Now that I’ve got a new Panda and it’s more realistic to assume it’ll last for another 10 years, it’s finally not a bad idea to invest in winter tyres. Though other than looking for good tyres, I’ll also assumably need four new steel wheels of the right spec.

Where can I get good steels?
Also, might as well get a fifth for a spare too.

I was planning on using KwikFit if I were to order tyres via them, assuming I tell them I want my wheel trims to be unharmed and can literally watch through the viewing window as they do it!

Do you need to store the unused set of tyres anywhere special, or is garden shed in the shade good enough?

What sort of winter tyres do you recommend and why?

For summers I plan on using the factory Good years and buying the same each time renewal comes around. I’m convinced it’s worth having a set despite the fact we never get snow due to the temperature and the days and days of wet roads and the difference that makes.

How often do your winter tyres tend to last and when is right to switch over?

These guys are good for wheels, and tyres if you can get them fitted, but many tyre shops will not fit your own tyres.
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/

As with summer tyres, a reasonable brand name will be fine. When browsing the long list of brands, pop each into Google and see who the parent company is. Any minor brand owned by a major will be fine.
e.g. Kleber, Riken and Tigar are owned by Michelin.
Semperit and Uniroyal are owned by Continental.
Firestone and Dunlop are part of the Bridgestone empire.

Avoid Kwik-Fit.

Storage needs to be in the dark, to prevent premature ageing.
Ideally, on their side, but the wheels supported so not resting on the tyres.
https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/...Kp_rcJZNeWSCt9Ib-TxzTiO7wl1lKW6xoCN_kQAvD_BwE
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153473486291

I'd avoid that horrible tyre place. There's a lot of much better independents around who'll give you a good price.

I used Continental WinterContacts on the yellow peril. They were good but not very hard wearing. I then tried Michelin Alpins and they were great - not as noisy, longer wearing. I then however had to revert back to Continentals as I couldn't get the right size anymore in Michelin. I did like them better second time around as they had been upgraded in the years in between.

I tend to use a local place and pre-order my tyres a week before I need them. I've already got my second set of wheels for Max the Mito.

Just out of interest... Is there much difference in size between the 14s alloys on the 169 and the 312 Panda?

How much tread remaining on existing tyres? Toyo and Avon summer tyres in my experience being super soft were decent in cold weather and snow at least in the short term. All season tyres could be useful. Standard Goodyear on this shape Panda okay in cold weather (until try braking in snow).

This useful. https://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/r...5Kr5yTuf9cPhnpfhP5TWANylWkW_9EPhoCxFEQAvD_BwE

These as good as you'd get. https://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/r...n=&Label=E-B-68-1&details=Ordern&typ=R-280066

portland_bill said:

These guys are good for wheels, and tyres if you can get them fitted, but many tyre shops will not fit your own tyres.
https://www.oponeo.co.uk/

As with summer tyres, a reasonable brand name will be fine. When browsing the long list of brands, pop each into Google and see who the parent company is. Any minor brand owned by a major will be fine.
e.g. Kleber, Riken and Tigar are owned by Michelin.
Semperit and Uniroyal are owned by Continental.
Firestone and Dunlop are part of the Bridgestone empire.

Avoid Kwik-Fit.

Storage needs to be in the dark, to prevent premature ageing.
Ideally, on their side, but the wheels supported so not resting on the tyres.
https://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/...Kp_rcJZNeWSCt9Ib-TxzTiO7wl1lKW6xoCN_kQAvD_BwE
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153473486291

Click to expand...

Dunlop belong to the Goodyear empire not Bridgestone.

Continental ContiWinterContact TS 860.

Wee Smurf said:

Just out of interest... Is there much difference in size between the 14s alloys on the 169 and the 312 Panda?

Click to expand...

Nope, both 5.5x14” ET/offset 35, pcd 4x98, centre hole 58.1

The Pretender said:

Nope, both 5.5x14” ET/offset 35, pcd 4x98, centre hole 58.1

Click to expand...

In that case Shane, if you're after a set of 14' alloys from a 169 Panda, I have a complete set with centres and locking wheel bolts available if you're interested. They currently have Uniroyal Rainexpert tyres on, three of which are almost new and the fourth is new with stickers still on. You might be able to do a deal somewhere with the tyres? I was going to put them on Gumtree for £200 as the tyres are basically new.

Wee Smurf said:

In that case Shane, if you're after a set of 14' alloys from a 169 Panda, I have a complete set with centres and locking wheel bolts available if you're interested. They currently have Uniroyal Rainexpert tyres on, three of which are almost new and the fourth is new with stickers still on. You might be able to do a deal somewhere with the tyres? I was going to put them on Gumtree for £200 as the tyres are basically new.

Click to expand...

Are you 100% they’ll fit and be safe on the newer shape Panda? If they’re about come September I’d be happy to buy them. But I know that’s a bit far off now. Just as I’ve just bought the car keeping expenses on the low for a while. But still planning hence the thread!

SB1500 said:

Are you 100% they’ll fit and be safe on the newer shape Panda? If they’re about come September I’d be happy to buy them. But I know that’s a bit far off now. Just as I’ve just bought the car keeping expenses on the low for a while. But still planning hence the thread!

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Shane. If you want them, I've no problem in holding on to them. They're only sitting at the side of my garage beside the 13s with the continental WinterContacts I've not gotten around to advertising yet either! One day I'll get organised

Thinking about it... Perhaps having three sets of wheels for one car was a wee bit excessive.

I'll stick with just the two sets for Max.

probably too late but I now always / only use Nokians after reviewing Autobild and other similar winter tyre tests on line. Buy through Tyre leader and find a local friendly garage to fit.
The Nokians are superb in the winter / snow and have been developed by the Scandinavians who know what they are doing. Panda is almost unstoppable with these and we use them all year now - easy, just a little noisier perhaps but they are wearing really well / surprisingly slowly

Buy a set of good late panda alloys, fit the winter tyres to your existing steel wheels.

Wait till the current tyres need replacing.

90% of the time you don’t need winter tyres here in the U.K. so it’s fine to carry on with your current tyres till they actually need replacing. I would recommend nokians as well I had them on my Punto and they where exceptional in the cold weather.

Personally with UK weather
Unless you live in the Scottish Highlands id just stick up with all seasons
If you live in Scotland I'd day winter's are a necessity

Panda wheels are available new on erBay for under £40 a corner.

chris3234 said:

Personally with UK weather
Unless you live in the Scottish Highlands id just stick up with all seasons
If you live in Scotland I'd day winter's are a necessity

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We put all seasons on our campevan recently. (Also moved down from 19" to 18" wheels) - can't say I've noticed any less grip than the low profile summer tyres on it before, but on a damp camp site, I now no longer worry about getting off the grass.

Not tried them in winter yet - but I guess they're going to be great.

(They're N607+ if interested)

Worth bearing in mind that 'winter' tyres are not just for snow, but for any time the temperature drops below 7C as this is the point below which 'summer' tyres become less effective. There are plenty of cold, wet days in autumn and winter where the temperature is less than that and where the added grip will be noticed.

chris3234 said:

Personally with UK weather
Unless you live in the Scottish Highlands id just stick up with all seasons
If you live in Scotland I'd day winter's are a necessity

Click to expand...

Hi.
Highlands yes a good winter tyre would be a necessity. Last winter here on the west coast in Ayrshire I think we just had one or perhaps two days of slight snow, in fact on those days I wasn't out anyway. I've found the Panda quite grippy anyway in snow and common sense with the right and middle pedals plus keeping a good distance from vehicles in front is the best advice for driving in snow and ice.

Winter tyres in scandanavian countries are pretty much essential as are engine block heaters, and heated seats.

Here in the UK even our worst winters are comparatively mild and you'll probably not gain much from having winter tyres. Its all a bit of a con by the tyre companies to sell more tyres. Also while the compounds they use in winter tyres might be good for sub 7 degree temperatures, they also wear quicker and they are only good for 2- 3 mm of wear before the benefits are lost, they are no longer any good as winter tyres but might have 5- 6 mm of tread left.

Also if you don't have many winters that need them after you buy them and you don't use them the rubber compound will still deteriorate despite lack of use and you end up throwing away perfectly good tyres with loads of treat but not safe on the car as they have become too old.

All rounder tyres are probably best here.

That said I towed my wife's Mini Countryman out of a snow drift with my golf when the beast of the east hit, I have OEM bridgestone Turanza's on my golf which are summer tyres. and still towed a 1600kg SUV on snow. ironically the Mini has the same tyres.