20" Dueler H/P's in winter - will I survive?

[italy107]

Originally Posted by HIRISC

The question really shouldn't be about tire diameter, it's tire width. The thinner the tire, the better in the snow - all other things being equal.

That said, I've run 20" Pirelli Scorpion Ice/Snow on my X5M for three winters - they worked great.

I'll be doing the same thing with my new X5.

so you kept your original rims on?

[HIRISC]

Originally Posted by italy107

so you kept your original rims on?

Yes.

It's kind of a hassle to switch (the summer/winter tires) back/forth, honestly.

I have a new X5 on order and am on the hunt for some 20" 'winter wheels' that I can mount my current set of Scorpion tires on for the winter.

[M5D]

I have a spare set of 18s with studded winter cats on them. My shop switches them for free every winter. It is the way to go!

[brian5]

Originally Posted by HIRISC

The question really shouldn't be about tire diameter, it's tire width. The thinner the tire, the better in the snow - all other things being equal.

That said, I've run 20" Pirelli Scorpion Ice/Snow on my X5M for three winters - they worked great.

I'll be doing the same thing with my new X5.

I have the 20" Pirelli Scorpion Ice/Snow for winter too (on another set of wheels). We had such a mild winter last year that I never got to really try to them out so I can't speak to how they compare to the 18" winter tires that I had for a few winters before that...

My dealership switches my wheels for about $60 --- which I think is a bargain. Free would be better but I'm not complaining.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by alexmish

You will NOT surive with summer-performance 20" Bridgestones or Dunlops - dont even bother, especially in LI... I once drove on them in 1" wintery mix/slush, and I felt like I had skis instead of tires (car was 4 mo old). The car was sliding sideways while waiting at an intersection on a slopy surface.

I do have 18" all-season bridgestones for winter driving, which also help dealing with potholes and cold temps/snow.

And since you are averaging about 10mpg now, I'd guess you are either heavy footed or have lots of stop-n-go....In either case, switching to 18" would not help mpg-wise

I almost slid through an intersection and into a bus load of kids in Port Washington in my '01 with 19's and summer perf tires back in the day, on a slushy road, since then I go winter wheels and all seasons.

[X548i20"]

I wonder if any dealers on L.I., ie Rallye, would switch my summers for winters for free or for a reasonable price. Does anyone have any experience with Rallye swapping tires? Storing them?

Is an alignment required if I'm going from Duelers on 20's to winter or all-season on 19's?

When the Duelers wear out (20k miles??) I'm going to try out the Proxes ST2's year round.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by X548i20"

I wonder if any dealers on L.I., ie Rallye, would switch my summers for winters for free or for a reasonable price. Does anyone have any experience with Rallye swapping tires? Storing them?

Is an alignment required if I'm going from Duelers on 20's to winter or all-season on 19's?

When the Duelers wear out (20k miles??) I'm going to try out the Proxes ST2's year round.

You don't need to go to a dealer to swap your tires, costco, local service station, local tire store, anywhere can do it, and especially dont go to Rallye, their service department absolutely sucks. And yes, you should get a 4 wheel alignment or at least have it checked when swapping tires.

Where on Long Island are you?

[X548i20"]

Next door to you Thunder. Sent you a PM

[HIRISC]

Originally Posted by Thunder22

You don't need to go to a dealer to swap your tires, costco, local service station, local tire store, anywhere can do it, and especially dont go to Rallye, their service department absolutely sucks. And yes, you should get a 4 wheel alignment or at least have it checked when swapping tires.

I'll respectfully disagree that swapping wheels/tires should necessitate an alignment. *unless there was wear indicating an out of alignment condition on the outgoing set*

Good to check the alignment from time to time, but the tires generally provide all the info you need re that.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by HIRISC

I'll respectfully disagree that swapping wheels/tires should necessitate an alignment. *unless there was wear indicating an out of alignment condition on the outgoing set*

Good to check the alignment from time to time, but the tires generally provide all the info you need re that.

RIF -What is there to disagree with, I said have it checked as an alternative.