Winter tyres vol 2

Author
Discussion

jon-

16,511 posts

217 months

Friday 10th October 2014
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PlayersNo6 said:
Not strictly a winter tyre, but has anyone got experience of these all seasons :

http://falken-europe.com/tyre/details/99

Came second in last year's Autobild test. Need a new set of tyres for a W210 E class and these could fit the bill.
Did well this year too

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2014-All-Seas...

Suited to the UK climate imo

Oak Green

147 posts

150 months

Saturday 11th October 2014
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PaulV said:
Are 195/65R15 Nokian any good to you?
Do you have some available? I might be interested

rsv gone!

11,288 posts

242 months

Saturday 11th October 2014
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I have a 330 m-sport with staggered alloys. I want to sort some alloys and winters. I was thinking about 18s but not staggered. Anyone else run a similar car? What have you done?

Patrick Bateman

12,189 posts

175 months

Saturday 11th October 2014
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Bought 17's off ebay and gone with a square set up.

tjlees

1,382 posts

238 months

Sunday 12th October 2014
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rsv gone! said:
I have a 330 m-sport with staggered alloys. I want to sort some alloys and winters. I was thinking about 18s but not staggered. Anyone else run a similar car? What have you done?
Buy a set of m sports 18 off ebay, strip off the summers, put on some non run flat winters on, throw a tyre can in the back and check your recovery policy! You can sell the summers on ebay for a tidy profit in spring!


Otherwise it's a world of pain involving spacers and caught brake callipers if you have the m sport package ...

Fox-

13,241 posts

247 months

Sunday 12th October 2014
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tjlees said:
Otherwise it's a world of pain involving spacers and caught brake callipers if you have the m sport package ...
Well no it's not, there are numerous alloy sizes that fit quite happily on a 330 M Sport without issue - including a square 18 inch setup which will yield both cheaper tyres *and* better snow performance as they are a little narrower than the standard rears.

For a dedicated winter setup I can see no reason why you'd pick a set of wheels with a wider rear. Wider rears are about dry performance.

tjlees

1,382 posts

238 months

Sunday 12th October 2014
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Fox- said:
Well no it's not, there are numerous alloy sizes that fit quite happily on a 330 M Sport without issue - including a square 18 inch setup which will yield both cheaper tyres *and* better snow performance as they are a little narrower than the standard rears.

For a dedicated winter setup I can see no reason why you'd pick a set of wheels with a wider rear. Wider rears are about dry performance.
Are sure they fit the m sport package? (I.e bigger brakes) a lot of alloy guys I spoke to couldn't guarantee that.

Still would buy the m sport wheels and if you want 225 all the way round (and the ability to fit run flat winters) then buy only the 8Js. Added advantage is that when you come to sell you will almost get the money back on a set of genuine BMW m sport wheels , which is exactly what I did with my BMW e63. For my e46, the second set of new oem wheels and tyres cost me £1000 new and I only managed to get £250 secondhand because they were not original.

Fox-

13,241 posts

247 months

Sunday 12th October 2014
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tjlees said:
Are sure they fit the m sport package? (I.e bigger brakes) a lot of alloy guys I spoke to couldn't guarantee that.
Surely they must do - it's not the diameter that changes on the back of the staggered wheels it's the width?

PlayersNo6

1,102 posts

157 months

Sunday 12th October 2014
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jon- said:
PlayersNo6 said:
Not strictly a winter tyre, but has anyone got experience of these all seasons :

http://falken-europe.com/tyre/details/99

Came second in last year's Autobild test. Need a new set of tyres for a W210 E class and these could fit the bill.
Did well this year too

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2014-All-Seas...

Suited to the UK climate imo
Thanks - good to know. I've ordered a set from Tyreleader. Seems a sensible choice on a RWD car to be used over winter.

Dog Star

16,145 posts

169 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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Patrick Bateman said:
My friend is needing winter tyres in 245/35 R18. These are proving exceptionally rare and expensive with Pirelli seemingly being the only make I can find so far. Any help?
That's my rear tyre size (SLK). I went up to a 255 (loads more choice and lots cheaper) as I'm using the normal wheels - 255 is actually the better size for my rim width, as it happens. My insurer was fine with this.


Patrick Bateman

12,189 posts

175 months

Monday 13th October 2014
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Dog Star said:
That's my rear tyre size (SLK). I went up to a 255 (loads more choice and lots cheaper) as I'm using the normal wheels - 255 is actually the better size for my rim width, as it happens. My insurer was fine with this.
Cheers for that, you're not wrong. So the next question is, on an M Sport 1 series, are the rear wheels that are normally on 245 section rubber alright to accept 255 section?

hondafanatic

4,969 posts

202 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
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hondafanatic said:
I'm getting them fitted a week tomorrow...I fear that such a preemptive move will guarantee 'Warmest Winter Since Records Began' headline come December 25th.

I'm having Hankook I'cept Evo W310's fitted to my CRV. It was due a new set of tyres shortly so I thought i'd take the plunge...and ensure I bugger up everyone's dreams of a white Christmas. hehe
Dear god they are squiggy (spelling??).

I know there's mould release coating to wear off, but after 200 odd miles they are horribly squirmy.

They are quieter, but I have zip confidence in them.

In other news, I was going to keep both rears from the set taken off, but one was peppered with nails. No loss of pressure in the time it was on, but given how "enthusiastic" my driving can be, I decided to do the lottery for Tuesday draw. :-)

I'm hoping the winters come in at some point, but I feel like an f1 driver in the dying laps of race that took a gamble on a two-stopper when everyone else went for three-stopper.

Someone tell me it's all in my mind and it'll all be okay!!

Patrick Bateman

12,189 posts

175 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
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Yeah, they feel crap when it's mild, there's no escaping that. To be honest, I'd say the whole 7 degrees thing is nonsense too. In 4 winters of using them I'd say you're at more like 3 degrees and below before noticing a positive difference.

tenohfive

6,276 posts

183 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
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Still not sold on the 200 number. If they're still rubbish by 500 miles start worrying. Or move further north.

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

229 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
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hondafanatic said:
Dear god they are squiggy (spelling??).

I know there's mould release coating to wear off, but after 200 odd miles they are horribly squirmy.

They are quieter, but I have zip confidence in them.

In other news, I was going to keep both rears from the set taken off, but one was peppered with nails. No loss of pressure in the time it was on, but given how "enthusiastic" my driving can be, I decided to do the lottery for Tuesday draw. :-)

I'm hoping the winters come in at some point, but I feel like an f1 driver in the dying laps of race that took a gamble on a two-stopper when everyone else went for three-stopper.

Someone tell me it's all in my mind and it'll all be okay!!
I'm in the same predicament. Old tyres were worn so had to change last Friday. It's like driving on a load of Haribo Gold Bears at the moment. smile

hondafanatic

4,969 posts

202 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
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funkyrobot said:
I'm in the same predicament. Old tyres were worn so had to change last Friday. It's like driving on a load of Haribo Gold Bears at the moment. smile
Perfect description!

I've no choice but to stick with them so I'll just have to adjust my driving if they don't improve.

Konan

1,841 posts

147 months

Sunday 19th October 2014
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hondafanatic said:
funkyrobot said:
I'm in the same predicament. Old tyres were worn so had to change last Friday. It's like driving on a load of Haribo Gold Bears at the moment. smile
Perfect description!

I've no choice but to stick with them so I'll just have to adjust my driving if they don't improve.
If they're like mine, they come good with about 1mm of tread left before the snow markings.

andy-xr

13,204 posts

205 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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Great news for anyone considering changing to winters this year. I've just bought two sets of part worns, one for my toy car and one for the Mrs car. It will now not snow, go cold or really do anything other than occasionally rain all winter

TEKNOPUG

18,971 posts

206 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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What's the difference between the Nokian WR D3 & A3 - other than the obvious tread pattern? They both seem to have the same performance ratings and retail for the same price.

jon-

16,511 posts

217 months

Monday 20th October 2014
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TEKNOPUG said:
What's the difference between the Nokian WR D3 & A3 - other than the obvious tread pattern? They both seem to have the same performance ratings and retail for the same price.
The A3 comes in the larger sizes and is generally more sporty.

The D3 is aimed at the smaller, bread and butter cars.