Winter tyres. Discuss.

[Scottish Scrutineer]

Nokian tyres are good, had the WR2 on my BMW for the last couple of winters. Good in the cold and kept me mobile in snow where others were stuck. Now I've got the MINI, I've got a set of Pirelli winters sitting on the garage floor ready to fit, but not needed to do it yet.


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Renny

[campbell]

Our Nankangs have been epic on the MINI.

[111Robin]

I'm getting 40k out of winter Hancooks on the Golf. 20k on the front then shift to the back only half worn. No issues using them all year round.

[Sanjøy]

40k?! That's impressive.

[111Robin]

40k?! That's impressive.

Should add I drive like a granny

[Sanjøy]

Careful Tuts online.

[Doc883]

Yes it's that time of year to purchase some winter tyres for the new steed, 330d X Drive M Sport Touring. Car has 225/40/19 up front and mahoosive 255/35/19 on the rear.
Not looking to buy new wheels but shod current with a set of winter boots. Initial thinking is to go for 235/40/19 all round (speedo calibration wise 70mph would read 70.85 so well within tolerance).

I am looking at Mytyres currently but any other routes or opinions on tyre size choice ?

[j2 lot]

Buying options:
Black Circles
Camskill
Tyre Leader.

No idea re sizes but this might help with calculations:

http://www.etyres.co.uk/tyre-size-calculator

[Stephen]

The owners handbook should tell you the size options.

[flyingscot68]

My Merc tell you the size inside the fuel flap. Have a look there.

[Doc883]

I guess the tyre size question is more related to replicating current or going for the same front to rear as I know that 235/40/19 are suitable.
Front are 8J x 19 and rear 8.5J x 19.

[Stephen]

If you stick with what the manufacturers say then you have no insurance issues. For the smallest possible it's worth checking what the vehicle type approval was done on for the basic car. As an example the A4 B7 was type approved on 16".

[Doc883]

If you stick with what the manufacturers say then you have no insurance issues. For the smallest possible it's worth checking what the vehicle type approval was done on for the basic car. As an example the A4 B7 was type approved on 16".

The BMW configurator only shows 16" to 18" as complete sets (where they store your summer set) and they are all same size front and rear. Neither the handbook or the drivers door sticker provide any answer.
As for insurance in 30 years of driving no insurance company has ever asked what type of tyre I am running. Even when I inform them of a change to winter tyres they don't question type approval etc, same goes for summer with plenty of BMW owners ditching run-flats when it's time to change, despite them being OE fitment.
The Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D looks a good option as it's ROF (run on flat) and I have zero spare as summers are run flats;
http://www.dunlop.eu/dunlop_uk/tires/pa ... rom=browse

[Stephen]

My fear is that they will ask after you have to make a claim in order to wriggle out of it.

[Doc883]

My fear is that they will ask after you have to make a claim in order to wriggle out of it.

Highly unlikely. You see plenty of examples of people buying high powered cars that can't afford to run/maintain them and end up fitting Nankangs or similar without any issues I'm aware off.