Winter wheels

[joe6]

Autocar did a test a while back and a 2 wheel drive car on winters performed better than the same model of car with 4wd on summer tyres. I rest my case.

Rally cars use narrows in snow but admittedly they are also studded.

[Bill_the_Bear]

Rally cars use narrows in snow but admittedly they are also studded.

They're looking to increase the pressure at the point of contact, which you can dramatically do by changing the surface area of the tyre, so that the studs can gain some traction.

[Movi]

Have to agree with Ess_Three on this one. until you have tried them you won't know. the difference is phenomenal. It makes the difference between getting to work and not for me.

also there is no real additional cost either. I change my car every 3 years (45000 miles) and a set of winters and summers the car came with last the distance. if I didn't fit winter tyres I would have to replace a set of summers anyway. summer tyres cost £150 each (18"). a winter tyre on a steel rim (16") cost about £110 each. so I actually save money (£160).

for me it's a no brainer. however I drive into europe at least twice a year for winter sports. and up to scotland as much as possible when the snow conditions are good.   

There are plenty of back to back tests on youtube showing the difference winter tyres make and not just in the snow.

a front wheel drive car fitted with winter tyres will out perform any 4x4 fitted with summer tyres.
4 wheel drive might get you going but adds no advantage what so ever when you try and stop.



   

[Bill_the_Bear]

a front wheel drive car fitted with winter tyres will out perform any 4x4 fitted with summer tyres.
4 wheel drive might get you going but adds no advantage what so ever when you try and stop.

Yes, 4wd has some disadvantages.  The weight of the vehicle gives it momentum, which you don't really want if you have no traction.  They have big wide tyres... which means reduced traction in the snow and ice.  And most importantly, the people driving them think they are immune to weather conditions and fail to compensate...

[Movi]

the people driving them think they are immune to weather conditions and fail to compensate...

Seen it too many times Bill

[Hobojim]

Has anyone got any further with what wheels will fit a PP mk7 ? I think that i'd prefer 17" rims, some thing BBS style always looks good. Are there any particularly good winter tire deals anyone has spotted? I go away for November and when I get back I suspect there may be snow about here up north!

[vidman2]

Most 17s will fit over the 340mm pp brakes unless they have thicker than normal rims, poss far east wheels which can be thick and heavy.

I got mine from

http://www.mrwinterwheels.co.uk/17-vw-golf-vii-mark-7-alloy-winter-wheels-tyres-borbet.html

They are German made and TUV approved for fitment to Golfs - and they fit

Tyres came second in Autoexpress 2013 test

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/64430/product-awards-2013-best-winter-tyres

pic of test fit to my pp golf

[Jules Winfield]

mytyres.co.uk have alloy and winter tyre packages suitable for the PP-equipped GTI.

Click on "Wheel and tyre packages", then "Alloy rims with winter tyres".  From the form that appears, choose:

Volkswagen
GOLF VII (Type AU) Year of manufacture 2012
2.0 GTI, 1984cc, 226 bhp, Year of manufacture: 10.2012-

You'll then be presented with a whole range of tyre and wheel packages.