Winter tyres vol 2
Discussion
loskie said:
quite possibly the new Landies are on all season or winter tyres. BUT because they are BIG FAT WIDE LOW PROFILE they are less effective than 14" narrow wheels. Look at what the rally cars go on on winter rallies .
To be fair most of them seem to be relatively conservatively shod with 255s going up to 275s on the biggest wheels. The old defenders look like they were on 235s.
My wife’s Discovery sport is on 255s even with the 20” wheels. It’s been fine throughout the last 4 NE Scotland winters.
As a comparison my pickup is on 245s and is also fine trundling through the snow and ice.
5s Alive said:
FiF said:
Would I go up Wrynose or Hardknott in those conditions just for fun? Well no, but maybe just a wuss.
The Polo is a hire car that we took to the Lake District to find some snow. Blew by a Land-rover in a ditch at the side of what was either the Wrynose or Hardknott in the pic. Long time ago so can't remember which but the LR driver was frantically gesticulating as we went by. We did get stuck further up, but so very close to the top. Reverse flick to turn around and stopped at the LR. Couldn't help (or get by) as it was chained to a tractor at this point. We had a great day left foot braking while on the throttle around corners, who needs a steering wheel? Not snow tyre in sight either. 
It was an absolute hoot back then, roads were deserted when it snowed, not like today when they're packed with people that seemingly have no concept of smooth inputs or limits of grip.
bolidemichael said:
Yes, I echo the thanks.
Apropos, CX — don’t discount the positive forward momentum from an enthusiastic young driver, rather than the tentative approach of a grown up that fears the consequences!
Apropos, CX — don’t discount the positive forward momentum from an enthusiastic young driver, rather than the tentative approach of a grown up that fears the consequences!
Pablo16v said:
As per the long departed PH tagline - 'speed matters' especially when trying to make progress in snow
From young and foolish to I discovered that the Stiletto could be stopped quickly in the snow by handbraking it sideways - at up to 50 mph, and it wouldn't rotate past 90°. This resulted in so much hard packed snow under the arches that the steering wheel couldn't be turned.
On two occasions in the Escort we helped dig out snow plows that had lost sight of the road and ended up bogged down. One would have remained stuck had the farmer not hauled it out with his tractor. Hot cups of tea and biscuits in a sauna like farmhouse kitchen was the highlight of that outing!
The Imp and Stiletto, having flat undersides were excellent at drift surfing. As long as the road was straight and you hit it fast enough to clear the other side, they simply rose above it.
The most fun car in the snow was my Viva SL90, could really unleash my inner Stig Blomqvist in that one.
We have a Panda 4x4 Twinair on the way. It'll be a 'spare' car but the main driver for buying it is to be the unstoppable winter use. Our road isn't easy to access in bad conditions and this week has been a total pain to be honest. I'd like a tyre for it that is very biased towards snow/winter but that isn't a total disaster to use all year round.
I've used Michelin CC2's on other cars and I think they would fit the brief perfectly but it looks like only the CC+ is available in 176/65/14.
All season options on black circles and tyre leader look like:
Michelin CC+ £98
Vredestein Q5 £61
Goodyear Vector 4S G3 £66
Conti Allseason Contact £66
Goodyear Vector 4S £105
Kumho Solus £61
There are a few other more mid-range options from Toyo, Uniroyal, Hancook etc. I've not listed everthing.
There are also a few full winter options from Kumho, Michelin, Vred and Goodyear. I'd assume these will be too compromised in warmer months but open to persuasion.
Would appreciate some thoughts. I'm probably thinking it's between the Conti Allseason Contact and the Goodyear Vector 4S G3. We have the Goodyears on our E-Up as a winter tyre and I'm not totally bowled over by it's snow performance but it might still be the best option. Don't know much about the Conti.
I've used Michelin CC2's on other cars and I think they would fit the brief perfectly but it looks like only the CC+ is available in 176/65/14.
All season options on black circles and tyre leader look like:
Michelin CC+ £98
Vredestein Q5 £61
Goodyear Vector 4S G3 £66
Conti Allseason Contact £66
Goodyear Vector 4S £105
Kumho Solus £61
There are a few other more mid-range options from Toyo, Uniroyal, Hancook etc. I've not listed everthing.
There are also a few full winter options from Kumho, Michelin, Vred and Goodyear. I'd assume these will be too compromised in warmer months but open to persuasion.
Would appreciate some thoughts. I'm probably thinking it's between the Conti Allseason Contact and the Goodyear Vector 4S G3. We have the Goodyears on our E-Up as a winter tyre and I'm not totally bowled over by it's snow performance but it might still be the best option. Don't know much about the Conti.
I’ve got the Gen 3 vector on my C class estate. I actually got defeated yesterday trying to get up a steep single track road with ditches on either side. It was -11 and I’d had no trouble driving up the snow covered part of the track which was just the same gradient. The last couple of hundred yards were sheet ice and there was no chance. Tbh I’m not sure full winters would have done it.
RicksAlfas said:
For that kind of usage I would get a decent brand winter tyre and leave them on all year round. You’re not trying to set qualifying laps round Abu Dhabi.
It is tempting but I'm more concerned about emergency braking etc. Winters look pretty poor in that regard but I might have another look at some of Jon's reviews and check I've understood that right. Dog Star said:
I’ve got the Gen 3 vector on my C class estate. I actually got defeated yesterday trying to get up a steep single track road with ditches on either side. It was -11 and I’d had no trouble driving up the snow covered part of the track which was just the same gradient. The last couple of hundred yards were sheet ice and there was no chance. Tbh I’m not sure full winters would have done it.
Yep. Ice is going to scupper anything. My CC2's have been defeated a couple of times this week on ice too. Looks like the goodyears so far. Thanks for the input folks.
Gad-Westy said:
It is tempting but I'm more concerned about emergency braking etc. Winters look pretty poor in that regard but I might have another look at some of Jon's reviews and check I've understood that right.
I had a look and wet braking in heat appears to be where winters will suffer the most-https://www.tyrereviews.com/Tyre-Tests/Best-All-Se...
It's not budget tyre levels of difference but personally I don't think the best all seasons give much away at all vs. a winter tyre in snow etc. compared to where you lose out running winters in summer. Even more so when you're talking about a Panda 4x4 on all seasons. If that gets stuck surely it'd be due to ground clearance or conditions where almost anything would be stopped.
I was scoffed at in true PH style 18m or so ago for saying I'd bought Davanti Alltoura all seasons and fitted them to my Golf Alltrack. £95 per corner.
Much to the naysayers disappointment I haven't died in a ditch yet.
I've covered 20000m. One pair is replaced.
Grip and noise levels were/are fine. Fuel consumption ok. Handling is good.
150bhp manual I've averaged around 48mpg in 20 000m on rural roads mainly.
Anyway. Since new it was always easy to light up the traction control light exiting roundabouts or junctions in milder conditions.
This week I've probably covered 100 miles per day. Temps at night down to minus 8 daytime around minus 2 to 3. On these damp, cold roads I've noticed with the same driving, same roads the tc light is hard or impossible to light up.
These may be old tech (I don't know if they are) but they are perfectly adequate if not good at £95 per corner where the more known brands were £160 or more each.
And sorry. I've not died in a ditch yet.
Without checkin' off the top of my head 225/45 18s. I'd prefer 16s but this is what the car came on.
Much to the naysayers disappointment I haven't died in a ditch yet.
I've covered 20000m. One pair is replaced.
Grip and noise levels were/are fine. Fuel consumption ok. Handling is good.
150bhp manual I've averaged around 48mpg in 20 000m on rural roads mainly.
Anyway. Since new it was always easy to light up the traction control light exiting roundabouts or junctions in milder conditions.
This week I've probably covered 100 miles per day. Temps at night down to minus 8 daytime around minus 2 to 3. On these damp, cold roads I've noticed with the same driving, same roads the tc light is hard or impossible to light up.
These may be old tech (I don't know if they are) but they are perfectly adequate if not good at £95 per corner where the more known brands were £160 or more each.
And sorry. I've not died in a ditch yet.
Without checkin' off the top of my head 225/45 18s. I'd prefer 16s but this is what the car came on.
Bonefish Blues said:
Gad-Westy said:
Bonefish Blues said:
CC2s are available in 175/65 r15 if that's your preferred tyre.
I'd prefer to stick with the 14's I think. Gad-Westy said:
Bonefish Blues said:
Gad-Westy said:
Bonefish Blues said:
CC2s are available in 175/65 r15 if that's your preferred tyre.
I'd prefer to stick with the 14's I think. Gassing Station | Suspension, Brakes & Tyres | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff