Winter tyres - new alloys or just swap tyres ??

[Willy Orwonty]

Hi all

I've just bought a Mk5 2015 Titanium Econetic which comes with 16" alloys.

I'm looking at buying another set of wheels so that I have a set for summer and another for winter tyres.

I've never done this before and am looking for some advice.

- can I change to 17" Alloys?

- if staying with 16" would something like this be ok? http://www.rimstyle.com/alloywheels/wheel/index.ht...

- do I need to get another tyre pressure sensor kit.

- would I be better off just sticking with the alloys I have and changing the tyres twice a year?

Cheers for any advice !

Tom

[Shakermaker]

I would go and search for a cheap set of spare alloys to use and fit the winter tyres to those, if you have the space to store the tyres you will have the space to store the wheels. A "shabby set" for winter, not a bad shout IMO, and possibly cheaper than repeated appointments to have all 4 tyres changed twice a year.

• edit to add:

A chap on another forum I frequent has just picked up a set of new alloys for his wife's Peugeot and nearly-new winter tyres for £150, just by browsing ebay and gumtree etc.

Edited by Shakermaker on Monday 17th October 09:04

[kambites]

As above, my approach was to buy a cheap set of slightly knackered second-hand alloys for the winter tyres. I was lucky and found a set with newish winter tyres already fitted for something like £40 for the OH's Octavia. I'd have paid more than that for one year's worth of swapping tyres between rims.

[Riley Blue]

You can often tell when cars have winter tyres on in Germany as they're fitted to steel wheels. That's what I would do here too.

[TurboHatchback]

I would get a spare set of wheels too, if for no other reason than you might struggle to find a place that will refit your part used tyres after each season. You can order steel wheels with winter tyres fitted, this would probably be a cheap, simple way of doing it.

When I got winter tyres for an Audi I had I ordered the tyres online and found a tatty used set of the smallest OEM alloys on Gumtree.

[Matt UK]

As others have said, best to get a cheap set of used wheels for your make/model and put the winter tyres on them.

[Willy Orwonty]

Thanks all - looks as if getting a spare set of wheels is the way to go.

Is it really as simple as swapping the wheels over?

What about the tyre pressure sensor issue?

[Ozzie Osmond]

Willy Orwonty said:

What about the tyre pressure sensor issue?

You'll need two sets of those as well. And it might be a good idea to mark both sets of wheels to show which wheel goes on which corner.

[Matt UK]

Ozzie Osmond said:

And it might be a good idea to mark both sets of wheels to show which wheel goes on which corner.

... in order to execute your rotation strategy

[C7 JFW]

My approach:

- Buy winter tyres, have them fitted to current wheels.
- Buy second set of wheels, identical to the first
- Have duplicate set of wheels 3 months later, refurbed so they're tidy and identical visually to first set
- Have summer tyres installed on new second set of wheels

Rotate the lot as you require.

The key thing here though, Winter tyre technology changes considerably on an annual basis. As such, I'll buy opting for brand new tyres that are a newer model so I can get the best possible traction.

Winter tyres are understandably very very sensitive to tread depth as well - I think some only run them from new > 4mm (treating that as the minimum) before replacing.

[Willy Orwonty]

That sounds like a plan.

I cant seem to find exactly the same alloys that are on the car but will keep on looking.

Its the 2015 Ecotecnic model I have which has 16" wheels.

I'm sure I read somewhere that because its the Ecotecnic that I'm restricted when it comes to fitting different Alloys (I cant remember where I read that or the rationalle behind it).

Its never simple (especially when you know as little about cars as I do :-) )

[vikingaero]

You can get alloys or brand new steelies from places like Oponeo as well as the usual tyres.

If you only plan to keep the car for 3 years then swapping may be better.

If you plan to keep it for longer then a spare set will be better.

[Wombat3]

Not a great idea to take tyres on & off too often - it an damage the beads eventually (and your wallet at £40-£50+ per set per time).

Best put on a separate set of rims. Either steels or some cheap SH alloys off Ebay will often do the job.

[Willy Orwonty]

I'm planning to keep the car longer than 3 years so happy to invest in another set of wheels.

[jamiem555]

I have a spare set of 16" Ford streetka alloys for our B Max. The winter tyres are on these. I don't have the TPMS on the winter tyres and just let the warning light illuminate. I'll be doing the same this year on my Focus ST. I have a spare set of 18" alloys with winter tyres but no TPMS either.

[battered]

If you find a car that comes with a full size steel spare then these pop up at breakers all the time, for loose change, with or without tyres. I've run my bangers on these at times. Having spent a few years in a boot they are generally in great condition.

Or just get a set of preabused alloys. If you find a 15" 5-spoke tulip wheel for an MX5, let me know.

[df76]

If you go for 15" wheels, you might be able to get cheaper tyres and it should improve ride quality.