Winter tyres?

[mac7]

I had my standard alloys fitted with Continental something-or-other winter tyres which lasted several years. The original tyres were worn out, so didn't cost very much at all. It's actually required by law in some northern European countries to have and use winter tyres in the winter months.

[VWKev]

So what do you guys do, lump your 4 tyres to a garage and have them fit them to your wheels twice a year ? Surely you guys know how much it costs if so many people do it.

[mac7]

Forgot to mention, I also had larger alloys which I used the rest of the year. So two sets of wheels/tyres.

[VWKev]

You guys defo have too much money.

[Ess_Three]

So what do you guys do, lump your 4 tyres to a garage and have them fit them to your wheels twice a year ? Surely you guys know how much it costs if so many people do it.

It's simple...
You trawl the used ads or eBay and pick up a set of OEM wheels cheap - some Mk5/6 compatible 17" wheels on the 'bay for £250...then buy new winter tyres.
The winter tyres are on for 3 months or so...so they last 3-4 years easily at the sort of miles I do, as you are driving a bit less aggressively etc.

The money you spend to buy the winter wheels/tyres is easily offset by not wheelspinning your 'normal' tyres away, not kerbing/risking them on ice, and by actually getting to where you want to go, whenever you want to go there.

[R32UK]

You guys defo have too much money.

As s3 said above. If your still doing the same number of miles then its not really a waste of money but the complete opposite. Consider it an investment in your saftey

[gizzywizzy]

I had a horrible episode 2 years ago driving my Astra SRi, I came down a slight snow covered incline,hit some ice whacked off a fence, shot across the road and ended up on an embankment with a stoved in front end, not to mention a huge laundry bill!!!lol.  My question is "would winter tyres have saved me from this?"  I hate driving in snow now and will do almost anything not to have to, had thought of snow socks but if you guys think winter tyres would help....Thanks

[VWKev]

I had a horrible episode 2 years ago driving my Astra SRi, I came down a slight snow covered incline,hit some ice whacked off a fence, shot across the road and ended up on an embankment with a stoved in front end, not to mention a huge laundry bill!!!lol.  My question is "would winter tyres have saved me from this?"  I hate driving in snow now and will do almost anything not to have to, had thought of snow socks but if you guys think winter tyres would help....Thanks

Nothing grips ice dude, and unless you got spikes I very much doubt much will grip snow on inclines either (although someone will be along soon to correct me no doubt) - I doubt much would have saved you that day.

[gossa]

I did a lot of driving on the continent  for work about ten years ago and had Volvo V70 AWD's.  The difference between normal and winter tyres in snow conditions is unreal. With the snow tyres you can drive the car as you would normally (within reason). If i lived in an area prone to snow (highlands etc) then I would defo have a  set.

[Ess_Three]

I had a horrible episode 2 years ago driving my Astra SRi, I came down a slight snow covered incline,hit some ice whacked off a fence, shot across the road and ended up on an embankment with a stoved in front end, not to mention a huge laundry bill!!!lol.  My question is "would winter tyres have saved me from this?"  I hate driving in snow now and will do almost anything not to have to, had thought of snow socks but if you guys think winter tyres would help....Thanks

Nothing grips ice dude, and unless you got spikes I very much doubt much will grip snow on inclines either (although someone will be along soon to correct me no doubt) - I doubt much would have saved you that day.

As you say, nothing grips ice...so you'd quite probably still have stuffed it.

Hevever, pay close attention to the tread on winter tyres and you will see lots of little cuts and grooves. They all rub together creating heat...so with a compound that is designed to still be grippy below zero, and tyres that almost create heat and melt the ice...you'd be surprised how much grip you will find, over standard tyres.

Snow/winter tyres can't defy physics...but they can give you a fighting chance.

Not everyone will need them. But it's funny that those who have tried them, swear by them.