Winter tyres (and wheels)

[GainfulShrimp]

I'm looking at getting some winter tyres, as I mentioned in this thread.

Winter tyres seem available in 15" or 16" sizes. Am I correct in thinking that I'll be OK using 16" steel wheels with my FR TFSI? They're available with the tyres quite cheaply and I'm not too bothered about aesthetics so I think buying a second set of alloys would be overkill.

Any suggestions on good winter tyres are welcome too. I'm considering Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3s as the low rolling resistance is an attractive benefit and they seem to get good reviews.

 

[Haddock]

snip

16" Wheels clear the calipers on an FR Tdi, and Im fairly sure they use the same brakes.. I got a set of alloys from Ebay and run Vredesteins..

Chris

 

[GainfulShrimp]

That's useful, thanks.

When you say you run Vredesteins... is that SnowTrac 2/3 or Wintrac Extreme? Any comments on how they perform in wet and snow? I see you're in Yorks so must be glad to have them quite a bit of the year...

 

[Haddock]

That's useful, thanks.

When you say you run Vredesteins... is that SnowTrac 2/3 or Wintrac Extreme? Any comments on how they perform in wet and snow? I see you're in Yorks so must be glad to have them quite a bit of the year...

I have the Snowtrac 2's.. Good in the wet, and exceptional on Snow..

Generally they go on in Nov/Dec and come off around March..

Not had experience of the Wintrac's but the reviews sound good..

 

[mrcoyote]

I thought it was £161 for the complete set until I read the small print at the bottom. £684 for 4 wheels with tyres though...

 

[GainfulShrimp]

After reading around a bit and checking prices, I reckon for me it's a choice between Dunlop SP Winter Sports 3D and Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3. Still umming and arring so any opinions on these two would be welcome! The Dunlops seem to have more reviews available and the consensus seems to be that they're better than the Michelins on 'deep snow'. However, I will rarely if ever be driving in deep snow and the low rolling resistance of the Michelins is attractive. Price-wise, there's little between them. I'm having trouble deciding on which one to plump for.

One very noob question though... if I order these with steel rims, will I be able to change them myself without trouble or is it cheap enough to have someone swap over the wheels for me? I'm thinking this would also be easier especially for delivery if I could get them delivered direct to the garage (as usually I'm at work during delivery hours).

 

[GainfulShrimp]

Well I've just scared myself by reading some reviews for my current Pirelli Pzero Rossos (which came with the car). Essentially, the advice is don't use them in winter if you can help it and definitely don't try and use them on snow!
Given that I live in the middle of nowhere and last year got caught out a couple of times with daytime snow arriving while I was at work, I'm going to buy some winter tyres.

So now the question is: if I order a (steel) wheel and tyre package from mytyres.co.uk, will it be an easy-enough job for a novice like me to swap over the wheels?

 

[rllmuk]

Yes - changing wheels is very easy.

I'm getting four winter tyres to go on my spare set of 18s, no point getting another set of wheels and sacrificing the look in my case.

 

[GainfulShrimp]

Thanks, that's reassuring.

I would certainly do the same if I had some spare wheels hanging around already. I'm not too bothered about losing the nice look of alloys just for the winter... during the (horribly short) daylight hours my car is mostly just sitting in a car park anyway.

Which tyres are you going for then?

 

[Leigh15]

Winter tyres seem available in 15" or 16" sizes.

Check mytyres.co.uk or similar - you can get winter tyres in whatever size you want - I've just checked and the 225/40 R18 I'd need for my FR are available in a variety of brands

 

[rllmuk]

Thanks, that's reassuring.

I would certainly do the same if I had some spare wheels hanging around already. I'm not too bothered about losing the nice look of alloys just for the winter... during the (horribly short) daylight hours my car is mostly just sitting in a car park anyway.

Which tyres are you going for then?

Currently deciding whether to go cheap (Vredestein Wintrac Extreme - £520 delivered) or expensive (Michelin Pilot Alpin 3 - £716 delivered). Both have good reviews and would hopefully last at least two winters (Nov - Feb), so the cost isn't that bad.

After my experiences in Jan/Feb this year, my rest of year summer tyres (Eagle F1s Asym) are not an option!

 

[GainfulShrimp]

Just taken the plunge and ordered a set of Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3s on 16" steel wheels from mytyres.co.uk.

 

[Haddock]

Currently deciding whether to go cheap (Vredestein Wintrac Extreme - £520 delivered) or expensive (Michelin Pilot Alpin 3 - £716 delivered). Both have good reviews and would hopefully last at least two winters (Nov - Feb), so the cost isn't that bad.

After my experiences in Jan/Feb this year, my rest of year summer tyres (Eagle F1s Asym) are not an option!

For what its worth Ive had my Vredestein Snowtraks on for 2 winters (Dec - March) and they are barely worn.

I chose to go with Vredesteins as thats what they are well known for - premium winter tyres, theres some good tyre reviews on the german sites and they are always either top on near top - I think the fact they are cheaper is just a bonus!

Having said that, the Michelins will also be excellent - you pays your money and all that..

Only shame is that more people dont use winter tyres..

 

[rllmuk]

I've just taken the plunge and gone for a set of Wintrac Extremes due to the fact they're £200 cheaper and the reviews are just as good. For what it's worth, Camskill was much cheaper than mytyres (£520 vs £584 as set).

Another bonus is that this times in nicely with my front Eagle F1s needing replacing shortly as I won't have to do that until March time now.

 

[Haddock]

I've just taken the plunge and gone for a set of Wintrac Extremes due to the fact they're £200 cheaper and the reviews are just as good. For what it's worth, Camskill was much cheaper than mytyres (£520 vs £584 as set).

Another bonus is that this times in nicely with my front Eagle F1s needing replacing shortly as I won't have to do that until March time now.

Good choice... bet you cant wait for some snow!

I went to University in Hudds, gets pretty bleak on the hills through winter....

 

[GainfulShrimp]

Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3 205/55 R16s

Well, this Saturday I enlisted the help of a mate to change over my stock 17" alloys (with Pzero Rossos) for the new 16" plain black steel rims and Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3s...

I was a bit surprised at the significant wear on the front Pirellis. They have a sort of multi-layered tread pattern and the rears are still showing all the detail whereas the fronts are now only showing the 'major' tread pattern. The Pirellis have done about 12k miles since I bought the car new. I'll have to keep an eye on them after I swap back in the spring.

Anyway, the new Michelins are fantastic! Significantly quieter especially at low speeds, they're also more comfortable, presumably due to the smaller wheels and bigger sidewall? In most situations, they seem grippier than the Rossos. The only exception is fast cornering where they let go sooner than the Rossos. In the wet, they're much better. I'm almost looking forward to some bad winter weather so I can give them a real test.

The best surprise of all though was a slight improvement in consumption figures. With the Rossos, I was getting about 28-30mpg average for a faster run and 34-36mpg if I tried hard to drive efficiently. With the Michelins, I get 32-34mpg for a faster trip and managed to see 40mpg average for the first time when driving carefully. This is amazing given most of the advice is that winter tyres will cost you a bit extra in fuel.
I'm guessing that the tyre technology (silica and 'helio compound' for reduced rolling resistance, apparently) is working together with the lower width - 205 rather than 225 fitting - to give this improvement. A nice little bonus for the winter months.

Remains to be seen if I'll feel the same after my first drive in the snow with the Leon... but so far, I'm very impressed: smooth, quiet, comfortable and very grippy - can't ask for more really!

Oh, and after the third comment of "you're not leaving them like that are you, it spoils the look of the car" about the black steel rims, I've ordered some wheel trims. I guess I'm more vain than I like to admit. Meh.

 

[rllmuk]

Interesting on the fuel consumption - will have to see if mine make any difference as they're same format as my normal tyres. I've got mine mounted on the spare alloys now, just waiting for the weather to get cold enought to swap them over!

 

[Leigh15]

Well, this Saturday I enlisted the help of a mate to change over my stock 17" alloys (with Pzero Rossos) for the new 16" plain black steel rims and Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3s...

I was a bit surprised at the significant wear on the front Pirellis. They have a sort of multi-layered tread pattern and the rears are still showing all the detail whereas the fronts are now only showing the 'major' tread pattern. The Pirellis have done about 12k miles since I bought the car new. I'll have to keep an eye on them after I swap back in the spring.

Anyway, the new Michelins are fantastic! Significantly quieter especially at low speeds, they're also more comfortable, presumably due to the smaller wheels and bigger sidewall? In most situations, they seem grippier than the Rossos. The only exception is fast cornering where they let go sooner than the Rossos. In the wet, they're much better. I'm almost looking forward to some bad winter weather so I can give them a real test.

The best surprise of all though was a slight improvement in consumption figures. With the Rossos, I was getting about 28-30mpg average for a faster run and 34-36mpg if I tried hard to drive efficiently. With the Michelins, I get 32-34mpg for a faster trip and managed to see 40mpg average for the first time when driving carefully. This is amazing given most of the advice is that winter tyres will cost you a bit extra in fuel.
I'm guessing that the tyre technology (silica and 'helio compound' for reduced rolling resistance, apparently) is working together with the lower width - 205 rather than 225 fitting - to give this improvement. A nice little bonus for the winter months.

Remains to be seen if I'll feel the same after my first drive in the snow with the Leon... but so far, I'm very impressed: smooth, quiet, comfortable and very grippy - can't ask for more really!

Oh, and after the third comment of "you're not leaving them like that are you, it spoils the look of the car" about the black steel rims, I've ordered some wheel trims. I guess I'm more vain than I like to admit. Meh.

Any pictures?

I'd like to see how the car looks on steel rims

 

[Haddock]

My consumption is also lower with my winter tyres on, but I think in my case its mainly down to the slightly smaller rolling circumference.

One thing I do find with the 16" wheels is that when the roads are very wet, the brakes are not quite as keen initially - Ive put it down to the fact that there is less clearance between the calliper and the inside of the rim (prob 5mm). After the first press on the pedal, they are fine.

Id be interested to see if you find the same - its not a problem or anything though.

Im just holding out for the first sign of snow before I get em on!

Chris

P.S. Couple of pics (You can see the "teeth" on every block)

 

[Al]

My Pro Race 1.2's are going on seeing how the lacquer is coming off them anyway . Going to try and obtain 2x225/40/18 tyres for the front and will run the Sessantas on the back. Cant go less than 18" wheels for caliper clearance on the front.