Winter tyres question?

[itavaltalainen]

All new car there come with winter wheels/tyres.

Only if you order them. And a lot of people don't.... then go and buy aftermarket ones for a fair bit less.

[Mike J]

When I was last in Germany checking out the 2nd hand cars, every single one, without exception had a set of winter wheels and tyres strapped in the boot.
For those interested its what the 'lashing points' in the boot are actually there for.
I believe its the law to use winter tyres in Germany and in some other countries.

However, my point is that all the wheels in those German VWs without exception, were the basic steel rims, not one of the 200 or more used cars on show had alloys rims for the winter tyres.

As another word of caution I have seen an alloy wheel, fitted to a working Range Rover, strip the spokes from the tyre rim when it was bogged down when the driver was over zelous with the throttle.

Not too sure that is what the lashing point are for. If that was all they were for then I'm sure VW would come up with a cheaper option. Plus how would you connect the four points for the really overpriced net.

All new car there come with winter wheels/tyres.

Well Im only saying what I saw personally.
The lashing points I refer to are the two chrome steel things, not the flimsy plastic net hooks.
At the time I was accompanied by a german colleague who explained it all to me, also saying the boot width on all garman made cars is statutory to enable a set of winter wheels to fit in side by side.
Next time I'm over there I will take a pic to post on here.

[GTD22]

When I was last in Germany checking out the 2nd hand cars, every single one, without exception had a set of winter wheels and tyres strapped in the boot.
For those interested its what the 'lashing points' in the boot are actually there for.
I believe its the law to use winter tyres in Germany and in some other countries.

However, my point is that all the wheels in those German VWs without exception, were the basic steel rims, not one of the 200 or more used cars on show had alloys rims for the winter tyres.

As another word of caution I have seen an alloy wheel, fitted to a working Range Rover, strip the spokes from the tyre rim when it was bogged down when the driver was over zelous with the throttle.

Not too sure that is what the lashing point are for. If that was all they were for then I'm sure VW would come up with a cheaper option. Plus how would you connect the four points for the really overpriced net.

All new car there come with winter wheels/tyres.

Well Im only saying what I saw personally.
The lashing points I refer to are the two chrome steel things, not the flimsy plastic net hooks.
At the time I was accompanied by a german colleague who explained it all to me, also saying the boot width on all garman made cars is statutory to enable a set of winter wheels to fit in side by side.
Next time I'm over there I will take a pic to post on here.

Aren't all 4 lashing points metal? There wouldn't be much point in having plastic ones.

[GTD22]

All new car there come with winter wheels/tyres.

Only if you order them. And a lot of people don't.... then go and buy aftermarket ones for a fair bit less.

So there are no longer part of the price of the car?

[Mike J]

All new car there come with winter wheels/tyres.

Only if you order them. And a lot of people don't.... then go and buy aftermarket ones for a fair bit less.

So there are no longer part of the price of the car?

Ah, now your asking the right questions.
The same questions Im always asking when the Warning Triangle is absent on a UK Golf but present on a the same car bought on the Continent.

New car dealers are just upgraded used car salesmen imo, and get up to all the scams they think they can get away with, especially if the manufacturers dont keep a tight grip on them.
Eg; no triangle, no saftey vests, no spare bulb kit, with no first aid kit, nothing too much trouble when your buying or haven't completed the feedback form but cold and dismissive thereafter.

Ive even had my 'full tank of petrol' run out in less than 50miles from one dealer yet be told and received a 3/4 full tank with my latest motor.
Likewise advertising, I will not display a dealer advert across my back window or on my number plate surround, they must pay to display if thats what they want.
My present dealer knows what I think and omits all such advertising, which is better than watching me remove it all on their forecourt I suppose.

Excuse the rant but I feel that when you buy a quality product you have a perfect right to expect a level of service of a similar standard.

[itavaltalainen]

Usually they are extra - i.e. not included in the car price.

[mcmaddy]

The reason cars on the continent get warning triangle, vests, spare bulb kit and first aid kit is because it is mandatory. None of those items are mandatory in the uk so we don't get them as standard.

[monkeyhanger]

The reason cars on the continent get warning triangle, vests, spare bulb kit and first aid kit is because it is mandatory. None of those items are mandatory in the uk so we don't get them as standard.

And the French Police love to pull UK plated cars over to check if you have these (and a disposable breathalyser) just for fun and issue you with a fine if you don't have them.

Since the Brexit decision I bet many of the other EU members will be going out of their way to do the same.

[wigit]

I've just put a set of Michelin Alpins on my TSW Nurburgrings which are 18"on the R estate.

I ran higher profiles and narrower tyres and for 90% of the time was fed up with the softer side walls and reduced contact patch.

Bedded them in and have to say over the last few days they have been coping better than the Brdgestones

[EricM]

I've got 18" MSW Type 19 wheels with Nokian WRA3 winter tyres on my GTI PP

Temperature was minus 6 near Aberdeen this morning and they felt reassuring.

Hoping for some decent snow soon to really put them to the test.

Managed to pick them up 2nd hand and unmarked for £350 which I thought was a bit of a bargain.