jimboy said:

Trump or chump, I said this over four years ago regarding the DONALD as he is referred to here in the Highlands. I would have put money on that he wouldn’t become president. How wrong was I. I’m not going to go over what’s already said about him, but for me it’s almost personal. As a lad back in the 60s I played and roamed at Balmedie beach, a playground that was a magical place for many reasons. Later on in life I took girlfriends there, but that’s a different story.

Balmedie is/was a place of scientific interest regarding the dunes and wildlife. No chance of building anything. Along comes Trump and waves his greenbacks about, saying he will provide houses hotels jobs for hundreds of people if he can build a golf course, money would flood in to the area. Aberdeen council fall for his in my eyes, lies. Councillors and local businessmen back Trump, a councillor is even sacked for voting against the scheme.

Trump bullied people living in the beach area, belittling them in the media to get them out. It really became quite nasty. He even resorted to cutting off water supplies to a household claiming it was an accident while building started he tried to interfere with things such as trying to stop the wind turbines being erected offshore in view from his golf course. A step too far. Right from the start things never materialised, fast forward to present time, no housing, no extra hotel, very little jobs, and his golf course is losing money yearly.

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That's all pretty shocking regarding the golf course. We have a lot of crap like that here, with 'green belt' areas that were supposedly protected being tore up for IRA drug lords to build their countryside homes (and I'm sure other groups too, with a strange hold on the councils)

Now I'd not have the sound on unless you don't mind the c-bomb..

But this pretty much sums up why I give SUV drivers a hard time.

Audi Suv...slippery hill...stationary car at the bottom. Well let's hope that 4wd, 500kg of unnecessary weight and summer tyres combine into magic..

https://www.thepoke.co.uk/2021/01/1...Pq56YyUALGVCHhNccdtvtKwlP3HQOOu5F-kQx0Kx3jbxc

StevenRB45 said:

Now I'd not have the sound on unless you don't mind the c-bomb..

But this pretty much sums up why I give SUV drivers a hard time.

Audi Suv...slippery hill...stationary car at the bottom. Well let's hope that 4wd, 500kg of unnecessary weight and summer tyres combine into magic..

https://www.thepoke.co.uk/2021/01/1...Pq56YyUALGVCHhNccdtvtKwlP3HQOOu5F-kQx0Kx3jbxc

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Ouch, the moment of terror in that first video to begin with as it slid down... Do you reckon winter tyres would have helped it to stop? If so they seem to be worth more than most people think when they roll their eyes at me mentioning wanting to invest in a set.

The bus driver did a good job to stop it but definitely lucky... In his defence I suppose he's probably got to try and do his route?

SB1500 said:

Ouch, the moment of terror in that first video to begin with as it slid down... Do you reckon winter tyres would have helped it to stop? If so they seem to be worth more than most people think when they roll their eyes at me mentioning wanting to invest in a set.

The bus driver did a good job to stop it but definitely lucky... In his defence I suppose he's probably got to try and do his route?

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Rather than give a yes no answer I'm going to post some of the videos that changed my opinions from winter tyres are pointless to having 3pmsf marked all seasons on both the cars.

First this comparisons at different temps not involving snow at all really:
https://youtu.be/3N6PGrQ5imw

All seasons that are on the Citroën vs Summer tyre with AWD https://youtu.be/3N6PGrQ5imw

Winter vs Summer and AWD
https://youtu.be/atayHQYqA3g

I know it's YouTube research but this channel is definitely worth going through the tests.

Short answer they aren't magic but the right tyres and bit less speed and he'd probably have been ok.

I've seen so many similar clips. So many people lock up their wheels, and from there they're just a passenger. If you keep the wheel rotating, some steering control may be possible.
The car at the bottom of the hill seemed to just sit and await the bump. Makes me wonder how they got sideways.
Sadly, another vid in portrait mode. Is it so much to ask to turn it 90 degrees?

Slight variation on winter tyres. When I worked as a care worker in winter, the main roads were fine without winter tyres driving to the conditions ie not going too fast. In town however early house calls saw me first thing in the morning on wee back streets with the smallest of gradients and my car struggling to make any headway, and at times impossible.

Fast forward to me putting my winter wheels with winter tyres on, and what a difference, plenty of traction all round.

Even in just cold conditions, damp or dry roads, no snow, winter tyres will perform so much better than summers.
Tuesday, when I went shopping, I was chased out of the town by a lad in an old Audi A3. Panda on its winters, I just drove normally, which is quite spirited on that particular road. Country road, not too wide, bumpy and adverse camber corners.
Idiot tried deperately to keep up, then started getting seriously out of control. I slowed down a lot, so he could keep up without crashing. Thankfully lost him when I stopped at a farm shop for some eggs.

portland_bill said:

Sadly, another vid in portrait mode. Is it so much to ask to turn it 90 degrees?

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that does my nut in too.

StevenRB45 said:

Rather than give a yes no answer I'm going to post some of the videos that changed my opinions from winter tyres are pointless to having 3pmsf marked all seasons on both the cars.

First this comparisons at different temps not involving snow at all really:
https://youtu.be/3N6PGrQ5imw

All seasons that are on the Citroën vs Summer tyre with AWD https://youtu.be/3N6PGrQ5imw

Winter vs Summer and AWD
https://youtu.be/atayHQYqA3g

I know it's YouTube research but this channel is definitely worth going through the tests.

Short answer they aren't magic but the right tyres and bit less speed and he'd probably have been ok.

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Damn, you've made my next tyre decision a lot harder. I was looking forward to getting the Michelin Pilot Sport 4's for the DS. The PS3's on it I assume are from factory, and I might be singing their praises a bit too much due to lack of experience with this sort of thing, but this car just sticks to the road, even if I mistakenly floor it around a corner at 60 it's very hard, even on a wet day, to lose grip in the way that in the Panda (even with new tyres) on a wet day I'd get understeer unless I was careful and slowed down in the run up to a corner. I put it down to the Michelin's (Summer tyres I believe?) and the 'sports suspension' which every other minute, makes me miss the softer suspension of the Panda lol It might be the car, not the tyres and the difference due to that? But I don't know for sure.


Maybe I should go for those Goodyear Vector 4Seasons instead though? The improved MPG and whatnot of the diesel can probably afford to take a hit in the name of safety and still come out economical enough. I'd just hate to lose that fun 'sticking to the road' in the good weather.



One thing the DS can't compete with the Panda in is on snow / ice handling. I think it was Goodyear Efficient Grip on my second Panda last year (new on the front axle) and it handled as well as the 169 / very predictable, easy to bring back to under control when things get slippy. Again, not sure if it's the weight or tyres or something else, but the Panda won their. Haven't been out much in the DS in ice / snow, but last week turned back from going for a walk as it was pretty icy and even driving down the street was making the traction control kick-in so I thought best not risk it for the sake of a walk... I'm pretty certain the Panda woulnd't have had an issue as it wasn't an especially cold day compared to recent years and I never remember thinking the Panda would get dodgy as easily in the ice/snow.



Worth sticking with the Michelins or switching to the GoodYears in the video?

SB1500 said:

Worth sticking with the Michelins or switching to the GoodYears in the video?

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Well in your tyre size you have the option of either Michelin CC+ or Bridgestone weather control A005.

Bridgestone came joint top with the Goodyear in this test but Michelin is better tyre for summer use.
https://youtu.be/gHph1mDtCbQ

During our last pile of snow an idiot in a Volvo 4x4 SUV on winter treads came flinging out out of the school car park doing a right turn. Idiot as there were kids about and idiot because 4x4 does nothing for brakes and steering.

The car slid sideways and hit the kerb on the opposite side of the road with a heck of a smack. It doubt the wheels or the bearings had much life after that. Who knows if the suspension survived undamaged.

4x4 can get you to places that 2wd cannot (eg up a hill). But it might not be able to get you out again (eg down that same hill with effectively no brakes).

I’ve run winter tyres for about a decade now. Won’t not have the , the difference is night and day, and that 8n East Anglia where we don’t even get much snow

Aye, our house is at the bottom of a wee hill, not steep, opposite a primary school, four speed bumps. Young mothers seem to be the worst drivers, SUVs usually the weapon of choice. I cannot believe the speed they do at times, bouncing over the speed bumps, there have been minor bumps. Drop off and pick up times when the school is open is a mini nightmare, three abreast yapping away unconcerned at any other driver who actually wants to pass and go on their journey.

jimboy said:

Aye, our house is at the bottom of a wee hill, not steep, opposite a primary school, four speed bumps. Young mothers seem to be the worst drivers, SUVs usually the weapon of choice. I cannot believe the speed they do at times, bouncing over the speed bumps, there have been minor bumps. Drop off and pick up times when the school is open is a mini nightmare, three abreast yapping away unconcerned at any other driver who actually wants to pass and go on their journey.

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There is a private school on a single track road i am having to use between my unit and home due to road works, every person picking the kids up has a 4x4 and treats this single tack road with blind bens like a one way road, even now in lockdown there are loads of them, i had no idea so many key workers sent their kids to private school.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

I’ve run winter tyres for about a decade now. Won’t not have the , the difference is night and day, and that 8n East Anglia where we don’t even get much snow

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For me I wasn't necessarily looking for snow performance, it needs to move and stop obviously but I'm not going to be attempting normal road speeds in snow so that will do.

However the performance on frosty mornings and in rain below 7 degrees is absolutely different to a summer tyre. On the all seasons you get a very stable performance year round, so maybe 90-95% of dedicated summer or winter tyre performance (although without the steering feel summer tyres provide) without faffing on changing wheels.

Accidentally posted same video twice earlier..there's a temperature/performance comparison of all seasons/winter/summer tyres that is just dry and wet + a snow lap.

https://youtu.be/bKtnczk8Mxk

was meant to be the 1st link..

DaveMcT said:

During our last pile of snow an idiot in a Volvo 4x4 SUV on winter treads came flinging out out of the school car park doing a right turn. Idiot as there were kids about and idiot because 4x4 does nothing for brakes and steering.

The car slid sideways and hit the kerb on the opposite side of the road with a heck of a smack. It doubt the wheels or the bearings had much life after that. Who knows if the suspension survived undamaged.

4x4 can get you to places that 2wd cannot (eg up a hill). But it might not be able to get you out again (eg down that same hill with effectively no brakes).

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Yup. No matter how good the vehicle it's useless without a functioning brain behind the wheel!

dave said:

There is a private school on a single track road i am having to use between my unit and home due to road works, every person picking the kids up has a 4x4 and treats this single tack road with blind bens like a one way road, even now in lockdown there are loads of them, i had no idea so many key workers sent their kids to private school.

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There’s a bit of money here with some families, it’s the well heeled who have the biggest SUVs the likes of Porsche or Mercedes who seem to have no patience and see their needs are far more important than anyone else. On the odd occasion I’ve tried to point out there lack of driving skills, they just blanc me.

This is a wee village and if the little lady runs back to hubby, things can get awkward, this doesn’t bother me too much, but village life is best kept tranquil.

jimboy said:

This is a wee village and if the little lady runs back to hubby, things can get awkward, this doesn’t bother me too much, but village life is best kept tranquil.

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Haha. I know the feeling. I have to be very restrained on my village FB community group. It’s worrying some of the morons that live in the vicinity!

jimboy said:

There’s a bit of money here with some families, it’s the well heeled who have the biggest SUVs the likes of Porsche or Mercedes who seem to have no patience and see their needs are far more important than anyone else. On the odd occasion I’ve tried to point out there lack of driving skills, they just blanc me.

This is a wee village and if the little lady runs back to hubby, things can get awkward, this doesn’t bother me too much, but village life is best kept tranquil.

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They have no choice but to back up to the parking space they have just gone to fast to stop in when they come up against my 5 ton sprinter.
I once watched one of them help people to buy a car tv shows and the lady buyer said to the presenter she wanted a 4x4 so she would have the right of way, he said nothing :bang:

they also dont like it if i am in front as i wont do more than 20 mph too much mud to stop when going fast and there are loads of walkers using the same road

Most Easterly Pandas said:

I’ve run winter tyres for about a decade now. Won’t not have the , the difference is night and day, and that 8n East Anglia where we don’t even get much snow

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I have a set in the shed, ready and waiting, but we have had one day with 1/4 inch of snow. Couple that with virtually no driving, only to the shop and back, and I might even get a discount on my next insurance.