I know, it's almost mid summer, so maybe a bit early to be thinking about winter tyres, but given the difficulty in getting hold of any late last year I thought that for once I'd be really prompt!

So it comes down to two questions:

1 When do winter tyres become available?
2 Are they any which are to be avoided (or any which are outstanding)?

People get confused. Even the MS rated tyres, the ordinary ones that are factory fit are good enough for over 12 inches plus of snow. The one thing no tyre will cope with is sheet ice, unless you have studs or chains and thats another type of driving entirely more fitting for north Sweden, Norwary, Russia. Personally, I'd save your cash and forget buying a set. Invest in a driving course. That will get you the skills you need more than some fancy cut rubber.

dunroof wrote:

People get confused. Even the MS rated tyres, the ordinary ones that are factory fit are good enough for over 12 inches plus of snow. The one thing no tyre will cope with is sheet ice, unless you have studs or chains and thats another type of driving entirely more fitting for north Sweden, Norwary, Russia. Personally, I'd save your cash and forget buying a set. Invest in a driving course. That will get you the skills you need more than some fancy cut rubber.

From memory I think the factories start producing stocks about now for next autumn/winter. So contacting suppliers now may not be a bad thing to get an order in.

I have Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme's and can heartily recommend them, they were a real eye opener last winter, but don't just believe me.

Review here - http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredeste...xtreme.htm

MVS wrote:

From memory I think the factories start producing stocks about now for next autumn/winter. So contacting suppliers now may not be a bad thing to get an order in.

I have Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme's and can heartily recommend them, they were a real eye opener last winter, but don't just believe me.

Review here - http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Vredeste...xtreme.htm

+ 1

Hi i brought 4 Kumho Izen RV KC15 from MYTYRES.com, Very good tyre over the winter and cheaper that the Vredestein Wintrac 4 Extreme's which a friend has 4 of and rates them as very good. I will always from now on fit proper winter tyres to what ever vehicle i have.

I, for one, decided to give these taiwanese tires a go.
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nankang/SV1-Winter-Plus.htm
I was impressed and never regreted.
Very good winter/cold performance and also the price is unbeatable.

[quote="IanB9"]

dunroof wrote:

so why do you think theres a need to invest in a driving course?

Don't start on winter Tyres, just a waste of money in this country.

If I lived 'up north' or west where severe weather is more likely and had space for 4 wheels I would probably have a set of winter tyres on 17" rims. But living in London, despite odd trips to Scotland in the spring, I will stick to standard M&S.... 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.....

Over last winter I didn't have any problems with my standard fit Goodyear Wranglers that were worn to around 2 or 3 mm tread left. They got me through 8 to 10 inches of snow, gripped well enough on compacted snow and got up some pretty steep snow covered hills without fuss.
If money and space were no issue, I probably would have a set of winter tyres on 17 inch rims ready, but on my own experience last winter, I don't think I could justify it at the moment. Poke it, Poke it, make it do it again!!

Gone - 2008 Freel2 HSE Santorini Black
Hello - 2010 RRS TDV6 3.0 HSE Santorini Black

No problem IanB, you dont want my advice, thats cool, your the main dude, but why pose a question at 2(b) Are there any to be avoided? That lead to the answer you got? And a lot of the other replies too. Think you missed the point yourself. Tyres no matter what they are cant beat a bit of experience, but then that goes for most things in life.

dunroof wrote:

No problem IanB, you dont want my advice, thats cool, your the main dude, but why pose a question at 2(b) Are there any to be avoided? That lead to the answer you got? And a lot of the other replies too. Think you missed the point yourself. Tyres no matter what they are cant beat a bit of experience, but then that goes for most things in life.

Bullshit - when it comes to winter tyres in conditions that require them
Just try driving a car with summer tyres in Scandinavia and you wont get very far. 2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

Remember that the contact between the two ton car and the ground is through the tires. They are the only ones that endure accelerations, decelerations, torque, bumps, etc.
So, in my opinion, the tires are THE starting point...
Could be the mother of 4x4 systems, if you don't have grip is useless.
Just like the shoes...

Yes, experience is invaluable, but to be prepared is another thing...
It doesn't matter you are an expert soldier, if you go to a fight without your gun, with only a knife, it will be a short fight... Or a very long one...

AndyC wrote:

dunroof wrote:

No problem IanB, you dont want my advice, thats cool, your the main dude, but why pose a question at 2(b) Are there any to be avoided? That lead to the answer you got? And a lot of the other replies too. Think you missed the point yourself. Tyres no matter what they are cant beat a bit of experience, but then that goes for most things in life.

Bullshit - when it comes to winter tyres in conditions that require them
Just try driving a car with summer tyres in Scandinavia and you wont get very far.

And I now know why sometimes I keep my opinions to myself , why do people get so upset over nothing