Discussion
As a shandy-drinking, soft, Southerner (thought I might say it before someone like Kenny does!) and having experienced for the first time last year a mild Scottish winter and snow-bound roads for 3 months, I thought I might consider getting a set of winter tyres for the barge aka the missus XC90. Clearly, my 911 just rocks in the snow and they'll be no requirement to change from the racing slicks given my quite excellent driving skills.... 
So, I know that below about 7 degrees these work better than normal tyres and in Switzerland I've used them regularly for many years - they are brilliant, particularly on ice. We just don't have a culture of using them in the UK in colder conditions because we assume they only work when there is snow on the ground. So my post is in two parts:
1. Anyone here fit winter tyres as standard when the leaves turn brown and fall from the trees (ie. mid Aug!) and what are your thoughts?
2. Any particular recommendations for winter tyre manufacturers and tyre fitters in Scotland (ideally Glasgow but content to travel if the price is right).
Many thanks,
Oli (OJ)
So, I know that below about 7 degrees these work better than normal tyres and in Switzerland I've used them regularly for many years - they are brilliant, particularly on ice. We just don't have a culture of using them in the UK in colder conditions because we assume they only work when there is snow on the ground. So my post is in two parts:
1. Anyone here fit winter tyres as standard when the leaves turn brown and fall from the trees (ie. mid Aug!) and what are your thoughts?
2. Any particular recommendations for winter tyre manufacturers and tyre fitters in Scotland (ideally Glasgow but content to travel if the price is right).
Many thanks,
Oli (OJ)
I'm just away to order a set of Vredestein wintracs for my M5 for winter, my mate uses them on his M3 and swares by them, I have also seen the car in heavy snow and was very impressed with them.
To compliment this I've also bought a set of smaller wheels (17" and narrower) to assist with traction.
Regards tyre suppliers I'm buying them online and will get my mate to fit them at his work, but I'm getting them from ppcgb.com if youu want to have a look for prices etc.
To compliment this I've also bought a set of smaller wheels (17" and narrower) to assist with traction.
Regards tyre suppliers I'm buying them online and will get my mate to fit them at his work, but I'm getting them from ppcgb.com if youu want to have a look for prices etc.
Costco sell the Michelin Aplin winter tyres at reasonable prices (if you are a member of course).
I've had a set for 5 years now, and whilst they aren't the ultimate in snow tyres, they are an excellent compromise as you can use them just fine under normal road conditions.
I have to drive some narrow back roads to and from work with some steep inclines in places (1 in 3). With the Michelins fitted I never had any issues geting up (or down) the hills and was able to get up slopes that an X3 on summer tyres gave up on!
Here's a video of a friend's Impreza accelerating from a standstill to 60mph in around 10 seconds in deep snow and ice fitted with winter tyres (think they were Nokians) in 2006.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnsidc/3247381678/
I've had a set for 5 years now, and whilst they aren't the ultimate in snow tyres, they are an excellent compromise as you can use them just fine under normal road conditions.
I have to drive some narrow back roads to and from work with some steep inclines in places (1 in 3). With the Michelins fitted I never had any issues geting up (or down) the hills and was able to get up slopes that an X3 on summer tyres gave up on!
Here's a video of a friend's Impreza accelerating from a standstill to 60mph in around 10 seconds in deep snow and ice fitted with winter tyres (think they were Nokians) in 2006.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnsidc/3247381678/
OJ.. I'm assuming that your ladies Volvo is running a non M+S standard tyre because of the R design pretention to sportiness?
I run my Freelander on 20 inch Toyo S/T during the spring summer and autumn (bit of bling) but go back to the original 17 inch Landy wheels with M+S Goodyears when it gets cold and they grit the roads.
To be honest I think your Volvo would survive with the standard tyres owing to the drivetrain but if you want belt and braces a good winter tyre gives true go anywhere ability.
My merc would not get out of the street without its winter tyres when its snowy.
I have found that the best place for winter tyres is Germany owing to the substantial market there - try this company who are based in Germany and get your local tyre guy to fit and balance.
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&...
I run my Freelander on 20 inch Toyo S/T during the spring summer and autumn (bit of bling) but go back to the original 17 inch Landy wheels with M+S Goodyears when it gets cold and they grit the roads.
To be honest I think your Volvo would survive with the standard tyres owing to the drivetrain but if you want belt and braces a good winter tyre gives true go anywhere ability.
My merc would not get out of the street without its winter tyres when its snowy.
I have found that the best place for winter tyres is Germany owing to the substantial market there - try this company who are based in Germany and get your local tyre guy to fit and balance.
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&...
6C4GTS said:
OJ.. I'm assuming that your ladies Volvo is running a non M+S standard tyre because of the R design pretention to sportiness?
I run my Freelander on 20 inch Toyo S/T during the spring summer and autumn (bit of bling) but go back to the original 17 inch Landy wheels with M+S Goodyears when it gets cold and they grit the roads.
To be honest I think your Volvo would survive with the standard tyres owing to the drivetrain but if you want belt and braces a good winter tyre gives true go anywhere ability.
My merc would not get out of the street without its winter tyres when its snowy.
I have found that the best place for winter tyres is Germany owing to the substantial market there - try this company who are based in Germany and get your local tyre guy to fit and balance.
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&...
Thanks Barry - the Aga was absolutely fine last winter mainly because the main roads were kept clear but being the beast it is, I still need a new set of shoes every 14k! Thought having a set for the winter would aid overall safety and give the summer tyres a respite for four months of heavy metal! I'll try the Germans. OI run my Freelander on 20 inch Toyo S/T during the spring summer and autumn (bit of bling) but go back to the original 17 inch Landy wheels with M+S Goodyears when it gets cold and they grit the roads.
To be honest I think your Volvo would survive with the standard tyres owing to the drivetrain but if you want belt and braces a good winter tyre gives true go anywhere ability.
My merc would not get out of the street without its winter tyres when its snowy.
I have found that the best place for winter tyres is Germany owing to the substantial market there - try this company who are based in Germany and get your local tyre guy to fit and balance.
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=110&...
I'll be running winter tyres as soon as the temperature is generally below 7degC. Once they're on, they'll be on right through until the temp is back above 7degC, cos I'm lazy.
I've gone for Kumho KW27's from mytyres and had them fitted last week buy a local garage. The Vred's get a great rep but were almost double the price for my fitment - the Kumho's still come up well on the tiretest website though.
Whether all this is overkill or not, I'm not sure. My car was bloody hopeless (or fun, depending on your mood) last year so perhaps for me, yes. It's more just getting out of my street that caused most issues, but also because I stay at a decent altitude compared to the surrounding area. Ground clearance could be an issue though. Hopefully they'll be worth the sacrifice of running on my tiny pram wheel alloys for a few months...
I've gone for Kumho KW27's from mytyres and had them fitted last week buy a local garage. The Vred's get a great rep but were almost double the price for my fitment - the Kumho's still come up well on the tiretest website though.
Whether all this is overkill or not, I'm not sure. My car was bloody hopeless (or fun, depending on your mood) last year so perhaps for me, yes. It's more just getting out of my street that caused most issues, but also because I stay at a decent altitude compared to the surrounding area. Ground clearance could be an issue though. Hopefully they'll be worth the sacrifice of running on my tiny pram wheel alloys for a few months...
I've had a look around the web (those above as well) and spoken to National Tyres, Kwik-Fit, e-tyres, Blackcircle and two Volvo dealerships none of whom have bothered to return my call (and I thought it was just Porsche which had poor customer service!). The best I've found so far is from my local Kwik Fit who I have used before. For four Continental Contact winter tyres: £820 down from £1020 (all in). Then I went to Event Tyres who don't cover Scotland (Grrr!) but I can tie it in with a trip south and use their mobile fitting vans. All included (balancing, valves, disposal and the usual hike in VAT) for £739.04 or £185 per tyre [edit: for the same Continental Contact tyre]. This is the best deal by far so will see if Kwik Fit want to compete.... OJ
Edited by OJ... on Tuesday 19th October 13:01
It appears Kwik Fit do want to compete. My local manager has dropped to £770 all in; a £250 drop from the list price and on my door step too. Nice bunch of lads at the Milngavie Branch and against the grain of the usual cliche pedalled on PH which is good. Sadly one needs to get all 4 tyres done so it's a spenny venture!
[quote=OJ...]It appears Kwik Fit do want to compete. My local manager has dropped to £770 all in; a £250 drop from the list price and on my door step too. Nice bunch of lads at the Milngavie Branch and against the grain of the usual cliche pedalled on PH which is good. Sadly one needs to get all 4 tyres done so it's a spenny venture
would cayenne turbo wheels and tires fit?
i have a set of 18s with good mud and snows going cheap if they will fit?
just a thought!!
i have a set of 18s with good mud and snows going cheap if they will fit?
just a thought!!
OJ... said:
As a shandy-drinking, soft, Southerner (thought I might say it before someone like Kenny does!) and having experienced for the first time last year a mild Scottish winter and snow-bound roads for 3 months, I thought I might consider getting a set of winter tyres for the barge aka the missus XC90. Clearly, my 911 just rocks in the snow and they'll be no requirement to change from the racing slicks given my quite excellent driving skills....
So, I know that below about 7 degrees these work better than normal tyres and in Switzerland I've used them regularly for many years - they are brilliant, particularly on ice. We just don't have a culture of using them in the UK in colder conditions because we assume they only work when there is snow on the ground. So my post is in two parts:
1. Anyone here fit winter tyres as standard when the leaves turn brown and fall from the trees (ie. mid Aug!) and what are your thoughts?
2. Any particular recommendations for winter tyre manufacturers and tyre fitters in Scotland (ideally Glasgow but content to travel if the price is right).
Many thanks,
Oli (OJ)
So, I know that below about 7 degrees these work better than normal tyres and in Switzerland I've used them regularly for many years - they are brilliant, particularly on ice. We just don't have a culture of using them in the UK in colder conditions because we assume they only work when there is snow on the ground. So my post is in two parts:
1. Anyone here fit winter tyres as standard when the leaves turn brown and fall from the trees (ie. mid Aug!) and what are your thoughts?
2. Any particular recommendations for winter tyre manufacturers and tyre fitters in Scotland (ideally Glasgow but content to travel if the price is right).
Many thanks,
Oli (OJ)
Good thinking OJ......your a decent bloke....can't believe you would think that myself, flip, si, johny or anyone else here would think any different of you.
My 1st every post with no slagging, can't promise it will last.
Good choice sticking on some winter tyres. I bought a set of nearly new sp dunlops in the summer from a chick in Bearsden via gumtree. Bought a spare set of alloys and with a bit of sanding & spraying, i've got a set of winter tyres all ready to be fitted on Ally's golf.
I had a set of M&S fitted to a subaru pick-up many years ago and it was excellent in the snow.
OJ..you're the man when it come to driving. Your porky won't need winter tyres!!
My 1st every post with no slagging, can't promise it will last.
Good choice sticking on some winter tyres. I bought a set of nearly new sp dunlops in the summer from a chick in Bearsden via gumtree. Bought a spare set of alloys and with a bit of sanding & spraying, i've got a set of winter tyres all ready to be fitted on Ally's golf.
I had a set of M&S fitted to a subaru pick-up many years ago and it was excellent in the snow.
OJ..you're the man when it come to driving. Your porky won't need winter tyres!!
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