Hi there, Can anyone advise.....
I want to put winter tyres on my 2010 Panda. It has the factory fitted 155/80 R13 tyres on at the moment.

I just cant get hold of any winter tyres this size and I have really been trying. My local tyre dealer has suggested I use 175.70 R13 - more readily available - but I'm worried they might rub against something as they are a diffent size even though the "rolling radius" is the same.

I'm out of my depth here. Help.

Many tx

http://camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m11b0s659p0

Wow - that was quick. Thank you. I have called them and they are completely out of the 155/80 R13. Waiting for new stock which in the case of the Vredesteins is Feb 2011!!!!!! I'm to keep an eye on the website for new stock. Very friendly people.

This may be costly but half the problem is that winter tyres are not used much in the UK. It might be worth seeing much they would cost to import from Europe. I am sure there are plenty of places where both the Panda and winter tyres are extremely popular.

Why do you need winter tyres anyway? I am guessing you live in a very snowy area or you are just worried about a repeat of last year.

PErsonally I found Pneus Online to be much better than Camskill. Unlike the latter, their online stock indicator told the truth. Tyres come from Europe, so stocks are more reliable.

http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk

Phil

Sorted!!!! Brian at Camskill is THE top man. He has managed to find me some Sava Eskimo S2s 155/80 R13 and put them up on their website (see prev: post) for me to order. They will take about 6 days . He said he had about 200, so if anyone els is looking for them, get in quick!!

Hi JD82, just read your post. Yes, I live down a long single track lane in the Cotswold and last year I couldnt get out for quite a while. Had to depend on my partner's 4WD. Will do better this winter.

I bought two winter tires Sava Eskimo S2 155-80-13.....They are very good

A beautiful evening ..

http://www.magistral.ro/anvelope/detalii/1674/Anvelope+SAVA/ESKIMO+S2-155-80-R13.html

www.Mytyres.co.uk are very good too and at the height of winter last year my Vredestein's came from Germany to North Wales in about 3 or 4 days.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~fenix1983/Files/500/Wintertyres/

Don't go for a wider tyre, it'll be WORSE in the snow and reduce fuel economy.

johans fiat said:

I bought two winter tires Sava Eskimo S2 155-80-13.....They are very good

A beautiful evening ..

http://www.magistral.ro/anvelope/detalii/1674/Anvelope+SAVA/ESKIMO+S2-155-80-R13.html

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your best off if you can getting all 4 changed 2 for the front for drive and steering (in the case of the panda) and the other 2 to keep the back end in line with the front......

I'd recommend you go and buy another two. You need all 4 wheels to be winter tyres.

johans fiat said:

I bought two winter tires Sava Eskimo S2 155-80-13.....They are very good

A beautiful evening ..

http://www.magistral.ro/anvelope/detalii/1674/Anvelope+SAVA/ESKIMO+S2-155-80-R13.html

Click to expand...

I've used Continental WinterContacts this past 4 winters. I have found them great. They give good grip in the cold and were great in the snow. You still need to look out for the ice but all in all, I've been well impressed. I've just ordered a second set to replace my old set as 2 are getting to look a bit worn, but 4 winters use for one set isn't bad.

That was quick. Didn't expect to get them so quick. Ordered on Wednesday, arrived on Thursday!

Wee Smurf said:

I'd recommend you go and buy another two. You need all 4 wheels to be winter tyres.

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As stated above
You Must always replace all 4 if you go for winter tyres
Winter tyres offer superior grip in anything under 7 degrees, due to their softer high silica compound. You risk a 360 spin if you have more grip on the front than the rear bit like mixing crossply and radials
Some tyre dealers in the UK are offering the euro soution of a tyre hotel so your summer tyres can be stored and then put back on in march and the winter tyres stored
Kwik fit are one i believe. You could also get some patern spare rims and fit the winters to them if you have storage space.
I think if we get a repeat of last years winter weather, winter tyres will become much more common and while they are on, your not wearing out your summer tyres
To all the doubters asto winter tyres worth, it only takes the saving one minor prang to recoup the cost of the tyres, think about it
Oh and the fealing of smugness as you can go up that hill hat everyone else is stuck on , and thats before you add 4x4
Nige

If you can't find full fat winter tyres in your size then perhaps try all-season tyres. They are on offer in Europe and the US and do a pretty good job in winter. Since your Panda already has narrow tyres and is FWD this combo will probably be sufficient for most winter uses. Look on Mytyres.co.uk for some good examples.

Example tyre is the Vredestein Quatrac. I've just put 2 on the front of our Golf GTi (which could not get up our street in the snow fitted with Continental SportContacts, even when the Panda 100HP with fat Goodyear F1s could).

For a spare set seicento's and cinquecento's share that size steelie

Just fitted a set of the Sava Eskimos from Mytyres.co.uk on to our little Active. (MyTyres are based in Germany, but they came in 3 days)

Wow, well worth the £118. They're even gripping the icy packed snow with little trouble.
I gave the brakes a good prod, the abs kicked in, but they pulled me up far soon than I would have thought, just hope they don't wear to quickly and lose their grip.

littleblue said:

My local tyre dealer has suggested I use 175.70 R13 - more readily available - but I'm worried they might rub against something as they are a diffent size even though the "rolling radius" is the same.

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I was in the same situation, 155/80 R13 tyres were completely sold out everywhere I tried, but one place had a single set of Michelin Alpin A4 (nice!) in 175/70 R13, so I got those. I highly recommend the Michelins, stellar grip both in the dry and the wet and of course impeccable in snow. Even if you mash the pedal like a dunce they'll pull completely true and get you through most stuff. With proper throttle control you'll get the car stuck on its belly long before the tyres give up.

There's no rubbing at all, not even at full lock going over bumps. 155/80, 165/75 and 175/70 will all fit on the stock 13" wheels.

You may want to add 3-4 psi to each tyre compared to the stock size, but other than that, you'll never know the difference

I've just been out err, "testing" in Tescos carpark, I could get them to give up grip if I was silly! (there's on IF's about it!) They slip for a second, then dig in.

But they're 100% better than the Eco Contacts that I struggled to work on this morning.

I have a pair of Debica winter tyres on Panda wheels for sale. Only covered 1000 miles and are in excellent condition. I'd send them by courier. Bargain at £90 including postage. Call me (Jack) 07909145577