Ok, as we have the odd bad winter and I live on top of a hill (plus with the new alloys I have purchased I can put my RE070's on them and it free's a set up ) Im after some suggestions for winter tyres.
I hear good things of the Bridgestone Blizzak's but they are not cheap but not bothered about the cost of decent items (225/45/17), I wont use the scoob that much over the cooler months (unless it snows and the astra cant do the job) but the RE070's really suck in the cold
Any other suggestions for decent winter tyres?

Ta,

Tony

 

Can't offer any recommendations but I'd also be interested in what others have to say. I'm in a very similar situation (with both sets of alloys needing new tyres) so any suggestions?

Tony... I was considering some Vred's which seem to get a good feedback

http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m11b0s637p0

 

Vredestein Wintrack Xtreme's have coped very very well on my blob with two winters in the French Alps, a little unnerving initially as they squirm well with circa 450ftlbs

 

How about Nokian WR G2's

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nokian/WRG2.htm

 

The WRG2 is a good call, but there's a lot of choice in winter tyres in your size so shop about! http://www.tyrepricebuster.co.uk/Tyr...25-45-17-.html



The Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D is also worth checking out, it placed in the top few of a few group tests last year and isn't that expensive.

 

Hmmm some good options there, both the dunlops and the vreddies look good may have to put those on my shopping list

Tony

 

I've used Michelin Pilot Alpin winter tyres for the past 5 years on my Impreza (yes the same set!!). I've done about 20k miles on them, and they are now reaching the end of their life. They are more an all-round tyre which still gives reasonable performance on the road in the dry, though the softer sidewalls and squidgy tread means that you don't get the same feel through the steering and they will understeer if pushed

Howwver, they transform the car when it gets cold and wet., especially on bumpy roads. Instead of darting about all over the place following every bump and change in camber on the RE-070s, they give a very re-assusing feeling to the steering, and they won't activate the ABS at the slightest touch.

When it snows, they were nothing short of amazing, Getting up even quite steep slopes with 6 - 12 inches of snow wasn't a problem.

The biggest difference I noticed was in stopping and turning, especially downhill. Before I would activate the ABS and slide for many metres before slithering to a halt. With the winter tyres, I was actually able to brake reasonably well.

Whilst they might not be the ultimate tyre in terms of winter performance, they are a great all-rounder, as it's rare that we get conditions here in the UK that warrant the absolute best winter tyres, and you don't want to be swapping them every few days after the snow clears up and turns dry.

I normally fit mine around end November, and leave them on the car until around mid - end of March.

I originally bought mine from Costco, and they often have 20% off deals if you buy a set of 4. They only charge a couple of quid per wheel for swapping them over and re-balancing as well if you don't have a spare set of rims.

John

 

Do costco still require you to have one of their membership cards?

Tony

 

Unfortunately

 

Yes they do, but there's nothing to stop you borrowing someone else's card and going in and paying with cash, or they drop your wheels off to get the tyres fitted

 

Have a look at Kumho KW17. I put them on beginning of November last year and found them superb through last years atrocious winter conditions.

 

When one of the boys at work earlier this week mentioned he shopped at costco it took my notice, seems we are on the list of "can join" so I will do

Tony

 

Another vote for Nokian WR G2's. Had them on two cars last winter, MKV32 and Alpina B3 with problems at all on the hill of W.Yorks. No skidding, sliding or ABS action at all and the roads I travel are very steep and unforgiving.
Had various sets of winter tyres over the last few years from the likes of Goodyear, Verdestein, Conti and Pirelli but the Nokian's were the best and Cheapest, which is nice.

 

Have had good experience with Pirelli Snow Sport (W210?) winter tyres.

 

The Snowsport is meant to be a decent tyre, but if I was fitting a Pirelli winter tyre on a Scooby I'd be looking at a Sottozero Series II, which is actually the W210 I think so perhaps you've already used it.