hello...questions on winter tires & IPOD

[dieselgrl]

hello fellow bimmer buddies,

i'm new this forum...just joined. I've been a member of bimmerfest.com for a while now; a friend just told me 'bout this site. I'm glad to see that the bimmer population is growing in the T-dot.

I have a couple of questions for everyone:

1. Does anyone know of a good place to get winter tires in toronto? Also, can anyone recommend some winter tires for a 330Ci M? I've heard of a few that would fit a 330Ci....the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 or WS-50, AT Italia Type 5 and the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2...does anyone have these tires?

2. Does anyone have the IPOD installed in their bimmer yet? I'm anxious to get this done, but my dealership said that it's not available in canada yet. Anyone know when this will be arriving?

Thanks!

-dieselgrl

[Surk]

Welcome aboard Dieselgrl... Yuk, almost too early to talk about "winter", but inevitable..
Almost any snow tire works as long as a set of 4... I ran Semperits last winter on my car with the stock rims and had no probs with snow or traction..
The 2 you mentioned are great snows, but expen$ive... I've heard good reviews on the Dunlop Graspics also... :thumbsup:

[Chopper]

Welcome and Greetings!

I had different sets of Alpins for the last few years and they are awesome in the winter. I cant think of any time which they did not give by Bimmer excellent grip through the Canadian winters and I did a lot of driving in Ottawa Montreal, which is considerably colder and more icy.

Check with Eric330Ci as to the ipod solution. He hooked up an aux input to his stock head unit and an mp3 player in his cabin. Much cheaper than the fctory option I'll bet and available now.

Are you running a deisel?

[audiophilia]

hello fellow bimmer buddies,

i'm new this forum...just joined. I've been a member of bimmerfest.com for a while now; a friend just told me 'bout this site. I'm glad to see that the bimmer population is growing in the T-dot.

I have a couple of questions for everyone:

1. Does anyone know of a good place to get winter tires in toronto? Also, can anyone recommend some winter tires for a 330Ci M? I've heard of a few that would fit a 330Ci....the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 or WS-50, AT Italia Type 5 and the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2...does anyone have these tires?

2. Does anyone have the IPOD installed in their bimmer yet? I'm anxious to get this done, but my dealership said that it's not available in canada yet. Anyone know when this will be arriving?

Thanks!

-dieselgrl
Hi dieselgrl:

I've had Blizzaks and hoping to get Alpins this year. Blizzaks were very good.

The finest winter tire I've had, but not on the BMW, is the Nokian Hakapelitta. Finnish tire that has an international rep for excellence, rallies, etc...amazing tire...

[Rice]

Hi dieselgrl:

I've had Blizzaks and hoping to get Alpins this year. Blizzaks were very good.

The finest winter tire I've had, but not on the BMW, is the Nokian Hakapelitta. Finnish tire that has an international rep for excellence, rallies, etc...amazing tire...

Anyone tried the Dunlop M3s? These tires got really good rating at tirerack. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Pirelli snowsport 210 will get me through this winter :p

[rost12]

I'd go with Dunlop M3s. I've driven a 7er with then this past winter and it was unstoppable! I'd switch to these if I had to buy new winter tires today. I've also had decent experience with Pirelli 210's on my old 325i, but for whatever reason same tires don't work that well on the M5 :/ Bummer.

Whatever tires you go with, I'd recommend finding a nice empty parking lot covered in snow and getting a feel for how the car acts on your particular tires. I do this at the beginning of every winter, helps with my confidence levels :0

As for iPod, I also went with a simple aux. audio input set-up, iPod is stowed away in the glove box and its remote control thingy is hanging out around the shifter, always at hand. Don't really use the screen much, I just put it on shuffle :)

Boy, I really gotta find better things to do in the mornings, eh... Like work or something :)

[Regin8r]

Welcome!

I have Blizzak LM-22's in size 225/45R17. They were unstoppable last winter. I even took unplowed back roads near the zoo just as a test during one of the worst storms last winter. Drives literally like a tank.

I also did the empty parking lot exercise to learn the limitations of the car in a controlled environment.

[SmoothMoka]

Just sold my winter tire and rims combo to Rice (Pirelli snowsport 210 - don't worry Rice those should take you up any ski hill...it's all about your standard driving capabilities :D )

As far as Ipod connection, I think its better to go with a normal aux input thru the dealership (for $200+ installed). But if you want to install yourself, you can get a Blitzsafe aux input adapter ($185 thru Nu Tek electronics, talk to julian 905-660-4558). Having aux input has better advantage than the "BMW ipod connection":

1. you can connect any audio source (mp3 players, cassette, sony minidisc...), not just your ipod.

2. if you connect your ipod thru the "bmw ipod connection", your ipod will be in "frozen" state, meaning you can't use your ipod menu navigation or click wheel. You can play your music thru your head unit or steering wheel controls...which means it will be a drag searching for that certain song you want to play specially if you cant see the track name and artist (the head unit will only display "track 1, track 2 etc...)

Are you driving an '04 ZHP?

[M007]

hello fellow bimmer buddies,


1. Does anyone know of a good place to get winter tires in toronto? Also, can anyone recommend some winter tires for a 330Ci M? I've heard of a few that would fit a 330Ci....the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 or WS-50, AT Italia Type 5 and the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2...does anyone have these tires?

Thanks!

-dieselgrlWelcome Diesegrl:
I used Semperit Snow sport last year and it's a great snow tire for the price. I got it for $140. each tax included. I ran from Montreal in a storm and gave at a very smooth and safe ride. I'm sure (Surk) feel the same way. :)You can get them in National Tire on Calidonian rd. North of Lawrence.

[Canuck328i]

Hello and welcome Deiselgrl...

Are you planning on purchasing a set of rims for use in the winter? That is the way we went - OEM 16" steel rims, and we grabbed a brand new set of OEM caps on EBay. Yes, hubcaps, but the car looks like crap in winter anyway! I think 16"s will fit on the 330? Eric??

We got our tires and rims as a set (kinda had no choice), but given the choice I would have preferred Canadian Tire Icetracs over the Toyos we got. They are VERY economical and have tremendous grip. I've had them on two previous cars and they've been the best snows I've ever driven. And I drive on Highway 11 a lot - deep snow plus bad drifting up this way.

Mark

[M333ee]

First off Welcome dieselgrl :)

Because of the large brake disc size, 330's must run 17"dia wheels. I don't run snows myself so I can't give you advise as to tire selection but it looks like everyone else has given good advice.

SmoothMoka gave some good advice as to the ipod connection as he is a avid ipod user. Blitzsafe is a easy and cheap solution!

[BlueSky]

welcome on board...

I had been running on Nokian Hakapelitta for the past 2 winters... they were great tires, ketp me save and accident free :yourmyido

I've heard good reviews for LM-22, Alpines, Dunlop M3s and some other tires, just take a look at the thread pattern and decide from there...

for tires, u may contact Steelcase Tires&Mags, they have pretty good prices overall...

as for the ipod install.. have u considered using Dension Icelink (http://www.dension.com/main.php?pageid=50&topid=42) instead of BMW's ipod solution???

[dieselgrl]

Whatever tires you go with, I'd recommend finding a nice empty parking lot covered in snow and getting a feel for how the car acts on your particular tires. I do this at the beginning of every winter, helps with my confidence levels :0

Thanks for the tip...it's my first time this winter driving a rear wheel drive vehicle, so I will try this out before there's a full blown storm.

[dieselgrl]

Are you running a deisel?

No, it's not a diesel....dieselgrl is just my alias. i also use my other alias, bimmer chick, in other forums.

[Wrentech]

I have Blizzak LM-22's in size 225/45R17. They were unstoppable last winter.

haha, i love this forum. look at the instantaneous replies deiselgrl got to her post! everyone here is so helpful, i love the E46 community.

Regin8r, can I ask how much your winter tires were? I was actually looking at purchasing those exact ones, in that exact size! (To fit my BMW Style 44 wheels)

Deiselgrl, I called BMW Toronto (the one beside DVP) a few weeks ago and they have the iPod adapters in stock, as of August 25th or so. They were asking $250 for the unit, and they charge $100/hr labour, although you can probably install it yourself.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of this iPod adapter anymore. You're limited to 6 playlists, and you don't get ID3 tags on the stereo display. For an extra grand or so I'd rather get a touch screen multimedia head unit w/ aux in :blaaaa:

For the time being though, I just use iTrip.

[dieselgrl]

Just sold my winter tire and rims combo to Rice (Pirelli snowsport 210 - don't worry Rice those should take you up any ski hill...it's all about your standard driving capabilities :D )

As far as Ipod connection, I think its better to go with a normal aux input thru the dealership (for $200+ installed). But if you want to install yourself, you can get a Blitzsafe aux input adapter ($185 thru Nu Tek electronics, talk to julian 905-660-4558). Having aux input has better advantage than the "BMW ipod connection":

1. you can connect any audio source (mp3 players, cassette, sony minidisc...), not just your ipod.

2. if you connect your ipod thru the "bmw ipod connection", your ipod will be in "frozen" state, meaning you can't use your ipod menu navigation or click wheel. You can play your music thru your head unit or steering wheel controls...which means it will be a drag searching for that certain song you want to play specially if you cant see the track name and artist (the head unit will only display "track 1, track 2 etc...)

Are you driving an '04 ZHP?

That's great to know!!! I have a sony minidisc player...and thought I was gonna have to get rid of it because it'll be replaced with an IPOD. I'll check it out...but i like the BMW connection just b/c you can control the music through your steering wheel.

I am driving a ZHP....it's a 2004 Orient Blue 330 Ci w/ M-package.

[dieselgrl]

Are you planning on purchasing a set of rims for use in the winter? That is the way we went - OEM 16" steel rims, and we grabbed a brand new set of OEM caps on EBay. Yes, hubcaps, but the car looks like crap in winter anyway! I think 16"s will fit on the 330? Eric??


I heard that if you get 16" rims, the only tire that will fit is the AT Italia Type 5 tires. I think this may be true only for 330Ci's with sport suspension. Are 16" better than 17"s? I'm thinking of going 17"....

Also, I have another question for everyone. Should you hide your brake pads in the winter? will it cause wear & tear if it's subject to the snow. that is, should you buy rims that have the fat spokes so that you can cover your brakes?

[M333ee]

I vaguely remeber TireRack in the US had custom 16" steel wheels made for 330's or were they 17's.... :Idunno:

The smaller and thinner the wheels and tires the better for winter driving.

Also, the aux input still allows for all of your steering wheel controls to work. Actually all these options allow at least the volume to work. I'm not 100% as to track skip and scan on the ipod options.

[BlueSky]

16" are better in price.
performancewise, 16" and 17" tires should be about the same.

i was running my OEM 17" rims with snow tires, the spokes are pretty open. I have no problems with the brake pad wear. The only thing is it take a bit longer for the pads to get into working temp.

P.S. even the front of the rim is pretty covered... snow can still get in from the rear of the rim...

[dieselgrl]

haha, i love this forum. look at the instantaneous replies deiselgrl got to her post! everyone here is so helpful, i love the E46 community.

Regin8r, can I ask how much your winter tires were? I was actually looking at purchasing those exact ones, in that exact size! (To fit my BMW Style 44 wheels)

Deiselgrl, I called BMW Toronto (the one beside DVP) a few weeks ago and they have the iPod adapters in stock, as of August 25th or so. They were asking $250 for the unit, and they charge $100/hr labour, although you can probably install it yourself.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of this iPod adapter anymore. You're limited to 6 playlists, and you don't get ID3 tags on the stereo display. For an extra grand or so I'd rather get a touch screen multimedia head unit w/ aux in :blaaaa:

For the time being though, I just use iTrip.

I love this forum too! Thanks everyone for all your help!! I'm interested in the $$ of the Blizzak's as well,

BMW Toronto is my dealership!!! They got the iPod adapters already...cool!! But i'll also look into all the other suggestions that you all have given me. My main requirement is that i be able to control it thru my steering wheel....I don't think i can do that with IceLinks...but some of the other options sound viable.

As for a touch screen, that would be sweet...but too much for me :( I think i would spend the $$ on a subwoofer and speakers. That's the next thing i gotta look into as well.....

it just never ends ;)

[oyster]

dieselgrl >> Let me guess, you a fashion fanatic on Diesel brand?

The ipod install is quite simple, you should get a bracket to hold the ipod unless you have the mini-ipod

[BlueSky]

I love this forum too! Thanks everyone for all your help!! I'm interested in the $$ of the Blizzak's as well

they should be around $11-1200 range installed and balanced

come out to meets this Friday / Saturday... u can then ask as many questions as u want... ;)

[Canuck328i]

I heard that if you get 16" rims, the only tire that will fit is the AT Italia Type 5 tires. I think this may be true only for 330Ci's with sport suspension. Are 16" better than 17"s? I'm thinking of going 17"....

As Eric had mentioned, only 17" rims will fit. I thought that I was told OEM 16" rims would work on 330s, but again I'm not sure.

We have Toyo snows (not sure on the model #) on our 16s, and the CT Icetrac has a compatible size in their size listing.

The way 16" tires will give you "better traction" is they are narrower than the 17" tires, giving the tire the ability to cut down through snow to the hard surface beneath (be it pavement or ice - yeek). It is a weight per square inch of contact surface thing. But if the width is the same, then there is no benefit (other than the lower cost of 16" tires).

Mark

[christyles]

I love this forum too! Thanks everyone for all your help!! I'm interested in the $$ of the Blizzak's as well,

As for a touch screen, that would be sweet...but too much for me :( I think i would spend the $$ on a subwoofer and speakers. That's the next thing i gotta look into as well.....

it just never ends ;)

Thank you dieselgrl. There are many experienced and knowledgeable members here, if not, they know the resources to help you and everybody else find what they need to know. No rotten donuts here. :p

Touch screen anything is sweet. Let me know when you want to move on the subs & speakers. I'm still looking for a place to do it as advised and suggested by a car audio guru here on the board (ahem...Canuck328i). Come out to this weekends meet. Meet everyone. Good to have you aboard. :)

[dieselgrl]

dieselgrl >> Let me guess, you a fashion fanatic on Diesel brand?

The ipod install is quite simple, you should get a bracket to hold the ipod unless you have the mini-ipod

Nope, not even a fashion fanatic on the diesel brand...

if it's quite simple to install it, should i do it myself and just purchase the adapter from BMW? If so, I'd probably need a step by step instruction of how to do this. Has anyone seen any postings on this...or have a link to where i can find this on the net?

[dieselgrl]

they should be around $11-1200 range installed and balanced

come out to meets this Friday / Saturday... u can then ask as many questions as u want... ;)

where u guys gonna be on friday/saturday?

[Rice]

That's great to know!!! I have a sony minidisc player...and thought I was gonna have to get rid of it because it'll be replaced with an IPOD. I'll check it out...but i like the BMW connection just b/c you can control the music through your steering wheel.

I am driving a ZHP....it's a 2004 Orient Blue 330 Ci w/ M-package.

Ahhh another ZHPeeee owner. Now I don't feel all alone. Even though SmoothMooka has one he never shows up for meets so he don't count :p

[christyles]

where u guys gonna be on friday/saturday?

Dieslgrl,
Click for Friday Night (http://www.e46toronto.ca/forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=4&day=2004-9-17&c=1)

Saturday, still deciding... buffet dinner at some Chinese place, then hopefully head to Niagara Falls Fallsview casino/cruise through Niagara on the lake semi-mini twisty, we'll see what the general concensous says throughout thte couse of the day.

[M333ee]

Nope, not even a fashion fanatic on the diesel brand...

if it's quite simple to install it, should i do it myself and just purchase the adapter from BMW? If so, I'd probably need a step by step instruction of how to do this. Has anyone seen any postings on this...or have a link to where i can find this on the net?

There are DIY posts on E46Fanatics for the BMW ipod link. We'll help you for sure (you are a girl right???). The AUX adaper from BMW is very easy to install.

[christyles]

There are DIY posts on E46Fanatics for the BMW ipod link. We'll help you for sure (you are a girl right???). The AUX adaper from BMW is very easy to install.
No Eric...she's not a girl. Don't you know how to spell. He/She is a BBQ grl with diesel. :blaaaa:

[M333ee]

OK no more help for dieselgrl

JK :D

[oyster]

I second EricE330ci,

He was the one who gave me the idea on the Blitzsafe (my 2002 can't have the aux input). Easy stuff for the install. Doing a suspension job or brake job is a different story.

[BlueSky]

if it's quite simple to install it, should i do it myself and just purchase the adapter from BMW? If so, I'd probably need a step by step instruction of how to do this. Has anyone seen any postings on this...or have a link to where i can find this on the net?

I have the BMW Ipod solution DIY instruction... I can email it to u... just PM me your email address or someone host it for me...
it's a 250KB pdf file...

[SmoothMoka]

Ahhh another ZHPeeee owner. Now I don't feel all alone. Even though SmoothMooka has one he never shows up for meets so he don't count :p
ooooooooooo. ouch! hey man, i've been busy!...i'll be there on friday though! :}:

[dieselgrl]

hahahaha.....that's a good one...bbq grl with diesel! Yes, I am a female. Hope that's not a problem for everyone...there must be a fellow bimmer chick out there?! no?!

[Canuck328i]

Anything...for a beautiful lady... (Barry White voice...) ;)

Mark

[M333ee]

All the girls here on the board are attached as wifes or GF's. Some are owners :0

We're just kidding with you. All are welcome. My wife will teach you a thing or two about BMW mods :secret:

[christyles]

hahahaha.....that's a good one...bbq grl with diesel! Yes, I am a female. Hope that's not a problem for everyone...there must be a fellow bimmer chick out there?! no?!
yeah. all the Bimmerwives. You'll get along with all of them...
I wonder who knows more... dieslgrl or jessica. Nevertheless... chicks who know BMWs.. :yourmyido

[christyles]

All the girls here on the board are attached as wifes or GF's. Some are owners :0

We're just kidding with you. All are welcome. My wife will teach you a thing or two about BMW mods :secret:
Sometimes I feel its the other way around. I think its some of the hubbies who are attached to the Bimmerwives. :p

[SmoothMoka]

hahahaha.....that's a good one...bbq grl with diesel! Yes, I am a female. Hope that's not a problem for everyone...there must be a fellow bimmer chick out there?! no?!
There are bimmerwives (and GFs) that always come to meets...and then there's Jessica...the Queen of E46toronto, formerly queen of TE :yourmyido

[dieselgrl]

There are bimmerwives (and GFs) that always come to meets...and then there's Jessica...the Queen of E46toronto, formerly queen of TE :yourmyido

so they are all bimmerwives or GF's! that's cool too...although, the females gotta step up and become bmw owners/drivers!!! There's no better feeling than to be driving rather than to be driven :}:

[M333ee]

Ask eezzie how Jessica drives. Ask me how Jessica drives... :eek:
I think a M3 would be dangerous in her hands. When she drove Phil's M-Z3 I stared crying and went into a fetal position.

[oyster]

so they are all bimmerwives or GF's! that's cool too...although, the females gotta step up and become bmw owners/drivers!!! There's no better feeling than to be driving rather than to be driven :}:
If only you had more female follower on your band wagon "more bmw female driver"

[dieselgrl]

If only you had more female follower on your band wagon "more bmw female driver"

oh well...all my life, I've always enjoyed just hanging out and being one of the guys.

[Regin8r]

Regin8r, can I ask how much your winter tires were? I was actually looking at purchasing those exact ones, in that exact size! (To fit my BMW Style 44 wheels)


They were less than $1000 CDN ($160US per tire I think) with the exchange rate at that time. I bought them online from US (Tirerack) because I have an uncle just across the border to ship them to. The installation and balancing was about $80 CDN which I did over here.

When I was shopping here, Wheels Direct had a good price because my friend knows somebody that works there.

Probably if there is enough interest, there should be a winter tire group buy (but I already have my winter tires, so I would not participate). I can find out contacts to contact though, but I will only do so if there is interest.

Reg

[Rice]

so they are all bimmerwives or GF's! that's cool too...although, the females gotta step up and become bmw owners/drivers!!! There's no better feeling than to be driving rather than to be driven :}:

Funny thing is I don't see much female bmw drivers that are franatics. Sure I see the occassional BMW driven by females but they don't seem like the types that are into knowing too much about bimmers. They just drive to get from point A to B. :Idunno:

[Canuck328i]

Funny thing is I don't see much female bmw drivers that are franatics. Sure I see the occassional BMW driven by females but they don't seem like the types that are into knowing too much about bimmers. They just drive to get from point A to B. :Idunno:

Then again, there is a Grand Am forum I am a member of (our second car) with fanatics as nuts as us! And some of these are 10 year old GAs - to each his own I guess.

(By the way, with the GA you just kinda hope it actually gets you from A to B. ;) )

Mark

[Chopper]

I may be selling my OEM 16" rims with winters as my recent investments into modding my car have left me with the opinion that I should park it for the winter and get a beater car for the cold.

[M007]

welcome on board...

I had been running on Nokian Hakapelitta for the past 2 winters... they were great tires, kept me save and accident free :yourmyido

Those a very good winter tires.
:)

[rost12]

There's no better feeling than to be driving rather than to be driven :}:

So true, if I'm gonna die I wanna die by my own hands :nerd:

[rost12]

haha, i love this forum. look at the instantaneous replies deiselgrl got to her post! everyone here is so helpful, i love the E46 community.

Am I the only one catching the sarcasm? :p