Thinking of getting some 18" or 19' wheels with winter tyres. I hear many different people claiming they are really good in the cold months, so wanted to know what you all think? Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

I had winters on my second FL2. I can't truthfully say I noticed much difference to the Wranglers I had on my first one. They make a huge difference for rear wheel drive road cars. The video below illustrates the difference;



The M3 couldn't do that with summer tyres fitted but a FL2 could! Clearly winter tyres will improve grip/stopping distance for any car but the affect will be less pronounced for a vehicle which already offers excellent traction. For me, a good set of all season tyres and sensible driving will suffice.

Getting my Wintracs fitted this afternoon. Below 7 degrees they work much better because of the compounds they use in winter tyres. Shortens stopping distance where a summer tyre is far less effective.

My wife is a GP & she drives a little citroen C3.
We invested in a set of steel wheels with winters on (Bridgestone Blizzak)
They make a significant difference
Never bothered on my Disco or the FL2 as they are both great cars on std tyres.
However, am sure both would be awesome if fitted with winters  Cheers Ian
Migrated over from Disco4
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MY13 FL2 HSE lux Orkney Grey (gone but never forgotten)
MY10 D4 XS Stornoway Grey
MY07 D3 SE Zermatt silver (traded in before any issues!)
Massey Ferguson 400 FIS AGTV - Arctic Cat by any other name...

I was converted last year when I put winter tyres on my 6 series BM
Just fitted a set to the 3.2 i6

In weather the difference really is day and night
Get a set and prey for snow - FL2 3.2 i6 - There is no Replacement for Displacement

If my wife ever sells my stuff for what I told her I paid for it, there will be some bargains out there!

Just acquired a set of Evoque 18" wheels with new Pirelli Scorpion Verde all season tyres, had Pirellis on the last car and they were superb in the snow, these should be better than the Continentals on my current wheels which are designated a summer tyre.
Many winter tyres have a poor wet weather rating, considering that most of the roads are wet in winter rather than snow covered, for me, an important consideration is good wet weather performance.

The issue I have, and it is of my own doing of course, is that the 20" Michelins I have are summer tyres. So as we didn't have snow last year we didn't really suffer. But the chances of two winters without bad roads is unlikely.

My 20's are two years old now, have done 19000 miles now and still have 6-7mm tread. So by not using them over winter means I may be able to make them last for at least another 2-3 years. (I had these new on my last FL2 in November 2012, and they had covered less miles than my new car when we swapped, so they were kept.)

So buying 18's with winters makes financial sense long term.

Also gives me an opportunity to get the 20's refurbished in shadow chrome  Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

The labelling rating for tyres doesn't really apply to winter tyres as the tests are carried out at 25 degrees and winter tyres are outside their operating window above 11 degrees. If the same test was carried out below 7 degrees then winter tyre braking in the wet will typically be around 10% better than the summer tyres. 
Hung like Einstein, smart as a horse.

Last weeks Auto express did a 'winter tyre' test, also included a 'summer tyre' and an 'all season tyre', not a bad write up and the 'all season' for those not wanting to change came out quite well.

Same as Taz, I have been using evoque 18s with standard verde tyres for summer
Whilst they are an excellent all round hard wearing tyre when the temp falls below 7 degrees the compound is too hard for cold Tarmac and ice and snow

Those that have researched and ultimately used real winter tyres with their softer compound, tread pattern and sipes will understand that summer tyres simply cannot compete with winter

Why do you think most euro countries make it compulsory to change to winter tyres in winter? Because they work

Either run a good all year round tyre and get reasonable performance or run with two sets of wheels which will give ultimate performance in the seasons you drive

My choice is winter tyres for winter and all season for summer. The extra cost was £400 which was for second hand 18s and Michelin alpin winter tyres (part worn all with 7mm tread)

You can always sell on a set of winter tyres for good money in November so costs very little in the long run - FL2 3.2 i6 - There is no Replacement for Displacement

If my wife ever sells my stuff for what I told her I paid for it, there will be some bargains out there!

I have 4 season tyres on my wife's Peugeot 207
I used to commute 100 mile round trip
Never missed a days work due to snow
In summer they seem a little less sporty but good

Just picked these up today :-



Just got to order the winter's now. Not decided on which to get yet so going to have a look later. Wheels are in very goods condition, just one kerb mark which is going to get corrected before I get the tyres fitted.

£300 for the set of 4 which I thought was very good, so the 19" Conti's will be on the for sale board when I get them back!

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated  Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

I have given in to the winter tyre brigade and ordered a set of Nokian WR SUV3 winter tyres, they will go on the wheels I have and the Scorpion Verde will go up for sale.
This video shows the difference between the tyre types quite well.

I was going to have Nokian if I had 18's but as I have gone for 19's, it may be Veridestien or what ever they are called! Freelander 2 HSE Lux 2013MY - Barolo Black with Ivory Leather. Alpine DVD - Privacy -Evoque 20" Dynamic Wheels and more to come.........

Great tyre Taz
I never regretted having Nokians Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.