Winter tyres or change car ?
Discussion
Not me, but a neighbour rang me last night, she has a BMW 5 series and a Saab 9-3 which was giving some trouble and needs a few bits so will get traded in, she wants to keep the BMW (520d, last shape) but her husband works away and she had a tough time last year with the snow with the BMW (Saab much better), she was considering getting rid as it was so hopeless in the snow and I explained about the tyre options, now I am not an expert but I have read enough on here to advise her that winter tyres were and option and that the problem wasn't fundamentally with the car.
Just want to check I am giving her the correct advice here, she doesn't want to do the usual and trade it in for a four wheel drive, she just wants to be able to get to work and still get about if we get some snow, I said, that potentially she is looking around a thousand pounds, give or take if she were to get a second set of wheels onto which she gets the winters fitted, am thinking perhaps £600 for the tyres and £400 for some secondhand five series wheels of the same or similar size and design.
So, cost wise, is that correct and with the winters would she, within reason be able to get about on whatever weather we get her in South Manchester, i.e. not the Cairmgorms but perhaps 4 inches of snow, bit of ice etc ?
Just want to check I am giving her the correct advice here, she doesn't want to do the usual and trade it in for a four wheel drive, she just wants to be able to get to work and still get about if we get some snow, I said, that potentially she is looking around a thousand pounds, give or take if she were to get a second set of wheels onto which she gets the winters fitted, am thinking perhaps £600 for the tyres and £400 for some secondhand five series wheels of the same or similar size and design.
So, cost wise, is that correct and with the winters would she, within reason be able to get about on whatever weather we get her in South Manchester, i.e. not the Cairmgorms but perhaps 4 inches of snow, bit of ice etc ?
I have a BMW 328 and it is amazing in the snow in winter tyres. I made up hills that had 4X4s with summer tyres stuck at the bottom. I didn't even come close to getting stuck.
And as said it isn't really that expensive as while you're wearing your winter tyres, your summer tyres aren't being worn. You're only gonna use £X of rubber each year no matter what.
I bought some second hand alloys off ebay for £80, and hopefully will be able to sell them on for similar when I'm finished with them, so overall it's been pretty cheap to have seperate tyres/wheels for the winter.
And as said it isn't really that expensive as while you're wearing your winter tyres, your summer tyres aren't being worn. You're only gonna use £X of rubber each year no matter what.
I bought some second hand alloys off ebay for £80, and hopefully will be able to sell them on for similar when I'm finished with them, so overall it's been pretty cheap to have seperate tyres/wheels for the winter.
dooosuk said:
Advice sounds about right for Manchester.
You could also mention that although the initial outlay seems a reasonable amount it is offset by not wearing out/replacing the summer/all season tyres as quickly.
Plus, I said that when she does come to sell the car she can sell the winter tyres and wheels separately.You could also mention that although the initial outlay seems a reasonable amount it is offset by not wearing out/replacing the summer/all season tyres as quickly.
Was mainly interested in whether it will cope as well as I had heard, sounds like it is the way to go, she was getting worried about the possibility as she had a hard time last winter when she got caught out some distance away and it snowed heavily, will pop over and get the tyre sizes and see if I can price some up for her.
If she want's a lower faff option than buying wheels and tyres seperatly MyTyres and TyreMen both sell wheels with tyres fitted, either basic steel wheels or alloys.
Most people drop to a smaller wheel size for winters, a set of Avon Ice Touring ST on 16" steel rims cost me considerably less than just the tyres to fit 18" rims.
Most people drop to a smaller wheel size for winters, a set of Avon Ice Touring ST on 16" steel rims cost me considerably less than just the tyres to fit 18" rims.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Thursday 13th October 14:00
I don't really understand why people want a second set of wheels?
I've just bought some 18" Avon Ice Tours for my 130i ad plan to have my local tyre place swap them over twice a year for £60.
A lot less faff, lower cost (at least initially), and I get to keep my nice alloys on the car all year
I've just bought some 18" Avon Ice Tours for my 130i ad plan to have my local tyre place swap them over twice a year for £60.
A lot less faff, lower cost (at least initially), and I get to keep my nice alloys on the car all year
dooosuk said:
And what are you getting out of all this whilst her husband is away? 
The satisfaction that I have helped her with something that is playing on her mind and to maintain my status of "Bloke that knows about cars" on the road whilst playing down my other role of "Bloke who knows about computers" as that involves tedious actual work for no reward.alfaspiderman2 said:
I don't really understand why people want a second set of wheels?
I've just bought some 18" Avon Ice Tours for my 130i ad plan to have my local tyre place swap them over twice a year for £60.
A lot less faff, lower cost (at least initially), and I get to keep my nice alloys on the car all year
- The recommended winter tyre is often smaller than the super blingy summer tyre/wheel comboI've just bought some 18" Avon Ice Tours for my 130i ad plan to have my local tyre place swap them over twice a year for £60.
A lot less faff, lower cost (at least initially), and I get to keep my nice alloys on the car all year
- It takes the same amount of storage to store tyres on wheels as just tyres
- It's easy to DIY whenever convenient
- You don't have to take half used tyres in your car to the fitters and home again
- Stops your "nice" alloys getting covered in salt and crap
alfaspiderman2 said:
I don't really understand why people want a second set of wheels?
I've just bought some 18" Avon Ice Tours for my 130i ad plan to have my local tyre place swap them over twice a year for £60.
A lot less faff, lower cost (at least initially), and I get to keep my nice alloys on the car all year
Yep, I guess that is an option.I've just bought some 18" Avon Ice Tours for my 130i ad plan to have my local tyre place swap them over twice a year for £60.
A lot less faff, lower cost (at least initially), and I get to keep my nice alloys on the car all year
J4CKO said:
dooosuk said:
And what are you getting out of all this whilst her husband is away?
The satisfaction that I have helped her with something that is playing on her mindRicksAlfas said:
alfaspiderman2 said:
I don't really understand why people want a second set of wheels?
I've just bought some 18" Avon Ice Tours for my 130i ad plan to have my local tyre place swap them over twice a year for £60.
A lot less faff, lower cost (at least initially), and I get to keep my nice alloys on the car all year
- The recommended winter tyre is often smaller than the super blingy summer tyre/wheel comboI've just bought some 18" Avon Ice Tours for my 130i ad plan to have my local tyre place swap them over twice a year for £60.
A lot less faff, lower cost (at least initially), and I get to keep my nice alloys on the car all year
- It takes the same amount of storage to store tyres on wheels as just tyres
- It's easy to DIY whenever convenient
- You don't have to take half used tyres in your car to the fitters and home again
- Stops your "nice" alloys getting covered in salt and crap
Edited by simoid on Thursday 13th October 14:25
RicksAlfas said:
- The recommended winter tyre is often smaller than the super blingy summer tyre/wheel combo
- It takes the same amount of storage to store tyres on wheels as just tyres
- It's easy to DIY whenever convenient
- You don't have to take half used tyres in your car to the fitters and home again
- Stops your "nice" alloys getting covered in salt and crap
- to an extent but my car is reportedly very competent on 18" winters- It takes the same amount of storage to store tyres on wheels as just tyres
- It's easy to DIY whenever convenient
- You don't have to take half used tyres in your car to the fitters and home again
- Stops your "nice" alloys getting covered in salt and crap
- not really an advantage
- I hate DIY
- granted but not substantial
- prefer to jet wash every week than drive around with some crappy steel 16" wheels for 1/3 of the year
Each to their own I guess but I'm happy with the tyre only solution
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