Winter tyres, yay or nay?

[Johnny 99]

That would be my choice as well Micah. MPSS will be fine in wet conditions as long as you’re sensible.
2 sets is great but the extra cost might as well go to a new set of Same rubber once they’ve worn out!

It's not all about wet driving. Winter tyres are of a compound that doesn't harden as much once temperatures drop below +7 Celsius. They should provide more grip & give you shorter stopping distances in cold conditions. Also they are so much better when we do get snow. I do agree that in south of England the benefits are less and usually you'll be fine on summer tyres if you're sensible.
Up here in Scotland winters are definitely worth it. If I want to travel south from Inverness there's really only one road (A9) & it does gain a lot of height and is snow prone. Usually closed 2-4 times each winter for anything from a few hours to a whole day. Alternative routes are significantly longer & also snow prone, but I would use winter tyres anyway for the superior grip in cold conditions.

 

[Big Ben]

It's not all about wet driving. Winter tyres are of a compound that doesn't harden as much once temperatures drop below +7 Celsius. They should provide more grip & give you shorter stopping distances in cold conditions. Also they are so much better when we do get snow. I do agree that in south of England the benefits are less and usually you'll be fine on summer tyres if you're sensible.
Up here in Scotland winters are definitely worth it. If I want to travel south from Inverness there's really only one road (A9) & it does gain a lot of height and is snow prone. Usually closed 2-4 times each winter for anything from a few hours to a whole day. Alternative routes are significantly longer & also snow prone, but I would use winter tyres anyway for the superior grip in cold conditions.

My situ down here much different to yours of course!
We haven’t seen snow in 5yrs!!

 

[Jimmy]

I've never bothered with winter tyres, I've just never felt the need. The GY Eagles on the Clio have been fine all year round, and what little snow we've had in the north, it hasn't caused me any problems with these tyres. As John says, up in the Highlands, that to me is inclement weather and a winter tyre would be top of the list.

I think half the problem is people's attitudes to winter driving in this country - you get an inch of snow and the whole road using population goes batshit thinking the world is ending! Most drivers don't even bother/know how to fully demist/de-ice their windscreens, so that to me sums it all up! Yep, a 2 inch square hole in the ice is all you need to drive with! Fucktards.

 

[Chris]

Used, though found some cheap standard 18" wheels for sale. Kind of defeats the object as the 18" options are limited and pricey. May as well just enjoy the MPSS and replace them as and when.

Just be patient, thing is there isn’t many standard 17s from factory like mine as most have cup pack. And a lot of people will buy aftermarket 18s unless they are lowered. Sparco assetto gara are reasonable from new and they are made by oz, available in 17” also.

 

[Micah]

Just be patient, thing is there isn’t many standard 17s from factory like mine as most have cup pack. And a lot of people will buy aftermarket 18s unless they are lowered. Sparco assetto gara are reasonable from new and they are made by oz, available in 17” also.

You’re absolutely right. If I bought the used set and refurbed them, that takes me to £575, whereby I can get a set of Sparco’s for £600 in the size I want with a whole range of tyres at a reasonable price just for dropping an inch. It’s a no brainer really.

 

[jamesgw200]

In the UK i think theyre a waste of time. It just doesnt get cold enough to warrant them unless you live in scotland and still then its boarderline. Id happily use AD08Rs all year round. PS4s are not exactly a winter tyre and they're fine. Just drive to the conditions and you will be fine.
Not sure who said AD08Rs are horrible in the wet?EN9I0915 by james simpson, on Flickr

 

[R11HOY]

No neeeeeeed....NAY

 

[peter]

I’m looking for a set of 17” wheels for track but can’t seem to find any in the right size.

here you go. braid fullrace R 7X17. you can spec ET yourself (on the rally clios they are ET47).
would be very surprised if they cost more than the sparco wheels.

 

[Johnny 99]

In the UK i think theyre a waste of time. It just doesnt get cold enough to warrant them unless you live in scotland and still then its boarderline. Id happily use AD08Rs all year round. PS4s are not exactly a winter tyre and they're fine. Just drive to the conditions and you will be fine.
Not sure who said AD08Rs are horrible in the wet?View attachment 117916EN9I0915 by james simpson, on Flickr

I think "borderline" is not right in Scotland, or even the north of England. we regularly have winters where the temperature doesn't reach +7 Celsius for months. You wouldn't wear summer sandals in winter or winter boots to the beach in summer when you are walking at 2mph. Why wouldn't you use better tyres for the conditions when you're doing 70mph?

 

[jamesgw200]

I think "borderline" is not right in Scotland, or even the north of England. we regularly have winters where the temperature doesn't reach +7 Celsius for months. You wouldn't wear summer sandals in winter or winter boots to the beach in summer when you are walking at 2mph. Why wouldn't you use better tyres for the conditions when you're doing 70mph?

maybe im being a little critical. I just dont see the point and money out lay for something which is marginal. its november and i think this morning it was 6 degrees. I know the winter is to come but i havent had a moment where its been minus 3 and i feel i need winter tyres. I did a motorbike track day on the 1st of march last year which was 12 degrees. Theyre not far off slicks and i didnt have any trouble working heat into them. I know thats comparing chalk and cheese but i just dont see it in my eyes.

 

[Johnny 99]

maybe im being a little critical. I just dont see the point and money out lay for something which is marginal. its november and i think this morning it was 6 degrees. I know the winter is to come but i havent had a moment where its been minus 3 and i feel i need winter tyres. I did a motorbike track day on the 1st of march last year which was 12 degrees. Theyre not far off slicks and i didnt have any trouble working heat into them. I know thats comparing chalk and cheese but i just dont see it in my eyes.

Yeah! I've ridden motorcycles as my daily drive through plenty of winters on the same tyres I used in summer without too many problems when living in Surrey. Only came off twice on snow, but I was going seriously slowly! (The day after I bought a Kawasaki Z1000 in the '80s comes to mind. Stayed over at a mate's for a few drinks, next morning, sober as a judge, rode 15 miles home on snow & fell off 100 yards from home. Luckily bike was undamaged).
I just feel that, in the northern areas of the UK at least, winter tyres are the best option for your car. You're not wearing out the summer tyres when you're on the winter ones, which off-sets the cost somewhat, though it pays to have a set of cheap rims for your winter tyres so you're not paying to have tyres fitted every 6 months. My winter tyres have done 6 winters on 2 cars (luckily both had same tyre size - Alfa 156 & Clio) & there's still plenty of life despite winter tyres losing their effectiveness at 3-4mm tread left. It's the whole thing of better grip & braking distance at +7 Celsius that convinced me. We see these temps throughout the UK. As I have said though, I doubt I would bother if I still lived in Surrey.

 

[Johnny 99]

Snow forecast here for next few days & with 400 miles of driving planned between now & Saturday these have gone on. Put winter tyres on my wife's A1 too so might use that & save petrol. Good luck sliding around on summer tyres folk!
P.S. NOBODY LIKES A SMUG B*****D!

 

[Big Ben]

View attachment 117965
Snow forecast here for next few days & with 400 miles of driving planned between now & Saturday these have gone on. Put winter tyres on my wife's A1 too so might use that & save petrol. Good luck sliding around on summer tyres folk!
P.S. NOBODY LIKES A SMUG B*****D!

22 degrees and sunny down south mate. You can keep your winter tyres and the snow that side of the wall

 

[Johnny 99]

22 degrees and sunny down south mate. You can keep your winter tyres and the snow that side of the wall

22 degrees, I don't believe you!

 

[Big Ben]

22 degrees, I don't believe you!

Might’ve exaggerated a bit

 

[Pav]

does the weather get bad in the winter around yours??
see here in the NW,no point in having winter tires on..more like an umbrella..

 

[Micah]

Today has to have been the warmest day in November so far, didn't even need a coat when I left work in Kings Landing.

 

[Big Ben]

Today has to have been the warmest day in November so far, didn't even need a coat when I left work in Kings Landing.

Was positively balmy old fruit.
Blowing a bloody gale now though!!