winter wheels and tyres

[gtiaps]

Hi all.
As title yeah the summer is upon us but we know what's around the corner... just trying to get some ideas would you go 16 inch or 17 inch rims and what tyres to be a stand in for the 19" santi. .

[Daz Auto]

My wife has winter tyres and changes them onto the original rims. This is a good solution as we bought tyre storage bags, which keep her and the car clean.

Pros - don't have to buy alloys, car looks the same, tyres get balanced twice a year, the tyre depot do all the work, tyres fitted by professionals.

Cons - have to pay twice a year to get them swapped (our deal £25 each change), risk of alloys getting damaged during change over, risk of alloys getting damaged during winter driving, can't swap immediately due to unexpected weather change.

Buying alloys+tyres

Pros - can buy smaller alloys and cheaper tyres, smaller tyres offer better performance on snow and ice, can change anytime, summer alloys are safe in storage.

Cons - cost of alloys, having to swap the alloys/tyres yourself, risk of damaging the alloys.

As for the tyres, have a look here - http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/

2015 Sport Auto 19 Inch winter tyre test - http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2015-Sport-Auto-19-Inch-Winter-Tyre-Test.htm

Had a quick look - 19 inch tyres are expensive!

[mustard]

I have a set of cheap 18" wheels with winter tyres. Smaller wheels with narrower tyres might be better in snow, but down here in the south it is more often just cold, not snow covered, so it maintains the look and handling, whilst still being effective when we do have snow or ice.

[boydeee]

I have 17 inch alloys with winter tyres fitted to my PP GTI. I have paranoia about the diamond cut austins and the amount of salt that goes on the roads up here is unbelievable!

[gtiaps]

I have 17 inch alloys with winter tyres fitted to my PP GTI. I have paranoia about the diamond cut austins and the amount of salt that goes on the roads up here is unbelievable!

Oh I know what they are like up your way wen spreading lol obviously santis are diamond cut too so think I'm gonna go with a set if 15" steelies with 195/65/15 winters slim tyre light wheel lol 

[bgbazz]

I don't try and keep my car looking like a Prima Donna for all of its life, but I do like it to look tidy...it came to me with a nice set of original steel wheels, fitted with Kumho winter tires and about 90% tread remaining.
I sourced a set of very tidy alloys, complete with Pirelli all season tires with about 80% tread for just under 80 pounds.

I now have two sets (10 wheels and tires, all full size) and they should last me quite a few years.

We don't use salt on our roads over here...even though our winter snowfalls are much higher than yours.

Takes me about 30 minutes to change from one set to the other.

[gtiaps]

That's the way to do it bgbazz lol 

[Daz Auto]

"Oh I know what they are like up your way wen spreading lol obviously santis are diamond cut too so think I'm gonna go with a set if 15" steelies with 195/65/15 winters slim tyre light wheel lol  "

gtiaps - did you post the above line... it is not clear. Will 15 inch rims fit the GTI? I know the workshop manual for my Mk6 recommended 16 inch tyres for winter driving. Remember, it is a front wheel drive car. You will probably struggle for traction in many conditions. Fine if you like spinning the front wheels.

Try checking the tyre pressure info sticker on your car. It will show the different tyre sizes for your car.

[gtiaps]

"Oh I know what they are like up your way wen spreading lol obviously santis are diamond cut too so think I'm gonna go with a set if 15" steelies with 195/65/15 winters slim tyre light wheel lol  "

gtiaps - did you post the above line... it is not clear. Will 15 inch rims fit the GTI? I know the workshop manual for my Mk6 recommended 16 inch tyres for winter driving. Remember, it is a front wheel drive car. You will probably struggle for traction in many conditions. Fine if you like spinning the front wheels.

Try checking the tyre pressure info sticker on your car. It will show the different tyre sizes for your car.

Yes I did I don't know how it got missed off my post..
Ty for the heads up il take a look at the sticker ref wheel size thanks