RE: Feature: Winter tyres - worth the bother?
Discussion
They make sense to me as I live in Shetland.
And now I've lived here, and bought extra wheels, and winter tyres for my cars, I'll swap them down south as it won't cost any extra.
Also means when I replace my summer tyres next I'll be getting near slick tyres on one of the cars for the nice weather.
You don't have to comprise if you've got two sets.
And now I've lived here, and bought extra wheels, and winter tyres for my cars, I'll swap them down south as it won't cost any extra.
Also means when I replace my summer tyres next I'll be getting near slick tyres on one of the cars for the nice weather.
You don't have to comprise if you've got two sets.
I used to make do with a set of Ling Longs but I really don't think they could tolerate the amount of torque the old girl is putting out these days with all the weight saving modifications (some of it fell off).
So I spent about £800 on a full set of Perrelius UltrafingquickonIce2000ZX 50s.
The difference really is night and day. When I'm taking bends side ways in the Micra with a dab of oppo they really give me the edge I need.
Especially on my 2 mile commute in the middle of England where snowfall can reach as much as 2 inches.
ETA: With my fog lights on.
So I spent about £800 on a full set of Perrelius UltrafingquickonIce2000ZX 50s.
The difference really is night and day. When I'm taking bends side ways in the Micra with a dab of oppo they really give me the edge I need.
Especially on my 2 mile commute in the middle of England where snowfall can reach as much as 2 inches.
ETA: With my fog lights on.
http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/this-you...
Anyone still doubting the benefits of winter tyres
? (Ignore the "cheating" between slicks and winters)
Anyone still doubting the benefits of winter tyres
? (Ignore the "cheating" between slicks and winters)Another good winter tyre video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd...
I think the basis of the best argument is that whilst your stopping distance is greatly reduced if you've winter tyres fitted, the other 99% of other road users who don't bother will still come crashing into you from all angles!
Winter tyres + deserted snowy roads
Winter tyres + normal snowy roads with traffic
Winter tyres + deserted snowy roads
Winter tyres + normal snowy roads with traffic
Really glad I tried them, but glad they are back in the garage for winter now! Dry grip is far better (in temps over freezing at least) on the summer rubber. Next year I'll probably run them in a narrower window assuming similar weather. For various reasons I had to run winters from mid-Oct to the start of March so I'll probably shorten that by a month each end.
m444ttb said:
Really glad I tried them, but glad they are back in the garage for winter now! Dry grip is far better (in temps over freezing at least) on the summer rubber. Next year I'll probably run them in a narrower window assuming similar weather. For various reasons I had to run winters from mid-Oct to the start of March so I'll probably shorten that by a month each end.
+1My conclusion also
Birzzles said:
Winter tyres definitely work. However my BMWs simply go nowhere with the slightest dusting of snow. So i am wondering if the BMW wil still be useless even with winter tyres on. Do i need to get a front wheel drive car for winter use?
Odd timing for this post, but I've been driving BMWs with winter tyres for over a decade. They are transformed by winter tyres.i've driven past stuck 4x4s in an M5 with winter tyres.Birzzles said:
Winter tyres definitely work. However my BMWs simply go nowhere with the slightest dusting of snow. So i am wondering if the BMW wil still be useless even with winter tyres on. Do i need to get a front wheel drive car for winter use?
It will be transformed.I had a a 740iL which reallt was a worst-case-scenario, in that it was a RWD, BMW, auto, LWB, but winter tyres completely changed it and it was very capable indeed on snow.
If you don't want to go the whole hog with pure Winter Tyres, Vredestein Quattrac 3's are an all season tyre and they perform fantastically in the typical UK winter, and are fairly decent in summer too.
Porsche will charge £4000 for a set of wheels and tyres and a storage rate but if you just replace should be able to source the tyres for around £1000 with an OPC 150 to fit.
I've done just that after watching a mates Merc ML go from Zero to Hero on snow after fitting winter tyres in Scotland ..... Only defenders on the rev limiters (ouch) could stay with him and MLs are not well know for class leading genuine 4x4 performance . Was astonishing
Can't wait to try them out now my Turbo S has em ...Sod's law it'll stay warm . Nevertheless the cars already feeling more stable in the floods at 3 degrees (:-))
I've done just that after watching a mates Merc ML go from Zero to Hero on snow after fitting winter tyres in Scotland ..... Only defenders on the rev limiters (ouch) could stay with him and MLs are not well know for class leading genuine 4x4 performance . Was astonishing
Can't wait to try them out now my Turbo S has em ...Sod's law it'll stay warm . Nevertheless the cars already feeling more stable in the floods at 3 degrees (:-))
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