I know its a little early to be asking questions about winter tyres but the weather is not exactly making me feel summery!

I have just bought a set of 17" wheels from that well know auction site. Really I was only after one to go in the boot as a spare but it was as cheap to get the full set.

So the question is, is it worth keeping the full set and putting some winter tyres on them, or selling the other three wheels individually? If I did this I am assuming that using one winter tyre and three summer tyres for a short time in the event of a puncture is OK. I fit winter tyres to my other car (mini) and it makes a big difference on that but was not sure about the difference it will make with the freelander2 with its 4 wheel drive and terrain response.

I would really appreciate other people experience in using winter tyres and recommendations on which ones to get.

I have used LR's for years with M+S tyres without issue

I had to buy a set of 19" M+S tyres for my RRS as it comes with 20" summer tyres for some reason only an idiot in an office at LR knows

I digress - If you have M+S tyres on your FL2 I would not spend money on winter tyres

If you mix tyres treat them as an emergency spare - ie restricted speed/distance for safety

I was thinking of getting winter set for my mini so interesting to hear you find they make a big difference

If things go to plan I will not have the mini or RRS by winter so life should be simpler - no more swapping wheels in the cold/rain, cleaning and storing them  Wanted a Series 2 LR since childhood but previously owned MY16 Disco Sport HSE TD4 Auto, MY13 RR Sport Black Edition TDV6 Auto, MY10 RR Sport HSE TDV6 Auto, 2007 Freelander 1 Freestyle TD4 Soft Top, 2009 Freelander 2 GS TD4 Auto, 2007 Freelander 2 GS TD4, 2004 Disco 2 Metropolis Auto, 2002 Disco 2 GS, 2000 Freelander 1 SE TD4 SW

Still hoping for a S2 one day!

Thanks for the reply!

So I suppose the next question is what are the best M+S tyres in 235/60R18. Looking on the net there seems to be various options with hundreds of opinions and it is all starting to hurt my head!

I bought the car three months ago with 23,000 miles on the clock so I am assuming that the Pirelli tyres that are on are still the originals. I have never looked at what the exact model the tyres are but does anyone know if the OEM tyres are M+s rated? I would look myself but I am working away at the minute so cant check for the next week.

Vredestein - great tyre 

IDHLR wrote:

Pirelli tyres ... does anyone know if the OEM tyres are M+s rated?

I have Continental Cross Contacts on mine, also rated as M+S could be something to do with the shop as it can't be anything to do with their capabilities only use them for summer come winter the Vredesteins come out to play.
For a general good M+S with good traction whatever the weather and will give good mileage you won't beat the Good Year Wrangler. IMHO

I only intend the tyres to cope with the normal UK winter. So I would say cold wet roads most of the time although the ability to easily cope with a couple of inches of snow would be beneficial.

As the tyres that are on dont need changing at the minute I might just risk it this winter and see how the car copes. At least it will give me a baseline when judging winter tyres if I do get them in the future.

All the cars at the LandRover Experience are on standard for the showroom tyres, they are brilliant in mud , wet and 99% of the conditions you will use your car in, yes winter tyres offer shorter braking etc, but you can leave extra distance and save yourself £700 unless of course you need new tyres anyway 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

I put Nokian WR2's on my 17 inch.
They are classed as 'all season and are good in snow, slush and in the wet. I've not taken them off this year yet.
Great tyre. Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Well I was of the view of sticking with M+S tyres (despite acknowledging the clear advantages and safety of winter tyres) as they never let me down except for some minor wheel spin when setting off from a standstill on a hill in snow (GGS mode on).

But then a freebie offer came along as is set out in the link below. Highly recommended tyre and they become more effective than normal tyres below +7C and although this could provide other members with a pouncing opportunity about certain words to do with my winter tyres, these words have been entered on the recent forum blacklist so should not be uttered anymore

This link is acceptable however, as it is pre-blacklist : http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic10276.html LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey