Hi,

I have a new HSE on order for delivery in March. Being an HSE it comes with 18" wheels as standard. I want to get some winter tyres (probably not for this winter as it might be too late but certainly for next winter).

I have never had winter tyres before so I don't know the best way to do it... do people have a 2nd set of wheels and just swap wheels at the start and end of winter oo you have one set of wheels and get a tyre place to swap over the tyres? How is the best way to do it please?

Also, as I will have 18" wheels is it necessary to use 18" wheels in winter? Is there any benefit from having a smaller wheel, say 17", for the winter tyres? Aren't 17" tyres cheaper than 18" in general?

I have to admit to being a bit confused at the moment

Hi...

I had the same thought process having had to drag my daughters car from a snow drift on the 18th!

So - my FL2 is sitting on rather expensive looking 19" diamond cut wheels... Nice looking but useless tyres.

I've decided to go 17" wheels and Mud and snow tyres. I missed out on a a brand new set on ebay - £450 but then luckily posted on here and found another member selling a nearly new set with M&S tyres fitted. They are still winding their way down from the north via FedEx, but I'm fingers crossed I'll be delighted......

H

I have a CV10 Freelander XS with 17 inch wheels. I recently had Pirelli Ice and Snow winter tyres fitted by Quickfit at a total cost of £720. I have also bought from Cambrian Landrover Spike Spyder wheel chains at a cost of £488. Judging by the performance of the Freelander in the recent heavy snow, in both the U.K. and Northern France I should never have a need to use the chains. I was in a service area on the French auto routes and the snow was so heavy I could not see where the exit roads were; although I could see the auto route some 150 meters away. Without any problem whatsoever I took the direct route down an embankment to join the carriageway. I even tested out the capabilities of the car, by trying to reverse back up the incline; and to my amazement FL2 responded without any loss of traction !!!

PaulC, it is generally said that 17" is the way to go with winter tyres, why I am not so sure but there is more of a choice with 17" and they are cheaper also. Do a search on here and you will find a few threads covering but those that have gone down the winter tyre road have taken advice from Scandanavian members that have a lot more experiance than us British members.
If you go down the 17" road nothing will change regarding speedo etc as the profiles change to give you the same near as dammit circumferance.
Site sponsors AJS4x4 can do you a deal on a set of wheels and twinter tyres and give good advice or keep your eye on well known auction site as you can pick up a set of rims quite cheap.

FYI - AJS' aren't able to sort you with rims at the moment. My call to them with that exact question was met with '...can't help you with wheels..' before I could even finish the sentence.....

Bay of fleas or another forum member would be my recommendation....