Winter tires

mjt · 20 Aug 2011 at 15:46

I didn't have snow tyres on my RWD Lolvo last year and I struggled to get around in snow, even with 100kg of salt in the boot.

As a result, I pinched my parents' cars, which had winter tyres fitted.
Sure, the winter tyres didn't really do anything for the other 4 months they were fitted, but when there was a lot of snow, they were invincible.

Case in point, I overtook a snow plough on the motorway in 5 inches of fresh snow in an E60.
I then drifted round a roundabout for about 20 minutes and then went to bed.

Could I have done that if it was fitted with summer tyres? Not a chance.

Having said that, am I going to buy winter tyres this year? No.
How will I get to work if there's a lot of snow? No idea. Probably steal my mum's Golf when she's not looking.

Raymond Lin · 20 Aug 2011 at 15:53

Well, if you have the space, £400 (for my car) for a see of winter tyres isn't that bad I would've thought. Since it'll be only used for about a month of the year and then just take it to the garage to swap them round when snows gone. A set will last years?

Basically £400 plus labour for convenience.

mjt · 20 Aug 2011 at 15:59

£400 will get you 16".
If you've got 17+ then it starts to get very expensive.

PMKeates · 20 Aug 2011 at 16:08

If you do enough miles and keep a car long enough the real cost of winter tyres is very low, as you're not using your normal tyres at the same time and as such your £/mile on tyres barely changes.

mjt · 20 Aug 2011 at 16:17

I think the same could be said if you do very low mileage.

Either way, those who are considering winter tyres should purchase them in the very near future. If you leave it too late then the prices will go up and availability will reduce significantly.

PMKeates · 20 Aug 2011 at 16:26

mjt said:
I think the same could be said if you do very low mileage.

I guess it depends on for how many years you'd be comfortable using a tyre.

Lum · 20 Aug 2011 at 16:40

mjt said:
£400 will get you 16".
If you've got 17+ then it starts to get very expensive.

Yes it does. It's worth checking if 16" wheels will clear your brakes and if so grab a cheapo set off eBay.

mjt · 20 Aug 2011 at 16:42

Lum said:
Yes it does. It's worth checking if 16" wheels will clear your brakes and if so grab a cheapo set off eBay.

Indeed. It's a shame they don't do 17" steelies though

Lum · 20 Aug 2011 at 16:46

I ended up going for a set of 16" Nissan Primera Sport alloys that I got off eBay for £21.03.

Sure they look crap and the owner has sprayed them black without removing the tyres, and they came with 4 different brands of ditchfinder fitted and I'd never buy a car off the guy, but they will be fine for this purpose.

Incidentally I have a set of BK Racing 16"x7JJ multifit alloys to shift, 4x100 and 4x108. The guy who sold them to me gave me the wrong PCD, so they're no good to me. Anyone want them?

mattyfez · 20 Aug 2011 at 17:40

mjt said:
Indeed. It's a shame they don't do 17" steelies though

With winter tyres though, surely you would be better with a smaller wheel and a higher profile tyre?

Lum · 20 Aug 2011 at 17:43

Only if that smaller wheel will fit over your brakes, which is often not the case on performance cars.

mattyfez · 20 Aug 2011 at 18:01

Lum said:
Only if that smaller wheel will fit over your brakes, which is often not the case on performance cars.

Very true, I don't think mine will take less than a 16" due to the brakes.

mjt · 21 Aug 2011 at 10:39

mattyfez said:
Very true, I don't think mine will take less than a 16" due to the brakes.

It really doesn't matter, as ContiWinterContact TS810s are absolutely amazing, and they go all the way up to 20". Although that'll cost you about £1500 for 4.

Lum · 21 Aug 2011 at 16:13

mjt said:
It really doesn't matter, as ContiWinterContact TS810s are absolutely amazing, and they go all the way up to 20". Although that'll cost you about £1500 for 4.

Hence the discussion about fitting 16" winter wheels if possible. Will cost you less than a quarter of that price!