V12V Winter tyres
Discussion
Having got my car back after nearly two months at works service I am now quite keen on avoiding any dings.
So - I am wondering if the winter tyres are actually worthwhile.
My V8V was simply not useable in snow, I expect the V12V to be worse. But even with swanky tyres - with 510 bhp on tap I imagine it'll be a handful on any tyre.
Put cost aside - how many extra days a year of driving do you think I'd get versus regular tyres. I'm in London and most of my driving is within the M25.
Thoughts?
So - I am wondering if the winter tyres are actually worthwhile.
My V8V was simply not useable in snow, I expect the V12V to be worse. But even with swanky tyres - with 510 bhp on tap I imagine it'll be a handful on any tyre.
Put cost aside - how many extra days a year of driving do you think I'd get versus regular tyres. I'm in London and most of my driving is within the M25.
Thoughts?
Some dealers will look after tyres/wheels for you if you opt for winter wheels/tyres. My car is in for 2 year service in about two weeks time and i have been considering tyre options including winter tyres. There was an offer that came out recently for the winter option at a special price (i think that it came from Aston Martin directly but no prices given - as anyone enquired yet ?
After the V12 day at AM WS I asked about other options and WS were working with Pirelli in the autumn on an intermediate tyre that would be specifically designed for the V12V and, I believe, would be intended to fit the standard wheels (I don't particularly like the winter wheel). I rang WS last week and they have reached agreement with Pirelli and the new tyre will be available from February. Given UK whether I would like a tyre that will perform better all year round, especially in the wet, and the intermediate looks like it could fulfill my requirements. I wouldnt use the V12V in snow anyway so I believe that it could be the right option - lose a little of the phenominal grip that is available from the standard tyre in the dry (I dont track the car so not sure that i would lose much in the real world), gain in terms of wet weather performance, retain the wheels that i really like and, as a bonus, will probably have a set of tyres that will last a little longer and can be used for more of the year.
Of course there is also no longer the requirement to store a set of wheels and tyres.
After the V12 day at AM WS I asked about other options and WS were working with Pirelli in the autumn on an intermediate tyre that would be specifically designed for the V12V and, I believe, would be intended to fit the standard wheels (I don't particularly like the winter wheel). I rang WS last week and they have reached agreement with Pirelli and the new tyre will be available from February. Given UK whether I would like a tyre that will perform better all year round, especially in the wet, and the intermediate looks like it could fulfill my requirements. I wouldnt use the V12V in snow anyway so I believe that it could be the right option - lose a little of the phenominal grip that is available from the standard tyre in the dry (I dont track the car so not sure that i would lose much in the real world), gain in terms of wet weather performance, retain the wheels that i really like and, as a bonus, will probably have a set of tyres that will last a little longer and can be used for more of the year.
Of course there is also no longer the requirement to store a set of wheels and tyres.
WantanewV12V said:
I rang WS last week and they have reached agreement with Pirelli and the new tyre will be available from February.
I hope that is true. I am unlikely to be driving the Beast until then for work reasons and then can anticpate to thrash the remaining life out of the current PZC's before winter 2012/13, then if this all works out, gently "slip into something a little more confortable".Perfect timing!
More of a general query on winter driving I guess, but I recently got a V8V and I'm using it as my daily driver to work etc. Other than when there's snow/ice on the ground, when I'm sure I'll wisely drive something else, is there a point where it really is a good idea not to be driving it on regular tyres? I mean when it's close to freezing etc. Will the characteristics alter greatly?
outofstepuk said:
More of a general query on winter driving I guess, but I recently got a V8V and I'm using it as my daily driver to work etc. Other than when there's snow/ice on the ground, when I'm sure I'll wisely drive something else, is there a point where it really is a good idea not to be driving it on regular tyres? I mean when it's close to freezing etc. Will the characteristics alter greatly?
Nope, not greatly.Just drive more carefully as the temperatures approach 3 degrees. Remember snow will fall at above this temp too
It is a common misconception, that winter tyres are for snowy conditions only. In fact, when the weather gets colder and more wet the normal rubber will not heat up and offer less grip. This is even more pronounced with the P P0 Corsas which cannot generate and retain any heat below 10 degrees and hence offer no grip. The Sotto Zeros are made of a much softer compound with more grooves and offer grip in abundance both in the wet and the snow. They are a fantastic tyre as there are no felt setbacks compared to the P Zero Corsa other than if used extensively above 10 degrees they will wear out fast. When the snow came down one evening last year my V12V had better grip than the wife's Range Rover - its all in the tyre. I bough my set last year at HWM who also store my other set of wheels when not in use. The costs are negligible when you compare it to a trip in the armco or a bend wheel.
clorenzen said:
When the snow came down one evening last year my V12V had better grip than the wife's Range Rover - its all in the tyre.
Was this a specific case - driving down a steep hill or in general? I'm shocked that a V12V can outgrip a Rangie. So if that's the case then it might be worth a set of wheels and tyres.As clorenzen has done, I will be popping up to HWM at the end of the week to get my V12V shod with SottoZeros, ahead if taking the beast across for a tour of some customers in France and Germany next week. I just feel bit nervous about hacking around Europe at the end of November with P Zero Cs on. HWM will store the summer tyres until it's time to swap them round again.
JohnG1 said:
Was this a specific case - driving down a steep hill or in general? I'm shocked that a V12V can outgrip a Rangie. So if that's the case then it might be worth a set of wheels and tyres.
No it was a general observation. I commute to work from Richmond and when the snow was coming down one evening i was one of the few cars that made it up Richmond Hill. Obviously you don't have the clearance to drive in foot high snow but that is not the point. For driving on the Continent you are actually are required by law to fit winter tyres as per 1st November (Austria & Germany) so i would not go there with the P Zero Corsas at all as the insurance could refuse to pay our in case of an accident.clorenzen said:
For driving on the Continent you are actually are required by law to fit winter tyres as per 1st November (Austria & Germany) so i would not go there with the P Zero Corsas at all as the insurance could refuse to pay our in case of an accident.
More winter tyre myths, I think. Unless the conditions are wintry you can use your summer tyres in Germany. There's no firm date and no basis for your Insurer to refuse to pay out.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff