Winter Tyres

[Rolfe]

I can definitely sniff the first harbingers of spring now, so I'm thinking about next year. 
Rolfe.

So thats what the two snow falls yesterday and today ment.  (jk)

Still not seeing spring myself  A foot of snow fell here last night. 

I had to shovel a few inches myself this morning, but it's not freezing and I've got dry tarmac on the cleared area.  The roads are clear where they've been ploughed and there's no ice.

This isn't going to go on much longer.  The longer days and higher sun are obviously making a difference.

Rolfe.

[Snoopy]

Not as bad as in the highlands in the past 24 hours 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7VkiVxu_gw

[Hartside]

I'm going to get a set of winter tyres for the end of 2010, but I'm not sure whether to get 16" steel wheels from mytyres or to get a set of cheapish 16" or 17" alloys. In terms of the alloys, what is the correct fitment. I'm not sure what the  ET and fitment means, or what it would be for my forthcoming GTi. I'm what you could call an alloy purchasing virgin!  :embarassed:

[mac7]

I'd get a cheap set of alloys or some steel wheels from Volkswagen. What size you choose will depend on whether you just use them in snow or whether you put them on for a few months over winter. The narrower wheel and tyre sizes will perform better on snow and ice but will mean less cornering grip in other conditions. There's no one correct choice though - Neil gti found a huge improvement just moving to Vredesteins even in 225/40R18.

For all winter fit-and-forget use I'd just fit the Vredy's in 225/45R17 to a set of standard 17" Monzas. Offset is dependent on wheel width but if you aim for ET45-50 you should be fine. VW recommended combos are:

205/55R16 6x16 - ET50
205/50R17 6x17 - ET50
225/45R17 7.5x17 ET50

[Neil gti]

Yes the Vredstein Wintrac works very well in snow, ice, rain, i have found it a very good option for winter weather even in 18" form,
(smaller wheel size means cheaper tyres thou  )



Vwrs will be back on soon, been sunny all week here for a change 

[Hartside]

Great, thanks for the advice.

[Rolfe]

I think I'll do that.  I've got the 17" Monzas anyway, and as I'd ask the garage to do the change whether it was wheels or tyres, it's probably the simplest option.

I wish I'd done it three months ago.  If only I'd known....

If I do it next winter, it'll probably be 2006-07 all over again!  (Except that's the winter the Pug spun off the road on black ice, so it's still a thought.)

Rolfe.

[Neil gti]

I think I'll do that.  I've got the 17" Monzas anyway, and as I'd ask the garage to do the change whether it was wheels or tyres, it's probably the simplest option.

I wish I'd done it three months ago.  If only I'd known....

If I do it next winter, it'll probably be 2006-07 all over again!  (Except that's the winter the Pug spun off the road on black ice, so it's still a thought.)

Rolfe.

It will be sods law, next winter get all prept up winter tyres and all,
and it will be the mildest winter since records begun, ahhh we love the British weather 

[Snoopy]

umm sexy wheel with sexy tyre

[i need to get out more]

[Neil gti]

^^^

you doooo need to get out more