Anyone tried "siping" their OEM all season tires?
 

I picked up my X5d yesterday and am loving it!

But, the tires are Bridgestone Dueler H/L 400 RFT's which are much maligned on the Tire Rack forum regarding winter performance. Many folks I know from cold places (Canada, Idaho, Colorado) swear by "siping". Anyone try it with the Dueller's?

I really don't feel like dropping $1400 on a snow combo for a 3 yr lease! (btw I use Bridgestone Blizzak's on the 530i I own and LOVE them)

No experience on the Duelers here with siping.

However, I think it is a low-tech way of modifying a tire. Tires these days are far more sophisticated than they used to be. Consider what you are giving up by siping.

I would be as concerned about the existing tire compound and how it reacts to low temperatures as about the tread, personally.

Wish I could have got winter tires for $1400. On my 535i they were $4000 with wheels.

I know what you mean about buying the winter combo for a lease. Depednding on mileage, you might be able to sell them for half what you paid in 3 yeeras....just a thought.

From reading, it seems as its gone from off road racing/ice racing, to a new mkting angle...Discount Tire, a widespread chain, pitches it on their website, with 'data' showing improved snow performance when done on 'all season' tires...hmmm.

~$60 a tire, and it does seem to void the oe tire warranty, which makes sense.

The OP might consider picking up a set of cheapazz winter tires, or even a set used a season, and installing them on his normal wheels...or, try the siping and let us know.

I lived in NJ/NY from '74 to late 2001, and though I always had a set of snows on the cars, for winter, 'winter' is really shorter and only acute vs. long term, in the 'burbs there, and where was has to go/get to, imo.
GL,mD

I was quoted $30/tire, so it seems very reasonable to me.

I couldn't find any used sets on ebay, but if I can at least get some second hand rims, I'll probably get snows and deal with a conti goo kit, and live with TMPS error messages.

The beauty of siping is I get to keep the RFT quasi convenience (since I'm stuck w/o a jack and spare), and TPMS too.

I have friends who are knowledgable about cars who sipe, mostly in Colorado. Colorado people, represent!

I have a 2011 35d with the crappy Bridgestones and I live in MA... No question we're putting winter tires on it.. You can get a tire rack set for about $1400 and on a lease it probably means you will be able to turn in your X5 with the original tires so really you don't lose much..

Hey Jobu, I have a set of low mileage Bridgestone Duelers you can experiment on. Remember, when you return your car at lease end it has to have OEM or similiar tires on it so here is an option. I'm in Kinnelon, NJ.

If siping the tires was a great idea then the tire manufactures would do it at the factory and sell them that way. The truth is it is just a any way for the local tire guy to generate some extra cash. I have a friend that work at Les Swabs a local tire outfitt over on the west coast and he says they make crazy money offering the service.

Yeah, that and the morons buying the nitrogen fill.

It is a perfect way for tire stores to survive against tirerack.

EZNDO, That sounds great. About how many miles? PM me to let me know how much you want for them. Thanks!