f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Nothing wrong with the analogy, what's wrong is that you feel the need to say something even when you've nothing to say!

davyboy

Your analogy is poor, think of another.

Unless you spend alot of time outside in the cold and wet you don't need a waterproof, warm coat.

Unless you spend a lot of time driving in snow and very cold temps, you don't need winter tyres.

r32

'Er indoors has a difficult drive to the hospital at all odd times and in all weathers, and I must say you only have to watch the two videos (and others) to see how much better grip and perhaps more importantly how much quicker you can stop in cold conditions.

The average winter temps are below 7 degrees C so being able to stop quickly once during the winter months can be a life saver. Its like a motorbike crash helmet or seat belts (other than for comfort and the legal requirement) you can ride for years and never need one. But you can pop up to the shops and it can save your life. Same with winter tyres. Just that once.

I always worry about my wife driving in this bad weather. Because of the facts I've decided to buy a set of winter tyres and wheels for her Mini. It's extra expense, but not costing as much as either of my bike crash helmets. She is more precious to me than my own life so if I can do anything to help protect her while she's out during the winter I'll damn well do it. Below 7 degrees winter tyres are considerably better than summer ones and equal up to about 15 degrees.

You dont have to do a lot of driving over the winter to justify using them.

Luan Pra bang

If I was so inclined I could make a fortune in bad weather given that I can stop so much quicker than the majority of other road users. You could spend a winter just emergency stopping unexpectedly and watching cars slide into the back of you. In a way everyone one winter tyres muight be safer than some with some without.

urban

iTrader: (1)

I'm not disagreeing with you, for sure they're safer

But there are other things to consider apart from the cost of the actual tyre.
1. You need to pay 2 times per year to have them swapped, or else purchase a second set of rims

2. Could you fit 4 tyres in your car, or are you going to have to pay storage charges to a garage also

ScoobySteve69

iTrader: (13)

For winter tyre sceptics

davyboy

The video I saw (and just posted above) was on pure snow and the car was far, far better.

I'd like to see a similar video of a car on sumer tyres in 2 or 3 degrees and a car on winter tyres in 2 or 3 degress. Clearly the difference will not be that big and be more reflective of UK use.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

One of my earlier posts has a video from auto express with 2 Seat's, there is a test in the wet at around 4-5 deg C for stopping distance, the winter tyres seriously out performed the summer tyres by quite some margine at 50-0 mph, over 7m difference!

Go have a look at it

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

No it isn't you are just being deliberately obtuse or you are thick, I don't care which!

The reason my analogy works is that most people do have to go outside when it's wet and cold as they go to work, shops, friends, family etc. hence they own a warm waterproof coat as is expected. As winter tyres are better in these conditions as well as snow it is not unreasoanble to expect most people would benefit from having a set on their car especially if they use it to get to work as a lot of people do.

I've underlined the relevant bits for you

You then pipe in with:

and then claim my analogy is bad which it would be if most people never went out or used their cars in winter... but they do which is why your input was worthless and your criticism baseless.

As I said great input as always

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

If he spent more time reading and less time spouting it would be good for all of us

Infected by sti

iTrader: (6)

Well if that video don't prove a point then I don't know what will
BMW especially the M series are renowned for being useless in the snow, I know I got one also, that video has rather impressed me tbh, nothing came close to that bm of the video, pulls off fine and can even reverse, just goes to show how much better grip you get with decent rubber, I'm sold! That has firmly made my mind up regarding tyres for next winter, if not before then

davyboy

7m is a good stat. Also interesting what web sites states as the minimum stopping distance, and the actual stopping distance.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum.../dg_188029.pdf

Now, what is the stopping difference with summer tyres between tyres with 5mm of tread and those on the limiter? I'm sure I have seen a stat showing the difference between 1.6mm and 2mm and it's quite a difference.

How about the stopping distance between a good set of Pirellis and some chen chings, both with 5mm.

I know the tyres are better, I just think for most UK car owners it's not worth it. Unless you job/life depends on driving and/or you are very rural. If you live near a bus route (usually those roads that are gritted) then chances are you're not going to have much of a problem.

Wurzel

iTrader: (1)

I do like these debates, the sheer pig headedness of the brick walls on here is a sight to behold.

Some people just can't be reasoned with

davyboy

What about winter days when the temps are above 10? We had a few of those in December.

If you change summer tyres at 3mm instead of 2mm you could also save that 7m breaking distance

Enjoy your winter tyres.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Eh?
If you watch the video you will see that both are brand new continental tyres tested at continentals test track in Germany, 7m for new summer tyres v new winter tyres.
Also its not been much above 10 deg all winter, at night where I live its been around 0-2 deg and on the odd warm day its been around 6-9 deg, right in the area where the winter tyres excell over their summer brothers.

Wurzel

iTrader: (1)

Ah yes but you don't live in the tropical paradise of driving tranquility that Davyboy does, and he is obviously a better driver than because he has taken it up the ring a few times, and everyone know anyone who takes it up the ring is a better driver so there is nothing more to be said

scud8

iTrader: (1)

This shows a serious misunderstanding of tyre dynamics. Tread depth is immaterial except in wet conditions where it channels water from under the tyre and prevents aquaplaning. One of the common issues with summer tyres in snow is that the narrow treads clog with snow (especially because the summer rubber flexes less in cold temperatures), no matter how deep the tread is. Winter tyre tread patterns and more flexible rubber stop this happening.

ScoobySteve69

iTrader: (13)

Tell me about it. I got home from work yesterday morning and spent 30 odd mins slithering and sliding in my M3 on my road which quite steep and ended up abandoning it outside my sisters further down. I've just bought some mint OEM M3 alloys for £450 and I'm putting a set of Vredestein winters on at a cost of around £800.........worth the expense imo as theyll be used for around 5 months of the year. What people don't realise is when theyr'e on their winters, their summers are not wearing down so last twice as long

Infected by sti

iTrader: (6)

I know what your saying bud, they certainly ain't the friendliest of cars in adverse weather

I attempted to use it one year as I didn't have much choice tbh, got it out of the street (just!! going sideways everywhere) the roads weren't that bad, but as soon as it came to getting back in to the street what a nightmare that was! And I hate leaving my cars out on the roads in bad weather, seen so many being damaged through people not being able to stop, you only had to give it a touch of throttle and the bloody thing was straight round in circles, I bet it looked rather cool to the people on the side of the road but deep down I was starting to get rather frustrated after alot of pushing by a group of local lads who thought it was great seeing the bm doing donuts and throwing snow everywhere I managed to get it home, fair to say I have never used it since in weather like this, just wish I thought more about winter daps back then for it after seeing that video he makes it look like a walk in the park

Fat Boy

Not noticeably, as long as they are stored somewhere cool and out of the light and anyway they would still be better than summer tyres.

I get my money's worth instantly when I go skiing in the snowy season as you just couldn't do it with summer tyres without the pain of chains ( socks are of very limited use - the cops in the alps will turn you back at the bottom of a snowy hill if that's all you've got because they aren't as good) - but more importantly when my wife and family come back safe after a short trip to the shops in the uk in very cold, icy or snowy conditions.

http://www.btmauk.com/data/files/Why...May%202012.pdf

British Tyre Manufacturer Association winter tyre information - has some interesting stats

The video above with the M3 says it all. £4/500 for a set of steel wheels and tyres for a scooby is well worth it for me - if the famously rubbish in snow M3 can have fun like that, just imagine what an impreza would be like.

R

davyboy

I've just driven 50 miles home on summer tyres on cold wet roads with not one problem. Funnily enough neither did those around me.

Biggest problem I had was walking from my car to house over my snowy/icy drive.

I really should have put my winter shoes on, but I took the gamble to walk the 10 meters in my Crocket and Jones. I analysed the risk and it wasn't worth it.

davyboy

I'm not saying I'm better. But why would I spend 400 odd quid to fix a problem that does not exist for me?

Rob Day

iTrader: (78)

I change my tyres for each occasion LOL

The bloody B road


hmmmm choices choices LOL (again)


ahhh they'll do nicely

sweden

iTrader: (2)

so by that definition why do you bother changing your summer tyres when they are worn down they willö still have plenty of grip in the summer

mrmadcap

I think you are confusing IQ with having a chip on your shoulder

Infected by sti

iTrader: (6)

Haha Scooby rescues lorry nice touch

Infected by sti

iTrader: (6)

Rob you got any winter daps in amongst that lot?

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

Nope, you're thick!

Rob Day

iTrader: (78)

Bloody hell Chris, its not like you to be blunt

I may be the thick one here as I don't know what daps is

scud8

iTrader: (1)

Because it still rains in the summer, and tyres with little tread depth will aquaplane.