[rouge_trader]

I know this has been done to death and apologise already.

Having looked extensively on this forum for advice on winter tyres, I have to say I am nervous about purchasing them for the first time. Every discussion always ends up with falken lovers vs the rest.

As the title says. I could purchase a set of clarks or gucci shoes for winter. One is considerably more than the other and the gucci loafers even though expensive would be sh1t in the snow vs a set of cheap moulded rubber soles.

I dont want to go out and spend top dollar on a set of tyres and find them to be pants when I could purchase falkens and save cash. I am happy to spend the money if it makes driving the new baby around more safely.

So in short
Falken 439 vs Continental WinterContact TS 830P.

Advice please.

Also, is it me or is the choice of tyre for 255/35/18 a lot more limited?

[doughboy]

You're right, 255/35/18 is a fairly unusual size, pretty much E9x specific, plus a few Mercs.

That's the main reason I bought non staggered 18x8J MV3s all round for winter wheels, then I can run 225/40/18 all round, which is a MUCH more common size,

And I can rotate front to rear as they wear.

Vredestein Wintrac Extreme for my money - just to throw another make into your dilemna!

[moar]

I think someone with a staggered setup manged to just put 225 40 18 all round without any issues, even with the rear alloys...

For actual shoes I highly recommend either Churchs or Crockett & Jones, excellent well made shoes that will last you a long time and more importantly, are very comfortable!

[doughboy]

Yep, you can fit 225/40/18 on staggered rear wheel with a little stretch (it is the OE front size anyway), but if you were buying a spare set of wheels for the winter, it may make sense to get a non staggered set of wheels (cheaper too).

BMW's factory winter setups are all non-staggered, even the factory M3 winter set.

[gIzzE]

The Falken winters have done really badly in every tyre test, saying they are only just better than some of the better summer tyres and being beaten by a most all season tyres.

[davyk31]

What is the difference in cost? Go for Continental unless they are mega expensive.

[briers]

I would opt for vred wintracs or nokians wr g2

[rouge_trader]

Thanks doughboy, i was looking for new alloys but left the whole process a little late, but have a look at the Vredestein as well.

Cost is about 340 difference for 4 wheels, but i dont mind paying to keep the wife and baby safe if they are worth it.

Anyone run these Continental that can comment?

[dxb335d]

Conti!!!

[davyk31]

They tend to feature highly in the tests. Are the Conti's runflat or standard? Could account for the extra cost as the majority of winters are not runflats.

[gIzzE]

I am using Michelin Pilot Alpins at the moment, meant to be a very good handling tyre but let down slightly on ice etc. I thought it a good compromise for the UK roads/winters.

I had Dunlop Winter Sports last year and they were very good, some good prices on them too.

[rsmallwo]

get yourself some 17" oem wheels and some of these:

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.p...110&sowigan=Wi

Mine where great last year and will be again this year.

You don't need the "Best" tyre....i'm not racing anyone in the snow, even with the best winters fitted!!!

Think of the cost as insurance, your protecting your nice wheels from getting curbed from sliding, you protecting your car from been ditched as long as your still careful. The only problem you might have is people rear ending you!!

[rich1068]

I wanted to keep the OEM 18" size, staggered set up and couldn't be arsed tracking down a set of decent wheels to then have to probably have them refurb'd. Especially as the Sport Plus wheels have a lovely dark finish. I don't want to drive round for up to six months wishing I'd got my summers back on.

Anyhoo, I went for the Continentals. Target price for you is £840 fitted. And not knocking the Falkens or whatever but why go for a somewhat 'budget' tyre for winter but a 'premium' tyre for summer? Makes no sense to me. And I know some don't agree with this argument but I justify the outlay as just buying my next set of tyres now rather than in 2 years time.

[gIzzE]

You are actually better to go same width all round if possible on winters, and as narrow as possible.

[chris330D]

The contis are rated highly in many reviews. FWIW I bought Pirelli Sottozero runflats. Good reviews for these and you can get them in staggered 18" sizes. No point in compromising on rubber with a high performance car IMHO.

[jonnydrama]

The conti's are meant to be superb, I've just put a set on my mums F10 5 series.

I know where you are coming from with the OH's safety, this was my sole reason for putting them onto our Mini. Then the BMW followed as I was so impressed and now I've had a set fitted to our new JCW mini before I even pick it up!!

[SteveC]

I fitted the Continentals to a 330d last year and they were superb on snow and ice (which hung around here for almost 2 months) and good enough on dry roads that I could still enjoy the car. Given that I had no spare wheel or jack, I wanted to remain with RFTs, so the Contis met that requirement.

With a good set of winter tyres, you've got to remember to leave enough space between you and the car in front to allow both yourself and the car behind you to stop. Also if stopping on hills on icy roads, make sure you leave enough space to take avoiding action if the guy in front starts to slide backwards.

The main difference between premium and cheap tyres is most noticable when they start to wear a little. Premium tyres typically perform well across their entire lifetime whereas budget tyres often start loosing performance pretty early on in their lifetime and feel like they need replacing long before tread depth necessitates replacement

[EddieL]

Mine paid for themselves yesterday morning.

Turned into an my untreated side street from a treated main road at a snails pace. Black ice with next to no traction. Car went sideways a little and was headed towards a metal pedestrian barrier, but easily corrected with a little gas. I know for sure the summers would have done nothing.

Once I continued down my steet and could see the road glistening I had a little fun to see how the car reacted and I must say I had a lot more confidence once I could feel them work.

It was when I stepped out of the car that I realised just how slippy the surface was. We are talking proper ice which you had to take those tiny baby steps.

For your information I have Pirelli Sotozero on the front and the Falkens on the rear.