Snow tires, 2 or 4? - United Bimmer Community

**EnvyM3** · 10-27-2005, 10:07 AM

Ok I wasn't sure where to post this but I need some feedback pretty quickly.

Here's my dilemma, I was hoping to put 2 new snow tires on the rears and put my 2 best all seasons on the fronts. This thought was sternly shot down from tire rack. They explained that by having two different treads, the rears will push harder than the fronts can handle, making it very dangerous.

It makes sense, but being a somewhat careful driver, I think I could get away with it. The tires I'm looking at are $110 each and I really don't want to spent $450 on 4 if I don't have to.

Has anyone ever experienced this with different tires on front and back in the snow?

**c1apton** · 10-27-2005, 10:17 AM

Tire Racks thoughts (I assume) are regarding all weather tires. For years before radials and all season tires, people in cold weather states always put snow tires on the rear only. Some use to have spikes built into them but were outlawed because they grooved highways. Unless it's all wheel drive - go for two only

PS: it also gives you an excuse to practice your "drifting" experience. Winter does have it's benefits

**jybute** · 10-27-2005, 10:17 AM

you should actually have the same tires all the way around for lots of reasons, mainly tire wear and handling.
I had two different types on my e36, and in the rain i couldnt keep good traction, so imagine what it will be like in the winter.

**EnvyM3** · 10-27-2005, 10:33 AM

^^I agree on the tire wear thing but if I get 2 new this year and put the all seasons on the front. Next year I can take the two rear snows, put them on the front, and get 2 new ones for the rears at that point.

**Red_Rocket** · 10-27-2005, 10:55 AM

yea one time, at a tire place they tried to give me three of the same tire and one different tire, i walked back into the place and was like WTF?

And they tried to tell me it would be alright, even after i told them i wanted 4 of the SAME tire......

Morons

**jybute** · 10-27-2005, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnvyM3

^^I agree on the tire wear thing but if I get 2 new this year and put the all seasons on the front. Next year I can take the two rear snows, put them on the front, and get 2 new ones for the rears at that point.

Yeah but then next year youll have pre mature tire wear, its a never ending cycle, but snow tires who relly cares.

**projal147** · 10-27-2005, 11:31 AM

i would recommend putting 4 of the same all the way around. snow tires have wide tread to aid in traction. if you have the rear tread different from the front, then you will get two different tread patters in the snow, which will decrease your cars grip in the snow, or any weather. the same thought applies to all season or sport tires, you should have the same tire all the way around. if you have the money. if not, then go with 2 in the rear and 2 in the front, shouldnt be too bad.

personally i have 4 of the same all around.

**DEATH2000** · 10-27-2005, 11:34 AM

I have winter tires on my car but there 2 differnt types/manufacturer.

Storamin · 10-27-2005, 02:30 PM

realize the safety you're sacrificing. what you're saying to me is that you think all season tires are good enough in the snow. why do you bother having snow tires at all? my opinion is that all season tires are not good enough in the snow. of course, my personal opinion about all season tires is that they suck equally in dry, rain, and snow. i have 4 summer tires, and 4 winter tires.

the fronts will not have anywhere as much grip as the rears, and will cause you to understeer. to me, this is worse than having the rear end step out during a turn. i'm accustomed to having the rear end come out, and i've practiced my recovery for this. i'm going to side with tirerack and strongly urge you to use 4 snow tires. here in pittsburgh, i go with 4 snow tires. i can't see why you would use 4 all season tires in NH, as your winters are much more severe than ours.

**exjarhead328** · 10-27-2005, 03:44 PM

For $220, I personally wouln't run just 2 snows.

nick_318is · 10-27-2005, 04:11 PM

I would agree I think that you would probably want 4 of the same/but do what makes you happy.

**RogueRonin** · 10-27-2005, 04:28 PM

I would go with Storamin on this one, and get 4 winters, if you can afford it. That way, you can use the same 4 tires for however long. It will even itself out. Rather than buying 2 new this year, then 2 new next year, and so on, just by 4 new winters, every couple years. You won't have to worry about treadpatterns, different makes/manufactureres, etc. Of course, that's IF you can afford it.

**EnvyM3** · 10-28-2005, 08:39 AM

OK OK I'll get all 4. Now another question is....If I run the winters for about 4-5 months / year. How many seasons will they last me. I'm sure I could get at least two years but has anyone else gotten more out of them?

**bitcore** · 10-28-2005, 09:40 AM

Naw it's all good. Don't listen to them. Put the snow tires on the left side and the all season on the right, you'll be golden.

nick_318is · 10-28-2005, 01:07 PM

My dad's last set of snow tires (were on his e46 330ci and then 1 winter on the e46 m3) lasted at least 3 years, i think they still have a decent ammount of tread on them.

**Dudesky** · 11-11-2005, 07:01 AM

Here's some help from Edmunds:

Quote:

Don't I just need snow tires on the drive wheels for traction?
This myth was laid to rest when we went out on the dry test track and drove a pair of BMW 330Ci coupes, one with a full set of snow tires (Michelin Artic-Alpins) and the other with those snows on the back (the 330Ci is rear-drive) and high-performance rubber in front (Michelin Pilot XGT H4s).

This was definitely an eye-opener. Before we ran each car, we shut off the stability control system and were warned that one of the cars might end up biting us (car-guy talk for a car sliding out of control). Taking the 330 with the four snows through the course, the car felt solid and predictable. Running the 330 with the Pilots in front and Alpins in the back, the tail wagged increasingly as we zigzagged through the cones and then the car spun 180 degrees. Whoa! We drove home the point of the test with an exclamation point made in rubber marks on the track.

Mismatched tires can (and will, if pushed) adversely affect a car's handling; with the ends of the car having differing levels of grip, it is more apt to slide the tail or even spin out. Had we been driving in the snow, the rear tires probably would've had no problem propelling the car but steering and braking wouldn't fare as well — the high-performance Pilots would've washed out as the snow would easily pack their small grooves, essentially turning them into slicks. Not good on snow, slush or ice.

**DEATH2000** · 11-11-2005, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitcore

Naw it's all good. Don't listen to them. Put the snow tires on the left side and the all season on the right, you'll be golden.

yea... how bout no?

**exjarhead328** · 11-11-2005, 07:56 PM

Sadly, the Dunlop WinterSport M3's go on next week. But for a winter tire they really do perform. They are a nice mix of dry performance and snow/ice traction. I also am impressed with how quiet they are. I have about 11,500 miles on them in the last 2 yrs and they look virtually new.

**voca** · 11-11-2005, 07:58 PM

nice find, dudesky.

**EnvyM3** · 11-11-2005, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exjarhead328

Sadly, the Dunlop WinterSport M3's go on next week. But for a winter tire they really do perform. They are a nice mix of dry performance and snow/ice traction. I also am impressed with how quiet they are. I have about 11,500 miles on them in the last 2 yrs and they look virtually new.

Good to hear. Those are the tires I'm getting.