I recently said in some posts that despite the undisputed supremacy of winter tyres over M+S tyres in snow and ice, I would be getting by on the excellent wranglers because I simply couldn't afford winter tyres.

Today though during a conversation about me not being able to decide what I might want for Christmas, my parents said they were very grateful for my help last winter with my free snow taxi service and have offered to pay for a set of winter tyres including fitting. Very kind offer.

So, before I jump straight onto the vredestein bandwagon (good as they are), I am pondering these tyres results that were recently posted: http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic10171.html

Is there a voice of experience here (Athelstan perhaps), that can offer an opinion on the Michelin X-Ice XI2? LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Save your money and get them to pay for a holiday!!

landy19840 wrote:

Save your money and get them to pay for a holiday!!

Just been reading good things about Goodyear Ultra Grip 8. A tad expensive I suspect but does anyone have a view on the Goodyear's? LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Sorry, no experience of winter tyres so cannot advise. Are you planning on an extra set of rims as well to avoid annual refitting? You could then get 16 inch which would broaden your choice of tyre. Where will you store the spare set? My relatives in Canada store their's with the tyre fitter. My previous Freelie has Contis for last winter. My current car has Pirelli Scorpions, wonder If I will notice any difference??? Upgraded to an ex demo, 7 mth old, Rimini Red/Ebony Napoli Auto HSE on 28th Jan 2011, added roof rails, mudflaps and side strips.
Gone - A great 57 Plate, Auto SE, Bought Feb 2009, Roof Rails and Mudflaps added on purchase. Blue colour, anything but drug dealer black.....

I have used Michelin Latitude X-Ice (something or the other - cant check what as they are at the hotel) for the past 4 winters and excellent they have been. Although they still have enough rubber left for a few months yet, I have decided to buy new studded tyres for this winter which will be fitted at the end of the month. However if I was going down the non-studded route again I would certainly have been buying the new Michelin X-Ice XI2 tyres.

So if you want the best winter tyres (at least for Scandinavian winter conditions) then go for the Michelin's  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

I have just had 4 vredestein wintrac extreme tyres fitted to mine. It took me a while to decide because of the variety available and prices etc but there are so many good reviews of the vredestein tyre, so I went for them. Got to say, they look impressive and im hoping I can say the same about their performance when the snow comes!

Nokian WR GR2. Not entirely an ice tyre but more suited to the snow/slush/wet we get in the UK winters. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

And how do they perform in wet muddy fields?

Check this out:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/tota..._test.html Brian

MY11 FL2 SD4 GS
Extras to same spec as XS apart from the Satnav, plus Xenons.
Ipenema Sand, Ebony.

stick with M+S tyres they are invincible At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

chicken george wrote:

stick with M+S tyres they are invincible

I have a vague impression that CG comment was somehow ironic, based on your strong conviction that you are quite OK on winter with only all-season tires...

BrianAbbott wrote:

Check this out:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/tota..._test.html

That appears to be a very strange winter tyre test as they are testing non winter tyres in winter conditions
Real winter tyres like the Michelin X-Ice XI2 were not in the test at all.

M+S tyres "may be usable" in the UK under most "normal" winter conditions, but if The Doctor is considering real winter tyres then there is absolutly no comparision. The Michelin's mentioned will be far superiour to any M+S and all on those tested by Autoexpress  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

AndyC wrote:

BrianAbbott wrote:

Check this out:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/tota..._test.html

That appears to be a very strange winter tyre test as they are testing non winter tyres in winter conditions
Real winter tyres like the Michelin X-Ice XI2 were not in the test at all.

M+S tyres "may be usable" in the UK under most "normal" winter conditions, but if The Doctor is considering real winter tyres then there is absolutly no comparision. The Michelin's mentioned will be far superiour to any M+S and all on those tested by Autoexpress