Now you've done it, will be snowing next week, off to buy a snow plough attachment for the van!
Winter Tyres?
- Thread starter Lee
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- winter tyres
Bunch of wimps, I've never had winter wheels on cars in my life mind you I did have a 4 x 4 now it will be just sliding around in my Swift
I once dug my Summer tyred Saxo VTR out of snow and ice in Alpe d'Huez then had to descend the 21 hairpins. Hairy but we survived and just made the ferry in Calais on time.
My past few vehicles have all been 4x4, the difference is still noticeable. I've been out today across farm tracks that I would have had no hope in getting up with the summer tyres on.
Chriscroft, what did you pay per corner for the tyres? Do you run these year round? What size would you recommend for a 235/55/R17 on the 4Motion?I have an XC60 and T6 4 Motion; both now have Nokian Weather Proof SUV, superb tyre in every way.
Nokian Weatherproof SUV - The high-performance Nokian Weatherproof SUV can carry and manage its high wheel loads surely and firmly on ice, snow, bare roads or even the ever treacherous slush. / Nokian Tyres, but neither came as standard
I went for the 235/60/17 size, about 4% bigger, so it adds 11mm in radius/height etc. The advantage to me (I have a Vel 4 motion with DCC so it has a 20mm drop standard); Looks, the 235/55/17 look, well under-rubbered in fact miserable. Also the 106 load rating lets me reduce the running pressure to a safe 42psi, better handling/traction/ride/off-road etc etc, I also added 25mm wheel spacers, so looks wise it approaches a 255 wide tyre. I would strongly advise the 235/60/17, it is one of the big advantages of sticking to 17" wheels, you have a far better choice of tyres and sizes; also the 60 aspect ratio on a 17" wheel gives far better driving characteristics for a van, plus better protection to potholes etc etc.
Price wise I ended up buying them from a proper Nokian reseller in Derbyshire, Steve's Tyres I think (from the Nokian web site), really good. These Nokian tyres have won loads of awards and keep selling out, so if you want some I would advise don't hang about; the world loves them
and so do I
Excellent, thanks so much for taking the time to respond thoroughly. So you will use these year round then, even in summer and snow?I went for the 235/60/17 size, about 4% bigger, so it adds 11mm in radius/height etc. The advantage to me (I have a Vel 4 motion with DCC so it has a 20mm drop standard); Looks, the 235/55/17 look, well under-rubbered in fact miserable. Also the 106 load rating lets me reduce the running pressure to a safe 42psi, better handling/traction/ride/off-road etc etc, I also added 25mm wheel spacers, so looks wise it approaches a 255 wide tyre. I would strongly advise the 235/60/17, it is one of the big advantages of sticking to 17" wheels, you have a far better choice of tyres and sizes; also the 60 aspect ratio on a 17" wheel gives far better driving characteristics for a van, plus better protection to potholes etc etc.
Price wise I ended up buying them from a proper Nokian reseller in Derbyshire, Steve's Tyres I think (from the Nokian web site), really good. These Nokian tyres have won loads of awards and keep selling out, so if you want some I would advise don't hang about; the world loves them
Sorry, Yes that is my plan. Reading the reviews on the tyre, they should last OK. I only do around 10k miles/year, I hope to get 30k miles out of them, but time will tell. If I lived in a warmer climate I might re think this strategy, as a hot summer might reduce their life. But for UK, i think they will be fine across all the seasons.
Nokian Weatherproof tyre review
Hope it helps
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just worth mentioning, these tyres do carry the M&S (Mud and Snow), and 3PMSN (3 peak mountain snow flake) - winter tyre symbols,; they aren't a full winter tyre, and may not be as good as some full winter tyres in very very cold weather, which we don't usually get in the UK
Cheers Chris. I am not really looking for a winter tyre, or at least I don't think I am now having read your post! We go into the Alps twice a year skiing and so was thinking of getting spare wheels with winter tyres that I can just change at my leisure as where we stay is not in resort so we have to drive the van on a daily basis. Now you have mentioned these tyres I am wondering whether or not I need a straight winter tyre. However, if I go with these then they will be on all year. The Auto Express review you shared yesterday read very well although didn't get the best rating on dry. We live down in Surrey so we are not going to get savage weather generally although we do live on a steep hill. Is it worth running these all year or am I still better off going for the spare wheel swap situation?
Hi Jules, mmmmm, I think the review spoke about the nokian's being better than some dedicated winter tyres (although they are not). My thought process was around buying a tyre that would deal the most difficult/dangerous driving conditions I will meet. And that is poor surface conditions, be that ice/snow/heavy rain. The heavy rain/flooded road is probably the most likely occurrence, and the Nokian's do very well in all these conditions; far better than a normal summer tyre (even a Michelin) . Regarding the dry weather performance, I have had the tyres on for around 3000miles now, and they seem to be more than able in dry conditions, which is probably the lowest risk driving conditions we have with a Vel (i.e its not a sports car)Cheers Chris. I am not really looking for a winter tyre, or at least I don't think I am now having read your post! We go into the Alps twice a year skiing and so was thinking of getting spare wheels with winter tyres that I can just change at my leisure as where we stay is not in resort so we have to drive the van on a daily basis. Now you have mentioned these tyres I am wondering whether or not I need a straight winter tyre. However, if I go with these then they will be on all year. The Auto Express review you shared yesterday read very well although didn't get the best rating on dry. We live down in Surrey so we are not going to get savage weather generally although we do live on a steep hill. Is it worth running these all year or am I still better off going for the spare wheel swap situation?
p.s. I work in thew same field of endeavour as you (Nursing home for 32 years. just had the pleasure of CQC last week........ we will have to see what they come up with
) Oh and re the very very cold weather the alps is not like Very Northern Europe re - the lowest temperatures, so should be fine.
Oh my word, don't talk to me about CQC They have completely wound me up this year not to mention cost me a fortune! Their new inspection regime takes the biscuit, so much so it's making me consider getting out of the game! If only I knew how to customise VW Vans I could retire happy!!
They have completely wound me up this year not to mention cost me a fortune! Their new inspection regime takes the biscuit, so much so it's making me consider getting out of the game! If only I knew how to customise VW Vans I could retire happy!!
Happy and wealthyOh my word, don't talk to me about CQC
Lincolnshire
The M&S Goodyear Vectors are great - They used to be standard equipment. You can use them all year round as well. They last really well and are quiet
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