Winter tyres. Discuss.

Doc883 · Post by **Doc883** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 3:56 pm

Corranga wrote: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

Common misconception about snow use as they are superior when the temp drops below 7 degs. Having witnessed their effectiveness during the last 2 winters I am a convert

Plus the upside is that it means 5months less wear on your summer tyres so the cost evens itself out over a few years.

j2 lot · Post by **j2 lot** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:10 pm

Just wondering when to make the call to switch to winters

Temperatures have dropped this week and forecast of a cold spell over the weekend

flyingscot68 · Post by **flyingscot68** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:15 pm

j2 lot wrote:
Just wondering when to make the call to switch to winters Temperatures have dropped this week and forecast of a cold spell over the weekend

I'll be fitting mine this weekend.

Time to get the spoons out.........

Sanjøy · Post by **Sanjøy** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:16 pm

j2 lot wrote:
Just wondering when to make the call to switch to winters Temperatures have dropped this week and forecast of a cold spell over the weekend

When the clocks change.

kerryxeg · Post by **kerryxeg** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:27 pm

alicrozier wrote:
kerryxeg wrote: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.

They are silver, i found similar on eBay under Audi s3 y spoke. I'll take some pics at the weekend, they are currently boxed and buried in the garage.

Mike Scib · Post by **Mike Scib** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 7:47 pm

BigD wrote:
woody wrote: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.

You need spikes

Al. · Post by **Al.** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 8:23 pm

For the Evora I have a second set of wheels with the approved Winter Yoko's that I bought 2 winters ago. The change over point suggested by them is around the 8-10C point. Each being more effective/less wear either side of the line but both able to cope fine in my experience well either side of the line. I will be changing when I get back from offshore in about 3-4 weeks (Helicopters flying again by then dependant!!) and the last 2 springs ave been so $hit that the winters were left on until April/May.

Part of the problem is the winters are on Satin Black wheels which also really suit my red car so not the same urge to want to change! Gives a nice change in overall appearance every 6 months.

SAJ · Post by **SAJ** » Wed Oct 24, 2012 12:43 pm

j2 lot wrote:
Just wondering when to make the call to switch to winters Temperatures have dropped this week and forecast of a cold spell over the weekend

Swapped over to my winters just this weekend past. Grip difference is already noticeable over my summer set. This is the third winter I am using the same set but will probably be the last as the rear are down to about 4mm right now so snow traction is compromised at this tread level.

BigD · Post by **BigD** » Wed Oct 24, 2012 1:01 pm

SAJ wrote:
j2 lot wrote:
Just wondering when to make the call to switch to winters Temperatures have dropped this week and forecast of a cold spell over the weekend
Swapped over to my winters just this weekend past. Grip difference is already noticeable over my summer set. This is the third winter I am using the same set but will probably be the last as the rear are down to about 4mm right now so snow traction is compromised at this tread level.

3rd year for me too. I did notice that the sipes feel smoth in the direction of travel but jaggy in the opposite direction so I might stick them on backwards this year.

Oh and Mike those spikes look ideal but for 2 days of snow more than I need. I changed my own tyres on the crosser the last time and after piercing the tube a couple of times then repairing then refitting I think it took about 4 hours just to change 2 tyres. Unbelievable.

Not something I'll be rushing to do again.

graeme · Post by **graeme** » Wed Oct 24, 2012 6:37 pm

Just got a second set of wheels for the scoob. I think I'll get Pirelli Sotto Zeros... Very impressed with them on the mini. Unless anyone has tried anything better?

Sanjøy · Post by **Sanjøy** » Wed Oct 24, 2012 7:21 pm

graeme wrote:Just got a second set of wheels for the scoob. I think I'll get Pirelli Sotto Zeros... Very impressed with them on the mini. Unless anyone has tried anything better?

Conti t810 on the barge. Cheap an do the job kept them on all year.

Vredstein Wintracs on the BMW last year. Happy with them slough easy life as mrs car.

Scuffers · Post by **Scuffers** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:23 am

got Dunlop winters on the S4, last year I was just gobsmacked at how effective they were, way beyond my expectations on snow/sh*t....

realistically, I reckon they will last 4-5 years just with winter use, absolute no-brainer IMHO.

kerryxeg · Post by **kerryxeg** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 8:48 am

I had to put together this weeks safety moment for w#rk. So thought I'd use winter tyres as the topic. I did a bit of research just to make sure it was factual. The most interesting was the list of reasons commonly given for not using winter tyres.

I've got abs
I live in town
I have a 4x4
I have the skills of the stig
They cost too much
It's the wife's car

On serious side the braking distance at 10 mph in icy conditions was 11m on summer tyres an 6.4m with winter tyres and this was with abs (although not really relevant)

I 've had all season tyres on my mums a4 for the past year an have been really impressed with the compromise. A good option on a car that you don't expect to take to the limit in the summer and isn't doing high mileages. Wear was also similar to summer tyres in the "warm" months.

Doc883 · Post by **Doc883** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 12:07 pm

Well that's the Doc Fleet all suited and booted for whatever the winter months decide to throw at us and right on cue frost overnight

Work Shed (2002 A4 Avant) Goodyear All Season Tyres (225/45/17)
Weekends (2012 S3 Sportback) Yokohama W Drive Winter Tyres (225/40/18)
Family Lugger (2008 Ford S-Max) Toyo Snowprox S953 (235/45/18)

Ony had the S3 since Monday so hoping that the combination of Yoko winters and 4wd should prove a winning combination if the going gets tough.
Got the Toyo Snoprox this week from www.mytyres.co.uk and all 4 delivered were £485 which for 235/45/18 is a good deal. Had them fitted yesterday at Farmer Autocare and asked them out of interest what they charged. They said they would buy that tyre in at £185 so look to retail it at £240 ish so mytyres all the way for me

If you've yet to decide I'd thoroughly recommend the change, the improvement is night and day.

alicrozier · Post by **alicrozier** » Fri Oct 26, 2012 5:41 pm

alicrozier wrote:
kerryxeg wrote: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.

BBS sorted from Kerry. Thanks for dropping them at PPS where they will get a gloss black spruce up.

Now just to get tyres ordered...

370z was fun in the snow today...albeit a bit slow.

Scottish Elises