Winter tyres vol 2

[johnwilliams77]

tenohfive said:

Which version of the Sottozero?

The 3's are the latest and greatest and are a good tyre. They're not very economical in warmer temps though - they melt. Grip is good whilst the tread remains.
The Snowproxes are towards the budget end (not budget, but cheaper) and wear really well used year round. Grip is adequate.

I'll have to let someone else comment on their snow performance, in two years I've barely seen any snow use out of either.

Sottozeros 3 are actually £490 fitted. They seem to be the tyre of choice for Ferrari ff owners.

I would much rather put them on a spare set of wheels than swap tyres over on the same wheels but I have not been so organised.

I really wanted one of the cross climates but appears they do not do them in this size.

[Timbuk2]

I'd avoid Snowprox, I fitted them to my mum's car and was unimpressed although didn't actually get to try them in the ice/snow. In all other fields they were far far worse than the normal tyres I'd replaced. When it comes to winters I wouldn't bother with budgets. Go for the best or don't bother.

[Slow]

Timbuk2 said:

I'd avoid Snowprox, I fitted them to my mum's car and was unimpressed although didn't actually get to try them in the ice/snow. In all other fields they were far far worse than the normal tyres I'd replaced. When it comes to winters I wouldn't bother with budgets. Go for the best or don't bother.

Sorry but thats utter st.

Couldnt move 2 inches in the snow in my e46 on almost new summer tyres.

Fitted the cheapest possible winter tyres as I am poor and now suddenly I could drive everywhere, even 2 foot snow drifts were no problem. I dont buy winters for the cold weather, I buy them for snow and ice.

[PaulV]

This site may help with fitting alternatives:
http://www.wheelfitment.eu/index.html

[gizlaroc]

johnwilliams77 said:

Can't decide between toyosnow prox on my BMW versus Pirelli sottozero 235/45/17

Prices quoted are£360 fitted and £425 fitted for the sottozeros

Worth the extra?

Funny size?

I would put on 215.50.17s, far more choice and much better price, will be fine for winters.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m97b0s1637p113840/Pirell...

[johnwilliams77]

Timbuk2 said:

I'd avoid Snowprox, I fitted them to my mum's car and was unimpressed although didn't actually get to try them in the ice/snow. In all other fields they were far far worse than the normal tyres I'd replaced. When it comes to winters I wouldn't bother with budgets. Go for the best or don't bother.

Thanks - did not realise they were budgets.

[johnwilliams77]

gizlaroc said:

Funny size?

I would put on 215.50.17s, far more choice and much better price, will be fine for winters.

http://www.camskill.co.uk/m97b0s1637p113840/Pirell...

Sure those will be fine? I tried link above and it only said one size (235/45/17) of 17 when I searched by make...

[HustleRussell]

johnwilliams77 said:

Thanks - did not realise they were budgets.

'Budget' is a relative term, they don't have the word stamped into the sidewall.

[johnwilliams77]

HustleRussell said:

'Budget' is a relative term, they don't have the word stamped into the sidewall.

No st!

At only 60 quid less for 4 I am surprised to hear that they're in the budget range. Always understood toyos to be mid-range (also not stamped into sidewall!)

[theboss]

i can report that Dunlop Wintersport 5 on the Golf R (fitted to 18" OEM) are superb, biting hard even in the milder wet weather and also noticeably quieter than the OE Potenza S001 with about 6mm remaining.

[gizlaroc]

What BMWis it?

[johnwilliams77]

gizlaroc said:

What BMWis it?

E39 540 auto.

[gizlaroc]

What wheels are on there now?

And tyres?

Is it a square set up with 7" rims front and back, or staggered with 7" front and 8" rear?

If you are running 235.45.17 all round then 215.50.17 would be fine, if you have wider rears then maybe you need the 235 tyre to fit the 8" wide rim.

[johnwilliams77]

gizlaroc said:

What wheels are on there now?

And tyres?

Is it a square set up with 7" rims front and back, or staggered with 7" front and 8" rear?

If you are running 235.45.17 all round then 215.50.17 would be fine, if you have wider rears then maybe you need the 235 tyre to fit the 8" wide rim.

235 45 All round

[gizlaroc]

In that case I think 215.50.17 will be fine.

You could go 225.50.17 as well, a lot of guys in Germany use both sizes for winters.

[tezzer]

I've fitted a set of Continental winters on my runabout mini.

Frosty morning last week, country roads around me were particularly icy, but hated the feel of the winter tyres, best described as "floaty". The car felt completely unstable, a horrible experience, compared to my normal Hankooks.

Will report back once winter proper arrives.......

[tenohfive]

Timbuk2 said:

I'd avoid Snowprox, I fitted them to my mum's car and was unimpressed although didn't actually get to try them in the ice/snow. In all other fields they were far far worse than the normal tyres I'd replaced. When it comes to winters I wouldn't bother with budgets. Go for the best or don't bother.

Been running them year round on the missus' shopping trolley for 3 years, no issue. They don't get a hammering but they do plenty of miles.

johnwilliams77 said:

Sottozeros 3 are actually £490 fitted. They seem to be the tyre of choice for Ferrari ff owners.

I would much rather put them on a spare set of wheels than swap tyres over on the same wheels but I have not been so organised.

I really wanted one of the cross climates but appears they do not do them in this size.

I rate the S3's as a tyre but I just can't afford to keep running them. Having averaged a year per set of rears I won't be running them any more...switched to Conti TS850P's instead. Shame really, they were a grippy tyre and in sub zero temps were superb.

[Timbuk2]

Slow said:

Timbuk2 said:

I'd avoid Snowprox, I fitted them to my mum's car and was unimpressed although didn't actually get to try them in the ice/snow. In all other fields they were far far worse than the normal tyres I'd replaced. When it comes to winters I wouldn't bother with budgets. Go for the best or don't bother.

Sorry but thats utter st.

Couldnt move 2 inches in the snow in my e46 on almost new summer tyres.

Fitted the cheapest possible winter tyres as I am poor and now suddenly I could drive everywhere, even 2 foot snow drifts were no problem. I dont buy winters for the cold weather, I buy them for snow and ice.

Did you miss the bit where I said I didn't use them in the snow and ice? I'm not sure what you're trying to say, that I'm lying about them being worse in every other condition (APART FROM SNOW AND ICE) than the normal tyres? Because I can assure you I'm not, why would I.

I do agree that they only seem to be advantageous in the ice and snow which is usually only a few days a year - mind you on those days you get to feel smug if you get the change to drive on snow. On snow the Nokians let me do 60mph on a country lane with confidence.

[jon-]

Timbuk2 said:

Slow said:

Timbuk2 said:

I'd avoid Snowprox, I fitted them to my mum's car and was unimpressed although didn't actually get to try them in the ice/snow. In all other fields they were far far worse than the normal tyres I'd replaced. When it comes to winters I wouldn't bother with budgets. Go for the best or don't bother.

Sorry but thats utter st.

Couldnt move 2 inches in the snow in my e46 on almost new summer tyres.

Fitted the cheapest possible winter tyres as I am poor and now suddenly I could drive everywhere, even 2 foot snow drifts were no problem. I dont buy winters for the cold weather, I buy them for snow and ice.

Did you miss the bit where I said I didn't use them in the snow and ice? I'm not sure what you're trying to say, that I'm lying about them being worse in every other condition (APART FROM SNOW AND ICE) than the normal tyres? Because I can assure you I'm not, why would I.

I do agree that they only seem to be advantageous in the ice and snow which is usually only a few days a year - mind you on those days you get to feel smug if you get the change to drive on snow. On snow the Nokians let me do 60mph on a country lane with confidence.

We braking from 50mph the Toyo Snowprox S943 stopped in 45.7 meters compared the best winter at 36.8 meters.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2015-Winter-T...

As pointed out, they'll be fine in snow, but not so great for the other 99% of winter.

[Timbuk2]

jon- said:

Timbuk2 said:

Slow said:

Timbuk2 said:

I'd avoid Snowprox, I fitted them to my mum's car and was unimpressed although didn't actually get to try them in the ice/snow. In all other fields they were far far worse than the normal tyres I'd replaced. When it comes to winters I wouldn't bother with budgets. Go for the best or don't bother.

Sorry but thats utter st.

Couldnt move 2 inches in the snow in my e46 on almost new summer tyres.

Fitted the cheapest possible winter tyres as I am poor and now suddenly I could drive everywhere, even 2 foot snow drifts were no problem. I dont buy winters for the cold weather, I buy them for snow and ice.

Did you miss the bit where I said I didn't use them in the snow and ice? I'm not sure what you're trying to say, that I'm lying about them being worse in every other condition (APART FROM SNOW AND ICE) than the normal tyres? Because I can assure you I'm not, why would I.

I do agree that they only seem to be advantageous in the ice and snow which is usually only a few days a year - mind you on those days you get to feel smug if you get the change to drive on snow. On snow the Nokians let me do 60mph on a country lane with confidence.

Wet braking from 50mph the Toyo Snowprox S943 stopped in 45.7 meters compared the best winter at 36.8 meters.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2015-Winter-T...

As pointed out, they'll be fine in snow, but not so great for the other 99% of winter.

Thanks, that confirms my suspicions!