Trip report: Nokian WR-G2 205/55/16 vs Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 225/50/16

[[TW]Fox]

I understand that the snow isn't nearly as bad in Plymouth as it is up here, but yes you are right incompetent driving causes most of the problems. I managed last years drive up to the Brecons in the snow just fine on Eagle F1s, but a lot of the downhills were basically a controlled slide and if I were to meet someone coming the other way we'd likely be looking at a crash.

In this sort of whether I'd suggest that you always give way to the guy who is coming downhill!

That said I'd still recommend the Nokians. The difference truly is amazing, being able to do a 3 point turn in a snow filled layby vs having to get out and push the front end about makes the trip so much nicer.

Yea, we've got about 2-3cm down here which really isnt that much. It's mostly gone from the main roads but the minor roads are still packed snow so I took the opportunity to get out there and get some experience. I got up a hill as well with the right amont of throttle though it did try and break sideways at one point

I was quite impressed really - it was quite easy to see how people would get into difficulty but also quite fun to test the recommended ways of avoiding problems, and finding they worked.

 

[Housey]

Had these fitted today.

The car came with P Zero Rosso's and when they went I fitted Goodyear Asym's and then same again as I had punctures, flats and it was just easier to keep the same tyres but reality was I never felt them to be as good as the PZero's, said as much too when first fitted. Took a mates RS4 for a spin the other week, running on PZero's and the car was simply sharper and road noise was less. It also removed the VERY annoying habit of understeer at very slow parking speeds, so the GY's had to go, simply didn't suit my car is all I can say. Did 20 miles today on these, no real speed but initially the road noise was less and they simply felt more 'solid' if that makes sense, sharper. Will wait and see how they bed in but happier with these, not least after a proper blat in my mates RS4 the other week.

 

[Joshy]

Not knowing how to drive in the Snow is the issue for 99% of people, but you've really got to ask yourself how, where and when do you learn, and before you get to that stage you've got to ask is it worth bothering.

I know I should dust the snow off and have a play but It'd rather not. I don't know the conditions, I live on a massive hill and I can't think of anywhere safe to have a play that isn't 8+ miles away. Given the fact that It snows so rarely and my car isn't really suited to stuff conditions I can't see why it's worth me potentinally pranging it when I can just avoid driving when it snows.

I know you're supposed to go it slow, avoid sudden throttle, brake or steering inputs, but other than that I'm clueless. Last year I went rambo in my little Pug, said **** it and managed to survive but I shudder when I think just how mental I was in that weather and just how lucky I was not to write my car off. I was 30 Degree sideways down small South London roads with cars either side of me. At the first I thought it was awesome but I really do look back and think "never again".

 

[Lum]

Yea, we've got about 2-3cm down here which really isnt that much. It's mostly gone from the main roads but the minor roads are still packed snow so I took the opportunity to get out there and get some experience. I got up a hill as well with the right amont of throttle though it did try and break sideways at one point

I was quite impressed really - it was quite easy to see how people would get into difficulty but also quite fun to test the recommended ways of avoiding problems, and finding they worked.

Starting off in second gear is the main one, though I my case I just flicked the little switch that puts the autobox into snow mode

After that just keep it in as high a gear as possible, until you start approaching a downhill, then you want as low a gear as possible, a chance for those of you with autos to investigate what the options below the D position are actually for!

Be sure to take that BMW to a snow filled empty car park so that you can learn how to control it in a slide

 

[[TW]Fox]

Be sure to take that BMW to a snow filled empty car park so that you can learn how to control it in a slide

Thats perhaps what I did

 

[Housey]

I have proper 4WD, makes snow and ice a non event in the areas that FWD and more so RWD cars struggle. So clever in snow the RS4, just goes, turns and stops like a champion and really makes any of the current conditions a non event and the RWD bias can be invoked easily (now I have learnt how) to make it feel like a controlled RWD car. Car has grown on me really, never thought I'd say but have to be impressed by its all round ability. MX-5 is more fun mind, epic skids ability.

 

[Housey]

...in the garage today having my tyres fitted I got talking to a chap who told me how he used to put a bag of sand in the back of his............Mondeo! I didn't have the heart to say anything...

 

[Lum]

Thats perhaps what I did

Good man.

These things are important in order to learn your vehicles limits and how to drive safely, whilst being in a safe and controlled environment.

It's also bloody good fun

 

[Overlag]

Yea, the GS-D3 has to be the worst tyre in the world this side of a slick for snow. The tread pattern is absolutely NOT snow friendly.

i found them better than these CS3's

 

[[TW]Fox]

i found them better than these CS3's

I am having totally the opposite, the F1's were so useless last year I literally went NOWHERE as soon as it snowed until it was gone.

 

[Overlag]

I am having totally the opposite, the F1's were so useless last year I literally went NOWHERE as soon as it snowed until it was gone.

once i started moving it was ok. Ive yet to get stuck on my drive this year, but then that's because im parking in frontwards, and reversing back over clear(ish) ground. Last year it took me 30minutes to get off my drive, but once moving the Goodyear's seemed ok. But then i guess im not pushing the tyres (CS3) to the limit, and they are new (300-500miles).

My main problem today was other drivers, randomly stopping, or pulling out of side roads in front of you, driving at 15mph on almost clear roads etc. Hell i saw one person had single handily stopped 4 Eddie Stobarts and 2 other HGV's by going so slow up a hill that the lorries got stuck, why don't people realise you need momentum to get up icy hills? Good job i was going the other way.

 

[Lopéz]

Not knowing how to drive in the Snow is the issue for 99% of people, but you've really got to ask yourself how, where and when do you learn, and before you get to that stage you've got to ask is it worth bothering.

I know I should dust the snow off and have a play but It'd rather not. I don't know the conditions, I live on a massive hill and I can't think of anywhere safe to have a play that isn't 8+ miles away. Given the fact that It snows so rarely and my car isn't really suited to stuff conditions I can't see why it's worth me potentinally pranging it when I can just avoid driving when it snows.

I know you're supposed to go it slow, avoid sudden throttle, brake or steering inputs, but other than that I'm clueless. Last year I went rambo in my little Pug, said **** it and managed to survive but I shudder when I think just how mental I was in that weather and just how lucky I was not to write my car off. I was 30 Degree sideways down small South London roads with cars either side of me. At the first I thought it was awesome but I really do look back and think "never again".

There are times where, no matter how much skill and experience you have, you just aren't going to have equipment that's compatible with the conditions. When you're literally breathing on the throttle in third or fourth and still spinning the wheels on a sheet of ice all the experience in the world won't help - you ain't going nowhere.

 

[mjt]

That said I'd still recommend the Nokians. The difference truly is amazing, being able to do a 3 point turn in a snow filled layby vs having to get out and push the front end about makes the trip so much nicer.

All (premium)winter tyres are brilliant in snow, it's as simple as that.
I've had no problems at all with the Michelin Alpins on the V50 and the Goodyear RFTs on the 5.

Drive like a fool and the car will do silly things, but drive normally and all is well.
The BMW's useless at handbrake turns though, probably because the handbrake is just ****.

 

[Lum]

Finally some more pics from the Brecon trip on Friday:


March Falls


Pontsticill Reservoir


What 5 minutes of snowfall did, while we were taking pictures of the waterfall.

More on my GF's Flickr and a second batch of pictures to come later.