temp falls to -40 degrees then I'm rest assured of good rubber with good traction to get me around.

Enjoy your ride!

Hi Michael,
Sorry didn't see this thread till after I posted a similar one myself :stickoutt. Great Canadian minds thinking alike? ;)
EDIT: My other thread got towed here by the moderator (thanks) and I deleted the duplicate post.

Anyway, at the risk of a duplicate post, here is what I wrote:

1st snowfall here today, just a few cm (about 5cm or 2" of the wet stuff). I didn't get to try my Continental ContiWinterContact TS810 S SSR tires much since the roads were clean by the time I went out. Anyway, I got to try them a bit on an uncleaned sideroad and they did pretty well with the traction control kicking in ever so subtly that I barely noticed it. I also tried a donut on the partially snow covered parking lot at work but the tires dug in gripped to the asphlat so I didn't complete it (don't want to ruin the soft rubber on asphalt). So far so good, we'll see how they hold up when it REALLY starts to snow.
And by the way, the front plastic flaps under the front bumper are already acting as snow plows :(, I gotta be real careful not to have them get ripped off when there is accumulated hard snow on the ground. The 1" or so lowered hight of the sports package does make driving on uncleaned roads a bit riskier, but I'm used to that from my old e36 with SP, though it didn't have as big of flaps as the e90.

Hey Matt

I just noticed that the moderator have combined all our threads into one huge one from earlier. Yeah, good to know that great Canadian minds think alike. LOL!!! LOL!!!

Thanks for the heads up on the front plastic flaps, will keep a look out for it. I guess it's a trade off for the sports package. Infact, it's not as bad as the Saab 9-3's which is even lower.

I'm sure there's not going to be any problem with our rides through the winter.

Enjoy your ride.
:alright

One nice thing about living in the south is getting to use sticky summer tires all year round. This does present a problem when it's time to drive up to Colorado to go skiing, so I probably have one of the few sets of snow tires in Houston. I got the 16" Rial's and Blizzak LM25's from tirerack. The wheel quality seems very good and they're pretty light.

We're getting ready to get some snow...possibly some sticking by tomorrow morning. I have the 335xi, so it should do well in the snow...won't get any substantial amounts until sometime next month...possibly January...or who even knows with all this global warming going on around here...gadzooks.

Aren't you the lucky one. Its 60 Degrees here in New York. It's not suppose to be 60 here during Thanksgiving !!!

Aren't you the lucky one. Its 60 Degrees here in New York. It's not suppose to be 60 here during Thanksgiving !!!
I guess Global warming doesn't apply to Canada :(.

I guess Global warming doesn't apply to Canada :(.

I went on to E90post.com during the week and noticed your screen name. We would have never known it was you. :lol I can't say that I remember what topic is was under.

"mryakanfromcanada"

If you are talking about performance tires, you will be in for a real harsh awakening when the snow starts to fall. Those things are useless in snow and DTC/DSC and ABS can't do much to compensate when the tires have absolutely no grip.

Huh? I got all-weathers and I got around just fine

I went on to E90post.com during the week and noticed your screen name. We would have never known it was you. :lol I can't say that I remember what topic is was under.

"mryakanfromcanada"
huh? I never subscribed to e90post, only check it out when someone puts an occasional link here. Too much bickering and childishness for my taste.

Huh? I got all-weathers and I got around just fine
All seasons are a compromise and may get you around fine in moderate snow, although they are not nearly as good as dedicated snow tires, esp. when the temps go way below the freezing point (think negative Fahrenheit). I've seen too many accident on -10/-20F days where cars with AS tires just skid on dry pavement like they are on ice. Even the snow tires have much reduced grip, but they still manage better. Now if you have AS and you are happy with them in your winter conditions, then keep em, but you get 70-80% traction at best in winter and similarly in the summer if you drive the car hard. Now if you have summer performance tires like almost all people with the sports package do, then in NO WAY do I advise driving in the snow with those no matter how good a driver you think you are. The choice is yours in the end, it's your car.

I also have an X Type, so either way

I also have an X Type, so either way
What's an X Type? You have a Jaguar?:confused

We've had a little bit of snow here the last couple days. Usually these mildly slippery roads are occasion to have a little fun, as in controlled slides.

DSC quickly puts an end to that. Went around a corner today, gave it a little gas to hang the rear end out a bit, and the car quickly put an end to that. Felt like it had stalled - no reaction to my throttle input, but continued around the corner with no effort (and no fun). Way too much intervention for my liking.

I think I'll be leaving it off a lot, probably only turn it on in really inclement conditions. Is there any way to make DTC/DSC not come back on automatically every time you restart the car?

huh? I never subscribed to e90post, only check it out when someone puts an occasional link here. Too much bickering and childishness for my taste.

I guess their is more than one. Once I saw mryakanfromcanada I thought the 2 of you were one in the same.

I guess their is more than one. Once I saw mryakanfromcanada I thought the 2 of you were one in the same.
doubtful, probably a poser.

I think I'll be leaving it off a lot, probably only turn it on in really inclement conditions. Is there any way to make DTC/DSC not come back on automatically every time you restart the car?
Nope, for your safety BMW's default is on unless manually turned off. BTW, DTC is off by default, you turn it ON by pressing the DTC button. The "D" in DTC is for Dynamic where the Traction Control lets the wheels spin a bit more when in DTC mode (by default TC intervenes much faster allowing little to no wheel spin that's when DTC is off). DSC is on when in DTC mode unless you hit the button for a few seconds and you get the yellow triangle with the "!" mark in the middle.

BTW, DTC is off by default

Yes, letting me spin my tires is "off" by default, and turning "on" Dynamic Traction Control allows me to.

It's just taking me a while to think of it that way.....

Don't worry about getting stuck--yes, AWD will help you with that, and yes, you might get away with all seasons, but getting stuck can be remedied with a shovel or a cell phone call.

What you should be worried about is not being able to stop or get around a corner, or losing control in a lane change on the highway to avoid a knucklehead (probably an SUV) who is losing control of his vehicle because he doesn't understand this difference.

Snows are the single best investment you can make in safety in the winter months. One fender bender and they're paid for.

We had our first snow this week. I went with Hankook IceBear W300's, which were only $588 for the set of four, and mounted them on BMW replica rims I got for $385. The car still looks great (they're 18's) and I was quite impressed with the car's control on the (admittedly wet and slushy) roads we had this week. For the past few winters I've been using Dunlop Wintersport 3D's and these seem pretty close, and they are quieter and ride a bit smoother. And I can swap them out in 20 minutes in my garage with the stock wheels.

Ok, so yesterday's snow was a joke, a preview sort of. Today white was the color of the day, we are expecting 15cm or so and most of it had fallen by the time I left home. Ah, gotta love the 1st snow storm, people forget how to drive in the snow for a place where it snows half of the year usually. Going too damn fast or going too damn slow :mad, cars spun out on the highway, idiots changing lanes without signaling (and probably without realizing it), plow/salt truck drivers forgetting to report to duty :dunno.
Anyway, I am happy to report that both the car and my tires (Continental ContiWinterContact TS810 S SSR) passed with flying colors. I am especially impressed with the Contis. I was able to drive with confidence on snow covered side streets, tested the stopping distance and control on those and was also impressed. I was able to confidently handle the trickiest parts of a snow commute, the snow covered onrams/offramps and changing lanes on a snow covered highway. The Traction Control barely intervened. I was able to go 80-100kph where traffic was light with no drama. It is still tricky business to drive in the snow, and I did take much care during my commute without getting overconfident, but it is nice to know you have a good set of rubbers gripping the snow and the occasional patch of asphalt.
If anyone is still looking for a good set of snows, the Conti are right up there with the best I've used for an H-rated winter tire.


P.S. Although getting stuck in the snow is not the worst that could happen to you, the frustration of trying to get unstuck or waiting for someone to help you out is easily worth the price of admission for a good set of snow tires IMO. Driving with summer tires in the snow is for fools, been there, done that, never again, I used to be a fool, but only the 1st year I drove a RWD car in the snow. Hope 1st time BMW drivers will take advice.


Drive safe.

One nice thing about living in the south is getting to use sticky summer tires all year round. This does present a problem when it's time to drive up to Colorado to go skiing, so I probably have one of the few sets of snow tires in Houston. I got the 16" Rial's and Blizzak LM25's from tirerack. The wheel quality seems very good and they're pretty light.

Nice looking wheel. Are these the LM-25 RFTs?

Nice looking wheel. Are these the LM-25 RFTs?


They're LM-25 go-flat tires. I have a space saver spare. These wheels and 205/55-16 tires weigh about 40 lbs compared to the stock rear 255/40-17 rear tire and wheel weight of 60 lbs. I put the wheels and tires on for a spin around the block and the lighter wheels & tires make it feel like the engine has another 20hp.

My wheels have been sold..... Thanks.

Deal fell through. Wheels/tires are still available....

Also, I mistakenly wrote that they were LM-22's. They are actually a set of LM-25's.

So, $1k for the set (with OEM pressure sensors) + $150 for shipping anywhere is US.