M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
DISCUSSION => Exterior => Topic started by: Birdman16 on October 30, 2008, 07:29:44 AM
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Hey guys, getting ready for another New England winter and i need to buy some snow tires within the next two weeks. What do you guys use. My dad suggested either Bridgestone Blizzaks or Hakkapelitas (spelling??). What do you guys use in the winter because Kuhmo Exsta SPT's are not good in deep snow!!
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(3) 50 pound bags of kitty litter in the trunk, a full tank of fuel and rear tire psi lowered by about 5-7 pounds. I've never had an issue and have used the same "technique" during many years of driving high performance and stock Mustangs during NJ winters. I even used the same method in my prior 95 M3 and do the same with my 94 Cobra as well, never an issue. I'll be doing the same w/ the 318ic this winter. I've never purchased or had a separate set of winter tires, ever.
Just take it easy during such a storm, it's not how fast you get from point A to B, it's how common sense gets you home safely if/when there is snow/ice on the ground...
Besides "technique", I've heard and read many good reviews about the Blizzaks - good tire for sure, especially if you are in an area that experiences MUCH snowfall during Dec-March...
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Snow tires suck unless you are going snowboarding
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i would recomend..falken asina's...
but then again... i could care less about snow traction down here in North carolina:cool:
but for reall....just put some weight in the trunk...invest in some subs or something...snow tires are over rated unless your in the antarctic...
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Hakka-pucks > Blizzaks. I currently have a set of Dunlop Winter Sport M3's mounted on steel rims, and they are so-so. I live in Wisconsin and deal with a lot of snowy driving conditions, and I've tried lots of different snow tires on fwd and rwd cars. Never had a better snow tire than Hakkapeliitta.
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Just don't fall for the performance winter tires. You might as well get all seasons. Go for the studless ice and snow class of winter tires.
And they are well worth it if you don't live in some pansy-assed place like Oregon. :)
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What the hell is a "snow tire"?
In Texas, we don't understand why you should change your tires for certain times of the year.
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Sorry, I had to chime in. :)
Asinine as my comment was, it isn't all great here in the winter. 34 degree rain still sucks, and at night the roads turn into a skate rink every time it rains... from Jan-Valentines Day. Maybe.
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ive run blizzaks in the past and been very impressed with the performance.
now i just stick with quality all-seasons and go for it.
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Hakkapelitas (spelling??)
Nokian Hakkapeliitta is a finnish tire, developed in the Finnish Lappland. I have used Hakkapeliitta tires over 30 years.
Hakkapeliitta is a ancient Finnish warrior or knight.
Nokian tires used to be part of the same company as Nokia mobile phones, actually Nokia (a city in Finland) is a place where this company started in the 1800's fabricating all kind of rubber products, for example rubber boots, bicycle tires etc.
We have had a possibility to use Nokian tires test track (located in Nokia :) ) for some autoslalom once a year, really nice place.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XJjIutTd314
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Blizzaks, accept no substitute. I think some models are on closeout for less than $70 a tire @ tirerack.com. Got my REVO1 215/55/16 tires for 66$ a piece. There is nothing like driving away from a stoplight normally and everyone else is struggling just to move.
Oh, and I second the studless ice and snow, performance winter is made ONLY for snow and wet conditions and doesn't have that biting edge for ice.
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Thanks guys. I would put weight in the trunk anyway, but I want to be safe and go with some snow tires because I am still learning what limits my car can handle, and don't wish to learn on all seasons. It is my first winter with the car, or any car for that matter (I'm only 17) and just wish to be safe (I'm not a puss though...). Keep the responses going and I will try to start a poll.
Thank you,
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I use blizzaks, no problems so far.
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What the hell is a "snow tire"?
In Texas, we don't understand why you should change your tires for certain times of the year.
I have to agree....We go from 95 in the summer to 85 in the winter....OK, OK....It does get down to 65 at night...:D
Who makes the best SAND tire?....lol
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Hey guys, getting ready for another New England winter and i need to buy some snow tires within the next two weeks. What do you guys use. My dad suggested either Bridgestone Blizzaks or Hakkapelitas (spelling??). What do you guys use in the winter because Kuhmo Exsta SPT's are not good in deep snow!!
blizzaks are awsome!
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You may also want to look into the michelin x-ice. I have been running them the past few seasons and they are just as good if not better than the blizzaks.
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Since you are a young "starter" driver, I will say this - snow tires do not and will not make you "invinceable" on the roads during the winter months - please drive safely and with common sense.
I've heard so many stories (and seen over the years) of folks who think just because they have snow tires, they can still drive as if the pavement is dry - only to find out after hitting another vehicle, embankment, wall, structure, etc that snow tires are only as effective as the driver, driver's experience, driver's abilities to CONTROL a vehicle and common sense...
Weigh down the rear of the vehicle, depressure the rear tires by at least 5 lbs (still safe enough for daily driving), use your lower gears for better traction and DON'T pop the clutch or start from a stop quickly if snow is under the vehicle. Always be aware of your surroundings and STAY A SAFE DISTANCE from the vehicle in front of you when snow IS on the ground... nothing is worse than being 2 ft from the vehicle in front of you when THAT driver looses control or YOU have to stop (and your vehicle is NOT stopping). I've seen it too many times here in NJ during snowfall, driver's still tailgating, driver's not leaving enough stopping room, idiots driving fast, fishtailing from a stop, etc etc etc...
Just be safe - snow tires can be an effective tool if used properly, they are not a solution.
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Yeah I know. Check out my new thread "wrecked" in the exterior section and post if you can. I don't feel invincible even with sticky tires on my car in the summer (Kuhmo Exta SPT). I actually just had my first accident and learned that wet leaves are just as slippery as ice. Hit a patch going way under limit and still lost the tail end. I almost saved it but the leaves turned to pavement and the car got shot into a stone slab wall. It took out 10-12 feet of the wall and car is ruined from bumper down. (Lights, turn sigs, reflectors, trim, airdams, fog lights. Found a front end though. Wish me luck.
So Cobra Jet, thank you for your safe tips, but they were a few hours too late.
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Good stuff, probably will go with blizzaks because I need something good for the winter before the car goes back on the road.
Also, I can't wait to take skid school on the twenty eight..... nacht.
Although I can't wait to show up all of the little punks who spin the cars...lol
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I have used mich. x-ice on the RX-8 for a couple seasons and they proved to be a great tire on snow but only decent on ice. The last couple seasons I have been using blizzaks on the 540i and they are absolutely amazing. My only complaint is that they don't last very long at all (significantly less than others). Last season i had hakkapeliitta's on the 318i and they handled very well but they were extremely loud and it made me feel like i was driving a jeep when there was no snow on the road.
Right now there are Pirelli winter carving tires on the 540i and something called "infinity winter hero" on the 318. The 318 will see a lot of highway abuse this winter so i was looking for something cheap because they will probably wear down fast. So far they handle really well in the shitty ice rain/mild snow conditions we have here now. I would compare them to the blizzaks for stopping power but they are lacking in acceleration grip.
In the snow i think you're biggest concern should be braking distance. 9/10 accidents i see every year here involve people hitting something because they couldn't stop in time on their shitty all season tires. It can be really fun to drive in the snow once you get used to it, you'll see :).
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It can be really fun to drive in the snow once you get used to it, you'll see :).
what are you talking about??! my e30 is fun to drive ALL THE TIME ;)
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We use studded snows here in Colorado. I have them on a separate set of rims so I can go back and forth easily in my garage.
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im in canada and we have some pretty awsome winter storms i would use yoko ice gaurds or conti viking contack 3 or hankoooks all very good tires for the price but really its up to you and how thick your wallet is
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And they are well worth it if you don't live in some pansy-assed place like Oregon. :)
Hey! I live here, damnit! :) Actually for the two years I've been here, Oregon is pretty nice.
Great to see this thread pop up. I measured the winter rims last night and have to go searching for winter tires today. The summer performance tires are starting to slip and slide in the rain here. While it's fun as hell hitting tight corners, I should probably stabalize myself before the icey cold roads come.
Good to ehar someone say Blizzaks are on sale at tirerack. I'm going there now!
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Hey, anyone know what the measurements on the original wheels are. I'm looking for the info now, but can't find it.
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what are you talking about??! my e30 is fun to drive ALL THE TIME ;)
Second the motion.
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origonal wheels are 14x6 1/5 or 14x7 not sure but one of them is right
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Found it out. 195/65/14 is what was on the car. Will look for that size, but I don't think Blizzaks are available in that size. I have 215/45/17's on the car now (Alpina Kopi's). Can't wait to learn how the extra sidewall hurts the overall driving experience.
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What have you guys seen or have used using a 195/65/14 configuration. No bigger than 205 and keeping the tire around the 65 area. All I can find are Goodyear Ultra Ice, but they aren't that great... I'm looking for something less than 100 dollars because I'm low on cash from the crash...
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And they are well worth it if you don't live in some pansy-assed place like Oregon. :)
Ironically there are a shit-tonne of drivers here in Portland that put on the studs in Oct and leave em on til April. Pisses me off to no end... noisy, ruins the roads... pansies.
I've never needed anything more than an A/S or M/S here.
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you should be able to find 195/60/14 or 205/60/14 check different brands yokohamas are good or hankooks
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I have a set of 18 wheels (http://www.bmwpartswheels.com/bmw-wheels-33/e36-wheels-3-series-99/18-inch-black-bmw-wheels-euro-820b-1327.html)with 215 all season that works okay for most of the year in MN
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My Dunlop Winter Sport M3's are 185/65/14. I have read from many sources that a narrower winter tire is slightly advantageous.
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I was actually looking at those tires and want them for my car but only come in a 15 to get to 195. I need that snow tire to fit the stock wheel because I do not have any money to buy new wheels too. I have Alpina Kopi wheels in the summer and the stock BBS Basketweaves in the winter.
If you can find them in a 195/65ish/14 configuration, please hit me up. I'm still searching and we are getting a 1-2'' snow squall tomorrow, what gives??
Anyone who lives in New England knows how quick that can turn into a foot....
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When I lived in Germany, I was fined for not running Winter Tyres. It's illegal and they literally have a date when everyone MUST switch - in Bavaria at at least. Then a date to switch back. Having said that, I was okay around town and the snow there was sick. But heading to the Alps I pack snowchains. Cheaper and better than winter tyres.
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Snow!? what the hell is snow we havent had more than 1/4 inch of snow in 3 years. with that being said, I have 4 brand new Michelin snow tires 195/70/r14 for sale, if anyone is interested, PM me with an offer
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Yeah, um we get like a foot every snow storm in new england..... LOL I got some tires on craigslist...never though I would buy used tires but they're great!!! They are blizzaks and they are working great!!! Hold their line well in snow and work well in tail out action!!!
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I use a Toyota 4Runner.
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http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=122
I just moved back to Portland, OR, (after having lived in SoCal since '97) and happened to be looking into the same matter.
Looks like the Blizzaks WS60's are the best all around. The Continental's have better start/stop performance.
All I need to do is find a set of stock rims to mount some Blizzaks on.
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This winter i'm not using anything on the E30, it's hibernating. Instead I'm using a Toyota RAV4 '96. Absolutely thrilled with it!
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I've been very pleased with my Blizzaks for the last 2 years. They wear very well, aren't too loud, and have reasonable grip in the dry as well, as long as they have enough air in them.
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Snow!? what the hell is snow we havent had more than 1/4 inch of snow in 3 years. with that being said, I have 4 brand new Michelin snow tires 195/70/r14 for sale, if anyone is interested, PM me with an offer
Kinda funny reading this now - we measured out at what, 18" of snow this past weekend? Probably be gone next week, but it was fun while it lasted!
I have Blizzaks that work very well, except that the car is now too low to really drive in any appreciable snow. It stayed home for this one.
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I use an Audi ...................
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I have the Nokian Hakkapeliitta (http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=11890&group=1.01&name=Nokian+Hakkapeliitta+5) on my e34. Nice tires, definitely on the loud side. They really last too - I think they're on their 6th season. Here in SW PA the snow isn't really that bad but the hills certainly are. A couple hours north toward Buffalo or east into the Laurel Highlands the snow merits consideration. Studs or chains might be a good idea out there. Since I take the BMW out for work travel for work I definitely dress for the season with serious snow tires.
Once my all-season Nokians wear out on the e30, I'll be looking for a set of used 15" snow tires off someone's e36 or e46. How else can I defend a 5-lug swap? Saving money on snow tires!
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I was originally going to get some Blizzaks and mount them on some bottlecaps for the winter, but even after last week's heavy snow here in S.E. PA, the roads were clear by early AM....Heck the plows were clearing side streets even before the snow was over..Nothing like scraping and backup beepers at 2am...lol
I do run Michelin all season (HydroEdge) tires on 318is...
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Anyone try snobootz
(http://www.snobootz.com/images/Tire-Animation-3.gif)
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lulz @ snobootz
I hope you're not being serious. hah
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I use an Audi ...................
Yeah... same here... Got my 98 Audi 2.8 sport on the road for now. Thing rips through the snow but there is no tail out experience like the e30 had..
I tried breaking my record to see how many times i could drift around a lightpole in a praking lot before spinning...or crashing... lol
The Bmw had a record of 74...
then i spun and went 63 times the opposite way...
then the cops came
lol
Audi does not like to have fun like that unfortunately... Kinda complains even with added power and such
and no... I have never tried snobootz
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hah what did the cops do? and what did they say you were doing, disturbing the peace? come on... cars sliding on snow/ice isn't very loud :D
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Its called reckless driving, about 1 point under a DUI.
Fun as it is I find really really isolated places if I want to play....
Dave