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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: jkp on 29 September 2011, 16:30

Title: Winter Rubber
Post by: jkp on 29 September 2011, 16:30
I'm looking at getting some cold weather rubber, but not sure what to get. After numerous years driving a 4x4 that went anywhere in the winter on goodyear MTR's (chunky knobbly tyres) I need to ensure I can still get out and get to work when the fluffy stuff falls in the GTD.

My plan is to get 17" rubber for the seattles as I've inherited a set of Vancouvers from the wife who has ordered a Toe-rag

Options at the moment are either...

Wintrac extremes - Only heard good things about these from the 4x4 users, but never seen a review from a FWD user.
http://lovetyres.com/tyre/Vredestein-Wintrac-Xtreme/225-45-17 (http://lovetyres.com/tyre/Vredestein-Wintrac-Xtreme/225-45-17)

Yokohama W-drives - Good brand so the tyre should do what it says on the label ?!?
http://www.tyretraders.com/tyreInformation%7CItemID%7CYOK22545R1794VV902A.html (http://www.tyretraders.com/tyreInformation%7CItemID%7CYOK22545R1794VV902A.html)

Nokians - All last winter all I read was aout how these are the daddy and what they use in Scandinavia during the winter.
http://lovetyres.com/tyre/Nokian-WR-D3/225-45-17 (http://lovetyres.com/tyre/Nokian-WR-D3/225-45-17)


Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated folks.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: am1w on 29 September 2011, 20:14
A duplicate thread if ever there was one.

Buck has already started one which has had numerous and worthy replies.

Needs merging by mods. :smiley:
Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: The Doc on 29 September 2011, 20:15
A duplicate thread if ever there was one.

Buck has already started one which has had numerous and worthy replies.

Needs merging by mods. :smiley:

I'll let you do it - would you like my logins?  :grin:

Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: am1w on 29 September 2011, 20:22
Too busy, too wicked, too tired and it pays zilch! :kiss:

Soooo busy that I could not even meet Mr. P for my w_nking fogs! :shocked:

:grin:

YOU'RE THE BOSS.  :cool:
Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: jkp on 29 September 2011, 20:54
I was aware and have read Bucks thread, but I though his was about a combo of wheels and tyres not specific rubber  :undecided:

No need to merge just delete if you think the answers are already 'out there'  :wink: I don't wish to have the established gentry inconvenienced by a duplicate post if ever there was one  :rolleyes: :grin:
Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: am1w on 29 September 2011, 20:59
I was aware and have read Bucks thread, but I though his was about a combo of wheels and tyres not specific rubber  :undecided:
No need to merge just delete if you think the answers are already 'out there'  :wink: I don't wish to have the established gentry inconvenienced by a duplicate post if ever there was one  :rolleyes: :grin:

I had my evil hat on.  :kiss: :grin:
Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: jkp on 29 September 2011, 21:01
 :kiss:  :grin:
Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: Buck on 29 September 2011, 21:54
My "new to winter tyres" view is that of your trio of tyres the Vredestein Winter Xtreme is the proven winner with the Nokians a very close second and having the advantage of being slightly easier on the pocket.

Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: am1w on 29 September 2011, 23:07
@jkp:

Clever man with a rich Toerag wife. As it should be. For all we know you might be a house-husband! Excellent situation IMO.

Regarding your winter wraps for your small girth of 17", go with the Conti 830Ps or Verdys. The latter are much loved by the GTI brigade. However, the Contis might just pip them if the many reviews are to be believed. Either one will hold sway over your other choices. As always, get the best protection in the winter you can afford or, as in your case, the rich wife can. :evil: :grin:
Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: jkp on 30 September 2011, 08:46
@jkp:

Clever man with a rich Toerag wife. As it should be. For all we know you might be a house-husband! Excellent situation IMO.


I wish she was and I was mate, but real life never works out that way  :roll eyes:


Going to get either the wintracs or yoko's. I have a mate (don't we all) who has an outlet for both. Just waiting on his mates rates price and I'll get them bought.


Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: am1w on 30 September 2011, 09:31
Hi jkp.

So disappointed regarding you good wife's financial state.

I married a very rich one to get my UK passport and even though she is an ex now, has proved most helpful. :evil: :grin:

Do get the Verdys. Worth it IMO.

All the best for the winter.


BTW, just kidding about being a passport whore. :wink:
Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: jkp on 30 September 2011, 19:03
BTW, just kidding about being a passport whore. :wink:

Glad to hear it. Don't want to be looking out for a red Gti being pulled by Border Patrol on Sky 1 anytime soon.  :wink:

I think the Vred's are a goer.  :smiley:
Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: am1w on 30 September 2011, 19:07
I am glad our words helped you choose the Verds!
Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: GolfTi on 30 September 2011, 19:47
Time to think about ordering soon (sounds mad in this heatwave I know).

Remember last year?

The prices started going up almost daily from the end of November.
Mid December you couldn't buy them anywhere.
Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: p3asa on 30 September 2011, 20:14
Time to think about ordering soon (sounds mad in this heatwave I know).

Remember last year?

The prices started going up almost daily from the end of November.
Mid December you couldn't buy them anywhere.

I'm sure I posted this in another thread but I was in a fast fit centre a few weeks back and someone phoned looking for winter tyres. The fitter couldn't guarantee any and told him most of their suppliers had already sold out!!!
Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: mike. on 30 September 2011, 22:55
Time to think about ordering soon (sounds mad in this heatwave I know).

Heatwave ?? Its 15 and chucking it down up here  :cry:
Title: Re: Winter rubber
Post by: gizzywizzy on 30 September 2011, 23:08
Time to think about ordering soon (sounds mad in this heatwave I know).

Heatwave ?? Its 15 and chucking it down up here  :cry:

28 degrees here today (North Yorkshire) and not a cloud in sight  :grin:
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: jkp on 03 October 2011, 15:41
Ordered the Vreds today. Wanted to call and see stock levels before committing to buying. Local chap could not get a decent price so got them from mytyres. They have >200 each of H and V rating in stock, but going fast according to the nice lady on the phone.
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: am1w on 04 October 2011, 20:31
jkp:
Read this:
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2011-Auto-Bild-Winter-Tyre-Test.htm
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: Steve30 on 04 October 2011, 21:39
Got me a 4wd don't need to bother with winter condoms  :grin:
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: am1w on 04 October 2011, 21:46
Got me a 4wd don't need to bother with winter condoms  :grin:

They'll still slide about but not as much as 2WD.
With 4 winters, they'd probably rip up the road!  :laugh:
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: Daz Auto on 04 October 2011, 21:54
Got me a 4wd don't need to bother with winter condoms  :grin:

It's those S & M tyres they fit to 4x4's

... oops, I mean M&S  :wink:

Seriously though, my dad's 4x4 is ok on snow, but very dangerious on ice. Winter tyres are better than M&S on ice.
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: R32UK on 04 October 2011, 21:55
Got me a 4wd don't need to bother with winter condoms  :grin:

just remember 4wd only helps with traction... not grip  :wink:
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: jkp on 04 October 2011, 21:56
Interesting read  :cool: Pity they never tested the vredys

I was a sceptic on winters on a 4x4, mainly because a supplier on another forum was a total bawbag and I was against anything he peddled, but winters on a 4x4 are epic. Wife gets her Toerag in December but already looking to get a 2nd set of wheels with winters for it. Every bit of safety, especially with the son on board helps. The wife also needs all the help in driving as she is  :shocked: behind the wheel.
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: Snoopy on 04 October 2011, 22:29
Got me a 4wd don't need to bother with winter condoms  :grin:
Is it an r-line with the ultra low profile performance summer wide wheels if so good luck.
Oh sorry i forgot your in london were after two specs of snow fall Borris shuts down the city and calls a national emergency so you will be fine :tongue:
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: Jimmymature on 04 October 2011, 22:53
I chuckle at the thought of what sort of threads will be in the MK6 section in a few years time when we've all bought motor homes and Volvos.

This thread will be "what phat tyres can i stretch onto my slammed air suspension GTI for this winter"


Jim
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: Steve30 on 05 October 2011, 04:41
Got me a 4wd don't need to bother with winter condoms  :grin:
Is it an r-line with the ultra low profile performance summer wide wheels if so good luck.
Oh sorry i forgot your in london were after two specs of snow fall Borris shuts down the city and calls a national emergency so you will be fine :tongue:

Definition of a knob-head = Boris Johnson  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: Mr_F on 05 October 2011, 07:53
Got me a 4wd don't need to bother with winter condoms  :grin:

just remember 4wd only helps with traction... not grip  :wink:

Personally I would think you would need winters to stop all that extra up-high 4x4 weight?
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: R32UK on 05 October 2011, 10:33
Got me a 4wd don't need to bother with winter condoms  :grin:

just remember 4wd only helps with traction... not grip  :wink:

Personally I would think you would need winters to stop all that extra up-high 4x4 weight?

Yes... a 4wd with winter tyres is the ideal solution. Unfortunately many 4x4 owners are just tooo silly to understand all this. Seen quite a few ploughed into kerbs last year.
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: Steve30 on 05 October 2011, 16:00
Talk about scare mongering on here you lot are the nuts for it  :grin:
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: Mr_F on 05 October 2011, 16:10
Talk about scare mongering on here you lot are the nuts for it  :grin:

Mates look after each other, especially when it involves taking the proverbial.

Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: Snoopy on 06 October 2011, 22:26
Yes... a 4wd with winter tyres is the ideal solution. Unfortunately many 4x4 owners are just tooo silly to understand all this. Seen quite a few ploughed into kerbs last year.
I laffed out loud last year as i went past loads of them in their superior 4x4s as they struggling to get up the hills as i went past in a 1 litre jap tin box with no problems.
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: Chris.Air on 09 October 2011, 17:59
Going to get a set of winters, where is the best place to get them from?
My brother has range rover with standard tyres on it and he went every where in the snow last year, even towed my transit up a steep icey hill. Just a pity they are fortunes :-(
Title: Re: Winter Rubber
Post by: The Doc on 09 October 2011, 18:14
Going to get a set of winters, where is the best place to get them from?
My brother has range rover with standard tyres on it and he went every where in the snow last year, even towed my transit up a steep icey hill. Just a pity they are fortunes :-(


Most land rovers come with Mud and Snow tyres as standard fit  :wink:

I've just bought Mrs Doc a set of winter wheels from Merseyspeed circa £240 and I've got a nice set of new continental 4x4 contact M&S tyres in my garage awaiting the rims arrival as the Tig's tyres are very much summer / performance bias - not sure that the off road button in the Tig will match her freelander 2's terrain response but we will have to wait and see  :rolleyes:

Can't be worse than my GTD.....