Staggered vs square dws06 handling in winter

[Bimmerptbo]

Hi guys,

I was thinking of getting the 20" continental dws06 in a staggered setup. I love the staggered look, however it does snow moderately during winter where I live. Would you guys recommend square over staggered or vice versa. Please let me know your thoughts. thanks.

[TOPEC]

If this is ur only set of tires then go staggered, if u have a set dedicated for winter and summer, then go square for winter.

[pits200]

Narrower tires always perform better in the snow, hence the square setup will be thr better performer.

[Keithwand]

Staggered Contis on a S Drive. Spent last winter only in Michigan and zero issues. Drove through snow and ice without issue. Back to Florida tomorrow where the car has spent most it’s life. Great tires

[Kdawg1966]

Staggered Contis on XDrive for three winters. No issues, however square is best no doubt.

[chumbedi]

Originally Posted by pits200

Narrower tires always perform better in the snow, hence the square setup will be thr better performer.

In warm season I drive 20" 275/315 RUNFLAT in winter I drive 19" square NON-RUNFLAT, looks like shxx on M-Kit, but safety 1st.
Had bought complete 19" set winter tires with rims.


I remember Automobile Clubs recommending narrow winter tires in snow.

[1norseman]

You can buy a square set up, and add spacers to the rear, to make it look better.
Check w vendor Ben (r33_RGsport), he knows a lot about what spacers fits the X5.

[Bimmerptbo]

Thanks for your comments everyone!!

[TOPEC]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

You can buy a square set up, and add spacers to the rear, to make it look better.
Check w vendor Ben (r33_RGsport), he knows a lot about what spacers fits the X5.

The whole point of running a square set up is to a) run narrower tires to cut through snow better and b) have the same track width front and rear so the rear tires can follow the same compacted snow tracks that the front tires already drove over. This of course applies mainly to straight line driving. Adding spacers to increase the rear track width kinda defeats this purpose.

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

You can buy a square set up, and add spacers to the rear, to make it look better.
Check w vendor Ben (r33_RGsport), he knows a lot about what spacers fits the X5.

Originally Posted by TOPEC

The whole point of running a square set up is to a) run narrower tires to cut through snow better and b) have the same track width front and rear so the rear tires can follow the same compacted snow tracks that the front tires already drove over. This of course applies mainly to straight line driving. Adding spacers to increase the rear track width kinda defeats this purpose.

Not arguing with that aspect.

At the same time, the wider the winter tire, the more of a chance it won't grip as well. Thus my recommendation is based on that one is better off with spacers, than having a non square setup/wider rear tire. Most peoples driving will be on cleared roads, not off road, in the X5.

I have driven my winter "square" set up in a foot of snow, without any issues, except snow build up inside the wheels that caused imbalance.

Now, my winter set up is not a standard "Square" set up; I have E71 wheels, all same width, but bored out rears have less ET, and thus have a wider stance at the rear.

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by Bimmerptbo

Hi guys,

I was thinking of getting the 20" continental dws06 in a staggered setup. I love the staggered look, however it does snow moderately during winter where I live. Would you guys recommend square over staggered or vice versa. Please let me know your thoughts. thanks.

Big question is what rims? Existing 20 oem? Then put on staggered. Otherwise the rear tires will be stretched and look dumb.

[1230vani]

U will have zero issues. I could only get pirelli scorpio winter for 20", there are however two versions of it, the more expensive one has a star on it and it is way better (approx 200 eur more expensive for 4 tires).

[1230vani]

BMW X5 F15
BMW "20 Styling 551 1 3.350.00 275.40.20 / 315.35.20 Pirelli Ice and Snow RSC / run flat

Its an awesome tire

[redline9001]

I would not run all seasons in Canada.

Dedicated winters are the only way to roll ....

[1norseman]

Originally Posted by redline9001

I would not run all seasons in Canada.

Dedicated winters are the only way to roll ....

All Seasons should be called three seasons these days, better than ever in the summer time, compared to what they used to be.
Still, in the middle of winter, when it comes to stopping, nothing beats a dedicated winter tire..

[CanadianLurker]

Originally Posted by 1norseman

All Seasons should be called three seasons these days, better than ever in the summer time, compared to what they used to be.
Still, in the middle of winter, when it comes to stopping, nothing beats a dedicated winter tire..

This!

Assuming OP is somewhere in Southern Ontario the snow is indeed pretty moderate for the most part, but the bigger issue is the cold. Winter tires outperform once the temperature goes below 7 Celsius (45 Fahrenheit) and we get a lot of winter days well below that!

So, while most roads are cleared of snow within 24 - 48 hrs of a snowfall you're going to have way more grip for stopping & turning on dry roads when it's 0 C (32 F) or below, and especially when you encounter black ice.

Edited to add that we get an insurance discount for using winter tires so that's one more small plus for getting a dedicated set.