Winter Tire Guide
#1
Winter Tire Guide
I know that TireRack has a good guide on some of the best winter tires on the market. However, there are a couple of brands missing and i really wanted to share some information on the choices available.
With Winter just around the corner, most are looking to do a quick change to some winter tires on your daily BMW. Most consumers have very little experience when it comes to Winter Tires, and it is certainly information that is not easy to find.
This is by no means a comprehensive list but rather a guide to choose the tire that really suits your driving and weather conditions. Since many members, have different needs when it comes to widths and specs, i am not listing any specific combination.
* Please note that due the overwhelming amount of tire sizes available, I will list some of the most popular brands.
Performance Winter
Blizzak LM-60 (Performance)
Bridgestone Blizzak designed to combine the basic tread design of the Blizzak WS60 with a high-silica tread compound to blend high-speed durability and dry-road cold weather handling with snow traction.
Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans
Features:
- Stable winter driving on dry/wet and snow-covered roads
- High silica content tread compound
- Bridgestone's Uni-T technology
- H - Rated (130mph)
- Available in RFT version (in limited sizing)
Sizes:
17" / 18" / 19" / 20"
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 (Performance)
The Alpin PA3 was designed to retain the feel and precision of your ultra high performance sports car during the deep winters. Focus is on enhancing traction, handling on dry, wet and snow covered conditions.
Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans
Features:
- Sunflower oil-enriched Helio compound to increase low temp traction
- Asymmetic tread design with Variable Thickness Sipes (V.T.S) for both dry and wet handling
- Polyester cord body under twin steel belt construction, reinforced by BAZ technology for superior comfort and high-speed capability
- V - Rated (149mph)
Sizes:
16" / 17" / 18" / 19"
Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II (Performance)
Pirelli's premier winter performance tires developed for the sports car in mind. Developed with the philosophy that winter/snow tires must perform in a variety of unpredictable weather conditions, not just in the snow belt states.
Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans
Features:
- Features Pirelli's Temperature Dynamic Compound technology which optimizes wet and icy surface traction
- Interactive Brickwork Siping that increases both lateral and longitudinal stability with more biting edges for snow traction
- Twin steel belt reinforced with spiral wrapped polyamide construction (less sensitive to temp change)
- V - Rated (149 mph)
- Available in RFT version (in limited sizing)
Size:
17" / 18" / 19" / 20"
Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D (Performance)
Dunlop developed the SP Winter Sport 3D for those cars that come equipped with low profile tires. They are designed to provide dry, wet and snow-covered road competence by delivering traction throughout winter's cold temperatures.
Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans
Features:
- Reactive Silica mixing providing high elasticity at low temperatures for dependable grip
- Directional tread design reduces hydroplaning
- Three distinct traction zones: central for traction in acceleration and braking, Intermediate for high stability and control, 3D sipes in shoulder for increased dry road stability and handling
- Twin steel belt reinforced by Nylon to optimize contact patch
- Mix of H (130mph) / V (149mph) / W (168mph)
- Available in RFT version (in limited sizing)
Size:
15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19" / 20"
Vredestein Wintrac xtreme
Designed by Giugiaro, this is the premier high performance Winter tire by Vredestein. Low noise and enhanced tread life through even tire wear are key signature features of the Wintrac Xtreme.
Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans
Features:
- Straight sipes across the tread for a good grip on snow Zigzag sipes in the tread shoulders for perfect handling
- Increased grip on wet surfaces Excellent aquaplaning stability Good performance on snow and ice
- Low noise levels throughout the tire’s life-span Perfect driving performance in winter conditions
- Mix of H (130mph) / V (149mph) / W (168mph)
Size:
15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19" / 20"
Studless Ice/Snow
Blizzak WS60 (Studless Ice/Snow)
the Blizzak WS60 is Bridgestone's signature Studless Ice and Snow winter tire, developed for the everyday car. It is designed to deliver wintertime traction and control that inspires driver confidence by getting the most out of the vehicle's potential
Application:
- Coupes
- Sedans
- Minivans
- Light crossover vehicles
Features:
- Dual compound tread with silica-enhanced Tube Multi-cell compound (enhanced water repelling)
- Directional tread design that features independent tread block with 3-D zigzag to enhance grip
- Enhanced hydroplaning resistance
- R - Rated (106mph)
Sizes:
15" / 16" / 17" / 18"
Michelin Pilot X-Ice Xi2 (Studless Ice/Snow)
Michelin's studless ice and snow winter tires for the everyday driver that combines enhanced ice and snow traction with predictable wet and dry road handling.
Application:
- Coupes
- Sedans
- Minivans
- Light crossover vehicles
Features:
- Silica-based winter tread rubber compound
- Firm at high temperatures for wet and dry stability with flexibility at lower temps for snow and ice traction
- Directional tread design that helps evacuate water and slush
- Independent tread blocks for traction on ice and snow conditions
- Cross Z-sipes increase tread and shoulder block stability to provide lateral and longitudinal stiffness
- Twin steel belts reinforced by spirally wound nylon
- T - Rated (118mph)
Size:
13" / 14" / 15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19"
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R (Studless Ice/Snow)
Nokian Tyres invented the Winter tires in the 1930s. The Hakkapeliitta R is designed to function on all winter conditions and temperature fluctuations while maintaining grip on any road surface; ice, snow, wet or dry.
Application:
- Coupes
- Sedans
- Minivans
- Light crossover vehicles
Features:
- Pump Sipes efficiently wipes the wet ice dry and remove water at the point of contact
- Sharp shoulders improve lateral grip, Break booster and center rib to increase driving stability
- Ultra-low rolling resistance for increased fuel efficiency.
- Canola-silica compound in the tread improves the tire’s wet grip and reduces rolling resistance without compromising the tire’s good winter properties
- The Single Wire Bead structure ensures the durability of the tire, while lowering the tire’s rolling resistance, i.e. the tire rolls lightly
- R - Rated (106mph)
Size:
13" / 14" / 15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19" / 20"
All-Season Performance
Nokian Hakkapeliitta WR G2 ("Forget the Forecast" All Season)
This "All-weather Plus" tire is pretty unique to Nokian and truly offers the best performance in every season. The asymmetrical inside-out tread pattern different areas of the tread to focus on the different driving conditions you will encounter throughout the year.
Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans
Features:
- Asymmetrical treat pattern for diverse properties
- Unique design and siping of outer shoulder for easy handling and stability on all surfaces
- Innovative slush edge design ensure superb grip in winter conditions
- Center design features 3D siping for better handling and stability on wet and dry conditions
- Power on/off stabilizer improves stability in all driving conditions, especially in powerful accelerations
- Ultra-low rolling resistance for increased fuel efficiency.
- Mix of H (130mph) / V (149mph) / W (168mph)
Size:
13" / 14" / 15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19" / 20"
With Winter just around the corner, most are looking to do a quick change to some winter tires on your daily BMW. Most consumers have very little experience when it comes to Winter Tires, and it is certainly information that is not easy to find.
This is by no means a comprehensive list but rather a guide to choose the tire that really suits your driving and weather conditions. Since many members, have different needs when it comes to widths and specs, i am not listing any specific combination.
* Please note that due the overwhelming amount of tire sizes available, I will list some of the most popular brands.
Performance Winter
Blizzak LM-60 (Performance)
Bridgestone Blizzak designed to combine the basic tread design of the Blizzak WS60 with a high-silica tread compound to blend high-speed durability and dry-road cold weather handling with snow traction.
Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans
Features:
- Stable winter driving on dry/wet and snow-covered roads
- High silica content tread compound
- Bridgestone's Uni-T technology
- H - Rated (130mph)
- Available in RFT version (in limited sizing)
Sizes:
17" / 18" / 19" / 20"
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3 (Performance)
The Alpin PA3 was designed to retain the feel and precision of your ultra high performance sports car during the deep winters. Focus is on enhancing traction, handling on dry, wet and snow covered conditions.
Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans
Features:
- Sunflower oil-enriched Helio compound to increase low temp traction
- Asymmetic tread design with Variable Thickness Sipes (V.T.S) for both dry and wet handling
- Polyester cord body under twin steel belt construction, reinforced by BAZ technology for superior comfort and high-speed capability
- V - Rated (149mph)
Sizes:
16" / 17" / 18" / 19"
Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Serie II (Performance)
Pirelli's premier winter performance tires developed for the sports car in mind. Developed with the philosophy that winter/snow tires must perform in a variety of unpredictable weather conditions, not just in the snow belt states.
Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans
Features:
- Features Pirelli's Temperature Dynamic Compound technology which optimizes wet and icy surface traction
- Interactive Brickwork Siping that increases both lateral and longitudinal stability with more biting edges for snow traction
- Twin steel belt reinforced with spiral wrapped polyamide construction (less sensitive to temp change)
- V - Rated (149 mph)
- Available in RFT version (in limited sizing)
Size:
17" / 18" / 19" / 20"
Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D (Performance)
Dunlop developed the SP Winter Sport 3D for those cars that come equipped with low profile tires. They are designed to provide dry, wet and snow-covered road competence by delivering traction throughout winter's cold temperatures.
Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans
Features:
- Reactive Silica mixing providing high elasticity at low temperatures for dependable grip
- Directional tread design reduces hydroplaning
- Three distinct traction zones: central for traction in acceleration and braking, Intermediate for high stability and control, 3D sipes in shoulder for increased dry road stability and handling
- Twin steel belt reinforced by Nylon to optimize contact patch
- Mix of H (130mph) / V (149mph) / W (168mph)
- Available in RFT version (in limited sizing)
Size:
15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19" / 20"
Vredestein Wintrac xtreme
Designed by Giugiaro, this is the premier high performance Winter tire by Vredestein. Low noise and enhanced tread life through even tire wear are key signature features of the Wintrac Xtreme.
Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans
Features:
- Straight sipes across the tread for a good grip on snow Zigzag sipes in the tread shoulders for perfect handling
- Increased grip on wet surfaces Excellent aquaplaning stability Good performance on snow and ice
- Low noise levels throughout the tire’s life-span Perfect driving performance in winter conditions
- Mix of H (130mph) / V (149mph) / W (168mph)
Size:
15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19" / 20"
Studless Ice/Snow
Blizzak WS60 (Studless Ice/Snow)
the Blizzak WS60 is Bridgestone's signature Studless Ice and Snow winter tire, developed for the everyday car. It is designed to deliver wintertime traction and control that inspires driver confidence by getting the most out of the vehicle's potential
Application:
- Coupes
- Sedans
- Minivans
- Light crossover vehicles
Features:
- Dual compound tread with silica-enhanced Tube Multi-cell compound (enhanced water repelling)
- Directional tread design that features independent tread block with 3-D zigzag to enhance grip
- Enhanced hydroplaning resistance
- R - Rated (106mph)
Sizes:
15" / 16" / 17" / 18"
Michelin Pilot X-Ice Xi2 (Studless Ice/Snow)
Michelin's studless ice and snow winter tires for the everyday driver that combines enhanced ice and snow traction with predictable wet and dry road handling.
Application:
- Coupes
- Sedans
- Minivans
- Light crossover vehicles
Features:
- Silica-based winter tread rubber compound
- Firm at high temperatures for wet and dry stability with flexibility at lower temps for snow and ice traction
- Directional tread design that helps evacuate water and slush
- Independent tread blocks for traction on ice and snow conditions
- Cross Z-sipes increase tread and shoulder block stability to provide lateral and longitudinal stiffness
- Twin steel belts reinforced by spirally wound nylon
- T - Rated (118mph)
Size:
13" / 14" / 15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19"
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R (Studless Ice/Snow)
Nokian Tyres invented the Winter tires in the 1930s. The Hakkapeliitta R is designed to function on all winter conditions and temperature fluctuations while maintaining grip on any road surface; ice, snow, wet or dry.
Application:
- Coupes
- Sedans
- Minivans
- Light crossover vehicles
Features:
- Pump Sipes efficiently wipes the wet ice dry and remove water at the point of contact
- Sharp shoulders improve lateral grip, Break booster and center rib to increase driving stability
- Ultra-low rolling resistance for increased fuel efficiency.
- Canola-silica compound in the tread improves the tire’s wet grip and reduces rolling resistance without compromising the tire’s good winter properties
- The Single Wire Bead structure ensures the durability of the tire, while lowering the tire’s rolling resistance, i.e. the tire rolls lightly
- R - Rated (106mph)
Size:
13" / 14" / 15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19" / 20"
All-Season Performance
Nokian Hakkapeliitta WR G2 ("Forget the Forecast" All Season)
This "All-weather Plus" tire is pretty unique to Nokian and truly offers the best performance in every season. The asymmetrical inside-out tread pattern different areas of the tread to focus on the different driving conditions you will encounter throughout the year.
Application:
- Sports cars
- Sporty coupes
- Luxury performance sedans
Features:
- Asymmetrical treat pattern for diverse properties
- Unique design and siping of outer shoulder for easy handling and stability on all surfaces
- Innovative slush edge design ensure superb grip in winter conditions
- Center design features 3D siping for better handling and stability on wet and dry conditions
- Power on/off stabilizer improves stability in all driving conditions, especially in powerful accelerations
- Ultra-low rolling resistance for increased fuel efficiency.
- Mix of H (130mph) / V (149mph) / W (168mph)
Size:
13" / 14" / 15" / 16" / 17" / 18" / 19" / 20"
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