Winter tyres. Discuss.

[Stevoraith]

I also agree with Clark- my 330d felt awful on the Kumho KW27 winters once it started to warm up. Pulling away from junctions resulted in wheel spin far too often under normal driving conditions. Also felt a bit vague in the corners. On the plus side they resulted in my first unintentional 'sideways round a roundabout' moment which was fun after my heart rate returned to normal.

Also the mini was on winter vredesteins when I bought it in may. Big improvement when I fitted the summers.

[j2 lot]

A decent tyre will cover all seasons but will (normally) only excel at what it is designed for and be second best in its non preferred operating range.

I still think the best option is to buy a decent known brand tyre as there is more chance it will work in the other temperature ranges too.
No manufacturer is going to produce a tyre for winter use, that kills all its customers still using it in the summer

[Mike Scib]

As above, my BMW is not as happy on the winters. Like Clarky and Stevo the traction control likes to flicker.

I think its just tread blocks moving that little bit TC is so sensitive picking it up.

Think I may need to sell my car by the sounds of it....

[BiggestNizzy]

I had/will have soon continental something winter tyres on my 130, it will flash the traction control if you want it too.

I found braking with the winters a vast improvement especially on snow. It helps when they have warmed up also. Winters are,better in winter (shocker)

[Stephen]

There was an article from I think EVO floating around which tested the performance in the snow. The conclusion was that tyres generally did what they claimed with even budget winters better than top brand summers in the snow and vice versa.

[Stu160]

While i remember, i have a set of Voyager rims with vradersteins wintrac,s on them, 215 60 16,s if anyone is interested, could split if you just want the tyres. One tyre has 4 mm plus, and the other 3 still have 6mm plus.

Stu

[Lazydonkey]

There was an article from I think EVO floating around which tested the performance in the snow. The conclusion was that tyres generally did what they claimed with even budget winters better than top brand summers in the snow and vice versa.

Yup, but the more budget the tyre the more you notice the issues when it's not snowing.

[Stephen]

Yip.

[Doc883]

It's probably fair to say that the cheapest 'Winter' tyres will outperform the best 'Summer' tyres when the temperatures and snow start to fall. However if you intend to swap to winter rubber in Oct/Nov then swap back in April then I'd be buying the best winter tyres my budget could afford. You wouldn't (hopefully) stick ditch finders on your car in the summer so why compromise in the winter.

[Lazydonkey]

It's probably fair to say that the cheapest 'Winter' tyres will outperform the best 'Summer' tyres when the temperatures and snow start to fall.

According to that test when the snow falls yes, when the temp falls you're better off with good summers than cheap winters.

[campbell]

Thanks everyone for contributions here. I especially enjoyed Fd's. Good to know you are watching, old fella

Still not made my mind up but will be doing further homework, all the better informed from the above discussion.

Current front runner idea? Quality brand part worns via eBay. Stay tuned...

[ClarkyBoy]

Thanks everyone for contributions here. I especially enjoyed Fd's. Good to know you are watching, old fella

Still not made my mind up but will be doing further homework, all the better informed from the above discussion.

Current front runner idea? Quality brand part worns via eBay. Stay tuned...

that's what I did last year did the job perfect in the M3!

[kerryxeg]

Campbell, I'm not against part worn tyres off eBay etc, but you do have to be very fussy, and I'd avoid the scrap merchant traders. The other issue particular to winter tyres is that they perform best when new and by about 3mm are not going to help much other than being a little softer. So I'd be looking for at least 6.5mm to 7mm before I'd pay for the fitting.

I get the pleasure of driving lots of hire cars on winter tyres. In Germany and Austria they often just leave them on all year. Premium versions aren't bad in summer, but not great on the twisty passes. Cheap tyres aren't great in summer at all on the autobahn, and I've been stuck on hills with them in winter.

[Stephen]

I'm with Kerry re the depths if you are looking at part worn tyres.

[campbell]

Thank you both.

Flipping minefield