For your information re. winter tyres.

[am1w]

Audi A4 with proper Quattro rather than heldex. 

Yep, you are right.

She misses her Alfa 164 in weather like this. It was 4WD and had no traction problems.

[am1w]

I think all of you who don't have winters, better start ordering now. Next year stocks might be even worse. They'll all be gone by October.

[Phil1980]

I think all of you who don't have winters, better start ordering now. Next year stocks might be even worse. They'll all be gone by October.

Not really an option for most people as they aren't exactly cheap.  I may get a set next year but at the moment I cannot justify another set of wheels plus four new tyres.

[p3asa]

I wouldn't pay them the increase of 50% in some cases. Money grabbers. I'd much rather wait till the spring. Plus I don't believe for a minute they have stopped production regardless of what they say.
They must be raking in the money what with demand out stripping supply.

On a side note do the winter tyres perform significantly better on ice the way they do on snow?

[am1w]

I think all of you who don't have winters, better start ordering now. Next year stocks might be even worse. They'll all be gone by October.

Not really an option for most people as they aren't exactly cheap.  I may get a set next year but at the moment I cannot justify another set of wheels plus four new tyres.

I perfectly understand. Took me a very long time to take the plunge. And now the snow has gone. Bloody weather.

[am1w]

I wouldn't pay them the increase of 50% in some cases. Money grabbers. I'd much rather wait till the spring. Plus I don't believe for a minute they have stopped production regardless of what they say.
They must be raking in the money what with demand out stripping supply.
On a side note do the winter tyres perform significantly better on ice the way they do on snow?

Money grabbing b@stards they certainly are.

Yes, they do perform brilliantly on snow and ice and are vastly superior on these surfaces to summers. Ask GolfTi, Gizzy, Rolfe, Neil, Ess_Three, Snoops, SteveP, Hartside, Exonian and many more.

[p3asa]

Thanks I knew by the feedback they performed extremely well on snow, but just as good on ice?!

[Hartside]

Nothings great on sheet ice, but winters are significantly better than a summer tyre on it. Just got to drive appropriately slowly and give it the respect it deserves. I've posted this vid again that shows the difference - stick with it until it gets to the ice rink and cornering:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYEMH10Z4s

[am1w]

Thanks I knew by the feedback they performed extremely well on snow, but just as good on ice?!

Yep, they grip on ice pretty well (also very tyre dependent as some a vastly better than others) as they have a softer rubber compound with a specifically designed tread pattern which grips like a caterpillar. If you look at some of them closely, you'll notice these 'legs'!
Nature teaches us so many things!

The tyres I have purchased are not brilliant in heavy snow or very icy conditions as the tyre compound is a bit harder than most, they being W rated tyres. But I think it will be fine for use in London conditions. What they are very good for is handling which can be a bit soft with winter tyres. They are also considered to be the quietest and offer a very smooth ride.

Site below shows their rating in the USA, though they are the V rated ones.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/surveydisplay.jsp?width=225%2F&ratio=40&diameter=18&type=W&VT=C

[Ess_Three]

Nothings great on sheet ice, but winters are significantly better than a summer tyre on it. Just got to drive appropriately slowly and give it the respect it deserves. I've posted this vid again that shows the difference - stick with it until it gets to the ice rink and cornering:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYEMH10Z4s

That is one of the better videos I've seen...and perfectly illustrates the advantages.