v8kid
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| posted on 21/9/10 at 03:08 PM |
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Tintop winter tyres
Decided to fit winter tyres to the tintop and looking for advice.
Should I buy them now or will there be a better choice later in the year?
Also slightly confused by M&S and winter designations. Apparently winter compound is formulated to work better below 7 degrees but this is not
necessarily so for M&S. Confusingly on the continent some countries require M&S markings on tyres in the winter months!!
Tintop (Mondeo III) takes 205/55/16V tyres and I don't think I can fit 15" rims without fouling the brakes so are there any winter tyres
locosters have used around this size that are recommended?
I'm wary about using used tyres just because I want loads of tread for snow - we has snow cover here from 17 Dec to 17 Mar last year - and I
think the compound will harden if left in the sun for a year - any views?
Cheers
David
You'd be surprised how quickly the sales people at B&Q try and assist you after ignoring you for the past 15 minutes when you try and start a
chainsaw
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adithorp
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| posted on 21/9/10 at 03:36 PM |
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M+S are generally just a more open tread pattern which helps clear mud and slush. Many budget tyres are marked M+S and will give little if any benefit
in the snow. True snow/winter tyres have a different compound and in addition to an open tyred pattern also have zig-zag cuts in the tread blocks that
help grip on packed snow. Markings vary but look for either a snowflake or mountain symbol. Test's show winter tyres stopping quicker in all
road conditions when the temp is blow 7'c, so it's not just about snow.
Vredestein Snowtrac2 seem to be the most commonly recommended and appear regularly on the skiing forums when the question is raised about winter
tyres.
I'd get down the scrap yard and try and get some steel wheels to put them on. Save the allys for summer and save on switching them over.
15" would work better if they'll go on.
adrian
[Edited on 21/9/10 by adithorp]
"A witty saying proves nothing" Voltaire
http://jpsc.org.uk/forum/
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loggyboy
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| posted on 21/9/10 at 03:39 PM |
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Going for 'proper' M&S tyres at this time of year would likely end up in no tread within a month, sadly the UK doesnt lend it self to
having extremes of tyer choices (Ie regular occasions of wet summer days and dry/warm winter days) I would suggest some winter spec tyres but nothing
that is so far towards soft compound M&S's.
Are you looking at improved wet weather grip or to avoid being stuck in the snow like last year?
If the latter then look at tread pattern more than compound as that is the key to churning through the snow!
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Agriv8
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| posted on 21/9/10 at 04:30 PM |
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Proper M and S tyres are NOISEY on road and tend to have a lower speed rating.
It seems the norm in the alps to have a summer set and a winter set of tyres. The winter set usually on steel wheels as if you need to go really to
town stick the chains on you don't knaker your nice sinney alloys.
PS chains would be the answer if you need to get somewhere but these only work in Snow/ Ice max 5 or 10 miles an hour but with them on got a merc
srinter motor home up a 1 in 4 from a standing start on a mix of ice snow in NZ. I am not sure of legalities of using Chains in the UK
Regards
Agriv8
Taller than your average Guy !
Management is like a tree of monkeys. - Those at the top look down and see a tree full of smiling faces. BUT Those at the bottom look up and see a
tree full of a*seholes .............
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speed8
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| posted on 21/9/10 at 04:33 PM |
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Yeah, if you get to the scrappy now you might pick up some steels before everyone cottons on.
We put 16's on her X-type with Vredestein Snowtrac3's. Last winter was absolutely fantastic. Never stuck, never had a problem getting
anywhere. Her summer rubber is Ultrac Sessentas which are absolutely poo in the snow.
I'll stick the Snowtracs back on at the end of November probably.
My other car will probably be wearing Wintrac Extremes this winter. They're designated M+S but seem to get good reviews and you don't get
too much choice at 265/35/18..
Pic below of the Ultrac Sessentas next to the Snowtrac3
 
winter tyres
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StrikerChris
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| posted on 21/9/10 at 08:56 PM |
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My old man was the only one who got as far as my house in a fwd one night last year,on Vredesteins,just walked up and took the p to be honest.that
said I'm sure I could of got afew helmets up but was having such a laugh watching from the warmth of my house I coulnt be arskt.the Imp was a
laugh on yokohamas tho....
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ShaunB
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| posted on 22/9/10 at 10:15 AM |
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I picked up a 2nd set of rims for the wife's Impreza and got a some Goodyear Ultragrip 7+'s fitted. Winter tyres are common in Europe so
I used the Google translate service to read a few German review sites. These and the Vredsteins both did well.
Have used them for 2 winters now and the difference on snow/slush is very dramatic, coupled with the 4wd of the Impreza it's very stable in full
winter conditions. A colleague fitted a set to a Mazda 6 and was also suitably impressed.
You do need to wait until the average temp is low and last year I swapped over to them the day before the first snow was forecast.
Be aware that no tyre will save you on ice! 
Shaun.
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atomic
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| posted on 28/9/10 at 04:52 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Going for 'proper' M&S tyres at this time of year would likely end up in no tread within a month, sadly the UK doesnt lend it self to
having extremes of tyer choices (Ie regular occasions of wet summer days and dry/warm winter days) I would suggest some winter spec tyres but nothing
that is so far towards soft compound M&S's.
Are you looking at improved wet weather grip or to avoid being stuck in the snow like last year?
If the latter then look at tread pattern more than compound as that is the key to churning through the snow!
Well almost all of that is untrue. Simply put the All Season tyres fitted to most UK cars loose between 30-50 of their performance once the road temps
drop below 7degC. Winter tyres are the only way to go once the winter months set in. Running the tyres now will not see them worn out in a month, not
even close.
There is a large selection of tyres available in your stated size and no need to drop a size, not in the UK for the amount to time you drive on
genuinely snow covered roads.
Take a look at MyTyres.co.uk, ohh and I would also make sure I got a tyre with a XL rated tyre wall.
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?suchen=Ordern&cart_id=52842557.110.28301&ranzahl=4&Breite=205&Quer=55&Felge=16&Speed=V&a
mp;Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=20&sort_by=brand
I can highly recommend the Nokian WR G2's. Had then on both my MKV R32 and Alpina B3 Bi-turbo last year and they were better than the Vredestein
Wintrac and Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance I'd had on cars previously. Very predictable handling, lots of traction, no ABS activation etc and I
live on the hills in W.Yorks and saw lots of snow and ice for weeks.
One of the key aspect with any tyres is making sure they are as fresh as possible and have not been stood on a shelf for years. There is a box moulded
into the side wall which will look something like (0910) this denotes the tyres where made during the 9th Month of 2010.
My Tyres always send out recently manufactured tyres as they have a huge turnover.
I don't want to go over things that I've covered on other forms many times so I'll leave you with some reading to do for yourself
http://www.tyres-online.co.uk/techinfo/winter.asp
http://www.canadiandriver.com/winterdriving
http://www.etyres.co.uk/bad-weather-tyres
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/index.jsp
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/index.jsp
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/wintertesting.jsp
[Edited on 28/9/10 by atomic]
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v8kid
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| posted on 28/9/10 at 06:50 PM |
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V helpful thanks Atomic
You'd be surprised how quickly the sales people at B&Q try and assist you after ignoring you for the past 15 minutes when you try and start a
chainsaw
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loggyboy
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| posted on 29/9/10 at 01:29 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by atomic
quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Going for 'proper' M&S tyres at this time of year would likely end up in no tread within a month, sadly the UK doesnt lend it self to
having extremes of tyer choices (Ie regular occasions of wet summer days and dry/warm winter days) I would suggest some winter spec tyres but nothing
that is so far towards soft compound M&S's.
Are you looking at improved wet weather grip or to avoid being stuck in the snow like last year?
If the latter then look at tread pattern more than compound as that is the key to churning through the snow!
Well almost all of that is untrue. Simply put the All Season tyres fitted to most UK cars loose between 30-50 of their performance once the road temps
drop below 7degC. Winter tyres are the only way to go once the winter months set in. Running the tyres now will not see them worn out in a month, not
even close.
There is a large selection of tyres available in your stated size and no need to drop a size, not in the UK for the amount to time you drive on
genuinely snow covered roads.
Take a look at MyTyres.co.uk, ohh and I would also make sure I got a tyre with a XL rated tyre wall.
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?suchen=Ordern&cart_id=52842557.110.28301&ranzahl=4&Breite=205&Quer=55&Felge=16&Speed=V&a
mp;Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=20&sort_by=brand
I can highly recommend the Nokian WR G2's. Had then on both my MKV R32 and Alpina B3 Bi-turbo last year and they were better than the Vredestein
Wintrac and Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance I'd had on cars previously. Very predictable handling, lots of traction, no ABS activation etc and I
live on the hills in W.Yorks and saw lots of snow and ice for weeks.
One of the key aspect with any tyres is making sure they are as fresh as possible and have not been stood on a shelf for years. There is a box moulded
into the side wall which will look something like (0910) this denotes the tyres where made during the 9th Month of 2010.
My Tyres always send out recently manufactured tyres as they have a huge turnover.
I don't want to go over things that I've covered on other forms many times so I'll leave you with some reading to do for yourself
http://www.tyres-online.co.uk/techinfo/winter.asp
http://www.canadiandriver.com/winterdriving
http://www.etyres.co.uk/bad-weather-tyres
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/index.jsp
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/index.jsp
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/wintertesting.jsp
[Edited on 28/9/10 by atomic]
I cant see anything justifying why my comments arent true. Yes I agree that all season tyres wont work well in cold conditions, but you cant argue
that soft M&S tyres will wear out quickly on dry/warmer roads, and allthough we have some cold winter days, we generally dont have consitantly
cold winters, so unless you want to change tyres every other week depending on temps then you dont want M&S tyres. What you do want is Winter
tyres as you (and I) suggested, there is BIG difference between winter tyres and M&S tyres.
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coozer
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| posted on 29/9/10 at 04:02 AM |
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I've just put a set of Insa Turbo Mountains on my tintop, can't wait for some really bad weather!
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
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atomic
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| posted on 29/9/10 at 08:30 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
quote:
Originally posted by atomic
quote:
Originally posted by loggyboy
Going for 'proper' M&S tyres at this time of year would likely end up in no tread within a month, sadly the UK doesnt lend it self to
having extremes of tyer choices (Ie regular occasions of wet summer days and dry/warm winter days) I would suggest some winter spec tyres but nothing
that is so far towards soft compound M&S's.
Are you looking at improved wet weather grip or to avoid being stuck in the snow like last year?
If the latter then look at tread pattern more than compound as that is the key to churning through the snow!
Well almost all of that is untrue. Simply put the All Season tyres fitted to most UK cars loose between 30-50 of their performance once the road temps
drop below 7degC. Winter tyres are the only way to go once the winter months set in. Running the tyres now will not see them worn out in a month, not
even close.
There is a large selection of tyres available in your stated size and no need to drop a size, not in the UK for the amount to time you drive on
genuinely snow covered roads.
Take a look at MyTyres.co.uk, ohh and I would also make sure I got a tyre with a XL rated tyre wall.
http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?suchen=Ordern&cart_id=52842557.110.28301&ranzahl=4&Breite=205&Quer=55&Felge=16&Speed=V&a
mp;Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=20&sort_by=brand
I can highly recommend the Nokian WR G2's. Had then on both my MKV R32 and Alpina B3 Bi-turbo last year and they were better than the Vredestein
Wintrac and Goodyear Ultra Grip Performance I'd had on cars previously. Very predictable handling, lots of traction, no ABS activation etc and I
live on the hills in W.Yorks and saw lots of snow and ice for weeks.
One of the key aspect with any tyres is making sure they are as fresh as possible and have not been stood on a shelf for years. There is a box moulded
into the side wall which will look something like (0910) this denotes the tyres where made during the 9th Month of 2010.
My Tyres always send out recently manufactured tyres as they have a huge turnover.
I don't want to go over things that I've covered on other forms many times so I'll leave you with some reading to do for yourself
http://www.tyres-online.co.uk/techinfo/winter.asp
http://www.canadiandriver.com/winterdriving
http://www.etyres.co.uk/bad-weather-tyres
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/index.jsp
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/index.jsp
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/wintertesting.jsp
[Edited on 28/9/10 by atomic]
I cant see anything justifying why my comments arent true. Yes I agree that all season tyres wont work well in cold conditions, but you cant argue
that soft M&S tyres will wear out quickly on dry/warmer roads, and allthough we have some cold winter days, we generally dont have consitantly
cold winters, so unless you want to change tyres every other week depending on temps then you dont want M&S tyres. What you do want is Winter
tyres as you (and I) suggested, there is BIG difference between winter tyres and M&S tyres.
Do a little research and find out how often the road temps are below 7degC, I think you will be very surprised. Most tyres marketed in the UK as
Winter carry the M&S symbol and well as the Severe Snow Conditions/Severe Service Emblem (though the only one that really matters is the Severe
Snow Conditions/Severe Service Emblem as the M&S symbol is outdated in regards to tyre winter tyre technology). I've still got a set of
Nokian's WR2's on the R32 from last year and the Mrs has done about 8000 on them since being fitted last Sept. I check all our tyres
weekly and they are in fine shape and by the looks of them she'll get another 2years out of them.
That's not the first time I've left a set on all year and not had any problems with excessive wear etc.
It's all down to personal choice butI would bet that once you've experienced Winter tyres, you'd never want to be without them come
that time of year. They offer greatly increased safety for what in the grand scheme of things is only a small outlay.
If you where ferrying kids about for example, wouldn't you want to give them the best chance of getting to their destination in one piece and
how much hassle is it to have to make an insurance claim which it could have been avoided by having the correct tyres for the conditions?
http://www.snowtyres.com.au/severe-service-emblem
[Edited on 29/9/10 by atomic]
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