BMW Z3 driving in winter yes/no?
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BMW Z3 driving in winter yes/no?
Hi,
I live in Northern NJ, and now I have to commute 106 miles total a day to Somers, NY. I have a BMW Z3 Roadster 2.8L with Michelin Pilot 225/45ZR17 front and for the back: 245/40ZR17. Tires are excellent for speed/traction/control, but as you can imagine, the car was spinning like a drunk ballerina last winter. I tried to sell the Z3 and get an AWD car/suv for the commute, but no luck.
But this winter, I will have to commute by car. Should I get a used cheap commuter car which I dont want to, or get new winter tires and continue driving the Z3? **Will the Z3 be able to get enough grip on snow/ice uphill/downhill since it is a light car with RWD?**
Anyways, I have done a little research on tirerack.com and other web sites, and it seems that I should get 15" or 16". 16" will probably perform better on pavement but 15 should perform better in snow. Since my car is light and RWD, should I go for the 15 to compensate for the weight/RWD?
And then the question is the size and the brand:
Bridgestone Blizzak Series, Michelin X-Ice, and Dunlop series.
For 15, 185/65-15 or 205/60-15
For 16; 225/50-16 or 205/55-16
I know that 185/65 should perform better on snow. Since my car is light, and really not meant for snow driving, maybe I should go for 185? but what disadvantage would it have against 205? pavement performance in dry conditions? After seeing the car in the snow last winter, I am extremely cautious for what I should get. After all, it is over 100 miles a day.
Any ideas please !! I am pleading to the Tire Gods !! Help ! If it snows around here, I will be stranded with the tires I use now.
Thanks,
Ty
I live in Northern NJ, and now I have to commute 106 miles total a day to Somers, NY. I have a BMW Z3 Roadster 2.8L with Michelin Pilot 225/45ZR17 front and for the back: 245/40ZR17. Tires are excellent for speed/traction/control, but as you can imagine, the car was spinning like a drunk ballerina last winter. I tried to sell the Z3 and get an AWD car/suv for the commute, but no luck.
But this winter, I will have to commute by car. Should I get a used cheap commuter car which I dont want to, or get new winter tires and continue driving the Z3? **Will the Z3 be able to get enough grip on snow/ice uphill/downhill since it is a light car with RWD?**
Anyways, I have done a little research on tirerack.com and other web sites, and it seems that I should get 15" or 16". 16" will probably perform better on pavement but 15 should perform better in snow. Since my car is light and RWD, should I go for the 15 to compensate for the weight/RWD?
And then the question is the size and the brand:
Bridgestone Blizzak Series, Michelin X-Ice, and Dunlop series.
For 15, 185/65-15 or 205/60-15
For 16; 225/50-16 or 205/55-16
I know that 185/65 should perform better on snow. Since my car is light, and really not meant for snow driving, maybe I should go for 185? but what disadvantage would it have against 205? pavement performance in dry conditions? After seeing the car in the snow last winter, I am extremely cautious for what I should get. After all, it is over 100 miles a day.
Any ideas please !! I am pleading to the Tire Gods !! Help ! If it snows around here, I will be stranded with the tires I use now.
Thanks,
Ty
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 9
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Also, someone suggested that I should have 2-3 sandbags for extra weights on the rear so I ll get better traction. Is this smth that I should do?
Anyone? Any suggestions??
Bridgestone Blizzak Series, Michelin X-Ice, and Dunlop series.
For 15, 185/65-15 or 205/60-15
For 16; 225/50-16 or 205/55-16
I am leaning towards X-Ice or Blizzak. And would 15" fit? or 205/55-16 would do fine?
Anyone? Any suggestions??
Bridgestone Blizzak Series, Michelin X-Ice, and Dunlop series.
For 15, 185/65-15 or 205/60-15
For 16; 225/50-16 or 205/55-16
I am leaning towards X-Ice or Blizzak. And would 15" fit? or 205/55-16 would do fine?
TR Moderator & Tire God
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 5
From: SouthBend, IN USA
depends on the weather
here's what I would recommend
225/50QR16 BS BLIZZAK WS-50
16X7 Steel wheel
you can use this link to order them or just give me a call
225/50QR16 BS BLIZZAK WS-50
16X7 Steel wheel
you can use this link to order them or just give me a call
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TR Moderator & Tire God
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 5
From: SouthBend, IN USA
depends on the weather
the traction control is best left on at all times ... the only time I can think of (other than competition) that it can be beneficial to turn traction control off is when you are lightly hung up and some tire spinning would free you .... it has happened when test tires in the snow on our track
TR Moderator & Tire God
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 5
From: SouthBend, IN USA
depends on the weather
Originally Posted by digitydigi
What is the tracking number for this shipment?
Luke, Thanks for all your help.
Luke, Thanks for all your help.
1Z2886500398854826
1Z2886500398854835
1Z2886500398854844
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 9
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I received the tires. Fast Shipping !!
I am a little concerned though - the tires are wider than I thought. And only 20mm narrower than what I currently have (Michelin Pilot). I understand that they are made for snow but they are also same width as what I had before.
And also if I wanna have alloy wheels instead of steel wheels. What do I need to do? Do you have any store that I can go to get it done or will I need to ship it back?
I am a little concerned though - the tires are wider than I thought. And only 20mm narrower than what I currently have (Michelin Pilot). I understand that they are made for snow but they are also same width as what I had before.
And also if I wanna have alloy wheels instead of steel wheels. What do I need to do? Do you have any store that I can go to get it done or will I need to ship it back?
TR Moderator & Tire God
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 5
From: SouthBend, IN USA
depends on the weather
stop worying about the tires ... they will perform wonderfully .... if you want alloys you can call and order them and get the tire mounted and balanced locally and send the steelies back for credit
Thread Starter
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Joined: Dec 2004
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I put the tires on over the weekend, and today I noticed that two of the tires have a yellow dot on them. Were they special marks for anything like I should have installed those on the rear wheels maybe?
