Winter Tyres

[zagatoes30]

So when is the right time, a bit early at the moment I think especially with this army warm(ish) November so far. Looking at the forecast the cold air is starting to sweep in over the next couple of weeks so maybe end of Nov early Dec.

 

[urquattrogus]

Just put mine on yesterday, onto the M135i. Pirelli Sotozero over the Michelin Supersports.

I've noticed a big difference already when pulling out of junctions and in general security. Seems worthwhile.

I guess you have to go by temperature, if under 7 degrees then that's supposed to be when winter tyres work better due to the different compound?

What I do notice is that the ride gets worse as they are run flat tyres, and the Michelin's aren't!

 

[Wack61]

In previous years if a bad winter hits there won't be any for sale so if you're thinking of buying I wouldn't leave it too long

 

[w5pwr]

Put mine on 10 days ago and immediately noticed an improvement with traction on cold wet early mornings, although for the last few days it has been very mild but still wet.

I was running Corsa tyres so thought an early change was a good idea......

 

[zagatoes30]

Already have winter sets for the GT and the Spyder thankfully neither are run flats. They do make a big difference even without snow but the temp does need to be lower than it is now, I normally switch when the temp is consistently in single digits which it isn't here at the moment.

 

[P R]

I put mine on last Friday, and like above the difference is amazing, even on mildish days. Its true that 7C is about the crossover point however above 7C the winters are still fine (not like the summers when the white stuff comes!)

 

[bigbob]

Mine are going on next week.

For those of you in south who might run one set of tyres all year round, my summer tyres are Continentals and they offer much, much better grip in low temps than the Pirellis.

 

[MarkMas]

Q1: Do you change the tyres on one set of wheels, or do you have a second set of wheels?
Q2: Where do you buy your winter tyres from?

 

[bigbob]

I only have one set of wheels. Plenty of cheap online places to buy tyres from and then just pay your local guy something like £15 a corner to fit.

 

[P R]

Q1: Do you change the tyres on one set of wheels, or do you have a second set of wheels?
Q2: Where do you buy your winter tyres from?

1. I change the tyres onto my normal rims. I did look into a spare set but around £3k pays a lot of £50s to change them over!
2. I got mine from mytyres, but somewhere like Blackcirles also good.

 

[TridentTested]

I don't have any for the QP but with my previous car I kept the winters on a cheap set of steel rims. I did the changeover myself using the car's own jack and a Halfords £20 bottle jack together to lift one side at a time; whole changeover done in fifteen minutes.

Anything between 7°C and 10°C is usually regarded as the threshold. In Germany and Switzerland it's mandated by the state; you change on a specific date, no exceptions.

 

[zagatoes30]

Mine came from SM contacts for both Spyder & GT

I use the same rims just get the local tyre fitter to swap them over he does me a deal £50 for each car for switch to winters and switch back to summers next year. Good deal for locals

 

[JonW]

I'm currrently mid research on what winter tyres to stick on my GTS. She currently has PZero's on, so I'm inclined to stick with Pirelli, but was wondering if anyone thinks the Michelin, Continental, or other options are noticeably better?

On my 335i, I had a spare set of alloys with the winter tyres on, but am planning to use the same wheels on the Maserati and just swap the tyres. Is this what most of you do?

Also, does anyone have suggestions on somewhere good to buy the tyres from? They're not exactly a cheap purchase for four, and I've been stung in the past buying a supposedly new tyre that must have been sat on the racks for an age, and it was awful...

 

[bigbob]

I run Pirelli Sotto Zero IIs and so far as I am aware they are the only tyre that is available in front and back sizes.

I got some new rears from Tyre Outlet (basically the My Tyres cheaper website) a few months back and they were nearly a year old but these tyres tend to be made in batches and I was advised by Pirelli Technical that they may not be making them this autumn. That might have changed mind.

I only have one set of wheels but mine have TPMS. If they did not then I might have bought another set of wheels.

PS They last a long time which helps ease the cost pain.

 

[JonW]

I only have one set of wheels but mine have TPMS. If they did not then I might have bought another set of wheels.

Thanks Bob - Not ashamed to admit I had to google this to know what it meant! How would I know if my car also has this?

 

[bigbob]

If your valve stems are metal you have TPMS. Otherwise rubber.

Was standard on MY2012 onwards, otherwise an option as it was on my MY11.

 

[P R]

Interesting about tyre outlet, not heard of them but I use mytyres so will give them a look. And with my milage the tyres only last a year or so anyway so no big deal if they are oldish stock..

 

[CatmanV2]

Thanks Bob - Not ashamed to admit I had to google this to know what it meant! How would I know if my car also has this?

There's also a button up by the rear view mirror

C

 

[JonW]

There's also a button up by the rear view mirror

C

Will have to take a look when I get back in the car tonight. Mine's a MY12, so I presume it does have it...

 

[bigbob]

There's also a button up by the rear view mirror

C

Not on mine, it's done via the pod of buttons RHS of the steering wheel.