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      01-17-2021, 05:50 PM   #1
PappadocM8
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M8 in Chicago - Tire Help

Hi all! First post after getting my M8 convertible. Car is a monster and obviously the stock Pirellis are not suitable for cold wet Chicago weather.

I'm leaning towards the Pilot Sport A/S 3 which I had on my M340 and were solid in the winter and early cold spring. I have zero plans to drive the M8 when it's snowing and don't want snow tires. However, I will be driving when it's cold/light snow while trying not crash.

Thoughts on the Michelins, DWS 06, any other tires that can somewhat handle some of this car's power? Thanks!

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      01-18-2021, 10:05 AM   #2
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Originally Posted by Pappadoc33 View Post
I have zero plans to drive the M8 when it's snowing and don't want snow tires.
I'd still go for a winter tire over an all season tire in Chicago, more for the rubber compound giving better traction on cold dry days than for any added traction in the snow.

With that, it seems the DWS 06 performs better than the A/S 3+ in colder temperatures, and the A/S 3+ better in warmer temperatures based on some other random forum opinions. I have no direct experience with either, but if that's the case and I was forced to put an all season tire on a M car in the winter, or lived a bit further south, I would likely go with the contis.
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      01-18-2021, 11:46 AM   #3
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Here is a (not so) brief argument for winter tires that i came across which should give you some pause.

Winter is almost here in most regions of the world so the question is: do you need to winter tires on your BMW?

Here is the answer.

The time is around 19:00 hours on a cold, blustery winter night. The temperature is hovering around -1 (30 F) and it has been raining, a dangerous stage for icy conditions. Having left the shop with 4 new winter tires installed only that morning, what I encountered next had me kissing all four corners of my contact patch.

Traveling South bound on Windsor’s Huron Church Ave, one of North America’s busiest roads with high truck traffic, I came upon an intersection where the two right lanes of the 3 Southbound lanes were at a stand still, tens of semi trucks lumbering through first gear. With a fresh green displayed, I approach the intersection just below the speed limit, a clear lane lies ahead. With no warning or signal, a flat-bed semi-truck makes a sudden move pulling into my lane from stand-still (trucks are altogether banned from this “fast” lane on Huron Church, I guess he’s a new, careless, or drunk driver).

Hard on the brakes with a tall concrete barrier to the left and a nose-to-tail barrier of trucks to the right, I have nowhere to go. Visions of my seemingly imminent decapitation loom close, the flat bed trailer lying like opened scissors across the road ahead, at approximately the height of my dash. Feathering the brakes I play with the limit of tire adhesion to the road, attempting to burn off velocity as if my life depended on it, because, my life depended on it. As I closed in on the last few feet of remaining asphalt, I was amazed to bring the car to a complete stop. The truck driver who cut off my lane had his truck at a full stop, realizing his trailer did not have enough space to complete the lane change without side swiping the truck in front. Both of us at a stand still, my hood about 2 feet from the sharp metal edge of his trailer, a moment of clarity dawned. I literally owed my life to the tires I had just purchased – because any less traction on that slippery, freezing night would have resulted in my obituary and a very small inheritance debt passed on to my beneficiaries.

It’s not just about snow and ice.

Most people believe in the misnomer that winter tires are needed for snow and ice, but since they live in a part of the Country where there is little precipitation and only cold temperatures, they would not benefit from winter tires. This is a fallacy. The chemistry of winter tires has been perfected to suit the unique driving environment of winter roads. When all-season or summer performance tires start to lose grip, hardening under cold temperatures – winter tires are just coming into their peak operating temperature range, soft and pliable, ready to grip the asphalt. The transition temperature where summer performance tires or all-season tires lose traction and winter tires enter their peak operating window is around 7′ Celsius (44.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

We could break the science of winter tires into two categories: mechanical grip and molecular adhesion.

Mechanical grip refers to the physical mating of the tread to the road surface. The malleability of the rubber compound allows it to “interlock” with the undulations of the road surface (the rough rock/sand/tar or concrete surface). Once again, temperature affects the malleability of the rubber compound, so pliable rubber compounds allow better traction. The tread pattern’s ability to evacuate slush or water is also essential to mating the tread to the road surface. Adding another facet to the tread pattern, winter tires contain thousands of tire “sipes” that act as separate biting edges in the snow. These sipes also add flexibility to the tread surface, which in turn, adds more grip on ice and snow. One interesting technology in particular has negated any need for studded tires (winter tires with small metal spikes screwed into the surface); this technology gains traction at a microscopic level using millions of “bite particles” to spike into the ice or snow.

Toyo, for instance, utilize walnut shells to add traction on ice. Walnut shells are first pulverized into a fine powder and then mixed into the tread compound. At a microscopic scale each individual particle represents a sharp shard of broken shell, ready to act as an ice pick sticking out of the tire. As the tire wears, fresh shards of walnut shell surface, providing additional grip. When you consider that studded tires may have around 10 spikes in contact with the road surface at any given time, while modern winter tires have thousands of individual bite particles in contact at with the road surface at any moment – the advantage of microscopic “bite particle” technology becomes clear. Other manufacturers use different bite particle materials while operating on the same design premise. Lastly, modern winter tires contain “micro cells” or “tubules” that literally suck water off the surface of the ice or snow they’re rolling over to allow better contact between the tread and the surface beneath (consider that as ice or snow is compressed at temperatures near the melting point they release water to the surface, which effectively produces ‘micro-aquaplaning’ and reduces traction).

Secondly, we have molecular adhesion between the rubber and the road surface. At an atomic level, bonding takes place between the road surface and the tire compound as they meet. Depending on the condition of the road surface (dry vs wet), the chemistry of the rubber compound will dictate how much adhesion is available via molecular bonding. For instance, Silica is added to winter tires as it has an affinity to water molecules, and thus offers greater wet traction by bonding to the wet surface.

While these technologies may seem impressive on paper, they are staggering in practice. The traction available from the best winter tires can sometimes mimic the traction available from all-seasons on wet pavement while your driving on snow. I will even admit to driving snow covered logging trails with a 2 wheel drive car wearing Toyo winter tires… and making it out without a tow or a winch.

They say that “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” On snow covered roads, your tires are invariably the weakest link – unless they are quality winter tires. Earlier in the article, we briefly mentioned the relevance of all wheel drive in winter driving. Without question, AWD does offer additional traction for acceleration on slippery surfaces. However, AWD does not increase the tire’s traction with the road surface, it simply makes better use of available traction by distributing power more effectively to the road. Since maximal tire grip is finite, you cannot expect a tire to effectively turn a vehicle and accelerate concurrently without compromise (understeer). Therefore, AWD does not offer a large advantage with additional cornering speed on slippery surfaces, nor can it stop a vehicle faster. The benefit of AWD is limited on slippery surfaces, and ultimately, winter tires will go much further to assist you in winter driving than AWD ever could.

A matter of money.

While most motorists sliding out of control will tell you that winter tires are too expensive for them to justify, I believe in a simple truth that completely contradicts this claim. Winter tires are cheaper than insurance hikes and bodywork. And you can’t put a price on your safety. Most quality winter tires will offer a tread-life of three to four years before replacement is necessary, so divide the purchase cost over three to four years when you budget for them. Since you never drive your winter tires through the summer you can effectively cut down on their wear and this allows you to enjoy both winter traction, and an entertaining, fun-filled summer with a set a performance summer tires.

A common absurdity is the notion that somehow a really talented driver can drive through snow without winter tires. Well yes, it’s true – I have even driven a shopping cart through snow. This does not reflect on driver talent, but rather shows a lack of understanding. It is even possible to drive through snow with summer performance tires, but this simply displays a wonton lack of respect for the physics at play, your personal safety and a gross disregard for others on the road.

The truth is out.

All seasons are like a pair of walking shoes. You can take a nice easy walk in them, and they’ll perform okay. You could run in them, you could hike in them, you could play basket ball or tennis in them, you could golf in them, you could mountain climb in them, but they do not accomplish any of the preceding tasks very well. They are truly a “Jack of all trades, master of none.” By definition, all-season tires are a compromise: why compromise your safety and driving pleasure?

Winter tires offer so much available traction and driving enjoyment that I regularly make it a point to go out and drive after a heavy snowfall, or better yet, in the middle of a snowstorm. The proper equipment can render an inhospitable environment as a playground for your exploration and enjoyment.

Slipin and Slide’in or Drifting and Gliding? The choice is up to you.
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      01-18-2021, 02:33 PM   #4
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Wow! That was one hell of a answer, thank you. Glad you are ok. I'm still leaning on the Michelin AS route as I won't be driving if the weather sucks. Got the wife's Tesla Model Y for that.

I did a ton research and our options for 275/35/20 and 285/35/20 are SLIM. Basically just the AS3+ (which is very hard to find), Bridgestone RE980AS, and the Pirelli AS.
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      01-18-2021, 03:07 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pappadoc33 View Post
I'm still leaning on the Michelin AS route as I won't be driving if the weather sucks.
It sounds like your mind is made up on all seasons, but depending on what you mean by "weather", that statement might not be the safest. Winter tires in a 600HP car that is meant to be driven enthusiastically are a must if your daily average is consistently at or below freezing for a sustained time. If you're lumping cold (well below freezing days) into weather that sucks then okay, go ahead, but if you're just talking about wet/icy/snowy weather, it's a different story.

Assuming you are going to drive on cold days, look at the Sottozero 3 or the Alpin PA4 for those sizes. The Alpins have a different tread pattern for the rears, so Sottozero would be more recommended and that is what most run on the stock wheels.

Traction on the AS3+ is going to start degrading around 45 degrees on bone-dry roads. Sure, it doesn't degrade as bad/sharply as a summer tire, but by the time you're below freezing you could expect stopping distances to be noticeably affected (again, albeit less than a summer tire) and lateral grip to be compromised, get near zero and you expect some potentially devastating results unless you're just driving Miss Daisy.
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      01-18-2021, 08:35 PM   #6
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Well...so much for the straight winter option with Michelin Alpin PA4 tires. The 285s are directional and the 275s asymmetrical. That makes no sense but that is what Tirerack told me. So the only real options on the market for AS are the Pilot Sport A/S 3+ and the Bridgestones.

Went the Michelin route and had to order the rears from Discount Tire and the fronts from eBay.
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      01-18-2021, 09:35 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pappadoc33 View Post
Well...so much for the straight winter option with Michelin Alpin PA4 tires. The 285s are directional and the 275s asymmetrical. That makes no sense but that is what Tirerack told me. So the only real options on the market for AS are the Pilot Sport A/S 3+ and the Bridgestones.

Went the Michelin route and had to order the rears from Discount Tire and the fronts from eBay.
Buy sotozeros they fit over stock tires and are the same tread pattern
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      01-23-2021, 03:48 PM   #8
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I purchased my M8 in Oct of 2019 and needed winters shortly thereafter, my M6 wheel/tire setup wouldn't fit so I needed something quick by the time I realized that. They had this setup (image below) sitting and ready to go in the service dept so I went with them. When installed you tell the car in iDrive that your winters are installed, pick the size of the rear tires (which has a few pre-defined options you can choose from, of those options these are one) and it calculates the size of the fronts after driving for a bit. I am assuming it does that to make adjustments for the 4WD system or speed possibly, as they are 19" instead of the summer 20" but it is neat that you can switch between your summers and winters so easily.

Long story short, I couldn't be happier. I've never purchased Michelin winter tires, but the Pilot Alpin 5 that came on the wheels worked out perfectly. I feel safe and confident with this car in the Chicago winter 100% They aren't cheap, but I could plow snow with this thing (and do when it snows enough lol) it drives/handles so well in the snow on these tires coupled with the 4WD.

Any questions let me know! I had a pdf on my computer from when I purchased them, couldn't find the direct link to BMWs site with them so I'll put the part numbers below and attach the pdf as well.

-Joe


BMW Winter Complete Wheel & Tire Set, Style 705M, Orbit Grey - Front
(PN: 36110003050)

BMW Winter Complete Wheel & Tire Set, Style 705M, Orbit Grey - Rear
(PN: 36110003051)
Attached Images
 
Attached Images
File Type: pdf M8 Winter Set.pdf (270.9 KB, 44 views)
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      01-23-2021, 07:24 PM   #9
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Yeah I've heard those Michelins are bad ass in the snow and cold. Without getting a 19" setup, it just isn't an option with our stock wheels. I went with the A/S 3+ as the new 4's are also not available in our tire size. I just beat the piss out of the car in 34 degree weather and it handled fairly well with the 3+ tires. Can't drive too aggressive obviously as I don't want to crash. These won't come close to the Alpins though.
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      01-23-2021, 11:21 PM   #10
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Pirelli Sotozeros for me...fit on the stock Competition wheels, though I bought a separate set of winter wheels this fall.

I have been driving the M8 daily through some nasty stuff last winter and late this fall in Kansas. Snow, ice, and just all round cold temperatures.

I agree with all that has been said above. The dedicated winter tires are not just about driving in snow, but in cold conditions (below 45 degrees F) when the summer performance tires become stiff hockey pucks. There is no comparison.

The M8 and sophisticated 4wd system actually does great in the snow with the snow tires. I'm not married to one brand...we have Yokohama Bluearth's on my wife's X7 and they are badass. I would just strongly recommend dedicated winter tires.
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      01-24-2021, 12:04 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pappadoc33 View Post
Hi all! First post after getting my M8 convertible. Car is a monster and obviously the stock Pirellis are not suitable for cold wet Chicago weather.

I'm leaning towards the Pilot Sport A/S 3 which I had on my M340 and were solid in the winter and early cold spring. I have zero plans to drive the M8 when it's snowing and don't want snow tires. However, I will be driving when it's cold/light snow while trying not crash.

Thoughts on the Michelins, DWS 06, any other tires that can somewhat handle some of this car's power? Thanks!

[IMG]https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g3e...w?usp=drivesdk[/IMG]
Throw some pictures of your new beauty to get more responses just saying
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      01-24-2021, 11:13 AM   #12
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I had 70,000km on the continental all seasons that came with my 328i and they still performed well in the snow of toronto. You'll be fine with all seasons, they ride much better on the road than winter.
The clearance of your low car would be more of a disadvantage anyway if you're ever forced to drive on a snowstorm day lol
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      01-24-2021, 01:42 PM   #13
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This thread should be featured on Bimmerpost every winter. It could save lives.
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