Time to remove the winter tyres?
#1
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Time to remove the winter tyres?
It is exactly one year ago since I first experienced my 3 Series in the snow. Due to the down right dangerous nature of the car in the snowy conditions I purchased 900 quids worth of winter tyres/alloys. Up to press I'm still none the wiser as to wether they will work in the snow but is that it for the year? Shall I throw the summers back on or can we still expect a cold snap?
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#12
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OK genuine question, given that this winter has been mild, and V little snow so far, do you think the winter tyres have been worth it ?
Richard
Richard
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I'm sure they work in snow but we live in the UK where it might snow or might not; in warmer conditions, the tyres we bought were appallingly sh**.
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I took mine off about three weeks ago.To be honest,they have been of no benefit at all,as the weather conditions have been too mild.In previous years though,they have been superb.
I've new summer wheels and new rubber on now and it only takes a few minutes to swap them back if need be.
I've new summer wheels and new rubber on now and it only takes a few minutes to swap them back if need be.
#20
Worked a treat on the mrs car, although agree this year minimum impact as very decent winter (so far lol).
Previous years struggled to get car out of driveway hill but no issues with winter tyres on.
Previous years struggled to get car out of driveway hill but no issues with winter tyres on.
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OK some interesting comments, and not the expected - oh yes defiantely. Personally I've never felt the need for them as my Audi is quattro and I dont tend to push it that much now, and if its really bad I would take my shogun.
So general sum up would be if rwd then yes worth it (apart from matteeboy), anything else no ?
Richard
So general sum up would be if rwd then yes worth it (apart from matteeboy), anything else no ?
Richard
#24
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Mine were total sh**e. Turned a very good car into a nightmare. I think they weren't right for the car but I've heard similarish stories.
I'm sure they work in snow but we live in the UK where it might snow or might not; in warmer conditions, the tyres we bought were appallingly sh**.
I'm sure they work in snow but we live in the UK where it might snow or might not; in warmer conditions, the tyres we bought were appallingly sh**.
In the icey conditions i could feel them biting more than summer tyres would but am disappointed not to have tried them in the snow.
I only bought them because my car quite frankly scared the living sh1te out of me in the snow last year when it did manage to move. All i was looking for was the ability to get from A to B without risking a major heart attack
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I have the same Yokohamas you had. I found them downright scary initially but once i'd found the right pressures and had 2k miles on them, they were fine.
In the icey conditions i could feel them biting more than summer tyres would but am disappointed not to have tried them in the snow.
I only bought them because my car quite frankly scared the living sh1te out of me in the snow last year when it did manage to move. All i was looking for was the ability to get from A to B without risking a major heart attack
In the icey conditions i could feel them biting more than summer tyres would but am disappointed not to have tried them in the snow.
I only bought them because my car quite frankly scared the living sh1te out of me in the snow last year when it did manage to move. All i was looking for was the ability to get from A to B without risking a major heart attack
In wet conditions, a decent Summer tyre is every bit as good as a Winter one IMO - Conti Sport Contacts actually came out best in a wet braking test in Evo.
It rarely snows down here though and we have access to a 90 Defender at any time which does help if it did snow.
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Totally disagree with everyone saying they're not worth it ... having 4wd is a fine excuse when you can use it and drive around obstables ... braking is where winter tyres come into their own, and that's from personal experience of sliding sideways down a hill with summer tyres on!! Managed to drive out of that one and dive through a gap in the traffic ... if that gap hadn't been there then the car wasn;t stopping! I have had no issues with my Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance what so ever, even with respect to a wear in period, they've been spot on since day 1. Suppose you do actually get what you pay for with tyres
Also, their performence at lower temperatures is far better than summer tyres ... note they are called 'Winter Tyres' not snow tyres! They're optimal operating temperature window is a lot lower than summer tyres even on a dry road! Have a feel of how hard the rubber feels on summer tyres in the morning, bet it's rock solid! Not the best for trying to grip a cold road. Also, i'm not doubting summer tyres wet weather braking performance, mine are spot on in the wet, and they need to be given we get a lot of rain, but my winter tyres are ina different league compared to them over the winter!!
And as for whether to take them off yet, not a chance i'm taking mine off yet, haven't seen a temperature above 5°C on my morning commute and rarely see anything above 12°C on my commute home, well within the optimum operating window of Winter Tyres. Plenty of spirited driving involved on dry roads as well and no sign of the tyres chewing up or showing excessive wear! I'd much rather have tyres on the car that suit when i'm most likely to be driving. The summer tyres can wait until after easter as a minimum when the temperatures start to climb.
Everyone has their own opinion but given the unpredictable winter weather we've seen over the last few years i'd much rather be prepared for when it does hit. Okay we've had a mild winter, we haven't had a chance to go play in a snow filled car park. So that's 2 winters with real cold (and snowy) periods and 1 mild winter my winter tyres have seen ... still plenty of life left in them and i'm sure they'll see another couple of cold ones too!
Also, their performence at lower temperatures is far better than summer tyres ... note they are called 'Winter Tyres' not snow tyres! They're optimal operating temperature window is a lot lower than summer tyres even on a dry road! Have a feel of how hard the rubber feels on summer tyres in the morning, bet it's rock solid! Not the best for trying to grip a cold road. Also, i'm not doubting summer tyres wet weather braking performance, mine are spot on in the wet, and they need to be given we get a lot of rain, but my winter tyres are ina different league compared to them over the winter!!
And as for whether to take them off yet, not a chance i'm taking mine off yet, haven't seen a temperature above 5°C on my morning commute and rarely see anything above 12°C on my commute home, well within the optimum operating window of Winter Tyres. Plenty of spirited driving involved on dry roads as well and no sign of the tyres chewing up or showing excessive wear! I'd much rather have tyres on the car that suit when i'm most likely to be driving. The summer tyres can wait until after easter as a minimum when the temperatures start to climb.
Everyone has their own opinion but given the unpredictable winter weather we've seen over the last few years i'd much rather be prepared for when it does hit. Okay we've had a mild winter, we haven't had a chance to go play in a snow filled car park. So that's 2 winters with real cold (and snowy) periods and 1 mild winter my winter tyres have seen ... still plenty of life left in them and i'm sure they'll see another couple of cold ones too!
Last edited by boyward; 19 March 2014 at 09:49 AM.
#29
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OK some interesting comments, and not the expected - oh yes defiantely. Personally I've never felt the need for them as my Audi is quattro and I dont tend to push it that much now, and if its really bad I would take my shogun.
So general sum up would be if rwd then yes worth it (apart from matteeboy), anything else no ?
Richard
So general sum up would be if rwd then yes worth it (apart from matteeboy), anything else no ?
Richard
But the Mk2 Golf can't even muster enough grip to pull itself off our drive when it gets cold, if I don't put winter tyres it