Wheels/Tyres: Anyone else getting their Winter tyres ready?

[princepugh]

I'm trying to line up some winters for mine at the mo - was after the Vredestein Quatrac 3 but nowhere has them and no sign of having them anytime soon.

Available options to date are Hankook W300 and Yokohama W Drive.

Opinion on these?

[Can't afford the Vredestein Wintracs I'm afraid]

PP

[Daim]

A recommendatio I can make is Barum (from the Continental group). Cost around £60 a tire and I can recommend them... Have them on my C30 and really get on VERY well in bad conditions - as well as in normal conditions...

[Biotoxic]

Originally Posted by princepugh

Available options to date are Hankook W300 and Yokohama W Drive.

Opinion on these?

[Can't afford the Vredestein Wintracs I'm afraid]

PP

Yokohama W Drive if you live in countryside, for town driving: save some money and buy cheaper tyres.


Just a video

+ YouTube Video

[princepugh]

Most of the all season/ winter tyres I'm looking at for 225 45 R17 94V are not what I'd call cheap, even the so called cheap brands! Looking like minimum 400 notes to cover all corners.

My local place has got good availability on the Hankooks and Yokos so i can get a deposit down now and spread the hit over a couple of pay days, depending on how October goes, that is!

Its a pity we have such a variable supply of these tyres in the UK as it makes decision making and budgeting really tricky.

Pity about those Quatracs though...

[DickyB V70R]

Princepugh, why do you want to go with 225s ? What about 205s.
Narrow is better in the snow. Should be cheaper as well.

DB.

[princepugh]

Is that 20mm difference doable on my existing rims? And will I be able to get them in the ride load rating?

Heading down to the tyre shop tomorrow so will discuss with them - car is usually carrying me and 4 others so need to have the right rubber on.

Ta

PP

[Bill_56]

It's maybe worth mentioning (or has it already been mentioned?) that it's probably OK, and maybe even advantageous, for winter tyres to have a slightly lower speed rating. I think it allows the use of a softer rubber compound. I'm pretty sure my S60 owner's manual explicitly sanctions the use of a lower speed-rating for winter tyres, though I don't have it in front of me so can't quote chapter & verse.

As a slight aside... Legally, I think you're supposed to combine tyres which have a lower speed rating with a prominent sticker on the dashboard saying "DO NOT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN EXCESS OF 130mph", or whatever. I wonder if that's for the protection of car thieves who may not be aware of the winter tyres, and might innocently drive beyond the speed rating and injure themselves?

[Chaddie]

Did I read last year that you could buy a full set of Winter Tyres & Rims direct from Volvo and they would store your Summer Tyres & Rims they swop them back in April & store the Winters then swop back come October / November....

Or is this only in the likes of Sweden?

[tt82]

Originally Posted by RobbieH

Looks like I made a good choice (sans studs that is)

I thought you were going for the Vredestein Wintrac Extremes robbie?

[RobbieH]

Originally Posted by tt82

I thought you were going for the Vredestein Wintrac Extremes robbie?

Nope!

I mentioned (on another forum for those wondering) that I was looking at Kuhmo KW27 or Falken HS-439 in 225/45/17 to fit my spare set of Orestes wheels. They looked like a good compromise between cost, availablity and looked suitable for the overall type of winter weather we get here in the UK between November and April. The feedback suggested the circumferential grooves might not be a good idea in heavy snow (which I agree with) and the recommendations were the Vred Wintrac or Michelin Alpins.

BUT, when I looked at the 225/45/17 version I wanted i) the cost and ii) availability meant no way. The Kleber's were the best combination of tread, cost and availabilty (for my needs).

As I said, my research, my circumstances, my decision. Good or bad I will let people know onthe forums how I get on with them.