Winter tyres

[Dave7]

Has anyone got any recommendations re winter tyres for our cars?

[MartayMcFly]

My recommendation - get some. The difference is unbelievable. I've got Vredestein Wintrax Xtreme on mine, but any proper winter tyre will see you right. Last year (when looking at the usual reviews) the new Michelin Alpin PA4s were the 'best', but also so popular that nowhere had stock. PA3s shouldn't be far behind in terms of ability.

[scottyboy74]

Hi

I have had Nokian WR A3 winter tyres fitted today after reading endless reviews from multiple websites and decided to go for these. I have only driven on them for a couple of days and luckily when leaving for work there has been a lot of ice on the roads and no other cars.
The grip has been excellent and on the motorway have been quieter than my summer continental s3. They feel softer on straight runs at high speed which i was surprised by.
Not tried them in the wet yet so i cannot comment.
ordered them from oponeo on friday and they arrived from Germany on Tuesday. so far so good.

http://www.nokiantyres.com/tyre?id=2139 ... kian+WR+A3

[Surrey Sam]

I've run Continental TS830P for the last few years and have been more than happy. They take about 100 miles to scrub in but work really well in all winter conditions.

[stu]

Used Wintrac Extremes for three winters and was very pleased with them. Thought I'd try something else and got a set of Pirelli Sottozeros. Much better cornering, but the improvement is reflected in the price.

I didn't see any useful data out there that might have helped me choose a 255/35 19 inch winter tyre, so I resorted to best guess. It's easier to make informed purchases if you have a lower performance car or are happy to go to smaller narrower tyres (which I am not - I wouldn't be able to look at the car!).

It would be interesting to see what the M3/M5 brigade put on their cars, particularly in countries where winter tyres are mandatory.

[richierobs]

+1 for Vredestein Wintrac Extremes.

Used them last three winters, with plenty of driving across French motorways and in also the Alps.
Also have chains also but only needed them once - Wintracs + Quattro makes winter driving very straightforward.
Deepest snow I've encountered was about six inches, on a narrow switchback, RS4 on the Wintracs handled it easily without needing chains.

It's worth buying a spare too - they're not easy to find if you get a puncture somewhere on a European road trip!

The chains are Weissenfels Clack & Go Quattro, very easy to fit.

[stu]

It's worth buying a spare too - they're not easy to find if you get a puncture somewhere on a European road trip!

I agree - one of mine went pop well into winter 2yr ago. I was running on one winter and one summer at the rear for a few days until another (rather expensive) wintrac xtreme could be delivered. Made for some fun oversteering action. The temporary summer tyre lost a lot of tread depth in those few days!

I now have four spares - my old wintracs, which would still do another season on less miles than I do. I only need the one if there are three other homes they could go to.

[the cueball]

I've got Toyo snow prox for the S8.... they are decent enough, I'm a bit late this year, but putting them on the car tomorrow...

[MartayMcFly]

I've got Toyo snow prox for the S8.... they are decent enough, I'm a bit late this year, but putting them on the car tomorrow...

Due to constant hiccups with getting adapters and me being away a lot, I only took my winter tyres OFF in October. Lasted a whole 5 weeks before the were on again.

[the cueball]

lol...

I do know a few people that have started driving about with their winters on all year.... not sure I could...

the annoying thing is, it takes F1 teams a few seconds to change 4 wheels, but by the time I've washed both sets, protected them, had a nosey under the car, cleaned that, and generally messed about trying to do it all... it's about a 4 hour job for me! :wall:

[chunky79]

lol...

I do know a few people that have started driving about with their winters on all year.... not sure I could...

the annoying thing is, it takes F1 teams a few seconds to change 4 wheels, but by the time I've washed both sets, protected them, had a nosey under the car, cleaned that, and generally messed about trying to do it all... it's about a 4 hour job for me! :wall:

What you got on your lemon?

[the cueball]

dunno Kit Kat.... with my luck probably Nagkangs ditch finders... lol





it's actually got brand new Goodyear Eagles

[chunky79]

dunno Kit Kat.... with my luck probably Nagkangs ditch finders... lol





it's actually got brand new Goodyear Eagles

Shall I take a guess and say you are Amanda's friend?
Atleast you have good taste in summer tyres.

[the cueball]

You mean the person on here? wrong guess buddy, I have no idea who she is...



Yeah the eagles seem Ok... I'm used to Yoko Advan Sports on the S8 or contis, but happy with the Goodyears in the week of driving so far! lol

what sort of mileage have you got out of them, just out of interest??

[chunky79]

You mean the person on here? wrong guess buddy, I have no idea who she is...



Yeah the eagles seem Ok... I'm used to Yoko Advan Sports on the S8 or contis, but happy with the Goodyears in the week of driving so far! lol

what sort of mileage have you got out of them, just out of interest??

You not on the s8 forum then?????

My motor only does around 5k a year, and probably only 900 miles of that is hard driving.
Looking for a set of winters myself, only want part worns really cause they will only be needed for around 800 miles.