2011 Winter Tyres - What are you opting for?

[White_Lady_170]

Post away folks, let's see what brands are getting favoured and see if we can pick out the bargains.

Where possible, include prices and your source, if it's an online purchase.

 

[Fishy]

I still have plenty of life left in two Vredestein Wintrac Extreme's, so just need to source 2 cheapies to put on the rear.

Fish

 

[White_Lady_170]

I still have plenty of life left in two Vredestein Wintrac Extreme's, so just need to source 2 cheapies to put on the rear.

Fish

Had a quick look on Camskill myself and a lot of the brands are out of stock at the minute but the prices were up, pretty dear... I was considering opting for 2 just to stick on the front and then revert back to 2 of my vredestein ultrac sessantas which are sitting in the garage.

What's people's thoughts on just rolling on 2 winter tyres up front?

 

[Slimy]

What's people's thoughts on just rolling on 2 winter tyres up front?

Better than running with 4 summer tyres I would have thought. Have you thought about part worn tyres? I wouldn't touch them for summer tyres but they kind of make sense for winters. And Ebay have a fair few available.

 

[invisiblekid]

The OP saved me a job here. Was about to ask the same thing.

I'm running R1Rs at the moment so winter tyres are a must this year.

Be interested to see what people are running on their Cupras.

 

[irvine]

I'm going for a couple of Vredestein Wintrac Extreme's for the front. My opinion is there is no need for winter tyres on the back unless you are driving quick, which on winter roads is a no no unless you want to re-arrange the looks of your car!

 

[prezf]

I'm going need some winter tyres this winter, what would you suggest - fitting them on the 19'' I run now or get smaller set of rims (thought 17'') and get tyres on them ?

 

[irvine]

I'm going need some winter tyres this winter, what would you suggest - fitting them on the 19'' I run now or get smaller set of rims (thought 17'') and get tyres on them ?

I'm putting the Vredestein Wintrac Extreme's on the standard 18" cupra alloys. Don't think you could get any smaller wheels on for the clearance for the brake calipers.

 

[coggie]

Avon Ice Touring ST, never had winter tyres so went for the cheaper end of the market. It has good reviews on quite a few sites.

£300 for a set of 4 205/55/16H delivered.

 

[tonto]

i would run continental winter tyres. you aint going to get any better imo!

but im just going to drop my pressures in my pirelli, and have no problems like ive done the last few years lol

 

[DAZFR72]

Great topic my cupra is staying in the garage no chance of my alloys gettin scuffed or the misses thumping the car on the snow covered roads here in Manchester !!! Let her bash her own car that's what I say !!! Lol

 

[rllmuk]

Do a search for my winter tyre thread from a couple of years back. I've run vredestein wintracs in 225/40/18 format for a couple of years, they're excellent. My old commute was on 22 miles of ungritted B roads in deepest Yorkshire, and the only other cars I ever saw were 4x4s.

Due to pothole damage I had to run on just winters on the front axle from mid December (i think) last year year till change time in march/April. I couldn't source any replacements due to supply drying up, so had to put summers on the rear.

Snow was actually fun with this combination, as it was so easy to lose the backend. However, I wouldn't recommend it as you'll have to drive very carefully - but it's doable.

 

[Fishy]

Running with just the fronts done wasn't too much of an issue. Just need to remember that the rear can and will slide out at some point! Not a problem if you have driven RWD.

Fish

 

[Fishy]

I'd also recommend getting some 2nd hand 17's (unless 16's will fit) and fitting to them.

Also any idea when this years rubber will be coming out? Cant be far away.

Fish

 

[White_Lady_170]

I have porker brakes up front so clearance issues may arise with 17inch... I also have my OEM alloys 18" in the garage so they are for winter use now I have my VW Racing alloys for the good weather

I think I read that this year winter tyre business will pick up from September onwards that's why I created the tread.

So with that in mind, get hunting people and see what brands you can see, what price they are, what reviews they get either personal or sourced elsewhere and lets see can we find the ideal solution with a mixture of performance and value for money!

 

[rllmuk]

You need to buy now, prices have already gone up.

 

[White_Lady_170]

How though when Camskill to throw a name out there, have hardly anything in stock...??

 

[Viking]

Because Camskill have had them in stock for some time now, and the smart people have already bought them. I took delivery of 4 Toyo Snowprox for the van, and 4 Avon Ice Touring for the car just last week.

 

[rllmuk]

Camskill have had bugger all throughout the summer though. Use mytyres or pneus

 

[coggie]

Camskill have had bugger all throughout the summer though. Use mytyres or pneus

I think as soon as they got anything in, it went.

They had more or less a full range 2 months ago