Tyre Choice Winter/all Weather

[Atari Boy 11]

Right, I have a tyre dilemma I could do with some imput on please.

 

My standard 1.6 has just passed it's MOT, this is great news but means I need to pull my finger out and make a tyre desition.

 

I probably need to give you some background info.

 

Daily driver is a BMW 5 series, RWD, auto and on runflats = crap on ice/snow.

Track 205, road worthy and used in the summer months, I have three sets of wheels/tyres - road, legal good 888's and worn track only 888's.

Standard 1.6, needs two new 14" tyres, the car is very standard and sits on OE 1.6 alloys. Intended for winter /autumn fun.

 

If I buy a set of winter tyres for the 1.6, I could use them instead of the BM in crappy weather or use 1.9 wheels/tyres when not cold, yes?

 

I suppose my question is, would you buy winter tyres for a second car - would I get use from them?

 

Thanks for reading my ramblings, you should try typing this stuff on an iPhone.

[feb 47]

 

 

If I buy a set of winter tyres for the 1.6, I could use them instead of the BM in crappy weather or use 1.9 wheels/tyres when not cold, yes?

 

I suppose my question is, would you buy winter tyres for a second car - would I get use from them?

 

 

 

If you intend to use the tyres all year round I would recommend Nokian WR G2's.

I use them in my Forester in winter and nothing could stop me in the snow the last couple of winters (ditto it's AWD but tyres make a HUGE difference despite what most people -who haven't tried them- will tell you).

I am not sure if they are made in 14" or 15" though.

McDude on here uses a set of 14" Rallye steel wheels with winter tyres and he seemed happy.

[Anthony 1,003]

Certainly I'd be weary of fitting and using winter tyres at the moment, as it's far too hot for them and they'll wear quickly.

 

In winter they're a useful addition and I've used them on my 306 the past couple of winters - it's not so much improvement on snow (although they're fine on that, some narrow wheels/tyres would be better) but just general day to day cold weather grip that's improved. I should just about get another winter out of them, although they're now sufficiently worn that they'll not be at their best if we do get another load of snow this year.

 

If it's snow that you're particularly worried about, I'd just pick up a set of base model 13" wheels fitted with some narrow 155 width tyres.

 

No experience of all-season tyres, so can't comment on them.

[jeremy_spoke_in 2]

I used Kumho KW winter tyres on my 306 between November and March the past 2 years. I use them on my original swallow wheels and use Toyo T1Rs on my cyclones the rest of the year.

 

As above they are well worth the money. I never got close to being stuck over last years harsh weather. Using them all through summer would probably wear them out quickly though. You'll only need the 2 tyres on the front i think mine were about £100 for 2.

 

It seems you have plenty of wheels kicking about so throwing a pair of winter tyres on makes sense.

[McDude 33]

McDude on here uses a set of 14" Rallye steel wheels with winter tyres and he seemed happy.

He certainly did/does!

 

I put them on in November and take them off in March - they are a good investment for just cold, wintery driving (wet weather etc) and when it does snow you get around with confidence.

 

I've got Avon Ice Touring tyres - they do the job and cost about £40 a corner. If I was to buy again I might go for the Conti WinterContact but that's just me being a brand snob.

 

As for it being a second car, it isn't money wasted. Your summer tyres will now last twice as long so the only cost is the set of rims, really - and you've got a set of them.