[teamtj]

I live in Chicago and trying to decide on winter tire options,

Here is what I think my priorities are,
-Drive during the winter low temps
-Do not plan to drive while snowing
-Occasionally, drive after light snow(while road is not fully clean)
-Use the same OEM wheel and swap the tires

Should I go with All season($1K) or Winter tires($1.6K) ?


Thanks,
TJ

[Gfit]

I'm in similar situation and went with PS4 AS and really can't tell the difference from stock.

[teamtj]

Originally Posted by Gfit

I'm in similar situation and went with PS4 AS and really can't tell the difference from stock.

Sorry, I didn't get you. You meant no benefits with the PS4 AS for our winter situation ?

[Gfit]

Sorry. Yes, traction is great in cold weather and a dusting of snow. I think they will meet your needs perfectly.

[merlin3008]

I'm going with all-weathers. I have a set of Continental Extreme Contacts waiting at the dealership for my car to arrive. I've used these tires on my AMG car in the Chicago winters with great success. I drove in several inches of snow and they left nothing to be desired. Unless you foresee your self regularly driving in significant snow, I don't think snow tires are warranted.

[teamtj]

Originally Posted by merlin3008

I'm going with all-weathers. I have a set of Continental Extreme Contacts waiting at the dealership for my car to arrive. I've used these tires on my AMG car in the Chicago winters with great success. I drove in several inches of snow and they left nothing to be desired. Unless you foresee your self regularly driving in significant snow, I don't think snow tires are warranted.

You guys helped me to make the decision. Thanks.

I just ordered Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 from discounttire. With storage, damage is $1.5K

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by teamtj

I live in Chicago and trying to decide on winter tire options,

Here is what I think my priorities are,
-Drive during the winter low temps
-Do not plan to drive while snowing
-Occasionally, drive after light snow(while road is not fully clear)
-Use the same OEM wheel and swap the tires

Should I go with All season($1K) or Winter tires($1.6K) ?


Thanks,
TJ

It's all the matter of what your interests are.

Winter tires are created with compounds specifically to be utilized under 40ºF. AS tires aren't. All season tires try to do everything well most of the time. Winter tires are trying to give you the best performance in the cold, icy, or snowy weather.


I would go with winters. They will be superior in cold and icy conditions. Even though you don't drive in the snow, a 'light dusting' may be more slippery than packed snow.


If you were considering a swap to AS and using them year round, that's another story. But if you're in a snow belt, with winter temperatures, and are swapping performance tires out every season, I'd spend the $600 more to get the better performing option.



Still not sure, take a look at this video and decide:

.... and it looks like we posted at the same time, making my post moot!

[AhsanU]

AS4's from Michelin are a genuinely great tyre that do well in fresh coats of snow as proven by many independent testers. But be careful at severely low temps and any bit of ice.

If you genuinely have other means of transportation, or the freedom to work from home, or have the flexibility of not needing to go out during crappy inclement weather - the AS4's will perform exceptionally. I do not have that luxury unfortunately, as my business requires my presence - thus I opted for Alpin 5's.

I would rather switch wheels for the winter and enjoy peace of mind that inclement weather won't stop me from getting home. The extra $1400 for a set of extra front 826M's + added cost of the Alpin 5's is well worth the peace of mind, IMO. But I live in NY where roads range from perfectly ploughed to icy death, so better safe than sorry.

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

It's all the matter of what your interests are.

Winter tires are created with compounds specifically to be utilized under 40ºF. AS tires aren't. All season tires try to do everything well most of the time. Winter tires are trying to give you the best performance in the cold, icy, or snowy weather.


I would go with winters. They will be superior in cold and icy conditions. Even though you don't drive in the snow, a 'light dusting' may be more slippery than packed snow.


If you were considering a swap to AS and using them year round, that's another story. But if you're in a snow belt, with winter temperatures, and are swapping performance tires out every season, I'd spend the $600 more to get the better performing option.



Still not sure, take a look at this video and decide:

.... and it looks like we posted at the same time, making my post moot!

I think tire testing on ice is stupid.

Who the hell is driving on ice with an M3 or sports sedan.

If you suddenly find your car on pure ice you're done anyway.

If you need winter tires you need a different car.

Im in Connecticut and we get plenty of snow but the roads get cleared fast. I run Conti DWS 06. I've been in 4 inches of snow and you can get around just fine.

Freezing temps no problem.

If it's that bad out, your winter tires are not gonna save you from the other cars that have $hit tires.

Again if you need winter tires you probably need a winter car.

[ROBERT1183]

Spend the extra money and go with the snows. Even if you dont drive the car in the snow the compound is much better suited for the cold temps to give the best traction.

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by 2011ninja

I think tire testing on ice is stupid.

Who the hell is driving on ice with an M3 or sports sedan.

If you suddenly find your car on pure ice you're done anyway.

If you need winter tires you need a different car.

Im in Connecticut and we get plenty of snow but the roads get cleared fast. I run Conti DWS 06. I've been in 4 inches of snow and you can get around just fine.

Freezing temps no problem.

If it's that bad out, your winter tires are not gonna save you from the other cars that have $hit tires.

Again if you need winter tires you probably need a winter car.

Look at all of those independently wealthy countries where the constituents need winter cars:

Mandatory use – The following countries required snow tires between specified dates or when roads are snowy or icy: Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Russia.


Funny, I haven't ever seen a single manufacturer market one of those.

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

Look at all of those independently wealthy countries where the constituents need winter cars:

Mandatory use – The following countries required snow tires between specified dates or when roads are snowy or icy: Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Norway, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Russia.


Funny, I haven't ever seen a single manufacturer market one of those.

Me: Shallow a$$ self serving American can't think past my own state.

My bad all.

If you live in countries mentioned do what ya gotta do.

😁

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by 2011ninja

Me: Shallow a$$ self serving American can't think past my own state.

My bad all.

If you live in countries mentioned do what ya gotta do.

😁

We got your point! You're spot on that in most situations good AS tires are just fine.

But in all seriousness what's your interpretation of a "winter car"?

Not challenging just want your perspective.

[BigKutta]

Really depends, but sounds like you can get away with AS since you wont drive in snow. I'm in the DC area and now (was on winters) use AS on my M2C in the winter now because my driving needs are just like yours, and the temps swings can be huge here, 50 degrees one day and 10 the next, so I dont have to sweat driving a winter tire when its too warm or a summer tire when its suddenly too cold for a day or two. AS in winter for me, and Summers the rest of the time.
I have seen no difference switching from Winters to AS in the winter time

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

We got your point! You're spot on that in most situations good AS tires are just fine.

But in all seriousness what's your interpretation of a "winter car"?

Not challenging just want your perspective.

And I'm not a sensitive a hole.

Call me out and feel free to challenge me.😁

Something that you probably only have liability insurance not worth the cost of full coverage.

My 2002 Nissan Altima for example 😆

[Gfit]

Originally Posted by 2011ninja

Something that you probably only have liability insurance not worth the cost of full coverage.

My 2002 Nissan Altima for example 😆

Um I think you are supposed to park the car between the white lines not on top of them. Just messing with you.

[2011ninja]

Originally Posted by Gfit

Um I think you are supposed to park the car between the white lines not on top of them. Just messing with you.

Lol!!!!!!!

But that's how you drive a winter car.

It was probably unlocked too Lmaof

[MMM.PWR]

You’ll get by with all seasons, and since you’re using one set of wheels it makes sense to go with that.

But I like having a dedicated winter set and summer set and have done it for my daily and for my wife’s car. Nothing beats a winter tire in the snow!

[translux]

I've tried to make high performance all-seasons work on a number of different cars in for Chicago winters, some were capable AWD-Golf R, Evo X, STI, C4S-for me they just didn't provide the same level of confidence as a dedicated snow. As the video shows the difference in the ability to stop and understeer was dramatic. With dedicated snows my 750+ whp CTS-V was mostly drivable even in heavy snow.

[BMWRacer523]

Originally Posted by 2011ninja

I think tire testing on ice is stupid.

You missed the point of that test. The ice is simply to simulate reduced coefficient of friction. That can happen on light snow as well. Unless you have your M3 parked the entire winter then this test is relevant.

[rmh12]

Originally Posted by teamtj

You guys helped me to make the decision. Thanks.

I just ordered Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 from discounttire. With storage, damage is $1.5K

i had a hell of a time getting non-run flats for the back. Was told they are mislabeled in the tire warehouse system.

If non-run flats are important to you, make sure you don't get the ZP (zero pressure) versions.

Once i got them on, i've been very happy and will likely leave them on all year and sell the PZeros.

[maverick618]

'if you need winter tires you need a different car'

I wouldn't expect to read something this close minded here. I've driven a BRZ for 7 years, with dedicated winters. I couldn't count the number of 'winter cars' I've seen in a ditch, while I drive past no problem. An SUV or truck with 4wd and the wrong tires in very cold and snowy/icy conditions is going to handle worse than a rwd with proper winter tires.

Saying otherwise is just completely ignorant of the actual physics of the tires. Summers and all seasons become hockey pucks below 25-30F.