[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Captain SlowCoach

MEGA - If you don't mind me asking - What did you get and where from?

Having picked my new critter a few days ago (its got a vast 400 miles on the clock now!) it would be sensible to get some... I feel a wallet opening issue about to occur!

Captain SC

I think Mega got his winter tyres (Vredestein Wintrac Extreme) from tyremen.co.uk

He has bought 17" size tyres in a 225/45/17 94H fitment, to go with some 17" wheels he's picking up (perfect for a winter set)

[ed335d]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

I think Mega got his winter tyres (Vredestein Wintrac Extreme) from mrtyremen.co.uk

He has bought 17" size tyres in a 225/45/17 94H fitment, to go with some 17" wheels he's picking up (perfect for a winter set)

just tyremen.co.uk

Got mine from there, very good service

[RagingKileak]

Suppose if you wait a week or two you might be able to pick up complete part worn sets with wheels on ebay for not much money!

I really cant confirm that, just speculating!! But makes sense for next year if you wanna save some cash - I personally never had winter tyres, but I dont drive in the snow because I know I wont get anywhere!

Matt

[MEGA]

As above. I was told there was only 1 set left so get your order in ASAP !

[matt@stratford]

Can I replace a 255/35/18 with a 265/35/18 on a 9" rim? Vredestein only do a 265 in the Wintrac.

[swanseahammer]

I ordered 4 Michelin Pilot Alpin RFTS in 225/45/17 last night from mytyres.co.uk. £145 each.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by matt@stratford

Can I replace a 255/35/18 with a 265/35/18 on a 9" rim? Vredestein only do a 265 in the Wintrac.

Yes, no problems

[matt@stratford]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

Yes, no problems

Thanks. Do you find your LSD helps in this weather? I am thinking of getting one fitted but might have to sort my tyres out 1st.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by matt@stratford

Thanks. Do you find your LSD helps in this weather? I am thinking of getting one fitted but might have to sort my tyres out 1st.

I'm certainly getting a lot more traction out of my car than the 130 I've also been driving. Whether or not that's down solely to the winter tyres I don't know, but I can certainly feel the power shifting from side to side in my car when driving with the LSD transferring power to the wheel with most grip. I would think it does help a fair bit, though not as much as the change to winter tyres.

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

not as much as the change to winter tyres.

Are you on a kick-back agreement for each set of winter tyres sold in the Country Tone Think you've single handedly helped to shift a great deal of tyres this month alone

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

Are you on a kick-back agreement for each set of winter tyres sold in the Country Tone Think you've single handedly helped to shift a great deal of tyres this month alone

It feels like I've been on a one-man crusade to encourage people to fit winter tyres I'm just very tired of people blaming their cars for an inability to move about in wintery conditions, when actually it's nothing to do with the car itself but more the driver's choice of tyres being used. Rather like a workman blaming his tools rather than himself

And it irritates me so much when I see people in their cars floundering on small patches of snow, this causing gridlock and chaos when in truth it needn't be like that if a little forethought and common sense had been applied...

People are blaming the snow for causing chaos... personally I think it's the people who should be blamed, for not being prepared for winter conditions.

/rant

[swanseahammer]

Originally Posted by swanseahammer

I ordered 4 Michelin Pilot Alpin RFTS in 225/45/17 last night from mytyres.co.uk. £145 each.

Just had the despatch confirmation email - they're coming from Germany

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by swanseahammer

Just had the despatch confirmation email - they're coming from Germany

That's normal - most of the winter tyres are all being shipped over from Europe. Will take a couple of days at most hopefully

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

It feels like I've been on a one-man crusade to encourage people to fit winter tyres I'm just very tired of people blaming their cars for an inability to move about in wintery conditions, when actually it's nothing to do with the car itself but more the driver's choice of tyres being used. Rather like a workman blaming his tools rather than himself

And it irritates me so much when I see people in their cars floundering on small patches of snow, this causing gridlock and chaos when in truth it needn't be like that if a little forethought and common sense had been applied...

People are blaming the snow for causing chaos... personally I think it's the people who should be blamed, for not being prepared for winter conditions.

/rant

Well, you've enlightened me and been very informative throughout. It's been funny reading your posts whilst you've been getting increasingly more frustrated I was even informing my neighbour (with an E90 320d) about winter tyres and the dramatic improvement enjoyed as he'd not really heard about them. He was going to look into them. He got as far as my driveway (from his) before turning back yesterday

On a serious issue, and not trying to be 'anti-BMW', but how come my Business Partners A4 is happy as larry on the snow (he's been picking me up for the last 4 days!!) whereas my 330 is utterly rubbish. Both cars on summer tyres. OK, he's FWD and I'm RWD but, given the BMW's virtually 50/50 weight distribution doesn't the rather old fashioned argument that there's no weight over the driven wheel pale a little. OR, is it more to do with the A4 having MORE weight over the driven wheels as opposed to our LACK of weight .

[MEGA]

Tyre choice still Contisport contact (if thats what fitted) versus a rock hard stone cold run flat still accounts for a lot.

Some of the rest of it is down to the FWD vs RWD debate. I'd say alot of it infact.

Tony any other thoughts ?

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

Well, you've enlightened me and been very informative throughout. It's been funny reading your posts whilst you've been getting increasingly more frustrated I was even informing my neighbour (with an E90 320d) about winter tyres and the dramatic improvement enjoyed as he'd not really heard about them. He was going to look into them. He got as far as my driveway (from his) before turning back yesterday

On a serious issue, and not trying to be 'anti-BMW', but how come my Business Partners A4 is happy as larry on the snow (he's been picking me up for the last 4 days!!) whereas my 330 is utterly rubbish. Both cars on summer tyres. OK, he's FWD and I'm RWD but, given the BMW's virtually 50/50 weight distribution doesn't the rather old fashioned argument that there's no weight over the driven wheel pale a little. OR, is it more to do with the A4 having MORE weight over the driven wheels as opposed to our LACK of weight .

It's to do with the fact that there is more weight over the driven wheels, with the engine there, and also the fact that the driven wheels can also turn left and right, therefore aiding traction. Also, pulling something along when its slippery is much easier than pushing something along. FWD cars always have an advantage in snow. Also, how wide are the tyres on the Audi? If they're narrower (which they almost certainly will be) then that helps too.

[rogerxp]

There's me thinking fat tyres would help with grip - doh.

Is it not easier for us all to simply reverse everywhere then and save some cash

Thanks for the informed input as always.

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by rogerxp

There's me thinking fat tyres would help with grip - doh.

Unfortunately not! Fat tyres spread the load so you end up sitting more on the snow rather than driving through it. The thinner the tyre the better, and the greater the sidewall depth too

[swanseahammer]

Originally Posted by E92Fan

That's normal - most of the winter tyres are all being shipped over from Europe. Will take a couple of days at most hopefully

Thanks E92Fan. You've been most helpful With a bit of luck you're right right about delivery time - mytyres quoted a week even though they've been despatched already. Next bout of snow forecast here on Sunday so if they arrive on Saturday I'll be happy.

[MEGA]

Think about it. Ice skates are BLADES, not big trays

[rogerxp]

Originally Posted by MEGA

Think about it. Ice skates are BLADES, not big trays

I thought that was to add an element of danger to an otherwise dull sport

[stupot]

Just to add my experience, although similar to a lot of other peoples.

My wife was getting increasingly irate at not being able to get her coupe out of the drive. 2 1/2 weeks now, and she was passing her feelings on to me!

Couldn’t find a cheap enough set of alloys for her 3, but found a cheap set of 16" alloys for my 5.

Got Avon winter tyres fitted today. 225/55/16. Cost £90 for alloys and £470 for the tyres.

Absolutely brilliant. Drives on snow and slush like it wasn’t there. Picks away on hills and stops like normal driving. I was worried it wouldn’t be worth it, couldn’t see how it would make that much difference.

It deffo does, worth every penny. Just do it!

Stu.