Winter Tires Really Needed?

[Negtvions]

I'll be moving to the Virginia Beach area this fall.

Do I really need a winter tire set up or can I get by with the normal summer tires?

Curious of others experiences.

TIA.

[Clark_Kent]

You’ll likely get differing opinions on this. I lived in the Hampton Roads area for a number of years and never ran winter tires on any of my high performance vehicles. There’s definitely inclement weather and below freezing temps but not enough for me to have a dedicated set of winter tires. It also helps if you have another vehicle where you can run all seasons or an equivalent.

[alex2364]

You won't get by with summer tires if you need to drive when there's any ice or snow on the ground.

[JMH1099]

I think PS4s is good enough for winter. stock MPSS does not perform well during the snow and rain. I switch to PS4s about a month ago. really see the difference between them during snowing days.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

tbh even if it rains....or the road is damp....you are risking your life driving on summers nder 40....its easy to slip the car on dry summer roads

[cotmfk]

How much do you need your car to get you to work?

Maybe instead of dedicated winters, you would be fine with a set of all seasons for the winter?

If you're going to need your car to get you somewhere in snow, you should have snow tires. If you don't need the car to get you to work, you can park it on the iffy days and just be fine with summers all year long.

[Negtvions]

I appreciate all the replies so far. I'll probably play it safe and get a set of winter wheels and tires.

Seems the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 are a good balance of performance and winter stability.

thoughts on these tires?

[Relak]

Originally Posted by Negtvions

I appreciate all the replies so far. I'll probably play it safe and get a set of winter wheels and tires.

Seems the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 are a good balance of performance and winter stability.

thoughts on these tires?

Blizzaks, hands down.

[Negtvions]

Originally Posted by MKitSS

Blizzaks, hands down.

Are Blizzaks good for both winter driving and dry winter roads.

Living in VA I don't expect much heavy snow-fall...

[Relak]

Originally Posted by Negtvions

Are Blizzaks good for both winter driving and dry winter roads.

Living in VA I don't expect much heavy snow-fall...

IMO they're perfect for dmv weather. The idea behind winter tires is in their composition, in cold weather they thrive and give you better grip on dry/wet roads. Even when it's cold and raining (like today), they handle great and you get pretty decent mileage out of them in comparison to some of the more heavy snow or ice tires. If you're doing commuting miles on these then I highly recommend them.

[Clark_Kent]

It's worth noting, the climate in Northern VA and southeastern VA are not the same. While both locations are in the same state, Virginia Beach is approximately 3.5 hours south.

[alex2364]

Originally Posted by JMH1099

I think PS4s is good enough for winter. stock MPSS does not perform well during the snow and rain. I switch to PS4s about a month ago. really see the difference between them during snowing days.

Let us know when you’re going to be driving in the snow on PS4s so I can avoid you. Not only are you risking yourself, you’re risking crashing into other people.

[FAKE__NEWS]

I was trying to avoid this thread at all costs because the thought process changes from person to person. But here's my two cents.

I'm in NoVA, prior to that I was in NC for 8 years and was born and raised in MA.

Before the F80 I had an AA blown E90 M3 in NC. I was running PS2s on the 220Ms and even in NC as soon as it hit below 40F for more than 3 or 4 days those things were hockey pucks and I almost lost her on an off ramp at 35mph. After that I switched to a dedicated set of winter 219Ms with Blizzaks and never had a problem again.

Taking that experience into play I picked up a set of almost brand new, staggered Sottozero winters. Those things are unbelievable in anything below 40, but once it's wet and above 60 like it was last week they get very very slippery.

tl;dr: Get dedicated winter tires if you're in Northern VA. It gets cold enough and they're worth it.

[fertech]

I don´t get what people are recommending you! It is very simple! Does temperature drop below 45 where you live? Get real winter tires!! There is no grip with anything else! Summers are to hard to perform well regarding the rubber compound used! Where is the advantage for all seaons on a BMW M3/M4? These tires are not first choice for summer nor winter on a performance car, use those on your city hopper - that´s it what they are good for! PA4 are a solution but already some years on the market and not the newest technology available. I highly recommend Continental WinterContac TS 860 S - newest from Conti., I have 255 front and 275 back on my M4 Comp and they perform very well in snow, wet and dry. Best winter tire you can buy this winter.

[Relak]

Originally Posted by FAKE__NEWS

I was trying to avoid this thread at all costs because the thought process changes from person to person. But here's my two cents.

I'm in NoVA, prior to that I was in NC for 8 years and was born and raised in MA.

Before the F80 I had an AA blown E90 M3 in NC. I was running PS2s on the 220Ms and even in NC as soon as it hit below 40F for more than 3 or 4 days those things were hockey pucks and I almost lost her on an off ramp at 35mph. After that I switched to a dedicated set of winter 219Ms with Blizzaks and never had a problem again.

Taking that experience into play I picked up a set of almost brand new, staggered Sottozero winters. Those things are unbelievable in anything below 40, but once it's wet and above 60 like it was last week they get very very slippery.

tl;dr: Get dedicated winter tires if you're in Northern VA. It gets cold enough and they're worth it.

I want to trust this information but am weary given your username..:

[ALF6172]

Running all seasons with great results in the northern Virginia area ~5k miles. BFG Comp 2 have great traction in wet/snow. I even took a drive to snowshoe..ice was a little sketch but manageable.
I can comfortably drive with euro mdm or traction off on most sub 40 wet days. Miles better than the uncontrollable summers that made me pucker.

[jailonacs99]

+1 on getting proper winter tires. Definitely AT LEAST All Seasons; the summer tires are useless on a fraction of an inch of snow and ice, and neighborhoods in DC and VA have a lot of hills that don't get treated or plowed or even have any other cars moving through right away during snowfall. Years ago on Summers in my 328Ci, I almost slid all the way into traffic in Georgetown with just an inch on the ground. Had to slide into the curb to stop myself, then could only drive in slush trails.

My second set that I have on now are Michelin A/S 3+. Last winter they were fine, even at one point I was driving through the WV Appalachians and on some mountain roads that had only been lightly plowed and salted. They got a bit squirrely, but I just kept it slow, avoided coming to stops off the roadway, and it was fine.

But this winter, I was nearly defeated by: my brother's driveway. They live on a large property with a long winding and hilly gravel drive. They had an X6M and a Land Rover so they weren't bothering to shovel much or salt their driveway. I was looking after the place over the snowfall & freezing rain several weekends ago, and I actually got stuck for a minute or so of on/off the gas on a straight part waiting for the gate to open, and nearly slid off the drive on a hill until I hit softer snow and mud that gave me traction.

With this car's torque and low clearance, untreated snow and ice were almost too much for the All Seasons. Back when I used to have Blizzaks I never worried about any snow or ice.

[XsltAnalyst]

If you plan on driving your M4 when it is below 40F then you should get all winter or all season tires. You can find an OEM winter wheel set in classifieds or from online vendors like tire rack.

I have a second car for winter driving duties but I still switch to winter set on my car. MPSS tires just don't grip well even in dry tarmac when it is below freezing. Think of like cheap insurance, or as using the right tool for the job. As a bonus of my winter wheel set, I don't wash the wheels as often and winter continentals are bit more comfy and emit less road noise.

Another option is get good all seasons on your winter set, if you rarely get more than few days of snow in winter. I am running Continental DWS 06 on my winter beater and they are decent.