Winter Tyres

Mint Sauce

Are we to soon to start a new thread on this? Has anyone else been considering getting their winters before the rush and inflated prices? Just me?

Anyhows, I obviously have been considering the start of this thread. Although firstly would want to put them on steel rims rather than the alloys that came on the car. Was looking at Eire Tyres who offer winters mounted on steel rims, and after entering the make, model, style, etc etc for car, they come back with 4 holed rims, my car is set up for 5 holed.

Do Eire Tyres do 5 holed steel rims, or do any other supplier do 5 holed steel rims and winter combo, or am I just as well going to a breakers and getting the winters seperate.

Ardennes1944

They do 5stud I was looking at them last year. What car do you have? I presume you know that there are many different measurements for both 4 and 5 stud

Mint Sauce

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

They do 5stud I was looking at them last year. What car do you have? I presume you know that there are many different measurements for both 4 and 5 stud

I assume by measurements you mean the diameter and width, then yes.

Was that buying them seperate or as a tyre/rim combo.

Edit. Found their opiton for 5 holed rims. Although would I still be better going to the breakers and buying seperatly, release this would involve getting them fitted and balanced.

-Corkie-

I have mine on stock alloys in the shed with a set of Vredstrein wintracs on it never used..

Ardennes1944

No I mean the pcd. Not the size of the rim itself (if that's what you meant)

My car takes a 5x110 pcd wheel but also comes in 4/5x100 in older models, vag cars take 5x100 mostly and ford and Peugeot are 4/5x108...it all varies

Mint Sauce

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

No I mean the pcd. Not the size of the rim itself (if that's what you meant)

My car takes a 5x110 pcd wheel but also comes in 4/5x100 in older models, vag cars take 5x100 mostly and ford and Peugeot are 4/5x108...it all varies

Ah, That I dont know.

-Corkie- wrote:

I have mine on stock alloys in the shed with a set of Vredstrein wintracs on it never used..

What do you mean by stock? Fits more than one?

Ardennes1944

What car do you have? Make model year.

No by stock he means whatever came with the car.

MuppetCheck

I've bought a set of alloys. I was thinking about changing the colour of mine so when a cheap identical set came available on ebay I went for them to test the colour change on. They will most likely be my winter wheels if I am not happy with the results.

Ferris

I would just be going to my usual car dismantler to see if he has a spare set of rims for the car, steel or alloy. Likely to be very reasonable.

MuppetCheck

I was thinking about changing the colour of mine so when a cheap identical set came available on ebay I went for them to test the colour change on. They will most likely be my winter wheels in a few months.

GoodYear Ultra Grip 7's on mine, they eat snow and it's so funny watching people not able to get traction and it's even funnier passing them without any issue!

The ultragrip 8's are supposed to be better again!

People seriously underestimate the importance of proper snow tyres and the difference they make, sure we may not get snow much but I'd rather have them than want them. They are great in the wet too!

Mint Sauce

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

What car do you have? Make model year.

No by stock he means whatever came with the car.

06 Astra GTC. Based on the car search on EireTyres and a bit of googling its 5x110. Would the pcd be noted on the spare for confirmation, quick search through the manual I couldn't find it.

Not looking for high performance ones, but at the same time dont intend to put on budgets.

Ardennes1944

Ah sure same type Astra as myself! Look on donedeal there's alloys n it regularly for the Astra h.If its 5 stud then it will definitely be 5x110

Don't know much about winter tyres but kumho/falken brand is where you wanna be at so I'd say

Nissan doctor

Are people really expecting another 1 in 50 year winter again this year? I'm not.

Almost no-one in Ireland even heard of snow/winter tyres until we had a couple of bad winters, one in particular. We barely had a snow flake last year....as normal.

Ardennes1944

I won't be buying them anyway

Nissan doctor

Ardennes1944 wrote: »

I won't be buying them anyway

Ireland has never had a need for them before and still doesn't IMO.

We had one unusually bad winter and I think many people thought we were going through a real life version of the day after tomorrow movie:rolleyes:

I wouldn't mind if people used winter tyres properly, i.e fitted them when the temperature goes below the required level and removed them when it goes back above, but the amount of cars that are still driving around on snow/winter tyres at the moment is ridiculous.

BostonB

I think there's a case to be made that good all season tyres are more appropriate for our climate than all the cheap summer tyres that market is flooded with. I was looking for tyres today and the couple of places I tried only had chinese no name tyres in stock. Of course people in hilly or remote area's might have more need of winter/snow tyres than others.

Pottler

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Ireland has never had a need for them before and still doesn't IMO.

We had one unusually bad winter and I think many people thought we were going through a real life version of the day after tomorrow movie:rolleyes:

I wouldn't mind if people used winter tyres properly, i.e fitted them when the temperature goes below the required level and removed them when it goes back above, but the amount of cars that are still driving around on snow/winter tyres at the moment is ridiculous.

Kindof agree, but Commercial Motor did a test recently with winter tyres fitted to a Transit but used only in the wet - apparently handling and braking distances improved hugely and wear was only marginally worse than all-season tyres. Road noise was slightly worse as well though, but maybe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?

Nissan doctor

Pottler wrote: »

Kindof agree, but Commercial Motor did a test recently with winter tyres fitted to a Transit but used only in the wet - apparently handling and braking distances improved hugely and wear was only marginally worse than all-season tyres. Road noise was slightly worse as well though, but maybe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks?

Improved compared to all season tyres or to summer tyres?

I would have buy another set of alloys if I were to get winter tyres as there is no way I would even let a steel rim near my car never mind on it. The cost of the alloys along with the cost of the tyres would just be way too much expense for not enough gain.

Pottler

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Improved compared to all season tyres or to summer tyres?

All-season. Apparently, on driver safety grounds, they made economic sense for fleet users. I'm going to start changing as tyres become due for replacement. The cost difference is really marginal, the benefits seem to outweight them. Test was conducted in Scotland, which would be similar to here really.

Nissan doctor

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Ireland has never had a need for them before and still doesn't IMO.

We had one unusually bad winter and I think many people thought we were going through a real life version of the day after tomorrow movie:rolleyes:

I wouldn't mind if people used winter tyres properly, i.e fitted them when the temperature goes below the required level and removed them when it goes back above, but the amount of cars that are still driving around on snow/winter tyres at the moment is ridiculous.

Yes including me, I'm driving on winter tyres, but that's because I can't afford to spend the money on a summer set of tyres. I got the car with the winter ones on and they have lasted a long time actually.

But I completely agree from below 7 degrees you are supposed to have winter tyres!

My tyres are in need of changing but I'll be swapping them for the UltraGrip 8's as coming into winter I want to be guaranteed I can get to work safely if we do get snow.

Besides winter tyres are great in the wet so driving on them in Ireland isn't so bad in summer anyway!

Hopefully next spring I will be in a better position to get a summer set.

Padraig Mor

Nissan doctor wrote: »

I wouldn't mind if people used winter tyres properly, i.e fitted them when the temperature goes below the required level and removed them when it goes back above, but the amount of cars that are still driving around on snow/winter tyres at the moment is ridiculous.

My understanding is that winter tyres outperform summer tyres below c. 7 degrees but are equivalent above this temperature, and only start to offer comparably lower performance once the temperature gets into the 30s, i.e. there is generally no need to remove winter tyres for our "summer", and indeed I've seen it argued that winters are, all considered, a better year round tyre for our climate than the summer tyres the vast majority of people use.

Zubeneschamali

I bought Falken winters last Autumn, and despite the complete lack of snow, they were good, they were actually quieter than the Vredestein summers I replaced.

I was too lazy to swap them for the summer, but I didn't notice any issues with bad performance. In fact, with the amount of surface water there's been, they may even have done better than summers would. The fronts are worn now, and getting a bit slippery (still legal, but traction control kicks in on wet, slow corners if I put the foot down), so I'll be getting two more winters this Autumn.

Where To

Good tread summer tyre > bare minimum winter tyre for me.

JJJJNR

100% needed where i am in winter/spring 2009 and winter 2010, would have been stranded or had an expensive repair. mine are in the shed and will be going on the first hard frost this year/next year/etc

Blazer

Bought mine before last year and the grip on them in fantastic.
Put them on around November and took them off again in Feb when the temps started to rise.
People might moan about the price etc and the fact we might have snow for a week if even that.
What people forget is we still have the cold regardless and the rain so winter tyres will give you a significantly better grip than normal tyres during the cold weather and as I put it "what price do I put on my life"? It's a helluva lot more than the price of winters I tell you...I don't skimp on my own survival.

Zubeneschamali

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

I bought Falken winters last Autumn, and despite the complete lack of snow, they were good, they were actually quieter than the Vredestein summers I replaced.

I was too lazy to swap them for the summer, but I didn't notice any issues with bad performance. In fact, with the amount of surface water there's been, they may even have done better than summers would. The fronts are worn now, and getting a bit slippery (still legal, but traction control kicks in on wet, slow corners if I put the foot down), so I'll be getting two more winters this Autumn.

I noticed the UltraGrip 7's are great in the wet. And super in the snow. In fact they are far better than all season tyres in the snow also.

I notice they are wearing well also can't give exact mileage as they were on the car when I got it at about 75,000 kms and about 123,000 kms on it now and in need of replacement soon. I'll be getting the UltraGrip 8's next

MuppetCheck

Mine will be going on for sure when the temperatures drop. It's looking likely that my car will be spending some time in colder climates over the winter where they should pay dividends as well as meet local law requirements.

pa990

i'll be putting my winters on come november,
the way i see it is; if the save me from 1 minor tip, or even bouncing off a kerb, they've paid for themselves.

Think about it, how much to have a dent repaired (or a new alloy wheel) compared to the additional cost of winter tyres.



It only takes one snowy morning to make the tyres pay for themselves

dgt

Not buying winter tyres, not expecting snow and even if I was I survived without them.

More interested in a set of wets and a set of drys

People think they're invincible with winters :rolleyes:

dgt

dgt wrote: »

Not buying winter tyres, not expecting snow and even if I was I survived without them.

More interested in a set of wets and a set of drys

People think they're invincible with winters :rolleyes:

The Goodyear ultragrips are great in wet and snow not so good in the dry, but I don't drive in a manor that it would be a problem anyway.

The reason I have the winter tyres is because when I need them I have them and I won't be a danger to me or anyone else on the road if the weather is bad.

And besides summer tyres are not very effective below 7 degrees, or so the tyre companies say!

It should be illegal not to drive on winter tyres once winter comes.

Popoutman

I've got a premium set of all-seasons (Goodyear Vector 4-Seasons) on the A4 and in our summer the grip is the same as the Michelin Pilot Primacy and the Bridgestone Turanza that I've had on it previously. The bigger difference for me is that in the wet I've got better than 90% of the dry performance (compared to ~80% with the above tyres), measured with stopping distances going deep enough into the brakes that the ABS works. In near-freezing weather I've had less slipping on takeoff from junctions and less sideways slipping in bends. For €30 a tyre, there has been a real performance difference for me this year so far and I'm expecting more benefits as the year gets colder.

Popoutman

Popoutman wrote: »

I've got a premium set of all-seasons (Goodyear Vector 4-Seasons) on the A4 and in our summer the grip is the same as the Michelin Pilot Primacy and the Bridgestone Turanza that I've had on it previously. The bigger difference for me is that in the wet I've got better than 90% of the dry performance (compared to ~80% with the above tyres), measured with stopping distances going deep enough into the brakes that the ABS works. In near-freezing weather I've had less slipping on takeoff from junctions and less sideways slipping in bends. For €30 a tyre, there has been a real performance difference for me this year so far and I'm expecting more benefits as the year gets colder.

The 4 seasons are rubbish in snow compared to the UltraGrip 8's, You should do some research on tyres you will be amazed the difference between each tyre.

To me the full blown winter tyres suit me as they are super in the wet, super in the snow if I need them, and ok in the dry, not dangerous by any means, but a boy racer or someone who drives recklessly may not be happy, they are more than good enough for me. Winter tyres are important for me because Kildare Co.Co in the big freeze didn't clear the M9 motorway at all not even a bit or salt or grit and I need to make sure I can get to work if I need to and I know the difference a non winter tyre to a full blown winter tyre makes. And the proof is being able to pass other motorists that can get 0 traction at all.

Whether this winter is snowy or now, I'll be confident I can get out and about.

testarossa40

Deleted User wrote: »

The 4 seasons are rubbish in snow compared to...

Are not.

Deleted User wrote: »

You should do some research on tyres you will be amazed the difference between each tyre...

Indeed:
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Auto-Bild-All-Season-Tyre-Test.htm

I'm another all-seasons user myself (Vreidestein Quatrac 3s - comparable to Popoutman's Goodyears ) who completed daily 30 mile round trip commutes (including motorway sections) through the '10-'11 freeze-up thanks them alone. Grip, traction, & performance in ALL levels of snow offered at the time were outstanding and I'm stating this from a RWD perspective too. After 21 months + 20,000 miles they are barely half-worn.

In my opinion drivers in this country concerned about winter & wet weather driving but not wanting to give up too much dry road performance or having to purchase/store second sets of tyres need to be more aware of the All Seasons tyre option for safe all-year round driving rather than full Winter Tyres. At the end of the day despite what we perceived to be Arctic conditions a couple of years ago, we did not even nearly compare to extended Scandinavian winters which the full Winter tyres are more optimised towards.

Don't get me wrong, Winter tyres are great at what they do and will always be best in snow - their development is specifically engineered towards exclusive snow/frozen conditions. But in my opinion they are overkill for this country's mixed climate when good All Weather products provide more than adequate performance in the worst winters we can reasonably expect (and have already had).

Popoutman

In general, we don't get cold enough here to warrant full winter tires here. However, in our winters, the all-seasons will be 85% of a studded winter tire where a summer tire would be 15-20%. Once it's snowy I'm not driving on anyway, I'll be aiming to leave earlier and arrive later than in normal frosty situations. I fully agree that if there is a few inches of snow on the ground then the full winters are the business, but for me the expected performance of a premium all-season will be sufficient. I think that the summer tires are really not suited to Ireland as we're too cool and too damp overall to benefit from them.

@Mad_Lad: Oh I did a lot of research and I asked people across on the continent that drive a lot, what they would think, and the recommendations were for a few differing tyres that all should work, it just happened that I got a good price and good availability on the set I got. I don't have the spare space to store 4 wheels with pure winter tires on, and where I live just doesn't get enough snow to warrant having them in the first place.

For me, the all-seasons are the best I've found so far. YMMV of course.

Popoutman

Popoutman wrote: »

In general, we don't get cold enough here to warrant full winter tires here. However, in our winters, the all-seasons will be 85% of a studded winter tire where a summer tire would be 15-20%. Once it's snowy I'm not driving on anyway, I'll be aiming to leave earlier and arrive later than in normal frosty situations. I fully agree that if there is a few inches of snow on the ground then the full winters are the business, but for me the expected performance of a premium all-season will be sufficient. I think that the summer tires are really not suited to Ireland as we're too cool and too damp overall to benefit from them.

@Mad_Lad: Oh I did a lot of research and I asked people across on the continent that drive a lot, what they would think, and the recommendations were for a few differing tyres that all should work, it just happened that I got a good price and good availability on the set I got. I don't have the spare space to store 4 wheels with pure winter tires on, and where I live just doesn't get enough snow to warrant having them in the first place.

For me, the all-seasons are the best I've found so far. YMMV of course.

Fair enough, I don't have the space either.

I just know how Good the ultragrips are in snow and I'd be willing to give the all seasons a go but they would have to be as good in snow if we get it I need to know I can get around. There seems to,be not much difference in price.

The ultragrips have proven to be decent in summer and teriffic in wet, and last a long time.

CiniO

I have Nokian W winter tyres which I purchased in 2009, and I used for winters of 2009, 2010 and 2011, and I'll use them for 2012 winter as well.
I don't have them on separate rims, so I have to swap them over into my regular rims every winter.

So far they travelled about 40k kilometres, and there is still about half tread left. However nearly half of mileage was done on snow, ice or mud (aftersnow mud).

Popoutman

The more people on properly good tyres, the better off everyone will be, and the less chances there will be of people losing control...

Mar4ix

wouldnt suggest anyone drive car with summer tires , when temperature drops to +4 and lower.... as them dont work anymore so efficient as it suppose to.

gooner99

I got a spare set of rims last year for my Golf mk 5 with part worn Dunlop winters.I really wanted to go with new ones, but just couldn't afford it at the time. False economy really, as winter tyres from 4mm down are not great in snow and ice. Fortunately we didn't get much in the way of snow last Year, so it wasn't an issue. But even so they were great in the wet, what a difference from summers. Have just bought a set of Goodyear Ultragrip 8 195/65/R15 from Eiretyres and am awaiting delivery. I will put them on end of October and run them till end of February/March. Anyone thinking of getting snow tyres, don't go for part worns unless you are only planning on putting them on to get you out of a hole. I was sceptical to say the least when I got them, but even part worn winters were better in the wet than the brand new summers I took off. I did look at all seasons and if I didn't have the spare set of rims I would go for something like the Goodyear Vector 4 season, Vreidestein Quatrac 3 or Hankook Optimo. Given the year round temperatures we have here All Seasons with the snow flake could be a really good idea. Those 3 I listed get really good reviews and have even had decent scores in winter tests. I'd be interested to hear how well they wear from people on here who actually have worn them out year round.

The Goodyear's are an excellent choice, if we get snow at least you know they will get you out and about and they are better in snow than all seasons and even the independent tests indicate that all seasons are a jack of all trades and a master of none.

At least I know the Ultragrip 7's are decent in the summer too and great in the wet and they have lasted a long time.

I would be interested to know if you find the Ultragrip 8's quiet, so please report back on noise levels.

BostonB

Where did you get the all season tyres. I can't find anywhere in Dublin that stocks them.

gooner99

Deleted User wrote: »

The Goodyear's are an excellent choice, if we get snow at least you know they will get you out and about and they are better in snow than all seasons and even the independent tests indicate that all seasons are a jack of all trades and a master of none.

At least I know the Ultragrip 7's are decent in the summer too and great in the wet and they have lasted a long time.

I would be interested to know if you find the Ultragrip 8's quiet, so please report back on noise levels.

Hi Mad Lad,

Agree with your view on all seasons ver's summers and winters in general,but the ones I listed are the best of them,are among the very few to carry the snowflake and an option for anyone without spare rims or space.will report back on the ultragrip 8's once I get them on.

gooner99

BostonB wrote: »

Where did you get the all season tyres. I can't find anywhere in Dublin that stocks them.

I looked into these (Goodyear Vector 4 season, Vreidestein Quatrac 3 or Hankook Optimo) last year before I got the winters and found them impossible to source (but then again I'm in Donegal).No demand for them I guess, so they only seem to stock basic all weathers and not these higher end ones with the snowflake. Best place I found was online at Eiretyres. TBH after a lot and I mean a lot of online reseach I don't think I would fit anything other than these 3 all weathers if I was hoping for anything in the way of decent winter performance. They constantly get good all round reviews and while not as good as a full winter tyre, should be much better than a summer tyre.

Oh I forgot the Nokian WR G2 which are marketed in Europe as a winter tyre, but in the US as an all weather plus tyre. They get excellent reviews and I think I've read on boards of people running them all year round with very good results.

JJJJNR

@eiretyres

ULTRA GRIP 8 205/55 R16 91H
Our price only EUR 104,5

Not a bad price.

gooner99

Got the Ultragrip 8's Today.Good service and delivery with DPD from Eiretyres. 195/65/r15 €70 a piece.

Tread looks pretty mean, should be good in the wet.

gooner99

gooner99 wrote: »

Got the Ultragrip 8's Today.Good service and delivery with DPD from Eiretyres. 195/65/r15 €70 a piece.

Tread looks pretty mean, should be good in the wet.

70 per tyre? It's 85 now and it's 120 for my profile 195 55 16, what a rip off from 15-16 "

gooner99

Deleted User wrote: »

70 per tyre? It's 85 now and it's 120 for my profile 195 55 16, what a rip off from 15-16 "

Forgot to say the ones I got are T rated. Just checked there now and they are down to €68.68 each!

gooner99

gooner99 wrote: »

Forgot to say the ones I got are T rated. Just checked there now and they are down to €68.68 each!

114 for me with T rating, what a load of boll**s 50 Euro's difference between a 15" and 16" and my tyres are 195 and not 205.

Check out mytyres.co.uk

they seem to be the same company ? only the tyres are a lot cheaper and they won't deliver to southern Ireland !

gooner99

Deleted User wrote: »

114 for me with T rating, what a load of boll**s 50 Euro's difference between a 15" and 16" and my tyres are 195 and not 205.

Check out mytyres.co.uk

they seem to be the same company ? only the tyres are a lot cheaper and they won't deliver to southern Ireland !

That is a bummer alright.Surely there can't be that much difference in production costs,unless 15's are more popular.But even most mid sized cars these days are 16's.How would it work out if you were to use https://www.parcelmotel.com/ ,not sure if it would be suitable for tyres. What about camskill, have you tried them?