How is everyone's winter tyres in this warm weather?
Discussion
One of the reasons I did not get winter tyres on my beemer was I know how bad they are when the weather is warmer. I lived in Switzerland and the 1.6 Golf I had over there struggled (move off grip, cornering grip and high speed stability) when the temperature was over 6 degrees C. I did not want to have to struggle with a powerful RWD car when the weather turns. Also I did not want to keep swapping them off and on. So was wondering how you guys that have put winters on 330/5's and 530/5's are getting on?
No problems at all here in Belgium with 12 C degrees (though down to 0-2 degrees at night). They feel absolutely fine, deals well with rain and non-winter stuff. When night temperatures are consistently above 7 degrees (probably end of March) I will change back to summer tyres.
Btw, this is with an E39 M5
Btw, this is with an E39 M5
It's not so much that winter tyres are designed to work below 7 deg C as it is that summer tyres don't work very well at those lower temps. Winter tyres will work pretty well at higher temps but will wear faster due to softer compounds and more tread squirm.
I'm surprised by the OP's comments - I would have expected them not to be as good as summer tyres but nowhere near as bad as described.
I'm surprised by the OP's comments - I would have expected them not to be as good as summer tyres but nowhere near as bad as described.
phelix said:
I'm surprised by the OP's comments - I would have expected them not to be as good as summer tyres but nowhere near as bad as described.
My observations were on a 1.6 Mk5 Golf which I drove like a complete loon in Switzerland for a couple of years, in the spring I could not wait to get the winter rubber off and get some tyres that worked. This was about 7 years ago and perhaps winter tyres have changed, but it used to be very unnerving for me, terminal understeer and trying to pull out of junctions were a mare in the warmer weather. Perhaps winters are better now or perhaps the RWD and better chassis on the beemers make this less of an issue, (also I do drive like a bit of a loon most of the time, really working the tyres and always have top quality rubber installed).sadlerj said:
phelix said:
I'm surprised by the OP's comments - I would have expected them not to be as good as summer tyres but nowhere near as bad as described.
My observations were on a 1.6 Mk5 Golf which I drove like a complete loon in Switzerland for a couple of years, in the spring I could not wait to get the winter rubber off and get some tyres that worked. This was about 7 years ago and perhaps winter tyres have changed, but it used to be very unnerving for me, terminal understeer and trying to pull out of junctions were a mare in the warmer weather. Perhaps winters are better now or perhaps the RWD and better chassis on the beemers make this less of an issue, (also I do drive like a bit of a loon most of the time, really working the tyres and always have top quality rubber installed).As one of the other posters has mentioned, there seems little reason that a normal driver would feel much difference especially at the moment. The compund is softer and the tread is designed to clear "stuff" so while ever there is crud on the road they should be more surefooted. They will move around on the blocks more, get hotter and wear more quickly so are ultimately less precise and noiser but I think we are a month or two away from the point that the negatives outweigh the positives.
Edited by Stitch on Monday 17th January 17:40
Fox- said:
Must admit as I did a typical mid winters journey yesterday - 150 miles of A roads at 12c in the pouring rain - I was very glad I hadn't kneerjerked my way out of my ContiSport Contact 3's.
Why? as set of winters would have cleared much more rain. 
Even in warmer temps I'm finding the Alpins brilliant especially in the wet.
Wills2 said:
Fox- said:
Must admit as I did a typical mid winters journey yesterday - 150 miles of A roads at 12c in the pouring rain - I was very glad I hadn't kneerjerked my way out of my ContiSport Contact 3's.
Why? as set of winters would have cleared much more rain. Thats why I ran Eagle F1's for so long.
sadlerj said:
phelix said:
I'm surprised by the OP's comments - I would have expected them not to be as good as summer tyres but nowhere near as bad as described.
My observations were on a 1.6 Mk5 Golf which I drove like a complete loon in Switzerland for a couple of years, in the spring I could not wait to get the winter rubber off and get some tyres that worked. This was about 7 years ago and perhaps winter tyres have changed, but it used to be very unnerving for me, terminal understeer and trying to pull out of junctions were a mare in the warmer weather. Perhaps winters are better now or perhaps the RWD and better chassis on the beemers make this less of an issue, (also I do drive like a bit of a loon most of the time, really working the tyres and always have top quality rubber installed).Fox- said:
Wills2 said:
Fox- said:
Must admit as I did a typical mid winters journey yesterday - 150 miles of A roads at 12c in the pouring rain - I was very glad I hadn't kneerjerked my way out of my ContiSport Contact 3's.
Why? as set of winters would have cleared much more rain. Thats why I ran Eagle F1's for so long.
Wills2 said:
Fox- said:
Wills2 said:
Fox- said:
Must admit as I did a typical mid winters journey yesterday - 150 miles of A roads at 12c in the pouring rain - I was very glad I hadn't kneerjerked my way out of my ContiSport Contact 3's.
Why? as set of winters would have cleared much more rain. Thats why I ran Eagle F1's for so long.
Fox- said:
Wills2 said:
Fox- said:
Wills2 said:
Fox- said:
Must admit as I did a typical mid winters journey yesterday - 150 miles of A roads at 12c in the pouring rain - I was very glad I hadn't kneerjerked my way out of my ContiSport Contact 3's.
Why? as set of winters would have cleared much more rain. Thats why I ran Eagle F1's for so long.
Can't say I have ever noticed this when I have driven on winter tyres in warmer conditions. I've rented cars equipped with snow tyres on many occasions when I have been in skiing in Europe....come early Spring the cars still have snow tyres but the temps can easily be up to 15deg on the odd occasion down in the valley. I can't say that I have ever felt like the cars have ever behaved that badly. I was basically driving the same road every fortnight for four months so I was very familiar with it and the type of hire car.
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