[Daveyc]

I've thinking hard about winter tyres for the last few weeks and took the plunge today and ordered BMW's wheel & tyre set for the 330d.

I have 19" 403ss coming on my car next week and, not surprisingly, there's no 19" winter wheel & tyre package. So, after a bit of negotiation, I settled on their package for £2k, based on 18" by 396 star-spoke rims with Pirelli W240 Sottozero S2 run-flats. This includes storage, which is useful for me.

I dare say I could have quid by going elsewhere, but reading other stories of buying online put me off a bit - didn't want the hassle of worrying about correct spec for wheel nuts etc. That said, the prices on Alloy Wheels Direct would have come in higher than this for the same combo, so I think it's fair value.

Has anyone got first-hand experience with the Pirelli W240 Sottozero S2s? I found a few reviews online and none were ravers, so guess they're not state of the art in winter tyres.

Sadly, I'm going to take delivery with the winter wheels on, so won't get to see the car in it's full glory until spring :-(

Cheers
Dave

[pops_f30]

I have the Pirelli's on my F30, 225/45/18 all round and jury is out at the moment.

I have not driven a car with winter tyres so nothing to compare them to and also only done around 100 miles on them so they need to scuff a bit before I can give an honest appraisal.

Just a bit concerned they seem just a "slippy" as the summer tyres I just took off but hopefully I'll have a better sense in a few days and then I'll be happy to give you an update.

[Daveyc]

Thanks Pops. Let's hope you feel good things under all that black rubbery stuff!

I hope to have my car back end of next week ... :-)

[Deyvy]

I asked my dealer about winters, same choice as yourself. Pirellis on the star spoke 396.

Same price too. Just checked the website, they used to give you a choice of the Bridgestone Blizzak, but not anymore now. Maybe can't source them.

I will probably drive with the 19' for a few days, then change to winters. Most likely with BMW.

[MarkW83]

I have Blizzaks on my 135 (225/40/18 all round), and they're absolutely brilliant. Much better in the wet and even in the dry in these cold temperatures; and in the snow/ice they're a godsend. BMW used to recommend them, if they've moved to another manufacturer for some reason (most likely financial!) I'd expect them to be just as good...

[johnbmw6]

Originally Posted by pops_f30

I have the Pirelli's on my F30, 225/45/18 all round and jury is out at the moment.

I have not driven a car with winter tyres so nothing to compare them to and also only done around 100 miles on them so they need to scuff a bit before I can give an honest appraisal.

Just a bit concerned they seem just a "slippy" as the summer tyres I just took off but hopefully I'll have a better sense in a few days and then I'll be happy to give you an update.

I had them on the M6 bigger size though, slipped a lot, so I have Dunlop Winter sport 3D now and they are better but no quieter.
The Dunlop's are 245/45/18 all round though.

[styles997]

I had sottozero's on my S-type 2 winters ago and drove down to switzerland with them. I thought they were great and would definitely look at them again, or the Blizzaks. I hear Vredestein wintrac extremes are good too and a little cheaper.

[swanseahammer]

Originally Posted by MarkW83

I have Blizzaks on my 135 (225/40/18 all round), and they're absolutely brilliant. Much better in the wet and even in the dry in these cold temperatures; and in the snow/ice they're a godsend. BMW used to recommend them, if they've moved to another manufacturer for some reason (most likely financial!) I'd expect them to be just as good...

I'm running Blizzaks on my ED - seem better than the Michelin Alpins I had on my E90, at least in the cold & wet. They were great on the early morning frost too. No snow yet so can't compare fully. The Alpins were great in the snow.