Winter Tyres

[am1w]

So what are the best winter tyre's i'm still not sure myself?

For 225/40 R18 W rated winter tyres it has to be the Michelin Pilot Alpin PA3s or the Vertesteins. Both seem impossible to find at present. They were available from mytyres a short time ago, but have been removed from their webpage for now. The Michelins are still available in 235/40 R18 95W XL for £269.50!

For V rated tyres Continental WinterContact TS 830P 225/40 R18 92V XL for £181.50 or cheaper from Kwikfit (I am informed for approx £163) are highly rated and possibly the best.

[Rolfe]

I guess I'm not picky enough, but I just asked my garage man to find me some winter tyres or wheels or whatever, and he's going to fir them when the car is serviced on Tuesday.  He says he thinks doing the front wheels only is enough.  I'll let you know how I get on!

Rolfe.

[Hartside]

Don't do the front wheels only as the car will have different traction levels front to back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAIa6B8QVFQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCyiBoTxCao&feature=related

A bit OTT as is normally the case in USA videos but you'll get the idea

[Ess_Three]

The Lion Inn at Blakey is only about 15minutes away from me across the moors over which I have to drive everyday. last winter it was a total nightmare so must get some winter tyres on very soon.  Am going to try some sights on Monday will keep everyone posted.

This I know!
That's why I posted the link...to educate those second guessing you.
My boss lives in near there too.

[Ess_Three]

I guess I'm not picky enough, but I just asked my garage man to find me some winter tyres or wheels or whatever, and he's going to fir them when the car is serviced on Tuesday.  He says he thinks doing the front wheels only is enough.  I'll let you know how I get on!

Rolfe.

I don't think you are being picky...
ANY proper winter tyre is going to be streets ahead of ANY summer tyre.
Sure, there will be some winter tyres better than others, but considering it's the compound that's the important bit...and assuming most will be driving more slowly in the bad weather anyway, ANY winter tyre is going to be a huge improvement.

My father runs Avon Ice Tourings, and likes them...a mate didn't like them - both on 170TDI Mk5 Golfs.
I've used Toyo Snowprox, Pirelli Snowsomething-or-others and Vredestein Wintrac Extremes and not found any especially better than any other...but all vastly better than the summer tyres.
Vredestein Wintrac Extremes vastly better than Goodyear Eagle F1s
Pirelli Snowsomething-or-others vastly better than Continental SportContact 2s
Toyo Snowprox vastly better than Toyo Proxes T1-Rs

i've only ever run a full set though...I don't fancy loosing the rear end.

[Hartside]

I guess I'm not picky enough, but I just asked my garage man to find me some winter tyres or wheels or whatever, and he's going to fir them when the car is serviced on Tuesday.  He says he thinks doing the front wheels only is enough.  I'll let you know how I get on!

Rolfe.

I don't think you are being picky...
ANY proper winter tyre is going to be streets ahead of ANY summer tyre.
Sure, there will be some winter tyres better than others, but considering it's the compound that's the important bit...and assuming most will be driving more slowly in the bad weather anyway, ANY winter tyre is going to be a huge improvement.

My father runs Avon Ice Tourings, and likes them...a mate didn't like them - both on 170TDI Mk5 Golfs.
I've used Toyo Snowprox, Pirelli Snowsomething-or-others and Vredestein Wintrac Extremes and not found any especially better than any other...but all vastly better than the summer tyres.
Vredestein Wintrac Extremes vastly better than Goodyear Eagle F1s
Pirelli Snowsomething-or-others vastly better than Continental SportContact 2s
Toyo Snowprox vastly better than Toyo Proxes T1-Rs

i've only ever run a full set though...I don't fancy loosing the rear end.

That's my take on it as well, but I'd steer clear of the very, very cheap ones. Looking at the moment for a set for my wifes car as well. 4°C here this afternoon and chucking it down. Could feel the front of her car understeering in the conditions. I'm completely sold on them now I have them on the Golf - should be law! 

[gizzywizzy]

Right on mytyres website they have a set of 4 steelies 5 hole with Vredstein snow thingies size 205/55R16 91T for the set of 4 £546.40.  all you guys out there up on these things are they gonna be ok on my GTI?

[Flemming40]

So what are the best winter tyre's i'm still not sure myself?

The german ADAC has done a test of winter tyres in the size 225/45 17. Maybe this can help you choose.
 http://www.adac.de/infotestrat/tests/reifen/winterreifen/2010_Winterreifen_Test_225_45_R17.aspx?ComponentId=40334&SourcePageId=31821

[SteveP]

Right on mytyres website they have a set of 4 steelies 5 hole with Vredstein snow thingies size 205/55R16 91T for the set of 4 £546.40.  all you guys out there up on these things are they gonna be ok on my GTI?

Yep that's the size I a few in the USA running on the Mk6 GTI.

I checked the price with VW for the official 16" snow steelies in Rally black and they are £62 each. Looks like the Vreds are around £85 for the wintrac3's in this size, so that's a pretty good price 

[gizzywizzy]

Right on mytyres website they have a set of 4 steelies 5 hole with Vredstein snow thingies size 205/55R16 91T for the set of 4 £546.40.  all you guys out there up on these things are they gonna be ok on my GTI?

Yep that's the size I a few in the USA running on the Mk6 GTI.

I checked the price with VW for the official 16" snow steelies in Rally black and they are £62 each. Looks like the Vreds are around £85 for the wintrac3's in this size, so that's a pretty good price 

Cheers

Will try and order tomorrow.