Winter Tyres?

I had 235s on the 17s but sold them as do a lot less mileage now and no Alps trips currently planned!

One thing I was advised, is that some of the cheaper brand winter tyres are still very good. We had some Ovation winters on a Fabia and they were rather good (not that we push limits everywhere). Going onto a roundabout a bit too fast in the wet they hung on well!

I had Minerva winter tyres on the van - never heard of them until @Tourershine recommended them.
 
Lots of permutations on tyres and wheels and lots of different view points.
I for one never buy a budget tyre they are never as good as a premium brand
 
Super wide tyres not so good in snow as they spread the weight across a wider area.

Why not get some GP steels and stick winters on them? If you have a curbing incident no big deal. There is an ebay seller advertising them at 180 for 4, new take offs.
Actually for snow and ice this is not true. The buying a good quality winter tyre is far more important.

 
Actually for snow and ice this is not true. The buying a good quality winter tyre is far more important.

Interesting, though I'm always sceptical as to how applicable Scandinavian test conditions - very cold, crisp, dry, pristine pre-laid snow - are to driving in the UK, where we have higher humidity, marginal temperatures and, usually, a patchy selection of minimal snow coverage, frost and slush conditions to contend with. Also, where I live, the ability to maintain traction in a hilly environment is far more important than a description of the car's handlings characteristics on a flat circuit.

I know, I can't expect them to use my lane/driveway for their testing, just to satisfy my curiosity, but you get my point.
 
Interesting, though I'm always sceptical as to how applicable Scandinavian test conditions - very cold, crisp, dry, pristine pre-laid snow - are to driving in the UK, where we have higher humidity, marginal temperatures and, usually, a patchy selection of minimal snow coverage, frost and slush conditions to contend with. Also, where I live, the ability to maintain traction in a hilly environment is far more important than a description of the car's handlings characteristics on a flat circuit.

I know, I can't expect them to use my lane/driveway for their testing, just to satisfy my curiosity, but you get my point.
I understand what you are saying.
If you watch a lot of their reviews, particularly about winter tyres he always seems to recommend for UK (or all but the most northerly parts) it’s better to use a 4 season tyre rather than a full winter. Probably for the reasons you state.
 
We have a set of Vredestein Wintrak Pro 275/35/20 102 is any good. Done a couple of thousand miles. Can confirm depth etc Monday if of interest?
 
Hello all

Rather than clog up the forum with a new thread, this seems the best place to ask this question!

I have a T32 SWB 4Mo lowered on Eibach coilovers with 20" Tridents and 265/40R20 'summer' (Goodyear Eagle F1) tyres.

Wondering about buying a set of steelies and putting Winter tyres on for the next few months. So my questions are:-
  • Will these 8x18" ROK wheels fit over my bigger brakes (which I think the T32 has) with regards poke/alignment etc?
  • What tyre size do I need to be looking for to get the similar/same rolling circumference as my 20" set up outlined above?
  • Am I daft trying to put Winter tyres on 18" wheels? Would I be better off going for 17's - I don't think 16's are an option due to brake size (happy to be corrected on that!)
  • Anything else I've missed/not considered?
Thanks in advance for all the advice that will undoubtedly pour in!
 
An 18” winter is fine. We run the factory 255/45/18 tyre for our winters. Our 18’s actually fit over our 362mm Brembo brake kit with a 10mm spacer. The rear is 15mm spacer - this is purely for looks. An 18 Should fit over the standard T32 brakes no issue.

Here is ours on 18’s

IMG_8312.jpeg
 
Are you going anywhere or plan to visit somewhere where there will be snow?

I have used winter tyres from Oct to March for the last 10years on my vehicles but I do live in North East Scotland and tend to go into the hills a lot. For me its a no brainer. If you live where snow is very unlikely then maybe all seasons are best. The size of tyres doesnt really matter unless your in very deep snow. I've used the same 20in tyres size as you for winters one year and have zero issues. Its more about the tread pattern and compound.

They work well in anything below 7degC so not just snow and ice. It also save on your tyre wear and summer wheels getting affected by salt etc.

Those 18in will fit fine. 18's to 17's wont make a difference in how well they work so pick the cheapest option. Any half decent winter will be better than a summer tyre in bas conditions.
If you want to use the same size as your 20's then I have used 235/60/17 or 235/55/18 or currently using 235/50/19 sizes. You will find that sometimes its hard to get load rated winter in some of these sizes. Use this to compare. Tire Size Comparison
 
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If you're looking for snow related tyres, I run with 235 Goodyear Ultra Grips and have done for the past 6/8 years living and working in Norway, Finland and several euro resorts during all winter conditions.

These tyres are ace on all levels. However, if you're looking for pure winter snow tyres then run with a set of Gislaved NordFrost Van 2 - Killer grip
 
Are you going anywhere or plan to visit somewhere where there will be snow?
If I can!!!

Plus I can't be bothered to skid around like an elephant on an ice-rink on our already sketchy roads daan saath!!!
If you want to use the same size as your 20's then I have used 235/65/17 or 235/55/18 or currently using 235/50/19 sizes. You will find that sometimes its hard to get load rated winter in some of these sizes.
Thanks - dead handy

Cheers loads
 
Another question:- those of you with Direct TPMS, how do you handle swapping over to a new set of winter wheels & tyres combo?

Another set of TPMS sensors and recode into the vehicle twice per year?

Ignore TPMS for the winters and let the display just beep at you (assuming it would)?
 
Another question:- those of you with Direct TPMS, how do you handle swapping over to a new set of winter wheels & tyres combo?

Another set of TPMS sensors and recode into the vehicle twice per year?

Ignore TPMS for the winters and let the display just beep at you (assuming it would)?
I made the mistake of ordering winter wheels/tyres for my wife's car without sensors (I assumed it had the wheel speed version). I never fully addressed the problem, which meant driving throughout winter with the tyre pressure warning. Unfortunately, the MOT is renewed in February, so it was either swap all the wheels back just for the MOT, or throw all the summer tyres in the back where the car picks up the pressure signal. My wife felt too guilty to do the latter, so it was a pain.

Next time, I would get TPMS sensors fitted - assuming I had the means to code them in.
 
Another question:- those of you with Direct TPMS, how do you handle swapping over to a new set of winter wheels & tyres combo?

Another set of TPMS sensors and recode into the vehicle twice per year?

Ignore TPMS for the winters and let the display just beep at you (assuming it would)?
I have winters with tpms fitted and there is no recoding to do, just swap the wheels, check the pressure,s and re-set the tyre pressure on the dash

This is on my BMW tho. Is the transporter different for some reason?
 
Is the transporter different for some reason?
I don't know exactly how the TPMS system works, but I'm guessing that as it's direct, you'll need to tell the 'receiver' that there are new 'senders' to listen to.

Indirect TPMS works I think via some kind of circumference measurement thing, so no actual sensor in the tyre.

I may be wrong though!
 
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