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Model specific boards => Golf mk7 => Topic started by: drisser on 28 February 2018, 17:36
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If anyone is doubting the use of winter tyres, I have just taken my 330d (not x drive) out in the fresh snow and driven through 6 inches of fresh powder and onto the road, had a drive around and not a single flash of traction control.
I knew they were good in cold and icy conditions but honestly now I am blown away. Yesterday I drove straight up a small hill no problems past front wheel drive cars struggling.
I would take this over 4wd on normal tyres any day of the week and after the 3rd winter with them on I won't ever run a car without winter tyres. Not only that my 19's with summer tyres are still the originals so after 60k miles I am still on the original sets of summers and winters so they definitely prolong life.
The only problem is everyone else on the road who thinks 4wd is the best thing in the world and drive as if it is some kind of magic button.. Especially anyone with a Quattro badge or an evoque (with "snow" button)
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Just seen a Land Rover (not sure which model) that was nose down in a ditch on the TV news. The owner must’ve forgotten to spec the magic button or the snow button on theirs, but probably didn’t think they’d need it as it’s a LR with 4WD!
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Got my Nokian WRD3's sitting idle in the shed.Figured it was too late in the season to put them on.How wrong!. :embarrassed: Car is currently parked up and being covered in snowdrifts.
Nothing moving here.First Red Travel Alert in history. :shocked:
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Winter tyres should be mandatory in winter.
And on the subject of tyres, they should bring in strict safety testing and remove all the Chinese garbage you see on cars.
I once had the misfortune of driving a car on Linglong tyres (actual name). They were bad in the dry, but in the wet they were dangerous. I squirm seeing cars close behind me on the motorway, knowing so many these days have this sort of crap on.
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Winter tyres should be mandatory in winter.
And on the subject of tyres, they should bring in strict safety testing and remove all the Chinese garbage you see on cars.
I once had the misfortune of driving a car on Linglong tyres (actual name). They were bad in the dry, but in the wet they were dangerous. I squirm seeing cars close behind me on the motorway, knowing so many these days have this sort of crap on.
Agreed - our country would be moving around and not grinding to a halt.
Reckon they must have crap Chinese tyres in Russia as they manage to crash off the road in a way that cars don't normally crash!
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The thing is, the traction is impressive but the steering and braking is on another level with winters on. I frequently test brake whilst driving and keep pinching myself at how quickly and safely I stop on snow with winter tyres on, almost no anti lock, almost no skidding even on packed snow and you lose very little steering control.
I am a sceptic with most things but I'm totally sold in winter tyres especially this year.
As has been said, the danger going out is those who drive like idiots without the right kit, especially behind you when you know you can stop safely on snow.
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I was first convinced when I had a set on a Fiat 500 which was the only car together out of my road.
Both Rs have them, wife's has Hankooks and mine Michelin Alpins which I really rate
That said tonight at 35mph on a dual carriageway there was some movement from the rear due to the conditions so never get complacent but I would expect some accidents in that spot
Only real worry is the people without them and those in the little lifestyle or is that lifeless little 4x4s who think you overcome physics
Given the amount of traffic on the roads I think mandatory
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Yeah I couldn't agree more winter tires a deffo I swapped mine over a few words back and won't be changing them till next month back to the Santis. :whistle:
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HGV's are causing all of the road closures up here.Transport Minister is gunning for certain companies for sending their (non essential) HGV people out today.Loads of people have been stuck in their cars since 2pm.
I've only used my Nokians for one Winter.But i was lulled into a false sense of security with last Winter being really mild.The Winter i used them on the snow and ice was like night and day.Went where even angels feared to tread.
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HGV's are causing all of the road closures up here.Transport Minister is gunning for certain companies for sending their (non essential) HGV people out today.Loads of people have been stuck in their cars since 2pm.
I've only used my Nokians for one Winter.But i was lulled into a false sense of security with last Winter being really mild.The Winter i used them on the snow and ice was like night and day.Went where even angels feared to tread.
Were nor the ones causing All the closures iv seen 5 incidents today and 3 yest none of which involved a HGV the odd puddle hopper and white van man yeah but no HGV..
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HGV's are causing all of the road closures up here.Transport Minister is gunning for certain companies for sending their (non essential) HGV people out today.Loads of people have been stuck in their cars since 2pm.
I've only used my Nokians for one Winter.But i was lulled into a false sense of security with last Winter being really mild.The Winter i used them on the snow and ice was like night and day.Went where even angels feared to tread.
Were nor the ones causing All the closures iv seen 5 incidents today and 3 yest none of which involved a HGV the odd puddle hopper and white van man yeah but no HGV..
Fair point gtilaps.I can only comment on what our(Scottish) Transport Minister has pointed out today.He was raging on the Scottish news tonight about the trucks that had caused a lot of the chaos (paper, furniture and other non essential stuff).I fully agree with having essential HGV's on the roads,regardless of the weather.
Same as Carers,Ambulance,NHS etc.M80 has been at a standstill for many hours now.
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I’ve got a set of Vreds wintrac extremes on BBS alloys as my winters for the M3. Had them for 4 years...they are superb. I have driven up hills past multiple stranded cars in the snow without a hint of TC coming on! I have barely used 2-3 mm of tread on them in that much time!
My only issue in this country with using tyres is all the other muppets out there on summers...who want to sit on your rear bumper with no idea how much more grip you have than them and more importantly stopping power. That and muppets in 4x4s (most of which are 2WD SUVs but the owners don’t know better!).
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HGV's are causing all of the road closures up here.Transport Minister is gunning for certain companies for sending their (non essential) HGV people out today.Loads of people have been stuck in their cars since 2pm.
I've only used my Nokians for one Winter.But i was lulled into a false sense of security with last Winter being really mild.The Winter i used them on the snow and ice was like night and day.Went where even angels feared to tread.
Were nor the ones causing All the closures iv seen 5 incidents today and 3 yest none of which involved a HGV the odd puddle hopper and white van man yeah but no HGV..
Fair point gtilaps.I can only comment on what our(Scottish) Transport Minister has pointed out today.He was raging on the Scottish news tonight about the trucks that had caused a lot of the chaos (paper, furniture and other non essential stuff).I fully agree with having essential HGV's on the roads,regardless of the weather.
Same as Carers,Ambulance,NHS etc.M80 has been at a standstill for many hours now.
Yeah cheers and fair points there. I know u guys get it rough more so than other parts of the country I was in Livingston Monday afternoon loading up I was lucky and got in front of the worse.
However it's bad all over I'm in Felixstowe at the moment and it's terrible conditions but hey ho onwards and upwards well across to Wolverhampton lol..
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I'm a recent winter tyres convert, absolutely amazed at the difference :shocked: stuck a set of Conti 850's on few weeks ago and wish I'd done it sooner but hey ho live and learn and more than happy I did!
Good point raised though about other people not in a position to stop as quickly even if 4wd vehicle.....safe travels gtiaps, as good as these tyres are I'm luckily able to work from home today.
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It really is night and day with winter tyres. Even if they do only come into their own 2 or 3 times a winter its at those times you are so thankful for them. I know the winter tyres are for 8 degrees and below or thereabouts but lets face it, any tyre will get you from A to B in those temperatures. Its when the snow comes and grinds everywhere to a halt thats when you appreciate them the most.
I haven't got any for my R but gave my daughter a set for her Polo that came form an old Audi A1 I had. I've just been out in her car on roads that get shut with the least amount of bad weather (Eaglesham Moor road) and it sailed along as if it was on tarmac. Even stopping on quite steep hills and starting again was no problem. A bit of slipping until it got going but was then fine. It only has cheap Nankangs on it which I've found excellent.
The R must be a beast with 4 winter tyres on it.
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So glad I stuck 4 winters on the other halfs mk5 r32 worth there weight in gold in this weather
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I tried to get to work this am and a few tasty snow drifts on the back roads, tyres kept me moving no issues at all, even snow a foot deep nearly that had drifted. My other half couldn't even get her A1 off the drive !
I had to turn round 3 times with people stuck and even when turning on small roads I had pretty high confidence I would be fine.
Continental winter contacts on my BMW and highly recommend. They will do at least one more winter, maybe 2.
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Continental winter contacts on my BMW and highly recommend. They will do at least one more winter, maybe 2.
That's the thing, they really do last. Many people see them as an extra 'unjustifiable' expense, but this is the 5th winter I've got out of mine. One on my B5.5 Passat, three on my B7 Passat and this year on my Mk7 Golf. During this time I've saved wearing my regular tyres, so apart from the wheels they are mounted on (£200 secondhand Passat alloys) they haven't cost me a penny. In fact, if you take into account the accelerated wear rate of normal tyres during winter, that saving has probably paid for the wheels.
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What size wheel/tyres are people going with for winters? I know VW recommend 17" ones with the 205 width tyre for the pp gti but they also have 18"ones in the winter tyre brochure. Just interested in people's opinions on this.
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What size wheel/tyres are people going with for winters? I know VW recommend 17" ones with the 205 width tyre for the pp gti but they also have 18"ones in the winter tyre brochure. Just interested in people's opinions on this.
Both of our Rs are on 18s running 225, wife's is on VW Rotary and mine is on set of TSWs I have to spare the diamond cuts the salt
Definite wear benefits on these, my wife's were originally on her Mk5 and so must be the fifth season
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I have continental 18 ‘s winter tyres and they have been superb this last week. I am more scared by being hit by an overdriven 4x4 than being stuck !
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Cheers Wigit & robtt
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I don't have winter tyres so I'm not going out but on the plus side it gives me a chance to continue with my recovery from last weekend in Dublin for the rugby :laugh:
(https://s5.postimg.org/i55at7kfb/20180301_183958.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/4o8caca3n/)
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I don't have winter tyres so I'm not going out
Me neither. The car’s tucked up in the garage. I should’ve taken it to have it’s second service yesterday but didn’t fancy the 60 mile round trip. Re-booked the service for next week, weather permitting :smiley:
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Got a set of Contis on my Mk6 GTi. Then bought a set of Team Dynamics Imolas to put them on and they now fit the Mk7 R. Not had a flicker of traction control light this week - they've been absolutely superb and I live in a hilly area too. Done 4 winters and there's loads of tread still on them.
Meanwhile my 330d Touring on normal summers hasn't budged since Tuesday so I reckon I might need to invest in a set of winters for that next year.
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Well my non x drive 330d is great on continentals !
I have a square set up for winter, 18 inch alloys off a 320d sport they clear the M sport brakes fine and are same width back as front so they cut better through snow and water. I think the std 19s are a good inch wider at back normally but I find the square set up works well..
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Very happy with my Pilot Alpin's on 18 inch wheels, standard 225 width. Although narrower tyres would perhaps have cut through the snow and little better, i do like the extra width for additional grip at times when it isn't snowing.
Although there was a momentary flicker of the traction control light when driving over some very hard and very shiny black ice a couple of weeks ago, they've been rock steady this week in some pretty appalling driving conditions.
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I'm on exactly the same Guzzle, highly recommended!
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I don't have winter tyres so I'm not going out but on the plus side it gives me a chance to continue with my recovery from last weekend in Dublin for the rugby :laugh:
(https://s5.postimg.org/i55at7kfb/20180301_183958.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/4o8caca3n/)
Ha Ha! i like your style.That is what i've been doing the last couple of days.Have not been able to get to work as snowed in since Tuesday night.Going to attempt to dig the car out tomorrow. Cheers! :laugh:
Cabin Fever is starting to set in mind.The Shining.All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy..... :evil:
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Before I buy some winter wheels ( I know a bit late) are 45et offset rims ok? They are a 18" x 7.5 rim. It's basically the rim I've got now with a 4mm spacer isn't it??
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http://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=225&aspect=45&diameter=18&wheelwidth=7.5&offset=49&width2=225&aspect2=45&wheel_size=18&wheel_width=7-5&offset2=45
Based on that i'd say you'll probably be OK (i'm no expert only IMHO), but depends on how bothered you are about keeping as close to OEM as possible for reasons such as insurance or warranty.
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Yeah that's what I'm thinking. At least if I buy genuine VW winters the insurance won't be an issue. Buying aftermarket wheels means informing insurance etc etc.
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Yeah that's what I'm thinking. At least if I buy genuine VW winters the insurance won't be an issue. Buying aftermarket wheels means informing insurance etc etc.
I'd imagine if you get replicas you shouldn't have an issue but you're absolutely right in that you should let them know if you change the wheels.
Although this insurance document might suggest otherwise as long as the wheels / tyres are the same size as the originals
https://www.abi.org.uk/products-and-issues/choosing-the-right-insurance/motor-insurance/winter-tyres/ according to some insurance companies.
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Yeah that's what I'm thinking. At least if I buy genuine VW winters the insurance won't be an issue. Buying aftermarket wheels means informing insurance etc etc.
Still best to inform your insurers, even if you put OEM VW wheels on.
You’ll probably find in the small print of your insurance policy that your insurer needs to know of any modifications made to the car. My insurer considers anything that changes the car from its factory build spec to be a modification, although this differs from insurer to insurer.
I’d be really surprised if they loaded your premium if you but different wheels on fitted with winter tyres though, as you’re actually making your car safer to drive during the winter months.
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Yeah the fact your car is safer doesn't seem to make much difference with some insurance companies. They just see it as a way to extract more money from you.
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Worth checking the www.abi.org.uk website it has published a list under Winter tyres showing all the insurers and whether you need to notify them regarding fitment of winter tyres.
Only about four out of seventy insurers do.
EDIT: just noticed p3asa has covered this !
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I ended up notifying mine, they do not like modifications but were sensible when I say the aftermarkets have winter tyres
Another fan of the Aplins, only issuing I am finding oddly is the people who are driving too slow
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Mine's on summer tyres and will stay on them parked up on the drive. Wife's XC60 is AWD with Mich cross climates. Thats the one to use if theres still snow when we return from South Africa :D
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My Nokian WR A4 winter tyres saved me last night from being stranded (only once got stuck when car completely beached - and friendly local farmer in Hilux came to pull me forward). A lot of A roads in Oxfordshire were shocking.... stranded / crashed cars about every other mile on one road.
(https://thumb.ibb.co/mJuWXn/golf_7_snow_lane_no_np.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mJuWXn)
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I've been looking at the Nokian A4 and D4s, do you rate them Itavaltalainen??
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Slightly off thread but I have been using eco mode in the snow and find the softer power delivery useful for making progress (maybe just me, l'm no driving god and need all the help I can get) Winter tyres have been a must last few days.
Cracking picture of your Golf up to its mirrors in snow. Respect to a car and driver that can handle these conditions!!!!!
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Don't have direct comparison between WR A4 and D4 on the same car, I've got the A4 as 205 55 16 (94V XL) on my GTD, my mom has the D4 on her Toyota Corolla hatchback 1.4 diesel (195 60 15 iirc).
Think the D4 are better on lighter and less powerful cars, A4s I would probably rate better for more powerful cars in the UK. Much depends on the size of wheel/tyre you want or need, they don't make both in all sizes!
The D4's pattern would make it more suitable if you encounter snow often - though couldn't say I had trouble with traction until I beached the car on a snow bank as I slowed down too much...
A4s are better in the dry and moist, wet they are about the same. My A4s have gotten a little bit noisy at 70-75mph, maybe because of asymmetric design? Not much worse than the Michelin Alpin A4 I had on before.
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Thanks for that. 👍
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An alternative is some All Weather (AW) tyres instead of full on winters. I have winters on the wife’s car and I put 17” Conti AW Contacts on my GTi-P. They’ve been fine in the snow that we’ve had here up to a few days ago. Then the snow got too deep to venture out in, and I didn’t want to damage the front or rear overhangs on the car.
For the few times that we get snow the AW tyres are a better choice for me - plus they’re V-rated tyres, were new out when I bought them last August and they were cheaper than full winter tyres.
(https://s19.postimg.org/ye6gcztg3/D9_B77111-6563-4_C93-_B8_CB-_F4244_D27_D9_EE.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/ogvfjxlu7/)
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Is that a competitor for the Michelin crossclimate + ? Must admit, living in a very rural area, this type of tyre appeals for the additional traction you get . I have to go down muddy and rough farm tracks and they can be a challenge given our sometimes wet summers .
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This may be of interest for thoes trying to decide which tyre is best suited for their driving.
https://youtu.be/RU4O3ulin80
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This may be of interest for thoes trying to decide which tyre is best suited for their driving.
https://youtu.be/RU4O3ulin80
I prefer direct comparison using the same car...& these are on hard compacted snow & using Subaru AWD systems...very good examples of braking & brake/steering ...winter beats all seasons..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC1E2eDt1JY
:cool:
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This may be of interest for thoes trying to decide which tyre is best suited for their driving.
https://youtu.be/RU4O3ulin80
I prefer direct comparison using the same car...& these are on hard compacted snow & using Subaru AWD systems...very good examples of braking & brake/steering ...winter beats all seasons..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC1E2eDt1JY
:cool:
Depends on what percentage of your driving is on snow. I doubt anyone in Scotland does more than 25% of their winter driving on snow let alone in the rest of the UK
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Both videos helpful in their own way.
But what would be an interesting comparison would be winters vs all-seasons vs summers in winter temps but not on snow. :undecided:
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Depends on what percentage of your driving is on snow. I doubt anyone in Scotland does more than 25% of their winter driving on snow let alone in the rest of the UK
Agree....but it does show clearly the differences in the worst case weather for when the proverbial hits the fan...
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I think the Michelin cross climate would have been ok for me instead of a full winter tyre. Considering its 8 years since we had snow this bad a full winter tyre doesn't seem worth it. For a tyre below 6 or 7° the cross climate seems a perfect choice and then for occasional snow it would cope too.
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I think the Michelin cross climate would have been ok for me instead of a full winter tyre. Considering its 8 years since we had snow this bad a full winter tyre doesn't seem worth it. For a tyre below 6 or 7° the cross climate seems a perfect choice and then for occasional snow it would cope too.
Hence my link to the video, full on winter tyres are not the best choice for people that are not guaranteed to get snow often.
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I've never known all weather tyres to be that good.
Jack of all trades but master of none :shocked:
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I've never known all weather tyres to be that good.
Jack of all trades but master of none :shocked:
The reviews often say that 'all season' tyres are relatively weak on snow :rolleyes:
A lot of the youtube reviews don't compare winter and summer tyres. Many of the videos show how much better winter tyres are versus all season tyres on snow AND ice.
Many people say winter tyres are not worth it for the UK climate. Yes, we have had had several years of mild winters. However, I don't remember any recent winter without frost and black ice, in my area. There was 1 recent winter with just 1 weekend of frost. A local garage was full of crashed 4x4s the next week. And the NHS were recently asking for 4x4 drivers :rolleyes:
I would not swap the winter tyres on my wife's car for all season tyres. To me, winter tyres are worth the hassle and cost, for the peace of mind knowing my wife's car is as safe as possible in winter.
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[Many people say winter tyres are not worth it for the UK climate. Yes, we have had had several years of mild winters. However, I don't remember any recent winter without frost and black ice, in my area. There was 1 recent winter with just 1 weekend of frost. A local garage was full of crashed 4x4s the next week. And the NHS were recently asking for 4x4 drivers :rolleyes:
Again...so many people do not get the fact that the 3mpsf symbols tyres remain soft at low temps whereas M+S (not all) & summers do not remain flexible & go hard...thats why they slid on the thin black ice we get...also the 3mpsf usually have snipe/sipes which grip smooth ice better...
& yes LOL....at the NHS etc.."we want 4x4x dreivers"....yeah right....went we had the good 09/10...10/11 winters I was doing 45mph on compacted snow & ice overtaking in 60 & 70 zones loads of big 4x4 SUVs on summers etc doing 25- 30mph with their wheels spinning like mad.....
correct tyres count more that number of driven wheels...that's what provides the GRIP...not the bigger number of driven wheels...idiots...
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[Many people say winter tyres are not worth it for the UK climate. Yes, we have had had several years of mild winters. However, I don't remember any recent winter without frost and black ice, in my area. There was 1 recent winter with just 1 weekend of frost. A local garage was full of crashed 4x4s the next week. And the NHS were recently asking for 4x4 drivers :rolleyes:
correct tyres count more that number of driven wheels...that's what provides the GRIP...not the bigger number of driven wheels...idiots...
^^^
My ex was and probably still is under the impression that because my A6 is 4WD it’s the more capable car
Yes.....because 255 wide SUMMER tyres makes it brilliant in the snow :rolleyes:
In all honesty though the A6 has impressed me a lot this last week. Not once did I get stuck and the only time I troubled the TC was if I was lairy with the throttle
Next winter it will hopefully be equipped with winter tyres and it will be more capable again
I’ve run winters on my previous 2WD A3 and that had more grip than my A6 with 4WD
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Can only comment in my own experience but I have run continental winters for 3 winters now on my 330d, car with 420lb of rear drive torque and I can honestly say I wouldn't run any other tyre in winter.
Not just snow, they Perform better in cold and wet, and push far more standing water out of the way especially at speed. Plus if you skid and bend a wheel in my case that means a cheaper 18 inch.
On keys a tiny bit of snow my gf couldn't get her A1 up the drive and my bmw sailed up no problem but I swear by them and given I have done 60k miles and am still on both original tyres and winters, I am sure that winter tyres wear better in winter than summers.
Never tried cross climate but feel they would be a compromise and better to have specialist tyres for winter and proper tyres for summer..
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I've never known all weather tyres to be that good.
Jack of all trades but master of none :shocked:
The reviews often say that 'all season' tyres are relatively weak on snow :rolleyes:
A lot of the youtube reviews don't compare winter and summer tyres. Many of the videos show how much better winter tyres are versus all season tyres on snow AND ice.
Many people say winter tyres are not worth it for the UK climate. Yes, we have had had several years of mild winters. However, I don't remember any recent winter without frost and black ice, in my area. There was 1 recent winter with just 1 weekend of frost. A local garage was full of crashed 4x4s the next week. And the NHS were recently asking for 4x4 drivers :rolleyes:
I would not swap the winter tyres on my wife's car for all season tyres. To me, winter tyres are worth the hassle and cost, for the peace of mind knowing my wife's car is as safe as possible in winter.
Take the snow away from the last week which to be honest doesn't happen that often unless you're in beautiful Northern Scotland then winter tyres would be worse than an the all weather tyres. As the tyre review video states full winters are awful on dry roads and only really out perform a cross climate in deep snow. Unless I've watched a different video.
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I noticed a number of drivers stuck in the snow who had not(temporarily) switched off their traction control.All of their efforts to get out were defied by the TCS cutting in. :grin:
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Take the snow away from the last week which to be honest doesn't happen that often unless you're in beautiful Northern Scotland then winter tyres would be worse than an the all weather tyres. As the tyre review video states full winters are awful on dry roads and only really out perform a cross climate in deep snow. Unless I've watched a different video.
That tyre review with the cars sliding down the slopes was bad IMHO...
I have run 3mpsf cert Michelin Alpin A5 tyres which are "winters", & they are great on dry roads, low noise, fantaistic grip, good mpg & beter than my summers in the same size! & I know people who run them all year. Any temp below +7C a proper 3mpsf tyre will outperform one which is not to that cert...doesn't matter if the maker calls it winter or not...its all about the certs....
I live in North Scotland & have run 3mpsf tyres on my cars since Jan 2010...so have some first hand experiance of varing dry, wet, ice, snow, slush, flooding etc...
Info on why the 3mpsf is better than M+S:-
https://www.goodyear.eu/corporate_emea/our-responsibilities/road-safety/winter-tire-recognition.jsp
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Take the snow away from the last week which to be honest doesn't happen that often unless you're in beautiful Northern Scotland then winter tyres would be worse than an the all weather tyres. As the tyre review video states full winters are awful on dry roads and only really out perform a cross climate in deep snow. Unless I've watched a different video.
Cant remember where I read it but an article I read said if you only had 1 option, using summer tyres all year compared to winter tyres all year, you would be marginally better off on the winters throughout the year.
I know I used my winter tyres through the summer one year on a A1 2.0TDI and found them absolutely fine. Granted it didn't have the power of the performance Golf but I think that is what the article was getting at. If you are driving normally then the pitfalls of winter are greater than summer so a winter tyre throughout would be marginally better.
Not sure how accurate it was but I could see the merits of it.
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Golf R with Conti 6s or MPS4s tyres live south of Brum all year round, no need for winters.
Now for FWD or RWD maybe ? Naturally if your a rep covering Yorkshire and live In Watford then makes sense.
But if you don’t really have to drive in deep snow on those 2/3 days every other? or more years. Don’t .
Why spec your car with lovely alloys only to have some naff substitutes for 6 months a year. Or have to pay for twice yearly changing.
We have some very mild weather in the winter, I know what tyres I would want to be on, and btw summer tyres do not drop of a cliff at 7 degrees, all tyres generate heat also while in motion.
Each to there own circumstances of course. End of the day I’ve been out in the snow this week and was more scared of other vehicles than my own.
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It’s not so much the heat the tyres generate CHB, it’s the tarmac temperature.
Granted I do agree with you that it’s not a falling off a cliff at 7 degrees though.
I’ve never run winters myself but would if I used the car a lot more. I’d just pick up a low mileage set of wheels and winter tyres out of season on a forum or eBay.
Slightly off topic, having run three mk7’s with Bridgestone tyres I really don’t think they’re terrible in summer. They perform well when hot and I remember seeing a clip from the chassis guy who did the GTI CS set up saying th car was designed to run on Bridgestone rubber. That’s the rub, they did the testing on the ‘Ring at track temps. No wonder they don’t perform so well in cold British conditions.
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Why spec your car with lovely alloys only to have some naff substitutes for 6 months a year. and btw summer tyres do not drop of a cliff at 7 degrees, all tyres generate heat also while in motion.
The VW alloys are to heavy in weight...I sold them...& bought two sets of Team Dynamic Pro Race alloys.. one set of winters & one set of summers..each wheel 2kg lighter.....both in the same size alloy & 225mm wide tyres...so not having "naff substitutes"... :tongue:
Also having driven the summers in cold weather & the winters in warm, I can state that the summers do go hard & less grippy has you get to +5C & lower..I can feel it.....basic material make up of the tyre...winters have more silica in them so they remain more flexible.... :cool:
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Take the snow away from the last week which to be honest doesn't happen that often unless you're in beautiful Northern Scotland then winter tyres would be worse than an the all weather tyres. As the tyre review video states full winters are awful on dry roads and only really out perform a cross climate in deep snow. Unless I've watched a different video.
That tyre review with the cars sliding down the slopes was bad IMHO...
Yeah because he only tests thousands of tyres, what would he know about it. :grin:
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Take the snow away from the last week which to be honest doesn't happen that often unless you're in beautiful Northern Scotland then winter tyres would be worse than an the all weather tyres. As the tyre review video states full winters are awful on dry roads and only really out perform a cross climate in deep snow. Unless I've watched a different video.
That tyre review with the cars sliding down the slopes was bad IMHO...
Yeah because he only tests thousands of tyres, what would he know about it. :grin:
In the beginning section when he is talking about the tyre types he does not mention M+S or 3mpsf marks...& also his assertion that the cross climates are a summer bias all season total misses the point that they will give better grip & almost the same level of grip as what he calls "winters" ...all because they are 3mpsf rated.....the same as a full "winter" tyre should be.
Also he does not explain why the winter tyres have a softer compound...infact they don't when compared to a summer tyre on a hot day!!...just that the material make up remains more flexible at low temps because it has more silica in it...which he didn't mention
& as for the braking comparisons...quote from Michelin website:-
1) MICHELIN CrossClimate+ has the same level in dry braking as MICHELIN CrossClimate (Test conducted by TÜV SÜD Product Service, at Michelin's request, in September 2016, on dimension 205/55 R16 on VW Golf 7). MICHELIN CrossClimate has a similar level in dry braking as the Summer reference tyre (Comparative test conducted by AutoBild on dimension 205/55 R16, published the 30th of September 2016)
& I have never had any problems with dry road conditions in low temps (+9C & lower) with my winter 3mpsf tyres...
Like I say bad video on the technicalities & arranging the tyres into his "groups" is misleading & confusing....
You have for example:-
3mpsf, & M+S tyres,
3mpsf rated all seasons
M+S tyres
all seasons
normal tyres or summers.
The ratings are more important as they give a better indication of grip levels & self cleaning/clearing abilities...
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For extra clarity on tyres further to my post above:-
Difference between M+S & 3mpsf:-
Basically M+S used to be "Mud & Snow"..some called it "Mountain & Snow"....mainly concerned with the open tread design to self clean mud & snow from the grooves in the tread block. The 3mpsf (three mountain peak & snow flake" is a regulatory test (EU reg 661/2009) for minimum "snow grip index" levels, usually achieved with snipes/sipes in tread & more silica in the rubber.
https://www.goodyear.eu/corporate_emea/our-responsibilities/road-safety/winter-tire-recognition.jsp
Tyres with both the M+S & 3mpsf are "true" winter tyres as they have open treads to self clean snow & mud, plus guaranteed minimum grip levels on ice, snow etc...
All season tyres are just a marketing/design bias with no exact standard to meet..however buy ones with the 3mpsf symbol & you have tyres that have minimum grip level on ice/snow....so like a winter tyre above?..NO you don't get the same self cleaning M+S tread pattern...
Quote re dry braking for Alpin A5 tyres (mine):-
"On dry surfaces, when braking from 80 to 0 kmph with an outside temperature of between +4 and +6°C, a winter tyre will brake 4 metres before a summer tyre, and 1.5 metres before when going from 50 to 0 kmph."
https://tyres.rezulteo.co.uk/blog/tyre-news/new-tyres/michelin-alpin-5-improved-performance-greater-versatility-1330
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The Continental AllWeather Contacts that I mentioned above have both the 3MPSF and M+S markings on them.
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Anyone after a set of winters with alloys?
Selling mine, details below:
A3 speedline wheels 16x6.5j ET50 with Nokian WR A4 205 55 16 94V XL (approved for speeds up to 149mph ;) ), 2 tyres have manufacturing date mid 2016, 2 got autumn 2017 mfg stamp.
All around 6.5 - 7.5mm of tread left.
Will fit Golf mk6, mk7 (possibly also mk5), A3 8P and 8V, Octavia mk2 / mk3 and Seat Leon.
Selling as we’re moving to Germany and the Mrs will get my old man’s Fiat and I’ll get something else (Subaru Levorg maybe, but as it’s a company car they will get me some winter tyres).
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Gonna warm this one up in case anyone is in the market for some winters.... :whistle:
http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=283177.msg2586461#msg2586461
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Don't think you'd do this on Summer Tyres... :grin:
https://instagram.com/p/BgMYDYOgeJW/
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Ha! That’s right next to where I grew up. I took an exige out around there (in the dry...) and that was scary enough.
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Does anyone know if 16" wheels with winter tyres are a suitable option for a Mk7 Gti which normally runs 18" wheels?
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Yes, unless it's the PP (where 16 inch wheels won't clear the brakes).
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Yes, unless it's the PP (where 16 inch wheels won't clear the brakes).
Excellent answer, yes its a PP thank you. :smiley: