General Which winter tyres are people going for

[GoGas]

Just as follow up. Tyres (Complete R14 Continental WinterContact TS800) arrived and just wanted to recommend as others have done mytyres.co.uk . Excellent price. Ordered Wednesday and arrived Monday morning even though predicted time was 7 days and came from Germany. £340 for set of wheels with top rated tyres for winter is so good wonder why not everybody uses them (perhaps government should mandate their use as countries do in Europe).

Only question is when to change based on the prediction - guess mid-late October as living in Yorkshire.

 

[ahmett]

Just as follow up. Tyres (Complete R14 Continental WinterContact TS800) arrived and just wanted to recommend as others have done mytyres.co.uk . Excellent price. Ordered Wednesday and arrived Monday morning even though predicted time was 7 days and came from Germany. £340 for set of wheels with top rated tyres for winter is so good wonder why not everybody uses them (perhaps government should mandate their use as countries do in Europe).

Only question is when to change based on the prediction - guess mid-late October as living in Yorkshire.

Nice one.
I am against the govt making it mandatory, its an extra cost for bankrupt motorists who have to pay millions for insurance and fuel as it is. It should be a choice, if you want it go and get it if you dont and a few days a year when its not safe to go out without winters cook some microwave lasagne and have a relaxxed time home, or take the train.

Europe is a failed continent, i dont think its good for the UK to start following their example. Stay with the Pound!

 

[RobinPJ]

Just as follow up. Tyres (Complete R14 Continental WinterContact TS800) arrived and just wanted to recommend as others have done mytyres.co.uk . Excellent price. Ordered Wednesday and arrived Monday morning even though predicted time was 7 days and came from Germany. £340 for set of wheels with top rated tyres for winter is so good wonder why not everybody uses them (perhaps government should mandate their use as countries do in Europe).

Only question is when to change based on the prediction - guess mid-late October as living in Yorkshire.

Just keep an eye on the forecast and your diary - it really is so easy to change them that you can hang on until the first proper cold snap is about to hit.

That said, I ended up leaving mine on last spring longer than I intended. I thought that the warmer weather might be wearing them down a lot, but in fact it didn't at all (well, not noticably anyway). So don't fret if you put them on when cold/bad weather is forecast and it then warms up a little.

 

[306maxi]

Just keep an eye on the forecast and your diary - it really is so easy to change them that you can hang on until the first proper cold snap is about to hit.

That said, I ended up leaving mine on last spring longer than I intended. I thought that the warmer weather might be wearing them down a lot, but in fact it didn't at all (well, not noticably anyway). So don't fret if you put them on when cold/bad weather is forecast and it then warms up a little.

Completely agree.

Obviously if the temperatures are going to get down to freezing you want your winter tyres on, but there is usually a big window of time to get them on and I wouldn't panic about getting them on too early or too late

As silly as it sounds you'll know when to put them on. You will feel your summer tyres starting to lose grip and pulling out of junctions on greasy roads you start to get wheelspin if you're giving it a bit of throttle.

To be perfectly honest, the weather we've got now is perfect winter tyre weather. Winter tyres clear water very well and resist aquaplaning rather admirably.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Nice one.
I am against the govt making it mandatory, its an extra cost for bankrupt motorists who have to pay millions for insurance and fuel as it is. It should be a choice, if you want it go and get it if you dont and a few days a year when its not safe to go out without winters cook some microwave lasagne and have a relaxxed time home, or take the train.

An extra up front cost, but once that cost has been incourred it never has to be again, as your summer tyres last twice as long.

 

[Super Uwe]

An extra up front cost, but once that cost has been incourred it never has to be again, as your summer tyres last twice as long.

Absolutely - spot on there.

I suppose you could even argue that your summer tyres could last even longer as they are not going to be in use during the winter months when they degrade the most? And vice versa for the winter tyres being used during their optimum period as well.

Either way they are a worthwhile investment; the peace of mind they provide is invaluable as well (although don't read that as me being complacent when driving in snow!)

 

[306maxi]

Absolutely - spot on there.

I suppose you could even argue that your summer tyres could last even longer as they are not going to be in use during the winter months when they degrade the most? And vice versa for the winter tyres being used during their optimum period as well.

Either way they are a worthwhile investment; the peace of mind they provide is invaluable as well (although don't read that as me being complacent when driving in snow!)

Exactly. If you're keeping a car long enough then you will make a SAVING! My car is about 10% more economical during the winter due to its tyres as well......

Plus most people tend not to value a couple of hundred quid more than their safety.

My winter tyres only cost me about £250 all in and have saved wear on my more expensive summer tyres and saved me fuel. It's an absolute nobrainer for me.

 

[dave]

tyres only last 5 years so might not save money, might end up having to chuck 2 sets away if you do low miles

 

[Hellcat]

Just as follow up. Tyres (Complete R14 Continental WinterContact TS800) arrived and just wanted to recommend as others have done mytyres.co.uk . Excellent price. Ordered Wednesday and arrived Monday morning even though predicted time was 7 days and came from Germany. £340 for set of wheels with top rated tyres for winter is so good wonder why not everybody uses them (perhaps government should mandate their use as countries do in Europe).

Only question is when to change based on the prediction - guess mid-late October as living in Yorkshire.

Whenever you want. Usual is when the temps you expect to drive in are around 10 degrees or lower, but winter tyres are fine in all conditions.

 

[306maxi]

Whenever you want. Usual is when the temps you expect to drive in are around 10 degrees or lower, but winter tyres are fine in all conditions.

Yup, in fact Continental recommend that if you only have one set of tyres, that they should be winter tyres.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Sisters got winters on the Stilo now as she got a puncture in the summer tyres which are going to be replaced in the new year anyway.

 

[GoGas]

Fitting my new 14" steel winter wheels in place of 15" standard Lounge TwinAir alloys and have query about the bolts. Do they protrude too much due to taper. I have posted details and pictures in this specific thread but wondered if people here who will have come across the problem can say if it is OK?

Thanks

 

[jrkitching]

Fitting my new 14" steel winter wheels in place of 15" standard Lounge TwinAir alloys and have query about the bolts. Do they protrude too much due to taper. I have posted details and pictures in this specific thread but wondered if people here who will have come across the problem can say if it is OK?

Thanks

The bolts are identical - you can stop worrying.

 

[dave]

Star Performer!

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rs..._pro_Seite=20&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi
ive always skipped past these as they are so cheap but today i clicked for some reason, and notice they have a good rating on Tyretest.com there is no EU lable for them yet.

is tyre test reliable they rate Vredestein Wintrac xtreme as good too but the new EU labeling on gives them an E for both sections

edit Star Performer SPTS AS 215/50 R17 95V XL have a "C" rating for wet breaking on EU label thats 2 above Vredestein Wintrac xtreme

 

[306maxi]

Star Performer!

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rs..._pro_Seite=20&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi
ive always skipped past these as they are so cheap but today i clicked for some reason, and notice they have a good rating on Tyretest.com there is no EU lable for them yet.

is tyre test reliable they rate Vredestein Wintrac xtreme as good too but the new EU labeling on gives them an E for both sections

edit Star Performer SPTS AS 215/50 R17 95V XL have a "C" rating for wet breaking on EU label thats 2 above Vredestein Wintrac xtreme

I bet they're properly ****

 

[306maxi]

Well, looks like next weekend might be changeover time. Still wondering whether to get winter tyres for the Panda. I think I should and the wife thinks I shouldn't

 

[Andy Monty]

Might be snowing by then Maxxi.....


http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/20021927

 

[RUI]

I put my winters on a couple of days ago, the weather forecast for where I am tomorrow is 18c.
Again this year I love the feel and the look of the 14's on the car.
If I can't get someone to sell me an abarth I think the 17's will be sold and I may but some steelies with sticky rubber for the summer.

 

[ahmett]

I put my winters on a couple of days ago, the weather forecast for where I am tomorrow is 18c.
Again this year I love the feel and the look of the 14's on the car.
If I can't get someone to sell me an abarth I think the 17's will be sold and I may but some steelies with sticky rubber for the summer.

I have to say the steelies look good on your car as it is black. Unless you get some black alloy rims, but obviously the steelies would be a much much cheaper option!

 

[London]

Hi. Newbie question. I assume that I need 14 inch steelies for my 500 T/A Lounge as the winter tyres are taller?

Is that it?