What do you think of: All Weather/Winter Tyres?

[am1w]

That grand is for winter tyres.

I am touched by the concern shown on spending habits.

[Khare]

That grand is for winter tyres.

YES I KNOW! And it's what I can't justify.

[Wayne]

That grand is for winter tyres.

I am pleased with the concern shown on spending habits.

You live in London not the Artic circle. last year we had what 4 weeks of bad weather do you really need them I don't think so.

[R32UK]

Hmm thats what I was getting at. I live in W.Yorkshire so it doesnt get that bad (alot worse than london though) and I have never needed winter tyres.

I have swapped back to my bridgestones which have only done a couple of thousand miles since new.. so offer me all the tread i need come rain or snow. Doesnt matter which tyres you have when you hit ice (which is what causes 99% of the problems after snowfall) then you are f*cked either way.

[Khare]

Hmm thats what I was getting at. I live in W.Yorkshire so it doesnt get that bad (alot worse than london though) and I have never needed winter tyres.

I have swapped back to my bridgestones which have only done a couple of thousand miles since new.. so offer me all the tread i need come rain or snow. Doesnt matter which tyres you have when you hit ice (which is what causes 99% of the problems after snowfall) then you are f*cked either way.

+1. Hitting at 30 mph or more will result in hitting something, be it a winter tyre or summer tyre.

[am1w]

O well, I've got money to burn on rubber. Keeps the population levels acceptable.

I won't be buying winter rubber for use in the South and as I don't have the slightest inclination to visit the Northern Wastes by way of road, my expediture can now be targeted towards something more useful for use in the South.

[Ess_Three]

O well, I've got money to burn on rubber. Keeps the population levels acceptable.

I won't be buying winter rubber for use in the South and as I don't have the slightest inclination to visit the Northern Wastes by way of road, my expediture can now be targeted towards something more useful for use in the South.

For you, I can see this as a sensible thing.
Your roads are cleared, gritted, and you may see snow - or temperatures well below zero - for a handful of days per winter...hardly worth it.
The difference in cost saved by not buying winter weels/tyres can be used to get about by other means, if the weather is that bad.

[Ess_Three]

Yep spot on, for the bad weather we get in the UK is it really worth it.

Wayne...and Khare...you are both well off the mark on this...probably because you two are both southern fairies too!

If you live in rural areas, oop north - or heavens forbid, on the barely cultured side of Hadrian's wall...you may well see the benefits of winter tyres. If you'd tried them, you would know.

I came back onshore last Wednesday to snow. The temperature was below 5 degrees for 4 days...and at 4.5 degrees, Goodyear's finest were shocking...no grip...lots of wheelspin, lots of ESP activation, lots of ABS activation.
Hence, I have taken my BBS CHs with winter tyres down from my wheel rack, and will be fitting them soon.

In areas where roads don't get gritted, where there are no motorways, and light traffic, you need them if you want to go about your business through the winter.
I failed to have winter tyres for 1 out of the last 8 winters..and that one year I had to rely on lifts from people with cars on suitable rubber to get about. Not good.

If you don't get the weather, you don't need winter tyres...but spend 4 months+ below 7 degrees C (often below zero degrees C)
and you'll see the benefit.
Try them, and converted you will be.

[Hartside]

Completely agree with Ess_Three on this one. Winters get quite nasty in NE England as well (North of Necastle for me) and our council is terrible for not gritting roads adequately. Given anticipated council spending cuts it's odds on road gritting will not be high on their agenda. Mine getting bought tonight and fitted next week.

I'm swapping 17" Monzas for 17" VW Exis STP alloys I got brand new for a song. Insurance said originally £34 additional premium until I stressed they were a VW option wheel at which point they said no charge. Waiting for this in writing though as I'd rather pay the £34 than be uninsured

[Rolfe]

I think spending over a grand on tyres is stupid (if they're summer tyres then no, but winter tyres yes IMO).
Winter tyres are only REALLY needed for places like canada, russia and other countries which spend half a year buried under snow. I think you're better off with a good set of summer tyres with plenty of thread and taking it easy when the weather gets bad, I just can't justify a grand on tyres...It's money to burn that.

I read this, and I think, where does this guy lead his extraordinarily sheltered life.  I look to the left and I see - Bournemouth!!!!

Yeah, I used to live in Sussex, I know what hell these arctic winters are....

Then the next post chimes in with an agreement.  Eyes left.  "South west".  And I suspect he's not talking Dumfries.

The temperatures round here didn't go above that magic seven until March this year.  Then they reverted and we had a white Easter to match the white Christmas that had dragged on well into the new year.  I didn't mind the three days work I lost, but not being able to get mother to the carol concert three days before the worst hit was a bit of a bummer.

The clocks haven't changed yet, but we've had hard frost already.  My temperature readout has pinged for frost on the drive home several times already.  One local garage has a big ad for winter tyres on the door.

Prospero says he wants a service in 500 miles.  I'm seriously considering getting him a set of winter tyres at the same time.  I mean, he can only wear one set at a time.  Wearing a winter set will extend the time before a new summer set has to be purchased.

Rolfe.