Winter Tyres

[lukedon]

Does anybody on here use winter tyres?

Just wondering wether to bother putting them on my exige or not. I've never had any experience with them really.

I have AD048's on it at the moment, and will either be changing them for the winter w drives, or the AD08's.

[Trev450]

I've used winter tyres on my Cayman S for the last 3 years and wouldn't look back.

The increase in grip and traction is incredible and has to be experienced to be believed.

They are also much more effective than summer tyres in temps below 7C which is quite a bit of the time during the winter.

I live on a slight hill and when my neighbours are helping one another to push their cars out of the estate in the ice and snow, they look at me in disbelieve as I just start up and drive up the hill past them.

[Red111]

Nope, two rear wheel drive cars (3 if include the weekender) so only if it snows the Mrs works from home and I catch the train.

[DHE]

My neighbour had them on his X3 for the first time last year and loves them. As Trev450 says, it is how they operate in temperatures below 7 degrees that makes the difference, it isn't just about snow.

[lukedon]

Thanks all, i'll pick some up then!

[Holty1980]

Having some fitted to my works hilux, that combined with 4wd should mean no snow excuse for me not getting to work lol

[Earl Grey]

myself Don't see the point TBH for the amount of time you would actually need them in the UK.

If its that bad out there, work from home or have a day off. why risk it !?! Not questioning your driving but its the other Muppets out there that have no idea how to dive in the snow and ice. why risk some idiot hitting you..and bumping your nice car. you know the muppets im talking about, they struggle with the fundamentals of operating a car and driving with the flow of traffic etc etc.

They do improve traction, if you were living in France or Germany i see the point of them, but we just don't have enough bad weather to warrant it. Save your money and get a nice set of sticky tyres for the summer !!

[mankey]

Earl Grey said:

myself Don't see the point TBH ........

I'm with you, but it's about the temperature of the weather and the ground generally isn't it. Even before we get snow and ice, winter tyres will work far better than summer tyres.

I just drive more carefully and make other arrangements on the one or two days I can't get the car out. As well as a spare set of tyres, I'd need a spare set of wheels as well so I'm really not prepared to go that far.

[MG CHRIS]

I wouldn't see the point putting them on an exige to be honest it's not what you call a winter car would act like a snowplough and get stuck.

As for winter tyres after running a mx5 last winter on a set of winter tyres im definitely getting another set saves wear on my summer alloys and tyres toyo t1rs which are known for being crap in the snow. The grip is a lot better not just in snow and ice but dry weather you wouldn't believe it without trying them I believed the same and have changed my mind.

Also the mx5 with winter tyres will go anywhere and so much fun even at 10mph going sideways constantly.

[RGambo]

I was a winter tyre sceptic. But by chance I needed 4 18" tyres for my s max in an October. Was cheaper for 4 steel wheels and winter tyres for the car than normal 18's. They are just so much better in the cold, or wet and the front wheel drive s-max would just go anywhere and stop much better than my a6 Quattro . It's a tough call as they can be a ball ache to keep them and swap around , but in the middle of winter with salt , muck and cold wet weather, the car just performs so much better.

[wezzer-45's]

I struggled with my 320cd msport for a few years when t snowed, I live on the top of a small hill and was unable to get it out however I drove it, I put a set of cheap winter tyres on it as premium 18's are quite expensive, I couldn't believe the difference with them fitted.
The car is now totally usable in snowy and icy conditions and drove up my hill without any drama at all.
I watched a fiesta slide sideways down a hill, I followed it down and even braked hard to see what levels of grip I had, my car stopped no problem.
I would definitely recommend winter tyres if driving anything RWD in the winter conditions.

[Guvs]

I got a cheap set of mini alloys off eBay for my wife’s mini one and put winter tyres on all four of them, and the difference is unbelievable, I’ll swap the wheels over between October and February or when the temperature gets bellow 7c regularly, and then I’m all ready for whatever the weather conditions are, as a matter of fact on dual carriageways I often drive on lane with the virgin snow just because I can.
I’ve seen a review/video that show 100% that winter tyres on a two wheel drive, are safer or should I say perform better than a 4x4 on normal summer tyres.
This is where all the 4x4 owners will come back and say “no way” I only wish I could find the review and post a link to it, and save all the backlash I’m going to get. Lol
Guvs

[lukedon]

I have bought some and now had them fitted. Yoko W Drives.

Seem a million times better in the wet so far. I did have A048's fitted though.

I don't like the light steering it has brought, it feels like i have power steering now.

[Trev450]

Wise move. You won't regret it. Just take it easy though if you start to lean on the car a bit as the tread blocks move around a lot more and make the car squirm quite a lot.

[lukedon]

Trev450 said:

Wise move. You won't regret it. Just take it easy though if you start to lean on the car a bit as the tread blocks move around a lot more and make the car squirm quite a lot.

I'll keep this in mind, thanks a lot!

[Trev450]

lukedon said:

Trev450 said:

Wise move. You won't regret it. Just take it easy though if you start to lean on the car a bit as the tread blocks move around a lot more and make the car squirm quite a lot.

I'll keep this in mind, thanks a lot!

Its no biggy so long as you are prepared for it. No one warned me and I frightened the ste out of myself the first time it happened.

[andi_p]

On something like an exige I'd say vital. The AO48s are not a cold weather tyre or good at dealing with heavy rain. If it's your only car then I'd recommend going for them.

[WelshBoyo]

Just ordered my winters on Merc 17inch alloys (down from the summer 18 inchers) from a company in Germany (part used - much cheaper!). After spending almost 6 years in Switzerland I've got used to having a set of winters and even though UK doesn't get as much snow it makes such a difference when the temperature is below the 7 degrees. Plus don't forget they still work in higher temps, it is just that they wear out a lot quicker.

[Rickyy]

Just ordered a set for my Hi-Ace, which is RWD and gets stuck on wet leaves! No idea how they'll perform. I'll probably be just as stuck, with less money in the bank!

[lukedon]

Been really impressed with mine so far. A lot better at clearing the water.

I was on A048's before though, so any tyre would be better in the rain.