Run flats or not in winter?

[Jay60642]

I\'m in Chicago with a 2011 3.0. About to get a winter set. Stick to run-flats like factory tires or get conventional tires? And, how do people feel about Blizzaks?

[ChuckB]

I stayed with run flats for the winter as I have no wish the change a tire in the snow. The 17's ride much better than either the original 18's or the 19's I went to. Having said all that, I've not had a flat in 7 years (touch wood)...

[Horsedoc67]

Originally Posted by ChuckB

I stayed with run flats for the winter as I have no wish the change a tire in the snow. The 17's ride much better than either the original 18's or the 19's I went to. Having said all that, I've not had a flat in 7 years (touch wood)...

I have 8 vehicles including the Z4 and I had not had a flat in years but yesterday I was driving on one of the curvy canyon roads above PCH near Malibu when rounding a blind corner I encountered the entire road covered with rocks. I could't stop, heard a big bang and immediately the low tire warning went on indicating the left front. I drove about 25 miles @ 35-45 mph to the nearest dealer and just received a call that the only damage was to the tire and they found no cracks in any of the wheels. Whatever negative feelings about RFT's that I have had are now gone and I will never run anything else on my BMW's(other car is 2011 X3 35i with RFT). The only thing I could think of was what if the tire failure was non RFT with my wife in her minivan in one of the less desirable areas at night. RFT's are going on her car ASAP.

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by ChuckB

I stayed with run flats for the winter as I have no wish the change a tire in the snow. The 17's ride much better than either the original 18's or the 19's I went to. Having said all that, I've not had a flat in 7 years (touch wood)...

Same thing here, for the same reasons. Runflat Blizzak on 17" for the winter. Non-runflat Michelin on 18" for summer.

Have had 2 flats in as many years on my previous car due to the poor condition of roads in our part of the world.

[bmwmick]

Originally Posted by Horsedoc67

I have 8 vehicles including the Z4 and I had not had a flat in years but yesterday I was driving on one of the curvy canyon roads above PCH near Malibu when rounding a blind corner I encountered the entire road covered with rocks.

Decker? Mulholland? Ensinal Canyon? Rock off those hillsides are legendary. My kid took a large rock in his left front fender on his Mystic M3

I'm still thinking the non-RFT tire would fare better than the RFT's in that
situation. Can't wait for my factory Bridgestones to wear out.

[mstevens]

I definitely use run-flat winter tires since I live way out in the boonies.

I'm not a huge fan of Blizzaks. I think there are considerably better winter tires out there.

[Jay60642]

Thanks for the input, guys. What would people get if they were not going to buy Blizzaks? I want to stay under $200/tire.

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by mstevens

I'm not a huge fan of Blizzaks. I think there are considerably better winter tires out there.

Probably, however the Blizzaks (the LM-25's at least) have a good snow/ice/rain/dry handling balance and keep the car's sporty character (with lower limits of course.)
There are more dry or wet than snow days in winter and the Blizzaks aren't as noisy or sucky in those conditions as aggressive snow tires.

[shashi27]

I have had good experience with blizzaks on the zed

[mstevens]

Originally Posted by Jay60642

Thanks for the input, guys. What would people get if they were not going to buy Blizzaks? I want to stay under $200/tire.

My favorites are over that, sorry. I'm about to put a set of Nokian Hakkapeliitta R tires on my e89 Z4 since I need to let my son use the old set on the e85 Z4.

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

There are more dry or wet than snow days in winter

Depends where you live. Around here, there are numerous roads that have a packed snow surface for months on end. Paved primary roads are, indeed, dry for the majority of the winter. They're still cold, though, which is why I like a tire that gets fairly close to the grip of a summer tire on cold, dry roads.

[cdeslandes]

Originally Posted by mstevens

Depends where you live. Around here, there are numerous roads that have a packed snow surface for months on end. Paved primary roads are, indeed, dry for the majority of the winter. They're still cold, though, which is why I like a tire that gets fairly close to the grip of a summer tire on cold, dry roads.

Well in NH, you're correct. I used to live in VT and very aggressive snow tires like Nokians were needed there. Especially on dirt roads.
If I ever move back up there, I'll get a Jeep for winter!