Winter/Cold weather tyre - What do people recommend?

mjt said:
Is there a noticable difference, or is it too early to tell?
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I think the only difference is the "S" tyres are lower profile with maybe a stiffer sidewall. The tread pattern seems the same. The golf seems to run a lot nicer on these tyres with less noise and more grip although the tyres they replaced were Eco contacts so no real surprise. The A3 I used to have a bit of a laugh with and pushed it, the Golf in comparison is a bit pants. So I can't really give a good comparison on the differences as they are two different cars.
 
Dunlop SP Wintersport 3D. Had a set on my A6 in Canada and have another set waiting to go on my car here. Epic tyre. With quattro, even with a 3.0L V6 I was able to floor it on a completely hard-packed snow car park and the traction control light didn't even flicker most of the time. It was just absolutely incredible how these tyres performed on the snow. Also did 2630 miles in THREE DAYS and can vouch for it's dry weather performance and noise levels (barely more than summer tyres). Wear rate was excellent too - did a total of maybe 6000 miles on them and all four still had 8mm tread when I sold the car. I don't know what they had on when new though...
 
gsd3s were brilliant in the wet, amongst the best ive ever had, but once its cold-cold the performance drops off quickly and in the snow they were abysmal, particularly when braking.

how often is it below freezing though? (saying that i once left cheshire and it wasnt until i got to the M1 that the outside temp gauge went over 0*C and that was 100 miles) but didnt have any brown pants moments during that time
 
Matt82 said:
gsd3s were brilliant in the wet, amongst the best ive ever had, but once its cold-cold the performance drops off quickly and in the snow they were abysmal, particularly when braking.

how often is it below freezing though? (saying that i once left cheshire and it wasnt until i got to the M1 that the outside temp gauge went over 0*C and that was 100 miles) but didnt have any brown pants moments during that time
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It hovers around 0c and below most of the time here in winter months and my AD08's will simply stop working in such conditions.

Basically it seems the:-
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3
Continental ContiWinterContact TS810s
Dunlop 3D

Are all great cold weather tyres with snow abilities. Guess its a case of buying whichever I can get hold off, though the Michelins seem favourite, be great to see a review of the Michelins and Conti's going head to head.
 
I'm waiting to see the reviews for:

http://www.blackcircles.com/news/2010/jul/bridgestone-adds-all-weather-options

Bridgestone have designed the A001 specifically for the mixed conditions that the UK’s weather system is subjected to. Unlike a winter only tyre, the A001 has a harder compound which means that it will not wear as fast during the warmer weather, making it ideal for both winter and summer driving. Thanks to this tyre’s ‘All Weather’ silica compound, the tyre has a very low rolling resistance which helps to boost a tyre’s fuel economy.

At the moment, I can't even find what sizes they're made in.
 
[TW]Fox;17589205 said:
I think we are trying to avoid another bun fight, but thanks anyway :p

It's a bit different here though as Gibbo has very specific dry performance tyres so there will be clear advantages to switching tyres.
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What Fox said and they are already like a bar of soap in the wet at 10c temperatures, when its wet in winter at 0c they will be nothing short of dangerous, but in the dry they are untouchable and perform very well when its warm. :)

So as I need to switch tyres I might as well buy a more winter orientated tyre that is designed to work at sub 10c and perform well in both wet and dry. :)
 
I spotted this earlier on today and is worth a read:

http://tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2010-Auto-Bild-Winter-Tyre-Test.htm

As you know I have the same tyres as yourself so started researching winter tyres...from reading that though I'm quite inclined to just get a cheaper, summer tyre for use due to the high cost of winter tyres. I'm however in a position though where I don't *need* to use my car in nasty conditions though.
 
TBH I don't know how they stand up to each other. I have a feeling the 810S went into larger sizes and higher speed ratings than the 830P, that said I can't find the sizes available at the moment. I will double check later though.
 
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