Has anybody tried Toyo 920 + silica winter tyres? I am considering these for winter use in the future instead of the original Bridgestones.

Brendan

Brendan,

How much have you been quoted for these, as I am thinking of switching to Winter tyres in the colder weather.

Read an interesting article in AutoExpress co-written with GoodYear that claimed that good winter tyres would be better performers that "summer" tyres in ALL conditions when the temperature was cinsistently lower than 8 degrees, even on dry roads

This is due to the high silicon content keeping the compund flexible and reducing the need for heat to make the tyre pliable.

Maybe we should all be running for winter tyres!!

Mark

With the past week being particularly cold, snowy and icy up here in Scotland, many owners are thinking of fitting winter tyres.

I have a friend who had a set fitted to his Impreza last year with thee tyres, and he rated the car better in snow and ice than his previous car (a Jeep Cherokee), but was virtually undriveable on his 17 inch wheels with Pirelli P Zeros!

The one option I have come across so far for the standard 16 inch rims are a Vredestein Wintertrac in 205/55 x 16. Cost was just over £100 each fitted including VAT! However, I have heard of other options available overseas, and may not be generally available here in the UK.

I know the tyre is a slightly higher profile, but is within a few %. Actually ther slightly longer gearing imposed by the taller tyre may help in wintry conditions.

In theory, it should be possible to fit a narrower tyre with a higher profile (eg 185/60 x 16), but I'm not sure how easily something this narrow would fit onto the 7 x 16 inch rims of recent cars.

I believe there are many options available for 15 inch tyres (suitable for pre 99MY cars only), which are a lot less expensive.
Narrower tyres should fit easily onto the 6 x 15 inch rim size.

Unfortunately, I don't know of any winter tyre suitable for a 17 inch rim that will fit the Impreza http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/frown.gif

The weather is due to get worse over the next few days, so I'm going to be phoning around suppliers later today to see what else I can get hold of!

I have been quoted £450 for all 4 including everything for 205/50/16 inch 920 + silica and the same for T1-S for interest.

Brendan

JohnS (or anyone else),

I'm still thinking about a set of winter tyres for my MY98 (looking like the snow up north should be good this year... time to dust my skis down).

My preference would be getting a set of 15" steel wheels and fitting 185/60 R15's (or 185/65 R15's). Any comments about this size, or suggestions on tyre make/model? I'm kind of tempted with Colway.

- ColinU.

P.S.
That would mean 3 sets of wheels! 17" for road use (frightening in the snow last year!!!), 16" for track days, 15" for winter. Where am I going to find space in my garage!

Colin,

I'm thinking of picking up a set of "scrap" 15 inch rims (ie not worried about looks kerbing marks etc, as long as they are cheap!) and fitting 185/60/65 15 inch tyres to them.

Probably work out cheaper than kerbing one of my 17 inch rims and tyres, as I know how expensive that can be http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/frown.gif

I've got 17" rims on my RB5. If I bought a set of 15" wheels, would they fit over the 4 pot brakes that are on the car?

Any thoughts about a 15 or 16 inch wheel that will fit over Brembos with an offset suitable for a 22B?

I am in the process of getting some winter tyres, in 205 55-16, and availability seems to be a problem. ie they are special order from the factory. I have gone for viking stopp 5000 tyres, which are swedish and come with good recommendations.I have ordered them from my local servicing garage in Diss in Norfolk[ cole Engieering on 01379 740 940] at £79 inclusive each. However, looking at companies on the Internet I came across a company that will mail anywhere in UK for £4 per tyre. They can supply semperit winter tyres fro £49.99 in 205 55 16, but about 3 weeks delivery time. They also have the Vikings for £69 each [ both these are plus VAT]. The guy there is called Jolyon, and although I have only exchanged E-mails, is extremely helpful. He can be contacted on 01264 333533.I will report on the tyres in a couple of weeks,

Regards, Mark

[This message has been edited by mark245 (edited 20-12-1999).]

Fitted winter tyres on our MY99 two weeks ago. Didn't want to use the golden alloys, so I got 16" at the dealer, who had traded them for OZ rims some scooby owners wanted to have fitted.
15" is a definite no-no with the 4 pot calipers. As for tyres: Michelin X S+M330 at 205/16/50 and a H speed rating (up to 210 km/h).

Nico

Hi,
I´m new
to this site and it´s the first time that I´m active in any discussion but I think that I can contribute in some extent regarding wintertires/wheels since I live in Sweden(winter half of the year I´m afraid)
We´ve got two tires that year by year occupies the two top positions in all tests and that is Gislaved NordFrostII (studs) and Nokian Hakkapelitta Q(without studs)Don´t know if you can get hold of them in UK though.
I´m driving my MY99 with 15" wheels (can be done!) Acccording to my supplier they have been modified in Germany to fit over 4pot.
My supplier is always driving with 15" in mud and winterconditions. His name, by the way, is Krisoffer Nilsson. He started with a Scoobie in this years RAC. Had to give up since he crashed into another car on a transportation-stage. At the moment`I´m driving in the snow and ice with Nokiantires 185/65/15 on modified AdvantiRacing wheels. If someone is interested in the wheels I could try to find his address for you.
Merry C. and drive carefully Regards Roger.

As anyone ever heard of "Siping"? I had all of my cars done in the states. It puts little sipes (cuts) about a 1/4 inch deep into the tread. They can be done the full width of the tread or just in the center as to keep the should harder for corners. It is supposed to help traction by 28% or something like that. I have found that it really works. But I do not see how they could be better then some purpose built snow/ice tires. What are the speed ratings on these snow tires? Are they all differnt?
chewy

Chewy,the Viking tyres I have ordered have ' multiple tread sipes'? I presume that's a good thing! Speed ratings... most dedicated snow tyres are Q [100 mph] or lower. The winter tyres which can be used in snow and ice as well as dry and wet conditions seem to be H[ 130 mph ]rated.

Mark

BHORT,

Try a branch of "Motorsport Wheels" for Toyo prices, I got my set of T1Ss for £340 all inclusive at their Bristol branch. Sounds like you have a fairly overpriced quote there. Maybe MW can get the winter tyres for the same as the T1Ss?

Anders,
You won't get 15" wheels over the Brembos, so you will have to find a 16" wheel with the correct offset for the 22b, sorry. BTW: How did Subaru increase the track on the 22b, was it spacers or longer suspension arms? I guess your the man to ask!

Moray

PS Toyo has dropped it's prices recently. http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif A few months after I bought my set! http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/frown.gif http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/smile.gif