Sunny Snowmasters

[Egbutt Wash]

Fitted on car a couple of weeks ago.  First week used snowmasters on front and summer oem Bridgestones on the rear.  Understeer then snapping into oversteer, not so good.  Now snowmasters all round.  Really predictable handling and so much better than summer tyres on these cold nights.  No matter how much you pay for summer tyres they are not designed for use below 6C.  (All these nice tyres tests seem to be done in warm weather).

I have fitted them to a set of oem Mk5 Monzas from a seller on ebay.  They came with one brand new summer Avon, one fully worn tyre and two half worn tyres that have just worn out after 5,000 miles over summer.  Cost £250.  Deducting the value of tyres fitted makes the wheels free.

I'll report how good they are in snow when the weather gets worse.

[rudy]

ha just did the same as you , only i put on marangoni meteor hp winter tyres , couldnt find out much about them other than the tyre companys regurgitated sales pitch , be interesting to compare how they work out

[Egbutt Wash]

The el cheapo Sunny's worked perfectly this morning (-1.5C). My over over hyped F1's were really rubbish in the cold.  Glad to be rid of them, nasty trampy tyres, yuk to F1's.

[DJGTi]

The trouble is, the temp is below 6 C when I go to work, but well above it when I go home.

Am I supposed to swap my wheels over before I leave work, then again in the morning?

I think I'll just take it nice and steady on the cold mornings instead .

Isn't the 'Sunny' brandname a little odd for a winter tyre? (Yes I know it can be sunny in winter too  .)

[rudy]

the maragonis worked well to , a bit of a woolen feel but if u needed the breaks really pulled the car up quick even better than summer tyres ,  as for f1s i dont know why people rate them so highly i was very disappointed by the would rate mitchelins above them but will be putting pirellis on next for summer tyres

[Egbutt Wash]

the maragonis worked well to , a bit of a woolen feel but if u needed the breaks really pulled the car up quick even better than summer tyres ,  as for f1s i dont know why people rate them so highly i was very disappointed by the would rate mitchelins above them but will be putting pirellis on next for summer tyres

I really disliked my F1's.  Banging axle tramp, loads of road noise, too quick to wear out and not suited to the GTIs traction control software (on a hot day around a track they might well be very good, maybe).  The Snowmasters were just great today in the cold.  They work OK when it's a warm day (like most tyres).

Winter tyres = happy GTI

[AlanD]

I tend not to go mental in snowy weather so can't really justify the costs. I've done 2 winters now with F1s on and been ok. I appreciate they aren't ideal but I'm not made of money. Shouldn't really be "pressing on" in snowy / icey conditions anyway. As soon as it snows the car doesn't leave te drive way (I might know what I'm doing in the snow but Doris in her RWD company car BMW doesn't). Not worth the risk taking her out in the snow unless it's to the local abandoned car park for some fun

[Gene Hunt.]

..........same here.If the snow is really bad the GTI stays at home,i dout even winter tyres would be any good in 3 feet of snow.Winter tyres won't change your GTI into a 4x4  .

[rudy]

interesting comments about f 1 ,s , alot of peaple seem to have same view of them but as far as i can see across diferent forums they still seem to be popular , maragonnis very good today in slicing threw back roads that were partially flooded beat previous f1s and michellins in doing same , unfortunately job i am in i have 40 mile journey to make rain hail ice or snow no matter how deep , and staying at home is not an option , so if investing in winter tyres keeps me safer and mobile its worth it , i have drivin in harsh weather of all types in summer tyres without much bother u just change driving style to accomadate but the problem tends to be meeting less skilled drivers on road  eg driving out in front of u or getting caught out on hills ,

[rsreid2000]

I too have invested in some 17" Monzas as spares now, just looking for a decent winter tyre to go on them that won't cost the earth.
My reasons are I don't have an option to stay at home or leave the GTI, Rain Sleet or Snow were on the road, so if it helps its worth it.
It also keeps the 18" Monzas out of the bad weather.