Mega Winter Tyres thread, all questions here!!

Shane732

I'm currently sourcing a set of winter tyres for my 335i but I'm finding it very difficult to find a set!

The tyres are are:

225/35 R19
255/30 R19

Any suggestions?

I reckon I'm going to need winter tyres this year!

Mena

I use Cooper Weathermaster Snow on my 5 series, couldn't find them in your size though.

I've heard some good reports on the Vredestein winters - link

uberalles

Www.eiretyres.com

Shane732

I think the best option might be to drop to 18's, will give me a much better choice.

Personally I think winter tyres will be a must on the 335.

Shane732

For some reason Eiretyres weren't showing any last time I checked.

Achilles are €93 versus Dunlop at €316!! Any difference?

The 255/30 are going to be the hard ones to find.

Gumbo

IIRC your running 225M wheels yeah?

I think you'd be mad to buy winter tyres and fit them to the 19" set up then back again for the summer.

If i was you, i'd buy a set of 18" MV3 alloys and fit the winters to them. The tyres will be cheaper and you can swap wheels around yourself as you like.

YouTookMyName

You'd be better off trying to find a smaller rim and smaller tyre and stick them on when/if it snows.

JJJJNR

Get a set of 17s off adverts stick them on in nov.

[/

Shane732

Thinking of maybe picking up a set of M3 replicas or MV3.....

Then maybe these tyres:

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=81054047.124.8260&typ=R-119182&ranzahl=4&Breite=225&Quer=40&Felge=18&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=20&Transport=P&dsco=124&sowigan=Wi

YouTookMyName

Stick to camskill.

JJJJNR

eiretyres do steelies with winters delivered.

http://www.eiretyres.com/Steel_wheels.html

paddydriver

JJJJNR wrote: »

eiretyres do steelies with winters delivered.

http://www.eiretyres.com/Steel_wheels.html

Seems to make life easier than sourcing steel's and tyres separately. What would be recommendation on running snow tyres - would it be sufficient to just have them on the driving wheels? - fronts/rears etc.

I was considering just having a front pair for each car.

Brings me back to seeing someone during snow in Jan 2010 digging out their front wheels when stuck... they were driving a 520D

Mar4ix

JJJJNR wrote: »

eiretyres do steelies with winters delivered.

http://www.eiretyres.com/Steel_wheels.html

good find, didnt know they doing steel wheels, invest around 500 euro, trouble free winter motoring for another 3-5 years.

-Corkie-

Mar4ix wrote: »

good find, didnt know they doing steel wheels, invest around 500 euro, trouble free winter motoring for another 3-5 years.

How effective are snow tyres climbing high ground on a FWD car. I couldnt even leave my house last year. Will the Vredstrein snow tracs make a difference????

RandomAccess

-Corkie- wrote: »

How effective are snow tyres climbing high ground on a FWD car. I couldnt even leave my house last year. Will the Vredstrein snow tracs make a difference????

These are vredestein wintrac extremes, not sure if they are more or less grippy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j_3i5NdVcY

-Corkie-

Thats impressive allthough the hill up to my place is much steeper....

JJJJNR

Corkie, u need all winters on your car, I had winters up front and had a few hairy moments when turning corners, I then got some for the back and it was like 4wd. I've huge hills to climb and was able to get up all of them.

-Corkie-

JJJJNR wrote: »

Corkie, u need all winters on your car, I had winters up front and had a few hairy moments when turning corners, I then got some for the back and it was like 4wd. I've huge hills to climb and was able to get up all of them.

I will definitley get 4 allright. I was fed up walking 3 miles to the shop last year and falling all over the place.. My place is 290M over sea level according to the sat nav so I have to get something decent. I cant afford a 4x4 either atm.

Matt Simis

Going above 17" for Winters makes it very hard and expensive to find tyres! Just grab a set of 17" as noted. I wouldnt bother with steel wheels as they look totally pants and used 17" alloys are cheap and readily available (donedeal, ebay, bmw-drivers.net forums etc).

Anan1

Matt Simis wrote: »

Going above 17" for Winters makes it very hard and expensive to find tyres! Just grab a set of 17" as noted. I wouldnt bother with steel wheels as they look totally pants and used 17" alloys are cheap and readily available (donedeal, ebay, bmw-drivers.net forums etc).

+1, i'd even go to 16" if they'll fit over the brakes.

Shane732

Anan1 wrote: »

+1, i'd even go to 16" if they'll fit over the brakes.

335 only takes 17" + as far as I'm aware....

Shane732

Do you use your winter tyres all winter or just during the spells of very bad weather...

I've read that winter tyres are supposed to be of benefit once the temp is below 7 degrees....

washman3

Excuse my ignorance, are winter tyres and snow tyres the same thing??

Matt Simis

Shane732 wrote: »

Do you use your winter tyres all winter or just during the spells of very bad weather...

I've read that winter tyres are supposed to be of benefit once the temp is below 7 degrees....

Put them on when the temp drops consistantly below 7 when you are driving (Mornings, Late October to End Feb most likely).



@washman3 - Yes, generally are considered the same thing, but its bad practice to call them "Snow" tyres as it:

a) Implies they are for snow usage when infact they are Temp/Season designed, not Snow vs no-snow.
b) Some people reserve the term "Snow tyres" for full on Nordic style studded Winter tyres, which is why there is annual confusion on "snow/winter tyres damage the road".


The tyres we are discussing are most correctly called Studless Winter tyres. And yes, Studless Winter tyres are excellent in the snow and good on ice (way better than summers but not as good as studded tyres on ice). They are also excellent on dry but cold pavement/road.

washman3

Thanks. Good info.
Actually saw those steel studded tyres before on youtube.
Dont really look suitable for Irish conditions as they seem to destroy both the road and themselves in places where snow is light or patchy.

Mar4ix

-Corkie- wrote: »

How effective are snow tyres climbing high ground on a FWD car. I couldnt even leave my house last year. Will the Vredstrein snow tracs make a difference????

I'm comming from country, where winter is 3 - 4 months., and it is illegal drive car with summer tires. I cant suggest you which tires are better, cos there is so many people , and every one have own opinion. I could suggest you find review sites ( http://www.tirestest.com/, www.tirerack.com, www.tirereview.com/ etc. ), and choose such tire, which you think is best.
From my own experience, have to put all 4 tires, if you put only on one axle , it wont help at all.
There is significant difference between drive proper winter tire or summer tire in winter time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2wTg0l3_wI

johnthemull

Ah jaysus guys, come on, I know its been another **** summer, but it is still only August!

copacetic

JJJJNR wrote: »

Corkie, u need all winters on your car, I had winters up front and had a few hairy moments when turning corners, I then got some for the back and it was like 4wd. I've huge hills to climb and was able to get up all of them.

+1

Good sample of what happens with only 2 tyres on in this vid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhW18xHKkbg

Mar4ix

johnthemull wrote: »

Ah jaysus guys, come on, I know its been another **** summer, but it is still only August!

You might wont believe me, but winter tires in summer time are cheaper, than in winter, and summer tires cheaper in winter time. now is proper time get ready car for winter (at least cheaper).
I even recently changed clutch and gearbox, because by wining and rattling sound, one of them goin fail in middle winter..... and im not fancy change gearbox/clutch in winter time on my driveway.

Mar4ix

copacetic wrote: »

+1

Good sample of what happens with only 2 tyres on in this vid

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhW18xHKkbg

Cant understand why they do test with two different class car. One is small compact class, other family middle class. Whatever tires they have, they goin react on snow different ways, over different weight and wheel base.

copacetic

Mar4ix wrote: »

Cant understand why they do test with two different class car. One is small compact class, other family middle class. Whatever tires they have, they goin react on snow different ways, over different weight and wheel base.

That's why they swopped the tyres over to show how they worked on both cars?

tw0nk

This will be my first year buying winter tyres, I drive a RWD, I am going to go for 4 tyres but I have just bought 2 new tyres for the back wheels a week ago.

When you are buying winter tyres and get them fitted, what do you do with the old tyres that are still good? bring them home in the back seat and store them in the shed until spring?

Also, would there be much of a discount if buying 4 winter tyres at the same time?

Mar4ix

copacetic wrote: »

That's why they swopped the tyres over to show how they worked on both cars?

sorry, my bad... didnt watch video till end.

cjmcork

so I've been thinking about winter tyres also...........I did the snow socks thing last year, and I definitely stand by them but I'd rather take my chances with the winter tyres............would you just routinely put them on first week in November and keep them on till end of February (I drive Cork / Dublin twice a week) or what would folks recommend (bear in mind I can't change a tyre!)

EPM

cjmcork wrote: »

so I've been thinking about winter tyres also...........I did the snow socks thing last year, and I definitely stand by them but I'd rather take my chances with the winter tyres............would you just routinely put them on first week in November and keep them on till end of February (I drive Cork / Dublin twice a week) or what would folks recommend (bear in mind I can't change a tyre!)

I'm probably going to buy 4 with steelies and fit them myself at the first freeze. I do about 1500km a week so once they're on they're staying on. Seriously, changing a tyre is the easiest thing in the world. I'd be worried if someone can't do a simple task like that. Try it sometime if you have a spare few minutes:)

cjmcork

EPM wrote: »

I'm probably going to buy 4 with steelies and fit them myself at the first freeze. I do about 1500km a week so once they're on they're staying on. Seriously, changing a tyre is the easiest thing in the world. I'd be worried if someone can't do a simple task like that. Try it sometime if you have a spare few minutes:)

at 1,500km per week, how long do you reckon you'll get out of them??

Shane732

EPM wrote: »

I'm probably going to buy 4 with steelies and fit them myself at the first freeze. I do about 1500km a week so once they're on they're staying on. Seriously, changing a tyre is the easiest thing in the world. I'd be worried if someone can't do a simple task like that. Try it sometime if you have a spare few minutes:)

Where are you getting the steelies? What are you driving EPM?

I'm not overly keen on putting steel wheels on my car as it'll look like sh*t for 3 - 4 months of the year!

If I spend a bit of money on a replica set of 18" alloys and get 4 decent winter tyres they should do me for a few years.

cjmcork

I'd rather a gammy looking set of steels with minimal damage in the snow than a lovely set of alloys sticking out of my car crashed into the car in front of me when we inevitably run out of salt!

EPM

Shane732 wrote: »

Where are you getting the steelies? What are you driving EPM?

I'm not overly keen on putting steel wheels on my car as it'll look like sh*t for 3 - 4 months of the year!

If I spend a bit of money on a replica set of 18" alloys and get 4 decent winter tyres they should do me for a few years.

I have them lined up already from a garage (they have a few spares that will fit). My spare is a 16 so they will do fine covering the breaks. It's a vrs but I think the 18s that are on it currently are too big for winter tyres really. I like the idea of getting them supplied and fitted with steelies though - would save the hassle taking them to be fitted.

EPM

cjmcork wrote: »

at 1,500km per week, how long do you reckon you'll get out of them??

How long is a piece of string? I'll be buying tyres I haven't used before. Currently have 30k km on my present tyres and there's another 5-6k left in those. If I got the winter out of them I think they would be worth the investment.

Anan1

cjmcork wrote: »

would you just routinely put them on first week in November and keep them on till end of February (I drive Cork / Dublin twice a week) or what would folks recommend (bear in mind I can't change a tyre!)

That's what I did, anyway.

rameire

ive been looking for winters for the last month.
looking to get new summers, winters and a set of steel rims for the winters.
bloody impossible, unless i go directly to a car dealer garage, where of course the prices will be slightly more than i want to pay,

so after doing some more digging around was told that duffys car scrap yard will prob have steelies and there is a garage in tallaght that has a sister garage in dublin that has winters and will be getting more in.

but i also found walkingstown tyres, they have a good few part worn winters and alloys, so will prob get the wheels from there.
walkingstown tyres are also on adverts.ie

Anan1

rameire wrote: »

ive been looking for winters for the last month.
looking to get new summers, winters and a set of steel rims for the winters.
bloody impossible, unless i go directly to a car dealer garage, where of course the prices will be slightly more than i want to pay,

so after doing some more digging around was told that duffys car scrap yard will prob have steelies and there is a garage in tallaght that has a sister garage in dublin that has winters and will be getting more in.

but i also found walkingstown tyres, they have a good few part worn winters and alloys, so will prob get the wheels from there.
walkingstown tyres are also on adverts.ie

I'd order the winter tyres online, and get a spare set of wheels off adverts or the like.

Riskymove

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/tyres_for_life/themes/tyre-information/winter-tyres-misconception-en.html

Matt Simis

Fixed your link!:
"'Winter Tyres' - misconception? "
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/uk/en/continental/tyres_for_life/themes/tyre-information/winter-tyres-misconception-en.html

Mr Benevolent

Hmm, I wonder if a pair of partworns might be available somewhere.

gooner99

I've been keeping an eye on winter tyres and summer is the time to buy,look to buy this month or next if possible.any later and they will rocket and wait till the snow starts and it will be a right rip off.

I was going to source some steels and a good set of tyres from eiretyres.decided on michelins purely cause they are meant to have the best wear and was hoping they would last a good few winters, as I plan to keep the same car. I also considered dunlop , continental , goodyear , vredestein and nokian. There are others too, if you check out this website you can see which ones did best in recent tests.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk

Anyway the steels and tyres were coming in at 480 - 520 euro on eiretyres, so decided to see how much I could get them for at a scrapie. Rang around and either they didn't have any or were looking for 40 euro a wheel.mad when you consider vw quoted me 63 euro a wheel new for my size r15/195/65. i'd say the scrapies may be hoarding them for when the snow comes.rang a few vw dealers to see if they had any that were taking off to fit alloys and in the end got a brand new set of 4 from a skoda dealer for 120 euro. the guy i normally buy new tyres from also does part worns from germany and has some dunlops with very little wear and will do a set of 4 for 140 euro. they should do a few years hopefully. he is also waiting for a container full in for the coming winter. so all in all a pretty decent deal.

two things i found on my research to keep in mind when going this route.

1. be careful that the wheel is right for your car. keep a eye out for the ET number usually etched on the wheel, which is the wheel offset.if it's wrong it could cause problems. mine was ET47 and I nearly bought some with ET37 from a passat. You can get away with a small difference, but best to be sure.check this website, as it explains it better.

http://www.ehow.com/about_5526131_wheel-offsets-explained.html

2. even though there is legal thread left, winter tyres are not great once they get below 4mm.

hope this helps someone

slimjimmc

This is my experience of winter tyres.
Do about 400km per week, sometimes more. Put a full set of Dunlop SP WINTER SPORT 3D on early last Dec and the difference was instant. Amazing grip compared to the all weather tyres (granted they were down to 3mm), all that twitching and sliding on snowy roads disappeared and the car was far more sure-footed on snow.
I needed new tyres anyway and was curious to see how winters would wear in warmer weather so kept them on, and still drive on them to this day.

Found they had decent grip in all weather including the few odd hot days we had. They're especially good in rain, though steering less precise due to blocky M+S tread pattern and few radial sipes. I was surprised to find them quieter than the old all-weathers despite being M+S.

When new they had a tread depth of 8mm, currently the front tyres (fwd) are down to 7mm after approx 15,000 km (10,000miles) in 9mths and I've been lazy about rotating them . That's a wear rate of about 1.1mm p.a. so I reckon they still be good for another winter or two at which stage I'll probably have moved to a different car.:)

CiniO

slimjimmc wrote: »

When new they had a tread depth of 8mm, currently the front tyres (fwd) are down to 7mm after approx 15,000 km (10,000miles) in 9mths and I've been lazy about rotating them . That's a wear rate of about 1.1mm p.a. so I reckon they still be good for another winter or two at which stage I'll probably have moved to a different car.:)

Seems to be unbelievable that for 15k kms it wore down only by 1mm.
Maybe we drive on different roads, but front tyres on my Bravo, after about 12k kms from 8mm are down to about 1.5 now. Rear are about 4.5mm left.
These were summer tyres.

gooner99

slimjimmc wrote: »

This is my experience of winter tyres.
Do about 400km per week, sometimes more. Put a full set of Dunlop SP WINTER SPORT 3D on early last Dec and the difference was instant. Amazing grip compared to the all weather tyres (granted they were down to 3mm), all that twitching and sliding on snowy roads disappeared and the car was far more sure-footed on snow.
I needed new tyres anyway and was curious to see how winters would wear in warmer weather so kept them on, and still drive on them to this day.

Found they had decent grip in all weather including the few odd hot days we had. They're especially good in rain, though steering less precise due to blocky M+S tread pattern and few radial sipes. I was surprised to find them quieter than the old all-weathers despite being M+S.

When new they had a tread depth of 8mm, currently the front tyres (fwd) are down to 7mm after approx 15,000 km (10,000miles) in 9mths and I've been lazy about rotating them . That's a wear rate of about 1.1mm p.a. so I reckon they still be good for another winter or two at which stage I'll probably have moved to a different car.:)

Truly amazin wear,even Michelin energy savers couldn't get close to that. Michelin Alpin winters are said to have the best wearing winters and lowest fuel consumption. The guy that is selling part worns said he had all brands last season, but the ones that he got the best feedback on were the Dunlop SP WINTER SPORT 3D, which I will be getting shortly. He said the grip was fantastic and that like you a lot of people left them on all year and are only taking them off now, he didn't say why but I would think it's wear (Donegal roads would be pretty sore on tyres).He said that there were no bad reports with them in warmer weather (but then again how many days was it above the mid teens here). So I was thinking that if you don't do a lot of millage an option may be to run them all year round (if our moderate summer temperatures this year are repeated) and even on the worst wear 2 sets per year would do, costing approx €280 per year for part worns. I might do this on my wifes car when she needs tyres again. For me the spare rims worked best, as I intend to keep the Golf for another few years, and will probably buy another similar VAG car anyway.

Anyone know what the story is with insurance companies and winter tyres. I would have thought all year round use could be a grey area, but what about winter use, is there anything set in stone?

I'm sure it's all fine and dandy until you have an accident.

Matt Simis

CiniO wrote: »

Seems to be unbelievable that for 15k kms it wore down only by 1mm.
Maybe we drive on different roads, but front tyres on my Bravo, after about 12k kms from 8mm are down to about 1.5 now. Rear are about 4.5mm left.
These were summer tyres.

Yes is a little odd. Maybe they were 10mm when new like Winters usually are.. that would "correct" the figures..