Winter tyres vol 2

[TEKNOPUG]

jon- said:

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.

I see. The D3's only go up to H speed rating, whereas the A3's go to V. However, am I likely to be exceeding 130mph (H) on winter tyres......?

At H rating, they are both exactly the same price.

[jon-]

TEKNOPUG said:

jon- said:

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.

I see. The D3's only go up to H speed rating, whereas the A3's go to V. However, am I likely to be exceeding 130mph (H) on winter tyres......?

At H rating, they are both exactly the same price.

It really depends what you want from the tyre. Loosely put, if you prefer steering feel at the expense of a little snow performance, go A3. If you'd rather soft and comfortable go D3.

[Konan]

TEKNOPUG said:

I see. The D3's only go up to H speed rating, whereas the A3's go to V. However, am I likely to be exceeding 130mph (H) on winter tyres......?

At H rating, they are both exactly the same price.

Aren't speed ratings something like the top speed the tyre can run at for a certain amount of time (minutes?) before starting to fail?

Still, 70mph constant is well within the limits.

[Sonic]

Just bought a set of 175/65/R14 Continental TS850's for the missus Fiesta - i figure if the weather gets bad this year i can "borrow" her car to get to work rather than going round in circles in the BMW

I was split between the TS850's and the Nokian WR-D3's as i've had great experience of the Nokian WR-G2's a few years back when i had a little clio, so similar to the fiesta, but the TS850's seem to rate higher in wet conditions which are more applicable over here.

The D3's were about £10/corner cheaper, but even then the 850's + steels were only £350, or i ended up with alloys + 850's for £432 delivered (+fitting) from tyreleader which seemed better than the mytyres prices which you need to add £10/wheel delivery for.

[Dog Star]

Patrick Bateman said:

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?

Well for the J size of my rear rims the 255 is the "default" width - your wheels may differ.

Only other thing is to clear the size with your insurer. Mine were fine.

[g3org3y]

hondafanatic said:

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.

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've got a set of Hankook I*Cept Evos for the E36.

I do agree, in warmer temps they do feel as though they are moving about a lot and do not inspire much confidence (especially if you've just made the swap from sticky summer rubber) Once the temps drop they feel much much better and I found them a very good winter tyre. Will probably be swapping back to them at the beginning of November.

[Elroy Blue]

I've got four Hankooks waiting to go on. I'm definitely waiting till it gets colder before they are fitted.

[vrsmxtb]

I have those exact Hankooks and I agree they are not that great in the mild and wet, I get wheelspin and understeer far more frequently than my conti and dunlop summers. But, they are much better in very low temps and performance in snow and slush is decent. I doubt I'll be fitting mine before November.

[SkinnyP]

5.5c at one point during the day, these winds are obviously bringing the cold.

Winters to go on 1st November?

[tenohfive]

We tend to get a quick cold night or two then a gap before any 'real' cold arrives. December barely even counts as winter in the South. My totally unscientific prediction says you're safe until mid-November.

[lemonslap]

SkinnyP said:

5.5c at one point during the day, these winds are obviously bringing the cold.

Winters to go on 1st November?

That's when I plan to put mine on, shall we do the before and after pictures again this year?

[Andehh]

lemonslap said:

That's when I plan to put mine on, shall we do the before and after pictures again this year?

I'm waiting for 5 mornings of below 6 degs for mine! Hopefully picking mine up this weekend, tyres ordered & fitted soon after.

Only concern is lugging 4 x 18" wheels in the back of my F10 5 Series. Bloody BMW & their £300 ultra rare folding rear seat option no one bothered to spec. Wet tyres on nice leather!

[Silverbullet767]

Just waiting for the temperature to drop now. Will put my 19" summers wheels to bed and put my 17" winter wheels on. Makes the car look terrible IMO, but better to have them all the same. Once winter ends I'll be looking at binning the run-flats on the 19s, truly horrible things.

Place your bets, which week will we see a drop in temperature?

I nominate week starting the 17th of November.

[Sleepers]

Mine are going on early Nov regardless of weather as the summer tyres are borderline for the impending MOT

[ZiggyNiva]

Has anyone used Matador MP 59's? I'm looking at a second hand set of alloys with these currently fitted. The car will only be used for short journeys (less then 10 miles) to and from work. I would normally get a set of Nokian D3's, but if the MP 59's are any good it may save me a few quid.

[Sleepers]

ZiggyNiva said:

Has anyone used Matador MP 59's? I'm looking at a second hand set of alloys with these currently fitted. The car will only be used for short journeys (less then 10 miles) to and from work. I would normally get a set of Nokian D3's, but if the MP 59's are any good it may save me a few quid.

I tried to find out about those too but very little info out there unfortunately.

[andy-xr]

Silverbullet767 said:

Place your bets, which week will we see a drop in temperature?

I nominate week starting the 17th of November.

We saw 6 degrees yesterday from about 6pm onwards, combination of the storm blowing through and no clouds. I think it's going to rise a little still yet, but I'm putting the newly acquired Kumhos onto the Mrs car soon as the Hammerite dries

[jon-]

Sleepers said:

ZiggyNiva said:

Has anyone used Matador MP 59's? I'm looking at a second hand set of alloys with these currently fitted. The car will only be used for short journeys (less then 10 miles) to and from work. I would normally get a set of Nokian D3's, but if the MP 59's are any good it may save me a few quid.

I tried to find out about those too but very little info out there unfortunately.

Well reviewed: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Matador/MP-59-No...

I'd be more interested in their all season tbh: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2013-Auto-Bil... , but then if you're going all season, there are better tyres.

[SkinnyP]

lemonslap said:

That's when I plan to put mine on, shall we do the before and after pictures again this year?

Actually its gone very warm again! I think I'll just wait till the mornings are consistently at 6 degrees or so. Plus I'm having a more relaxed TC/ESP fitted in mid november and I intend to have some fun with it, best get it out of my system with the summers on as not to chew up my winters

[hondafanatic]

funkyrobot said:

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.

Thought i'd update my findings so far. Getting close to 500 miles on them and definite improvement. To be fair, what didn't help my initial thoughts were partly down to the windy weather that has been battering me side on going up and down the M6/M55 and that I tend to drive at mummbleLeptons which I don't think these are good for.

I still don't have the confidence to fly across the overpass that links the M6 to the M55 that I used to...

So they are improving and I hope when the temps do drop that they continue to improve.

No affect on MPG and I'd say they are quieter, but that's comparing them against the very worn old ones.

Bring on the snow!!!!!