What Winter Tyre?

[ironictwist]

I'm cautious at the moment with how the weather is...I know sometimes it's not really worth going for them...But I want them so that's that

Any recommendations? I'm after ones ideally for my 328 but if people have any other input on winter tyres it would be much appreciated, specifically on where is best to purchase from.

I tried using the search function for this but it seems I've triggered a technical error within the forum system :/

[YZF600R]

I've always used Continental WinterContacts and have found them excellent in anything from freezing road temps in the UK through to a full blown ice/snow covered Swiss alpine pass.

Most people don't bother with winter tyres here, but until this year I've run them between November-March and they do give better grip/confidence in wet or frosty UK conditions

[Speed addicted]

I had Michelin pilot alpines on my E36 323 coupe, they utterly transformed the car in snow and in cold/slushy conditions. It would acutally go up snowy slopes and I only got stuck once, due to running out of ground clearance in deep snow.
I've also heard good things about the vredisten winter tyres.

Edited by Speed addicted on Wednesday 29th October 11:23

[curlie467]

We put uniroyal rainsports on our golf gti and i was really pleased with how much more confidence they gave.

[jon-]

Not much use but there's a couple of winter tyre reviews here http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Type/Winter/

I've heard nothing but praise for the Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme in my travels and the Michelin Alpine always comes close to the top too.

[YZF600R]

curlie467 said:

We put uniroyal rainsports on our golf gti and i was really pleased with how much more confidence they gave.

Rainsports aren't a winter tyre though.

[bad_roo]

I did a back-to-back test with a number of winter tyres in Lappland a few years ago and the Goodyear UltragRip 7 was far and away the best. In one test the Continental tyre couldn't even get the test vehicles out of the car park whereas the Goodyear was able to lap the test track without too much of an issue.

[YZF600R]

bad_roo said:

I did a back-to-back test with a number of winter tyres in Lappland a few years ago and the Goodyear UltragRip 7 was far and away the best. In one test the Continental tyre couldn't even get the test vehicles out of the car park whereas the Goodyear was able to lap the test track without too much of an issue.

Some winter tyres are excellent for the 'extreme' stuff but less good on paved roads. As the OP mentions running them in the UK I'd be inclined to get a winter tyre that is excellent on paved roads but can also handle snow/ice occasionally. If I lived in Canada the Continentals wouldn't be my choice!

[ironictwist]

Well you know one of my concerns is actually how they could handle driving "enthusiastically" more than anything.

I know the limits of my Eagle F1's but of course there limits are dramatically reduced when the weather turns like it has & when I'm out hooning with other PH'ers I'd like to not have to worry about lack of grip in the conditions...Just need a bit more of a confident boost really as I know the current tyres can be prone to let go if you give it a bit much in this weather.

Ideally I'd like to get an idea of how much you can push them in comparison with say my F1's in similar conditions.

Anyway, all the info so far has been great...Keep it coming

[curlie467]

YZF600R said:

curlie467 said:

We put uniroyal rainsports on our golf gti and i was really pleased with how much more confidence they gave.

Rainsports aren't a winter tyre though.

Fair enough, just thought id add that i thought they gave good wet weather grip, trouble is we havent a clue how mild or harsh our winters might be.

[bad_roo]

YZF600R said:

bad_roo said:

I did a back-to-back test with a number of winter tyres in Lappland a few years ago and the Goodyear UltragRip 7 was far and away the best. In one test the Continental tyre couldn't even get the test vehicles out of the car park whereas the Goodyear was able to lap the test track without too much of an issue.

Some winter tyres are excellent for the 'extreme' stuff but less good on paved roads. As the OP mentions running them in the UK I'd be inclined to get a winter tyre that is excellent on paved roads but can also handle snow/ice occasionally. If I lived in Canada the Continentals wouldn't be my choice!

Yep. Fair point.

[Orangecurry]

the ADAC magazine arrived through the post last week - it has a comprehensive winter tyre-test and done for two different tyre widths.... but it's in German. I can give you the top three in both sizes (when I find the mag) but I'm not sure if they are talking deep-snow or just cold roads.

From memory the Vredesteins were very high in the ratings.

[ironictwist]

Those Continentals are pricey, I thought the F1's were expensive when I first bought em. £165 quid a corner for these thought from mytyres.com...Still if they're as good as people say, It's worth it I guess.

Anyone know whether theres anywhere that does em cheaper?

[cptsideways]

You'll find with all winter tyres that ultimate dry/wet non icy traction will be somewhat less than a road tyre, but you'll find they are always very predictable at or near the limit. Its due to the way the knobbles fold about & flex.

I've used just about all of them over the years, they are all good some are better in deeper snow other better on ice. The Alpin's were ace on ice & hardpack, Blizzaks better in deeper snow.

However they will all be 10 times better than a summer tyre in such condition but you already know that

[madbadger]

I have just had some Firestones delivered. £37 each for the Polo. At that price they pay for themselves while I'm not wearing out the summer tyres.

They did very well in the reviews I read. I'll let you know how they are.

[cptsideways]

http://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&...

[mat205125]

I'd love to live somewhere that I could commute on these

[Chris71]

How long do winter tyres last - do you just throw them away on March 31st or are you supposed to store them for the following year?

[jimmyjimjim]

cptsideways said:

You'll find with all winter tyres that ultimate dry/wet non icy traction will be somewhat less than a road tyre, but you'll find they are always very predictable at or near the limit. Its due to the way the knobbles fold about & flex.

I've used just about all of them over the years, they are all good some are better in deeper snow other better on ice. The Alpin's were ace on ice & hardpack, Blizzaks better in deeper snow.

However they will all be 10 times better than a summer tyre in such condition but you already know that

Spot on. Predictable is exactly the word I'd use. You can feel when they start to go, and have confidence that they will stop pretty soon after - they turn a slide on ice into something more like an intentional drift on a dry road, in terms of control. Great fun!

As for handling in dry conditions, again predictable, with a lower level of grip(obviously).

I use Pilot Aplin PA2s here, on my third winter on the same set of tires. The Blizzak WS-50 is meant to be the most extreme winter tire, but has quite a low speed rating, and is meant to wear quite quickly in warmer conditions.

[Speed addicted]

Chris71 said:

How long do winter tyres last - do you just throw them away on March 31st or are you supposed to store them for the following year?

The lad I sold my 323 to is still running the winter tyres and has been for the last year, the summer tyres are worn out and he's too cheap to change them!
Don't know what sort of milage differece there is but I think you'll get a few winters out of them.