Club 80-90 Forums

Winter is coming. My tyres are pretty much new. Is it worth spending the money on a winter set?

The short answer is yes if you have ever driven in snow and cold temperatures with winter tyres you'll never want to drive on normal tyres again.
But a lot of factors to consider like do you really need to use the vehicle, where you live is it rural where the roads are not cleared or in a city where the roads are normally gritted is there good alternative public transport and the other problem of the nob who thinks they never need winter tyres sitting at the bottom of a hill finding out they do and holding everybody else up.

bigherb wrote:The short answer is yes if you have ever driven in snow and cold temperatures with winter tyres you'll never want to drive on normal tyres again.

^ This, with a healthy side order of this...

But a lot of factors to consider like do you really need to use the vehicle, where you live is it rural where the roads are not cleared or in a city where the roads are normally gritted is there good alternative public transport and the other problem of the nob who thinks they never need winter tyres sitting at the bottom of a hill finding out they do and holding everybody else up.

I couldn't agree more with what Herb just posted. I used winters on the Saab for three years, living on an ungritted hill and commuting over the Chiltern backlanes, and have a set waiting to go on the Peugeot now we live in the back end of the Welsh borders. They really are worth it - and, extra initial outlay aside - don't "cost" any more, since your normal tyres are sitting in the shed and not getting worn.

They're not infallible - and, now that we really do have serious risk of getting stuck, we've bought a big 4x4 as well.

As a rough guide, somewhere about 5degC you can feel the difference in grip even on cold dry tarmac. On the Saab, they were a bit harsher ride, a bit louder and a bit thirstier than the normal summers I was using. But it meant I was getting up the hill we lived on easier than a lot of big flash 4x4s on low-profile rubber.

Thanks for the advice and I'll take it.

I am interested in this topic and am considering changing to winter tyres. What, in people's opinion, is a good make and type to ask for at the tyre depot? What are the ones to avoid? I already have good quality (Marshal 8ply 205/70 r14) van tyres on my camper with 7mm of tread left after 2 years of daily use. I don't want to splash out silly money just for a name, but I am prepared to spend what it takes for good quality. My experience with tyre depots is that they always recommend the tyres they have in stock and not necessarily the best.

You might find the prices have gone up a bit now its the time to use winter tyres. They've gone up £12 a tyre at my local place and theres no stock and no delivery date either. Not that i can afford them anyway.

I have Hankook W??? on my bus and they are very good.
On the car I have Verdestein Snowtrac 3 which are absolutely amazing in the snow.

Uniroyal Snowmax 2 on mine...
Used the tyre site Oponeo.
And they sit on galvanised standard steelies....

thebobster wrote:I am interested in this topic and am considering changing to winter tyres. What, in people's opinion, is a good make and type to ask for at the tyre depot? What are the ones to avoid? I already have good quality (Marshal 8ply 205/70 r14) van tyres on my camper with 7mm of tread left after 2 years of daily use. I don't want to splash out silly money just for a name, but I am prepared to spend what it takes for good quality. My experience with tyre depots is that they always recommend the tyres they have in stock and not necessarily the best.

Not exactly a wide choice.
http://camskill.co.uk/m109b0s4698p0/Win ... _205_70R15" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Out of the ones in stock, I'd pay the extra for the Michs. Out of the full choice, probably the Uniroyals.

Thanks for all the advice, guys.
Looking through different tyre sites, it looks like I have left it too late for this year as everybody seems to have sold out. I might just buy some snow chains to keep in the van for this year,(It seems the Lidl ones for £20 are reasonable quality) and start looking for winter tyres a bit earlier next year.

thebobster wrote:Looking through different tyre sites, it looks like I have left it too late for this year as everybody seems to have sold out.

<points up one post to camskill link, with Mich or Goodyear in stock>

AdrianC wrote:

thebobster wrote:Looking through different tyre sites, it looks like I have left it too late for this year as everybody seems to have sold out.

<points up one post to camskill link, with Mich or Goodyear in stock>

sadly not in the size I need - ie. my 14" diameter wheels, not the 15" ones you mentioned.
Thanks for your suggestion though.

I suppose I could buy a pair of 15" rims but it hardly seems worth it. I think I'll wait until next year.

thebobster wrote:

AdrianC wrote:

thebobster wrote:Looking through different tyre sites, it looks like I have left it too late for this year as everybody seems to have sold out.

<points up one post to camskill link, with Mich or Goodyear in stock>

sadly not in the size I need - ie. my 14" diameter wheels, not the 15" ones you mentioned.
Thanks for your suggestion though.

<looks up, surprised>
Oh, a***. Sorry...

<checks Camskill again>
205/70 14 nothing at all listed.
185/80 14 - Mich in stock, and cheaper than the 15"...
http://camskill.co.uk/m108b0s1530p0/Win ... _14_185R14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have vredestein wintrac xtreme tyres fitted ( rated upto 168 mph ), and I left them on over the summer with no issues, they are incredible tyres and way better than the van needs, but they where very cheap, bought from a guy emigrating . I am hoping for lots of snow this winter so I can go out and play....