For those of you that do wonder whether winter tyres make a big difference I can assure you they do

I would guestimate that fitting winter tyres makes as much difference again as 4WD does over 2 WD

I have fitted vredestein Wintrac extreme 4's & wow in proper snow & ice they are formidable !

I haven't slid once or had the ABS respond tow any adverse conditions and driving has been like driving on tarmac ! been a really good experince and drove up to London from the west country on Friday in deep snow and couldnt find a hill that was a challenge, the worst was just other cars and lorries blocking roads.

So were they worth the money YES

I agree. I have left my fl2 on the drive and have been using the wife's Citroen c4 grand Picasso in the snow and ice. Reason being the Citroen has Goodyear vector 4 seasons fitted and the fl2 has the continental 4x4 contacts. Tires are key. The continentals are awful.

i agree, but haven't bothered getting them, for what i need to do in snow 4x4 m&s is ok

but watched this earlier, which is a good demo of with/without
 Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Like Nick, I also haven't bothered.
I don't doubt the advantages of 'winter tyres' but I have a choice whether to use the car or not. Some drivers have to use their car in this weather and it makes sense to use them, but until we are guaranteed a snowy extended winter I'll pass for now.

Drove over to York this morning, went via the A59, over the "Blubberhouses" road, instead of sticking to the route on the return journey I zigzagged my way through all the tiny villages, some with fairly steep hills, not once did the car misbehave on its Pirelli Scorpions, It would take the dawning of the ice age or becoming compulsory to get me to shell out for "snow" tyres, these are rated M&S by Pirelli and they do exactly what it says on the tin.
I have slid only when provoked, these will do for me.

OG is right - winter tyres do make a big difference. But with a steep drive and a foot of snow on the ground I'm still snowed in now! They can only do so much, but up here in the Pennines I'd still say they're worth it.

Well, I did say I was using the wife's Citroen as it has better tires but having just started the fl2 the steering fluid just bubbled and emptied itself. What a pile of poo this car is, spends half it's life in the garage. Should have bought an Alfa.

Well Taz, that's got to be a good recommendation for M&S tyres taking that route in this weather.

I have no doubt that winter tyres do make a difference, but living in North Devon (and close to the sea at that) for the 1-2 days every couple of years we actually get snow it's never worth the investment.
The snow we recently had on Friday didn't stop me getting around in the works transit.

Though, we did go looking for snow over Exmoor over the weekend and the Goodyears performed admirably in the snow and ice we came across. A couple of cars were struggling to get up over the hill to Barbrook, the freelander just sailed up over.

If we got snow every year like some parts of the country then I'd consider winter tyres.

When my original Conti's need replacing I think I shall go for some "All Season" tyres since like many people I don't honestly feel I can justify dedicated winter tyres.

Sorry guys but I cannot find the point of NOT using winter tyres in winter - for me its the same matter of course as washing my hands after leaving WC.....Why using them even there is no snow ?....Simply you need as much grip as possible not only for going up the hill but most importantly for braking a going around corners....As the ambient temp drops below 7 deg.C. the rubber used on summer tyres is loosing its capabilities and grip causing extended brake distance and impaired driveability.Of course for most of us its also a matter of money but note that if you are using winter tyres you are also saving summer ones so they will last much longer.Winter tyres are also more suitable for light terrain use and you can quite safely use them also in summer.
Cannot see any logical or financial reason for not using them.....

I am with taz, I have driven in some pretty icy and deep stuff and not even spun a wheel or had any issues. I have hardly used terrain response either.

So it's not from me, just an extra cost!


The general grabbers seem to help tho with the deep tread pattern!

Agree with Taz and Landy I've had a 4wd of some sort for over 30 years. I do not doubt that winter tyres offer some more grip, but more than what ? not more than i've ever needed in a 4wd driven within the limits of prevailing conditions. I've always used an ATR pattern all year around as we live off an unmade lane and to be honest I've never been in a position where I've though " Heck the tyres have let me down" .But it's horses for courses and i'll never knock anybody for using what they feel happiest with. My personal methodology is to always buy Premium brand tyres ( I'm on Pirelli Scorpion ATR at the mo - these are more aggressive than the OE Scorpion zero) and change them well before the legal minimum. If I owned the BMW it would be on winter tyres....... but I don't and it's going in April 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 .

Not had much snow around here again this year, feel like I'm being robbed by Mother Nature

I must have got a duff set of Scorpion ATRs. I got them around the same time as you Martyn.
Mine have been awful. In the wet they feel like they are slipping and sliding all over the place.
When the frosts started they got even worse. I use a few back roads which aren't always gritted
and they were so bad I ended up getting winters. I got Conti Winters and good grief, it's been like driving a
new car. I'm astonished at how good they are on all surfaces from wet to snow and ice.
As far as cost is concerned, yes I had to pay £600 up front for them but I don't see me needing new tyres for
a few years now. The Scorpions look like they will last for ever. Having said that I'm dreading putting them back on.
It must just be my set though as I've heard so many good things about them. Who knows.

As for the cost of winters, the only cost is the up front cost. They don't really cost anything in the long run.

Stuart