Cheap winter tyres or not?
Discussion
I'm not one to buy cheap tyres. I normally spend days reading reviews before buying a new set. We're now looking at winter tyres for a BMW 120i as it was a bit of a pig last winter.
But there is a huge gap in prices of winter tyres between cheap brands and premium brands.
On mytyres.co.uk for the size I need (205/50/17V) a set of the cheapest winter tyres would be £250, and the cheapest "premium" brand is £600, and as you look at the top of the range ones it gets uncomfortably close to 4 figures!
So am I better off sticking with our decent summer tyres... or would a set of cheap winter tyres still be more grippy when the temperature drops?
But there is a huge gap in prices of winter tyres between cheap brands and premium brands.
On mytyres.co.uk for the size I need (205/50/17V) a set of the cheapest winter tyres would be £250, and the cheapest "premium" brand is £600, and as you look at the top of the range ones it gets uncomfortably close to 4 figures!
So am I better off sticking with our decent summer tyres... or would a set of cheap winter tyres still be more grippy when the temperature drops?
Could be due to you spec'ing V-rated tyres. You don't need them, nor should your insurance company deny you cover for not fitting them. H-rated (130mph) are more than sufficient. Indeed, the vast majority of winter tyres out there *are* H-rated.
FWIW a quick look on my tyres reveals you can get good/well regarded winter tyres such as Uniroyal MS Plus 66s, Semperit Speed Grip 2s, Nokain WR A3s, Pirelli Sottozeros, Avon Ice Tourings, Fulda Kristalls, Falken HS439s or Kumho KW27s for under £600 a set
FWIW a quick look on my tyres reveals you can get good/well regarded winter tyres such as Uniroyal MS Plus 66s, Semperit Speed Grip 2s, Nokain WR A3s, Pirelli Sottozeros, Avon Ice Tourings, Fulda Kristalls, Falken HS439s or Kumho KW27s for under £600 a set
Your premium summer tyres are designed for the summer, infact the more "premium" your summer tyres i.e Michelin PS2's etc the worse they can be in winter due to fewer tread blocks, no sipes and remember they are constructed from a compound designed for heat management in warm temps.
My PS2's grip drops off a cliff below 8c, they harden and lose a lot of performance, I've just switched to my Alpins and the difference is night and day.
Buy the winter tyres you feel comfortable with, but keep in mind that they are the only things keeping you on the road.
The trouble is, low profile winters on a large rim is going to be pricey.
Have a look at the steel wheel/tyre combos mytyres do for a 16" rim. A 205/55/16 tyre is going to be much cheaper, and a set of Nokian WR A3 tyres including wheel comes in at £134 per corner; the tyre itself is less than £100.
Granted you've got the upfront expense of buying the new wheels, but we're not talking large sums really, and once you've got them you'll be good for the future should you wear the tyres out or get a puncture etc. If you change the car in the meantime you can always sell them on.
The added advantage of buying the steelies, is that you won't have to pay out £40+ every spring/autumn to change them.
I really really wouldn't get the cheap budget winters unless you only plan on running them when there's snow on the ground. In the dry and even more so in the wet, you'll find them lacking when you need them most. There's a reason they're cheap, and it's not generosity.
Be careful buying part worn winters on the bay of e. Most seem to have only 4mm remaining, which is the point where manufacturers recommend replacing them as their performance in snow drops off substantially. You'd be paying out good money for what amount to worn out tyres, sold by the less scrupulous preying on the ignorance of the UK market.
Have a look at the steel wheel/tyre combos mytyres do for a 16" rim. A 205/55/16 tyre is going to be much cheaper, and a set of Nokian WR A3 tyres including wheel comes in at £134 per corner; the tyre itself is less than £100.
Granted you've got the upfront expense of buying the new wheels, but we're not talking large sums really, and once you've got them you'll be good for the future should you wear the tyres out or get a puncture etc. If you change the car in the meantime you can always sell them on.
The added advantage of buying the steelies, is that you won't have to pay out £40+ every spring/autumn to change them.
I really really wouldn't get the cheap budget winters unless you only plan on running them when there's snow on the ground. In the dry and even more so in the wet, you'll find them lacking when you need them most. There's a reason they're cheap, and it's not generosity.
Be careful buying part worn winters on the bay of e. Most seem to have only 4mm remaining, which is the point where manufacturers recommend replacing them as their performance in snow drops off substantially. You'd be paying out good money for what amount to worn out tyres, sold by the less scrupulous preying on the ignorance of the UK market.
jagnet said:
Be careful buying part worn winters on the bay of e. Most seem to have only 4mm remaining, which is the point where manufacturers recommend replacing them as their performance in snow drops off substantially. You'd be paying out good money for what amount to worn out tyres, sold by the less scrupulous preying on the ignorance of the UK market.
That is exactly what makes them good value, ie we rarely get much snow here, the odd bit, usually not deep, certainly not for long.Part worn decent branded winters cope with that 10 x beter than your regular tyre will.
There are plenty of decent winter tyres on ebay with 5-6mm for £60-80 per pair, nokian, vredstein, bridgestone, michelin etc - take a look.
rallycross said:
That is exactly what makes them good value, ie we rarely get much snow here, the odd bit, usually not deep, certainly not for long.
Part worn decent branded winters cope with that 10 x beter than your regular tyre will.
There are plenty of decent winter tyres on ebay with 5-6mm for £60-80 per pair, nokian, vredstein, bridgestone, michelin etc - take a look.
I didn't say there weren't any with 5+ mm, just to be aware that there's plenty of worn out ones on there and that 4mm might sound ok, but for a winter tyre it isn't. If you can get some decent part worns then it's worth considering, but even with the possibility of not much more than a fluttering of snow, it strikes me as a waste of money to pay for tyres with <=4mm remaining, plus shipping, plus fitting only to find the end result somewhat disappointing.Part worn decent branded winters cope with that 10 x beter than your regular tyre will.
There are plenty of decent winter tyres on ebay with 5-6mm for £60-80 per pair, nokian, vredstein, bridgestone, michelin etc - take a look.
Not knowing where "here" is in the UK for rasputin, he may be facing just a light dusting of snow once a decade, or regular tranches every year.
Sarge 4x4 said:
Vredestein Wintrac's, very good tyres.
+1I have the same winters. My insurance XS is £500 my tyres were £410 all in fitted.
There is still the danger though that you will stop much quicker than the car behind you if they are still on summer tyres!
You still have to be aware that said, about what is around you and the road conditions at the time.
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