Winter Tyres on a Mazda 3 MPS

[BIG DUNC]

I am posting this here and elsewhere, as last time I made a similar post, I got a very poor response.

I am about to order a set of winter tyres to go on my second set of wheels.

As always when I buy tyres, I want to get whatever gives me best grip - a difference in tyre price is trivial compared to the potential cost of not stopping.

I want to stick with my current tyre size, 225-40/18.

A quick look on Black circles suggests the choice is the following:

Uniroyal
Goodyear
Dunlop
Michelin
Hankook
Avon
Yokohama
Bridgestone
Continental
Firestone
Pirelli
Toyo

Does anyone have any experience of these?
Car is a mk1 Mazda 3 MPS

[otolith]

No Nokian?

[BIG DUNC]

Not in this size, or at least not from Black Circles.

[otolith]

Good selection of winter tyres in your size here:

http://www.reifen.com/en

[BIG DUNC]

Thanks.

They seem cheaper than Blackcircles as well.

I am not short of choice, just want to know which brand will give best grip

[otolith]

Bit more routine for Ze Germans, so they have a pretty good selection on there.

No idea what you're best with, I've been really happy with Vredestein Quattracs in the past, but they are a winter-capable all-season, not a true winter. So I would be tempted by Wintracs just out of brand loyalty, but whether they are the best choice or not, I don't know.

This year, I have a set of Nokian WRG2 for the Saab, bought secondhand and barely used on a spare set of steelies, but obviously I haven't tried them yet. They're the correct winter fitment for the car (ie, smaller wheel size and narrower than the standard wheels), but if you're after standard size tyres I'm guessing you are planning to swap over on the same wheels? I'm looking forward to just being able to stick them on as soon as the weather turns nasty.

[wilbo83]

Wouldnt normally recommend them (I use Bridgestone Potenzas all year round) but I had some Nankang NS2 SV tyres last winter and was very impressed with them.

[BIG DUNC]

I have a spare set of standard alloys.

My plan is to put a set of winter tyres on these and just use them during cold snaps.

I have just been talking to the manager of my local tyre / mot place (just passed), and he said they only ever fit budget winter tyres. He does not know why, but no one seems to want a top-end winter tyre.

He did not have anything in stock in my size, but is going to phone back with prices.

[GTRmad]

Plenty to choose from here http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/car-winter-tyr...

[GTRmad]

Im going for the Toyo snowprox on my Mazda 3 sport...

[Farlig]

Well living in Norway where this is the norm, and without considering your size / fitment I'd immediately make two recommendations for outright best grip in s h i t t y conditions:

Continental Viking Contact
Nokian Hakkepelitta

There are a lot of other good tyres around but you'll find these two are pretty much the best & I wouldn't have anything else

[BIG DUNC]

I used to go to Norway often for work, and ever since then have been wanting to do this.

Thanks for the recommendations, I really want something that will grip when the conditions are poor.

I hope to order in about a fortnight (just dont want them on this months credit card bill)

[Farlig]

Yep, it's a no brainier once you've experienced it and a habit I would take home to the uk if I ever go back...

[Ali_T]

These guys have been excellent for me:

http://www.tyremen.co.uk/category/1/300/winter-tyr...

Not sure about the MPS but have Vredestein Wintrac Xtremes on the Evo, and previously on an STI, and they've been superb. Still usable when the snow melts up to around 6-7 degrees C (above that they're a bit soft on the side wall).

[MikeyLCR]

Ali_T said:

These guys have been excellent for me:

http://www.tyremen.co.uk/category/1/300/winter-tyr...

Not sure about the MPS but have Vredestein Wintrac Xtremes on the Evo, and previously on an STI, and they've been superb. Still usable when the snow melts up to around 6-7 degrees C (above that they're a bit soft on the side wall).

+1