[MRV99]

If you want the best possible winter setup, a square narrow setup will in theory be the best thing you can do. The question is just how much difference will there be in overall traction/performance with a staggered vs square setup. If you have a staggered winter setup, you will be much better off than any other all season setup out there.

The other question is what are the actual conditions you drive in. Out of the 120-150 winter tire days, how many do you actually experience snow/snowpack/slush covered streets. In the midwest, I will say maybe 20-25 on average. To me that leaves a whole lot of days where you will just be on cold or wet conditions. For me I have 19" square set but that was because I found a great deal on a set of 211 takoff back in 2007. On my M3, I have a staggered setup which may not be the 100% best but I would rather have the staggered setup for the 80% of the time it is just cold vs the 20% of the time I have snow and slush conditions.

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