343M for winter wheels?

[phil_]

Does anyone use the stock 343M wheels for winter?

I plan to have a set of HRE's for summer and it seems kind of ridiculous to spend $5000 on a winter set (BMW winter package) when I'll have the 343M sitting around.

I'm considering two options:

275/35/20 Pirelli Winter Sottozero Series II all around.

255 / 285 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8.

Anyone else running something similar? FYI I've got a Jeep Cherokee for serious snow days.

[Boostedm514]

The scottos are great !

[WCH]

I was going to do that but found a set of 4 X 343M front wheels so I can run a square set up with 255 width tires at each corner. My car has CCB so I needed a 20" winter wheel option.

With snow tires the M5 is fine on flat roads and stopping. Going up hill is challenging - then again we have had a historic amount of snow in Boston this year.

[GladiatorOwner]

I used 265s all around Dunlops using the stockers last winter. Works fine.

[RPiM5]

I have fitted the Michelin Pilot Alpins to the stock 343M wheels. This is a Pre-LCI M5 as well. The Michelin Pilot Alpins aren't the best setup for a winter setup on an M5, but they do good enough job to get through a decent depth of snow and up hills. They are more of a Performance oriented winter tire than a really good snow tire. The grip and handling of them is almost on par with that of the PSS's on dry surfaces, but the softer compound on the rear tires is just way too soft for the amount of torque that the M5 makes. I really can't go full throttle with the Pilots Alpins on, especially with all of my performance mods to the engine, DSC light just flashes everywhere.

Overall, I love the Pilot Alpins because they allow me to run winter tires on the stock 343M 20" wheels, running 245mm in the front and 295mm in the rear, and they have a very close performance, comfort, and grip feel to the PSS when not driving on snow. They allow the driver to still drive the M5 spiritedly throughout the winter months on dry surfaces without much loss to outstanding grip of the PSS's and they are decent in snow, but not the best. The only other downside is that they are expensive, but when you factor in the fact that you don't have to buy another set of wheels, they are way cheaper.

I was able to get through 4" of snow in this parking lot just fine yesterday. Even with DSC OFF, the M5 just plowed right through this snow just fine. Driving up hill is pretty good but like I said, not the best. This parking lot pictured below is on the top of my parking garage, there is about a 3 degree incline that was covered with just as much snow to get up the garage roof and I didn't have any problem climbing that incline with my RWD car.

Good luck!

[bobblehead]

^ exactly

PA4 wears very fast. Worn out a set in just 2 winter seasons. The PA4 is relatively good for snow traction of up to around 15cm ... anymore, it's a bit more tricky as the traction is no longer there.

[Poleposition]

Pirelli Sottozeros

No issues. Car is totally drivable on plowed roads. Wouldnt attempt unplowed roads but a great performance winter tire. When its really cold out, these tires work exceptionally well and allow you to actually drive aggressively.

[phil_]

Originally Posted by WCH

I was going to do that but found a set of 4 X 343M front wheels so I can run a square set up with 255 width tires at each corner. My car has CCB so I needed a 20" winter wheel option.

With snow tires the M5 is fine on flat roads and stopping. Going up hill is challenging - then again we have had a historic amount of snow in Boston this year.

Four front wheels was definitely something I considered. Purchasing 2 new fronts would put in the $5k range with tires. Being in Canada everything is a little more expensive here.

My biggest problem is that I have snow covered streets all winter long in my neighbourhood. I also live on top of a mountain. It's probably the worst conditions for a RWD car in winter. The hill to get to my home is 1.3 km (0.6 miles) and has an elevation of 380 meters (1250 feet).

That being said I pulled the trigger on studded Nokians (255/35R20 285/30R20).

I pick up the car on Friday

I'll miss the E60 M5 for sure but looking forward to F10!

[remmib]

Originally Posted by phil_

Four front wheels was definitely something I considered. Purchasing 2 new fronts would put in the $5k range with tires. Being in Canada everything is a little more expensive here.

My biggest problem is that I have snow covered streets all winter long in my neighbourhood. I also live on top of a mountain. It's probably the worst conditions for a RWD car in winter. The hill to get to my home is 1.3 km (0.6 miles) and has an elevation of 380 meters (1250 feet).

That being said I pulled the trigger on studded Nokians (255/35R20 285/30R20).

I pick up the car on Friday

I'll miss the E60 M5 for sure but looking forward to F10!

So I assume those are the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8.

I really hope you post pics of them because I have yet to see proper pics of those tires in that size on the F10.

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by phil_

Four front wheels was definitely something I considered. Purchasing 2 new fronts would put in the $5k range with tires. Being in Canada everything is a little more expensive here.

My biggest problem is that I have snow covered streets all winter long in my neighbourhood. I also live on top of a mountain. It's probably the worst conditions for a RWD car in winter. The hill to get to my home is 1.3 km (0.6 miles) and has an elevation of 380 meters (1250 feet).

That being said I pulled the trigger on studded Nokians (255/35R20 285/30R20).

I pick up the car on Friday

I'll miss the E60 M5 for sure but looking forward to F10!

With studded tires, you shouldn't have any problem anywhere with the M5. Good choice!

[phil_]

Originally Posted by remmib

So I assume those are the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8.

I really hope you post pics of them because I have yet to see proper pics of those tires in that size on the F10.

Yes they are Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8.

Delivery might be delayed until Monday but I'll be sure to post some pics.

[phil_]

Here's a picture I took while taking delivery of the car.

I'm really glad I went with the Nokians. The grip on snow pack is unreal compared to the Blizzak's LM-60 I had on my E60 M5. The ultimate test was stopping in hill (snow covered) and being able to take off again!

I had several people warn me they would be very noisy. And perhaps it's the insulation in the M5 but I barely hear them. To be honest they could be loud as hell with the traction they give me and I would still keep them.

[remmib]

Originally Posted by phil_

Here's a picture I took while taking delivery of the car.

I'm really glad I went with the Nokians. The grip on snow pack is unreal compared to the Blizzak's LM-60 I had on my E60 M5. The ultimate test was stopping in hill (snow covered) and being able to take off again!

I had several people warn me they would be very noisy. And perhaps it's the insulation in the M5 but I barely hear them. To be honest they could be loud as hell with the traction they give me and I would still keep them.

Cool, keep the pics coming.

[WCH]

Car looks great! I wish we could run studded tires where I live (they are illegal on public roads) - given my experience this winter, I would put them on the car.

[celicatoe46m3]

Do the stock E60 M5 wheels work on the new F10 with spacers? Or do I need spacers? I've got a set with LM-22's, but I wonder if I can keep it or if I should sell it.

[HappyMan]

Originally Posted by phil_

Here's a picture I took while taking delivery of the car.

I'm really glad I went with the Nokians. The grip on snow pack is unreal compared to the Blizzak's LM-60 I had on my E60 M5. The ultimate test was stopping in hill (snow covered) and being able to take off again!

I had several people warn me they would be very noisy. And perhaps it's the insulation in the M5 but I barely hear them. To be honest they could be loud as hell with the traction they give me and I would still keep them.

How is the drive and grip on dry or wet roads?

[phil_]

Originally Posted by HappyMan

How is the drive and grip on dry or wet roads?

No problem in the wet or dry. The tire is definitely soft and you can feel that in turns or at high speeds.

There are much better "performance" winter tires out there. But snow / ice performance is nothing like anything I've ever driven. It's simply amazing.