Winter tyres. Discuss.

[Sanjøy]

It's going to be a snowy one! Just ask Windy.

I have a set of BMW rims shod with snow tyres I will be punting if anyone is interested. 17s.

[kerryxeg]

It's going to be a snowy one! Just ask Windy.

I have a set of BMW rims shod with snow tyres I will be punting if anyone is interested. 17s.

Speak to ewen he needs those.

[kerryxeg]

I think we'll be giving the whole winter tyres thing a swerve this year. Arf.

Well we know what's coming now.

It's a more difficult call in the deep south.

[Doc883]

Just ordered up a set of winter tyres for the family hack (S-Max). I used to think Camskill were pretty competitive but they were soundly beaten on price by http://www.mytyres.co.uk/

[campbell]

I think we'll be giving the whole winter tyres thing a swerve this year. Arf.

Well we know what's coming now.

It's a more difficult call in the deep south.

Aye , I guess I'll be revisiting this thread wot I started, before long. Anyway such is life, can't do it all!

[rossybee]

My resident weather expert (my mother-in-law) ensures us all it's gonna be a bad one so maybe my winter tyre smugosity will be justified this winter. Due home early Nov so should be time to dig em out from the back of the garage

[alicrozier]

I have a set of bbs 18" Audi a4 wheels I was going to punt if that is of interest. I think it's thr same fit 112pcdx5 et 43 Would take a 225 or 235 tyre 8".

I usually buy vredstein online and get motorwerk to fit. There are also lots of lightly used sets for sale just now.

Got any pics mister? Are they black? I like the BBS style, would go well with the Golfs retro black nosebadge...

I think they would fit but I will need to double check the offset.

[Corranga]

Our Alfa has goodyear all season tyres on it so it'll be interesting to see what they make of any snow that comes around this year.

Last winter, running the Seat on proper winters was a waste of time, but then, there was only about 2 days of snow to drive in last winter

[woody]

Think if it snows I'll swap the CX bike for the mountain bike.

[Andy G]

Having spent time in Montreal the difference between summer and winter tyres is staggering! Proper winter tyres allow you to almost drive like you would normally on snow and ice. Summer tyres will get very quickly to a point where the tread is unable to clear the snow and you have zero grip.

First time out in my first car, a sheddy Cherokee, novice winter season I couldnt understand why i was all over the place in my 4x4 and people in their civics where just embarrasing the Jeep! Then I went skiing in my mates Saab Turbo and after having 3 moments of being convinced we were heading off the road, sat back and marvelled at the winter tyres, and how unbelievable they are to someone who has never used them! (and I dont scare easily)

My VR6 could drive in fresh snow up to its bonnet with winter tyres on - such was the traction. My 7 series I used to take skiing in winter, whereas on its normal tyres it couldnt make it out of the street in light snow!!! (it would actually understeer before oversteer with 2 bags of rocksalt in the boot)

If you want to be restricted by weather as little as possible and live somewhere where snow is going to be an issue, not getting them is muppetry of the highest order, and I dont see myself ever wanting to have the thought that i could have avoided an accident had I bought winter tyres. Perhaps not so high a priority if you are city bound and dont need to use the car if it snows.

You also get to drive down the snow covered lanes on the motorway while everyone else Q's which make them worth the money alone

[campbell]

Convincing arguments / experience Andy and I believe I've heard your testimonial before - I believed it then too.

Our main constraint this year is funds, however. But ironically we may have an issue with the not-very-old-rears which are on the Skoda right now, and on reflection if forced to renew them then perhaps I'd stick 4 winters all round from early November.

Alternatively, we may soon be taking a decision on whether the Skoda is a longer term hold, and if so, then again the business case for a set of winters on their own rims could probably make it past the Financial Controller...


PS I nearly sold my spare S1 rims recently (but moved too slowly and the sharp mover I was dealing with picked some up meantime )...that would have funded a set of winter wheels and tyres and the FD need never have known

[Rosssco]

As above, got a set (part-worn from eBay, 4-5mm tread) on a set of spare scabby wheels for my MR2, and they turn a car that, although admittedly fun in the snow, would understeer, then snap oversteer, into a real weapon even in quite deep snow. Mainly it was to allow the car to still be usable and I had a bit of concern that I would get stuck in one of those annual Perthshire road blockages when I headed down to the central belt over the festive season. Its also entertaining to drive (almost) normally in my sheddy sporty car, while 'sensible' cars have to take it easy (only time I get to gloat!)

[BigD]

Think if it snows I'll swap the CX bike for the mountain bike.

A couple of years ago when we had all the snow and I was snowed in I decided it would be a great laugh to take the motocrosser to the shop, thinking that it's massively chunky tyres would have excellent grip. Perfect for the job you would think.

I was proved totally wrong, on the icy roads it was all over the place, no grip whatsoever just slid down the road. Arrived at the shop and thought a big mound of snow would make a nice little jump/ramp. Not thinking the snow would not be hard packed but extremely soft and about 4ft high I ended up just running straight into it and straight over the handlebars. Nice soft landing though.

In the deep snow the front bogged in and wouldn't go very far. More speed was the answer but that wasn't easy. I was totally knackered by the time I got in and would've been much better walking.

[BigD]

You also get to drive down the snow covered lanes on the motorway while everyone else Q's which make them worth the money alone

Totally with you on that, the confidence they give you is unbelievable, until you try them.

[Sanjøy]

Think if it snows I'll swap the CX bike for the mountain bike.

A couple of years ago when we had all the snow and I was snowed in I decided it would be a great laugh to take the motocrosser to the shop, thinking that it's massively chunky tyres would have excellent grip. Perfect for the job you would think.

I was proved totally wrong, on the icy roads it was all over the place, no grip whatsoever just slid down the road. Arrived at the shop and thought a big mound of snow would make a nice little jump/ramp. Not thinking the snow would not be hard packed but extremely soft and about 4ft high I ended up just running straight into it and straight over the handlebars. Nice soft landing though.

In the deep snow the front bogged in and wouldn't go very far. More speed was the answer but that wasn't easy. I was totally knackered by the time I got in and would've been much better walking.

Should have wheelied it Cannonball Run stylee.