2 winter tyre related questions....

[tim-b]

Hello chaps, I'm trying to sort out some winterreifen for my UK registered car.

Have tried 2 places, ATU and reifen.com, both wouldn't sell me steel wheels to go with them, since they require a 'HSN-TSN' number (shown on the DE registration docs I beleive).

Anyone had the same experience, and found a way around? Will I have this problem everywhere? Unfortunately I don't know anyone with a similar car (2004 clio) or I could use their number or get them to order the tyres......It seems crazy to deny winter tyres to foreign registered cars, especially as it's now a legal requirement in icy/snow conditions!

Option 2 is to buy just the tyres and swap them on my current rims, but I heard from a colleague it's not good to be changing tyres an extra 2 times per year as it can weaken the alloy the more you do it. Any truth in that? It certainly seems that most Germans get another set of rims with their winter tyres...Either way I'd prefer to get the steelies, because I can go a size lower (to 14") which makes tyres plus steelies cheaper than 15" tyres!

Thanks in advance for any pearls of wisdom!

[JMGS4]

Are you in D at the moment? then I'd try a Renault dealer as dealers often offer complete sets of wheels and tyres... otherwise drop me a PM with the exact details (Model VIN Nr etc) and I'll ask at the local Renault dealer who is only 300m from home.

[vetrof]

ebay.de is your friend

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Winterreifen-Reifen-Renault...


just search 'Winterreifen Reifen Renault Clio'

Edited by vetrof on Tuesday 8th November 12:06

[tim-b]

Thanks guys, appreciate the offer & advice. But I tried some different websites and found that reifendirekt.de has a check-box to order without the schlusselnr, and actually I got a better price there too so all is good

[Kolbenkopp]

Glad you could find your winter boots .

But perhaps to explain what they are on about: the HSN / TSN numbers are used to identify the vehicle on the registration papers. Since the number combo is pretty accurate at specifying the exact car you have, it is often used when someone needs precise info (parts or tyre shops, insurers etc.).

The HSN is the manufacturer number, so that's easy and not bound to change often (happens from time to time though, eg. MCC Smarts have a different HSN than late Mercedes Smarts). The TSN identifies the exact model, so it will be different for engines, body shape, facelift or pre-facelift across a model range.

Here's the HSN/TSN info for the Audi A2 for example:

Brand Code / Marekting Name HSN TSN

AUDI AG 8Z (A2 1.2 TDI) 0588 733
AUDI AG 8Z (A2 1.4) 0588 734
AUDI AG 8Z (A2 1.4 TDI) 0588 735
AUDI AG 8Z (A2 1.6 FSI) 0588 794
AUDI AG 8Z (A2 1.4 TDI) 0588 840

So e.g. you can tell the 1.4 TDI with 55kw from the one with 66kw from the TSN. If you ever need to look this up again, there's a database available from the insurers here:

http://www.gdv-dl.de/komplexe-suche.html