Winter tyres

[RobT]

Hi

Have been thinking for several years about trying out some pukka 'performance' winter tyres - those that are not full-on snow or ice tyres but that are designed to work optimally from 7 degrees C and below but are perforrmance orientated and mega in cold mornings / wet weather

After lots of reading about, have bought a set of Dunlop SP Wintersport 3D's - came top dog of a recent survey in USA

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=SP+Winter+Sport+3D

Ordered 4 from mytyres, £300 and will be with me within 7 days

Will let you know how I get on - cannot wait for some roundabout overtaking in the wet !

Ave it

Rob

what looks to be a good article if only I could read russian......anyone know how to translate something like this ?

http://www.autoreview.ru/archive/2006/21/tyres/index.php?print=Y

 

[m0rk]

I think muddyboots did this on his ibiza.

I think it makes sense - and I must admit to be tempted to do the same

 

[stoneyfordNI]

http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/tr

does that work rob

apparently not , paste the russian addy into the lower box , select russian to english and hit translate

 

[muddyboots]

Old thread alert....

Rob - how did you find the Dunlop Wintersports ?

I used Toyo SnowProxes on the Ibiza and last Passat, but am tempted by the Dunlops, they seem to have excellent reviews.
My cross-peak-district commute and the fact we'll be ferrying the little one round the country to see relatives this winter is swaying me towards getting some more winter tyres - it's about the right time to change as the temps get lower, and my current fronts are worn out...

 

[RobT]

the dunlops are excellent - used em all last winter and they made early morning starts much more fun - you can drive straight past anything when its slippery and cold, no TCS flashing out of bends/roundavouts, excellent on the brakes also

I got em to cross the pennines south manc to Leeds

didn't notice an increase in fuel consumption but they are a bit noisier than normal tyres

went out to find snow when we had it - like there was no snow there, fantastic

been itching to put them on this year....not had any temps under 4C yet though which is my flag to fit em

very happy.

 

[muddyboots]

Thanks Rob.
Haven't read a single bad review anywhere about them yet.

Just noticed your location - I guess you have the ideal test track for winter tyres nearby - Cat & Fiddle !

It was less than 4º at home this morning

 

[muddyboots]

Out of interest - what size did you run, and did you have the H or V rated version ?

 

[RobT]

std size, 205/55/16 in H-rated - dont need V rated for winter use IMO

 

[Willie]

To give another tyre to the considerations
I bought Michelin Pilot Alpin 2's last year, managed to get quite a bit of snow and ice driving in.
As said above its like there is no snow there.
These are 225-40-18 aswell which you would think would be a waste of time due to the size but absolutely fantastic. Even compare to GSD3's in the wet there wasn't much difference.
I used these for 6 months and about 6,000 miles and I'm sure I'll get two more years out of them
Even the £175 each fitted hurt a bit but as above I have a wee one and my bumpers are mega expensive so I think I have actually saved money by buying these

Definately worth every penny for winter tyres

 

[muddyboots]

std size, 205/55/16 in H-rated - dont need V rated for winter use IMO

Just wondered if the higher rating might mean stiffer sidewalls, therefore less flex & better cornering ? Especially if only a couple of quid per tyre extra.

 

[muddyboots]

OK, just ordered myself 4 x Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D ...

Went for a V rating in the end, as although it's a higher speed rating than I require, it's what the car comes with as standard - just in case I was in a crunch and insurers picked up on it.

Tried to get my local tyre place to supply and match the mytyres price, but they had no stock and apparently they're on back order with Dunlop in the UK.
However mytyres (based in Germany) still list them as being in stock, so fingers crossed...

 

[Willie]

It's definately worth the investiment.
My front bumper is about £300 fo one small prang would set me back this at least

Its V rated Michelin PA2's I've got and this is good for 120 MPH

 

[muddyboots]

Well, got them fitted today. Could already feel a lot more grip on the cold wet lanes round here, thoroughly tested on my favourite twisty hillclimb tonight
Bring on the snow tonight

 

[RobT]

fantastic fun yesterday with them - people slip sliding all over the place here in macclesfield, whilst my car was like on dry tarmac - these are such a massive benefit in cold weather

 

[muddyboots]

Wow...is all I can say !

A lot of snow round here this morning, yet I was ploughing on through it with ease, weaving my way round all the other stuck cars and trucks that had slid into verges....
An amazing difference.

The traction away from junctions on cold wet tarmac is much improved, and I could confidently use the slushy outside lane of a dual carriageway that few others dared to try.

Well worth the money.

 

[Mat]

wow. i definately need some winter tyre (and winter wheels).

my current tyres are awesome in dry and with some heat, but they don't seem to like wet corners/bends

 

[Grizzle]

You should try the Goodyear Ultragrip 7 tires a go superb in wet ice and snow.

 

[Willie]

Are these mud/snow rated tyres?

 

[Grizzle]

The Goodyears are yes, i use them on my detailing van

 

[Willie]

Okay
But perhaps the detailing van is not a performance vehicle, unless your late for a job that is