General Which winter tyres are people going for

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General Which winter tyres are people going for

With out the **** take pictures. How does a Rain Tyre perform in the snow etc? That's what the side of my tyres say and they perform very well all year round. Well to me they do. In the colder months I just drive slower and if it's snowing then I don't use first gear or my brake (use my gears to slow). I've used such tyres through two winters now this will be my third. And I've avoided any sort of problem. Think I skidded slightly once going down a hill but surely that would happen to any type of tyre?
 
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With out the **** take pictures. How does a Rain Tyre perform in the snow etc? That's what the side of my tyres say and they perform very well all year round. Well to me they do. In the colder months I just drive slower and if it's snowing then I don't use first gear or my brake (use my gears to slow). I've used such tyres through two winters now this will be my third. And I've avoided any sort of problem. Think I skidded slightly once going down a hill but surely that would happen to any type of tyre?

With winter tyres you could use your brakes and 1st gear.
You'd be amazed at the difference a proper winter tyre will give you.



Ffwd to 1:15.

Winter tyres have a significant advantage over 4 season tyres too during the cold weather months of course.
 
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I know Rob, but a set of alloys is yet another expense and the tyres are more expensive. Recommending the 14" option was simply my opinion based upon experience and price :) Plus, it's nice to have to not worry about kerbing wheels :) If people want to go for 15, 16 or even 17" wheels then that's their choice :)

Simple query (sorry - not too technical, older and not too practical at the moment). Running 2012 standard 500 Lounge with standard alloys/tyres which presume is 15 inch with 185/55. Going to get set of steel rims and winter tyres (from mytryes). Simple queries:

1. Will going to 175/65 R14 be OK (i.e. ride height etc..) or do I have to stay with R15s?

2. Any views on best of the three you recommend for a 500 for cold AND snow- Continental WinterContract, Michelin Alpin A4 or Dunlop SP Winter response? All about same price.

3. Do I need hub caps for the steel rims

4. If buy with steel rims from mytyres will they come fitted to rim and balanced or will need to get this sorted locally? Are they delivered to a dealer, home or can I use a mobile fitter?

thanks

Paul
 
1 You will be fine.
2 Don't know. I have Vredesteins.
3 No, purely personal choice.
4 They come ready to fit. Just get someone to jack the car up and swap the wheels for you. 20 minute job even using the tiddly jack that comes with the car.
 
1 You will be fine.
2 Don't know. I have Vredesteins.
3 No, purely personal choice.
4 They come ready to fit. Just get someone to jack the car up and swap the wheels for you. 20 minute job even using the tiddly jack that comes with the car.

1 What RobinPJ said :)(y)
2 I have Vredesteins, if I were buying now it would be Conti's
3 No, purely personal choice. But IMHO it does look better with the wheel covers
4 What RobinPJ said :)(y)
 
Rob and Maxi

Many thanks for clear and helpful replies. Will probably go for Contis as pretty much sticking a pin to choose between the three and had Contis on my bike !

Cheers
 
On advice here have ordered 14inch steel wheels with Contis WinterContact TS800 and tried via topcashback again (the once used it before JohnLewis insurance never came through and no joy on chasing). Also till 20 Sept they have 3% early bird discount which is useful.

Two Queries about wheel trims - lost of ebay ones advertised with lost of different looks - all said to be suitable for 500.
1. Will they all fit (even if they have "5 bolt" look?
2. Looking for Fiat original style and seen these recommended http://goo.gl/BmJRm in FiatForum. Are they similar to originals and how do you access the members offers in FiatForum - presumably after donation?

thanks
 
I am pretty sure any 14 inch trim will fit - the bolts are irrelevant as they fit against the outside rim of the wheel.

The ones you linked to are original equipment - proper Fiat ones. The price is for each one though, not a set of four.
 
see response from ABI about the winter tyres statement

From: [email protected]
Subject: Contact ABI Request : General Enquiries
Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:58:03 +0000

Dear xxx,

An updated version will be released within the next few weeks.

We do not anticipate any major changes.

Kind regards,
Scott




Scott Pendry
Policy Adviser, Motor
General Insurance Directorate
[email protected]

T: 020 7216 7518
M: 07595 106786



Association of British Insurers
51 Gresham Street
London
EC2V 7HQ

From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 19 September 2012 12:00
To: Info_ABINOTES_GB
Subject: Contact ABI Request : General Enquiries

Dear General Enquiries,
The following Contact Message has been received :
Query Type: General Enquiries
Title: Mr
First Name: xxx
Surname: xxx
Telephone Number:
Email Address: xxx

Contact by Email?: Yes
Contact by Telephone?: No
Subject: winter tyres statement
Message: http://www.abi.org.uk/Information/C...r_Tyres__The_Motor_Insurance_Committment.aspx

This Confirmation will apply from 22 November 2011 until 31 August 2012 at which time it will be reviewed.

Is there an updated statement being prepared?
Info


[email protected]
 
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Seeing as though I'm bored..

Met Office are predicting a chilly winter at the moment :) Obviously too early to make any concrete predictions but it could be a good winter if it turns out like this :) I will continue to post stuff like this as the winter gets closer if anyone is interested.
2cat_20120901_temp2m_months24_global_deter_public.png

2cat_20120901_temp2m_months35_global_deter_public.png

2cat_20120901_temp2m_months46_global_deter_public.png
 
Seeing as though I'm bored..

Met Office are predicting a chilly winter at the moment :) Obviously too early to make any concrete predictions but it could be a good winter if it turns out like this :) I will continue to post stuff like this as the winter gets closer if anyone is interested.

(y)

i will be changing to winters this weekend or next as i have to go to the North in a few weeks time
 
A good winter is one where there's no snow sticking to the roads, no icy pavements to fall a**e over t*t on, & one where I can still afford to eat after paying the heating bills :).

Sorry, I meant a good winter for those who like snow. I'm well aware that when it snows or is very cold then lots of people have trouble with money, getting to work and some, well some people just die.
 
Sorry, I meant a good winter for those who like snow. I'm well aware that when it snows or is very cold then lots of people have trouble with money, getting to work and some, well some people just die.

Sounds like you should move to Chamonix!
 
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