WInterisation

[Mike Scib]

Interesting, Lynda runs winter tyres on her Fabia VRS for about 3 months over the winter period and they made a MASSIVE difference to her car and that's not just me saying that, Lynda noticed a big difference pulling away from junctions, roundabouts etc due to the lack of wheel spin which it does like to do at the best of times with it having 280lbft of torque!

Once up to speed they are a little more floaty in the corners (Similar to Toyo T1R's IMO), but with the rubber having bigger grooves/cuts to clear standing water this is to be expected.

As for in snow, well they come in to a league of there own, there is just no stopping them even when trying to get it stuck with snow scraping the under tray and purposely stopping....they just grip and go.

Stevo, what tyres are you running? Are they new as winter tyres are supposed to be past there best once they reach 4mm, if that is true or not is another question....ask me in a couple of years .


Edit; Stevo, when i bought my 330d from BMW it came fitted with 2 Uniroyal Rainsport's on the rear which caused the traction control light to flicker way to often, almost the problem your having. BMW fitted 2 new tyres, Pilot Sports....problem fixed. Maybe the traction control is over sensitive on the BM's. Are you running the same widths as standard?

Out of the people commenting on winter tyres, who has ran them??

[Mikie711]

I ran toyo snow proxis on my 911 over a couple of winters. The difference is unbelievable, the grip you get from them is about the same as normal tyres on a wet day. Made the car very usable on snow or ice. By contrast without them you couldn't even get out the drive.
Andy, one thing you'll discover with the Rangie on normal road tyres is that it's great at getting going, little or nothing will stop it doing that. But when it comes to stopping, different matter all together. 2 ton of car on what are relatively wide tyres makes braking a but clenching experience. I have a second set of alloys 19" as opposed to the 20" it normal runs and they will be getting Nokians if the weather turns naughty this year.

[Stevoraith]

Stevo, what tyres are you running? Are they new as winter tyres are supposed to be past there best once they reach 4mm, if that is true or not is another question....ask me in a couple of years .


Edit; Stevo, when i bought my 330d from BMW it came fitted with 2 Uniroyal Rainsport's on the rear which caused the traction control light to flicker way to often, almost the problem your having. BMW fitted 2 new tyres, Pilot Sports....problem fixed. Maybe the traction control is over sensitive on the BM's. Are you running the same widths as standard?

Out of the people commenting on winter tyres, who has ran them??

Mike, they are brand new Kumho KW27's. I've also found the BMW to be very sensitive to tyre choice so it could just be that these specific tyres don't suit it. Maybe should have bitten the bullet and gone for Continentals or Bridgestones that seem to be recommended on the BMW forums but Kumhos seem to get a good name on here so I thought I'd give them a punt.

I checked the pressures yesterday and it was obviously a lot colder than it was when I originally set them as they were all down by about 0.2 - 0.3bar. Either that or they're all leaking!
I've put them back up to the recommended pressures (set at 4degC) and I haven't seen the light on yet- I'll give it some stick tonight and see what it takes to get it flickering.

[BigD]

I've just ordered a set of winter tyres for the daily hack as I can't be bothered getting stuck this winter or having a moment takeing the wee one to school. As has been said it'll extend the use of the summer tyres too. I reckon winter tyres could be used for 6 months of the year just about.

I don't think any tyre winter or otherwise will work that well on ice as only studed tyres would sort that.

The 235's on the passat are too wide really for winter use and I run rock hard tyres for longevity so they are a bit ropey in the cold.

[Mike Scib]

What brand, size did you go for D?

Lynda's are going on tonight

[Mr Momo]

The 235's on the passat are too wide really for winter use and I run rock hard tyres for longevity so they are a bit ropey in the cold.

I've got 235 Wintrac Extremes to put on the Passat (last year )

[BigD]

What brand, size did you go for D?

Lynda's are going on tonight

Just went for the cheapest I could find as most were well over £100 for 235x45x17. So went for Nankang Snow SV-2 (Nankang SV-2 studless winter tyre is the latest product. SV-2 is designed for powerful vehicle with excellent handling in wintry conditions, high level snowy, wet and dry performance and a smooth ride.) in 225x45x17 for £65 per corner.

It may be false economy but having just had the timing belt done and a major service on the Passat (£600) I didn't want to stretch to good brands.

The 235's on the passat are too wide really for winter use and I run rock hard tyres for longevity so they are a bit ropey in the cold.

I've got 235 Wintrac Extremes to put on the Passat (last year )

There not cheap eh?!

[Mike Scib]

£65, good effort!

[colintinto]

Got a set of 17 inch alloys on eBay for my XC90. Came with winter tyres but 2 are low and the other 2 not great. Got a full set of Vredstein Wintracs today and they are going on tomorrow!

Colin

[Mr Momo]

Wintracs on - what a difference ! Still waiting for the Pirellis for the Abarth.

My two daughters were on the BBC Six O'Clock news snow article

Our street has become a haunt for the BBC News as we're just up the hill from the Beechgrove Garden TV studios

[Stevoraith]

Well, the winter tyres came good during the cold dry conditions that I had previously moaned about. Took them about 500 miles to 'bed in' but they are now at least as grippy as the summer tyres when it's 4/5degC and dry or damp.

And as you would expect they have been a revelation in the snow. The wifes Fabia got stuck twice trying to move 10feet from the road into the drive but the BMW got up the hill and out of my street no problem.
Having said that, I wish it hadn't as the journey to work was horrific and I'll be going home again shortly

[campbell]

Bravo for trying Steve.

Never been so glad of the technology and work patterns which enable working from home...although I am itching to get out on the road in the Octavia and learn a bit more about how it behaves!!

[Rich H]

We have had our snow - 2mm
Dullards driving at 2mph everywhere now

SWMBO still managed to get the ESP to come on in the Smart though!

Looksing for soem winter tyres for the Porker still, the usual suspects wan too much or have no stock... might try the local places.

[Scotty C]

i filled up with fuel and and put extra screenwash in my scooshers.

[Rich H]

I was well impressed that the squwooshers worked straight away last night - until I realised that it froze instantly on the screen instead