2011 Winter Tyres - What are you opting for?

[GainfulShrimp]

I questioned the fact that some people were being charged for putting usually smaller steel wheels on with winter tyres, they told me that if a modification does not increase the "risk" to a vehicle you do not have to inform the insurance company.

The trouble is, though, that it's their call whether - in their eyes - your mod has increased the risk. And if you don't tell them and then they decide when you make a claim that you've made a mod which increased risk and didn't tell them, they'll use it as an excuse not to cough up. So you need to tell them about everything that even *might* be considered a mod, and get confirmation that they're happy with what you've done, otherwise they will try and wriggle out of a claim. They'll still happily keep taking your premium, of course, but there's nothing those bar stewards like more than avoiding a pay out on a technicality.

I don't trust the insurance industry further than I could throw a wet roll of carpet up a spiral staircase.

 

[AndyVTR]

I've told this story here before but, I had someone hit my car in the car park. They left their details and I dealt solely with his insurance company. Mine didn't know a thing. Before mine was repaired they sent someone to check my tyre tread to see if it was legal!

Declare your Magic Tree.

 

[paulfs]

Not doing mine, they want £50 plus £14 management fee - robbing bs

So it'll be new standards with cautious driving or no driving as weather dictates, managed last year perfectly ok.

 

[AndyVTR]

Should we get a room?

I replaced mine with Mich PS3s for it's MOT in September. They replaced a set of PS2s that had been on the back for 20k and the front for another 20k.

 

[paulfs]

my place or yours...

I run Hankooks, find them a good solid MOTR tyre, suffer from way too many punctures to put premiums on - drive over too many rough old construction sites...

 

[rllmuk]

The trouble is, though, that it's their call whether - in their eyes - your mod has increased the risk. And if you don't tell them and then they decide when you make a claim that you've made a mod which increased risk and didn't tell them, they'll use it as an excuse not to cough up. So you need to tell them about everything that even *might* be considered a mod, and get confirmation that they're happy with what you've done, otherwise they will try and wriggle out of a claim. They'll still happily keep taking your premium, of course, but there's nothing those bar stewards like more than avoiding a pay out on a technicality.

I don't trust the insurance industry further than I could throw a wet roll of carpet up a spiral staircase.

They can only refuse to payout if you are involved in an accident and it's your fault. Third party liability is ludicrously hard, near impossible, to get out of mods declared or not. My experience is that unless you're claiming for something directly related to a undeclared mod, it won't even get noticed.

Still, all mods should be declared.

 

[FRozz]

Not doing mine, they want £50 plus £14 management fee - robbing bs

So it'll be new standards with cautious driving or no driving as weather dictates, managed last year perfectly ok.

I bought falken hs439. They are the 225/45 R17 94 V XL so the same speed/load rating as the standard tyres, therefore no need to inform insurers.

I chose them after reading alot of reviews, the only one which rated them badly was when they were tested in thick snow against other premium range winters, they came last of the tyres on test, however they performed far better than summer tyres or cheap winters in other tests. They came top for wet, cold tarmac which is what 95% of winter driving is on here, when there is thick snow you will never get much above 30 because of all the other cars crawling along anyway. at £110 a corner they are a decent price too.

I fitted them the other day and so far I'm happy, plenty of grip, just looking forwards to some wintry weather to try them out properly... should have them scrubbed in by then too.

 

[paulfs]

y o y o did i have to mention punctures ^^

bloody typical

 

[candycoop]

Hankook icebear's are unbelievable!! Literally went looking for hills in my area of s.wales to defeat my little ice bears on my leon cupra... and couldnt find 1! they are the bomb

 

[willc]

Going full wintertyres I dont see as that good value personally. We don't generally get enough bad weather/snow to justify the expense.

I have just changed from Conti sport contact 3's to Goodyear Eagle F1 Asy 2s and I now have much better front end grip in the wet, which I do think is more prominent issue this time of year.

 

[paulfs]

^^ +1

I was mulling this over & over, had to replace fronts at the weekend - bloody puncture!!!
I don't usually put premiums on as I suffer from way too many punctures, but with debating the winter & the potential wet weather issues I elected for some Conti 3s (kwik-fit had 25% off).
Thinking more about it I realised that I had only "struggled" (that's too strong a word but will do) with only a fortnight of snow & ice, but I still managed my daily return commute with cautious driving & allowing plenty of time - I start work when I get there attitude.
So I'm with willc above, plus the increased Insurance Premium is not worth it either - I think it's getting blown a little bit too much out of proportion for us that live & commute down south definitely.

 

[GainfulShrimp]

It's obviously a personal choice, but there are counter arguments to both the cost and mild winter arguments.

The cost of winter tyres is mostly a cashflow issue... remember that premium summers (the Goodyear Assys and Conti 3s etc) also cost a lot, and you'll be saving wear on those while you have your winters on. You'll also save on wear on winters while you have your summers on. In effect, you're just buying replacement tyres - but all four at once and earlier than you would otherwise. Over time, the costs should even out, except for the cost of the spare wheels. But if you have a car with normal-ish sized brakes (anything in the range below the Cupra I believe), 16" steelies are fine and available at reasonable cost.

As for the "it doesn't snow enough" point, winter tyres aren't just for snow. They are much grippier at lower temperatures (under 7°C) than summer tyres - even more so vs premium summer tyres which have a high natural rubber content, and so tend to harden as temperatures approach zero, losing most of their traction. The colder it gets, the bigger the advantage you get from winter rubber. If you commute early in the morning and late in the evening, as many people do, you'll often be driving in temps under 7°C and winter tyres are much grippier in the chilly, wet conditions that are typical of British winter weather. The fact that you can drive and manoevre in snow (if we get any) more safely is a big bonus but not the main reason to get them IMHO.

I was sceptical too before I tried them, but I live in a little village in the middle of nowhere, with hilly country roads in every direction. Having nearly not made it home a couple of times two years ago, with my baby daughter in the car with me, I decided to bite the bullet and give them a go. I was amazed by the difference that just a tyre could make that I'm a bit of a winter tyre evangelist now - I'm sure you'd never look back if you tried them.
My missus was convinced too, having driven my car, and she pestered her fleet manager until they paid for winter tyres for her own (company) car. It made sense for her company financially, as she drives a lot for work and can't visit sites to do deals for them if she's stuck at home.

The extra insurance premium issue is absolute madness and I do sympathise on that point. Personally, I would be looking to change insurers if they tried to increase my premium just for using winter tyres. In my view, it's fair for them to want to know that you're changing wheels (if you do) and make a note that you're changing from the OE wheels, but charging you for the privilege is an absolute joke!

 

[rllmuk]

You make a good point about the initial reason for getting them. Mine was two fold, firstly I'd had a bad experience on an icy road in deepest Yorkshire and secondly having a baby that I didn't want to be stuck in a car in the cold. I guess as you get older you value things differently so the expense seems worth it.

Regardless, once you've tried winter tyres you'll never got without!

 

[Mad Jock]

Insurance same with winter tyres.

I've just got round to that time of year when my insurance company likes to take a fair whack of my hard earned income, however I was slightly surprised when I mentioned I'd be putting on winter tyres on a second set of alloys they said they'd need to speak with the underwriter as my tyres were not the same size as my originals(down from 17" to 16"), but after a brief chat direct with them they were happy and there would be no increase in premium although I have to have them fitted by an official tyre fitting company. So it appears not all insurance companies try to hike up the premiums.

Cheers......Mad Jock

 

[willc]

I do agree with alot of what you guys say and if I was carrying a child in the car, then I probably would have winter tyres and probably in a different car.

I know that they do grip alot better as soon as you close in on freezing point, but having a cupra and being just outside of London, it is an expensive thing to do for 4 months of better traction where I would be a bit mad to be driving spiritedly anyway. Im sure with the child factor and living further north then the 'need' for winter tyres becomes far greater. So I guess there is no right or wrong answer, it just depends on your circumstances and location.

Or I could just buy an old impreza for a bit.... hahaha

 

[McDubber1]

It's obviously a personal choice, but there are counter arguments to both the cost and mild winter arguments.

The cost of winter tyres is mostly a cashflow issue... remember that premium summers (the Goodyear Assys and Conti 3s etc) also cost a lot, and you'll be saving wear on those while you have your winters on. You'll also save on wear on winters while you have your summers on. In effect, you're just buying replacement tyres - but all four at once and earlier than you would otherwise. Over time, the costs should even out, except for the cost of the spare wheels. But if you have a car with normal-ish sized brakes (anything in the range below the Cupra I believe), 16" steelies are fine and available at reasonable cost.

As for the "it doesn't snow enough" point, winter tyres aren't just for snow. They are much grippier at lower temperatures (under 7°C) than summer tyres - even more so vs premium summer tyres which have a high natural rubber content, and so tend to harden as temperatures approach zero, losing most of their traction. The colder it gets, the bigger the advantage you get from winter rubber. If you commute early in the morning and late in the evening, as many people do, you'll often be driving in temps under 7°C and winter tyres are much grippier in the chilly, wet conditions that are typical of British winter weather. The fact that you can drive and manoevre in snow (if we get any) more safely is a big bonus but not the main reason to get them IMHO.

I was sceptical too before I tried them, but I live in a little village in the middle of nowhere, with hilly country roads in every direction. Having nearly not made it home a couple of times two years ago, with my baby daughter in the car with me, I decided to bite the bullet and give them a go. I was amazed by the difference that just a tyre could make that I'm a bit of a winter tyre evangelist now - I'm sure you'd never look back if you tried them.
My missus was convinced too, having driven my car, and she pestered her fleet manager until they paid for winter tyres for her own (company) car. It made sense for her company financially, as she drives a lot for work and can't visit sites to do deals for them if she's stuck at home.

The extra insurance premium issue is absolute madness and I do sympathise on that point. Personally, I would be looking to change insurers if they tried to increase my premium just for using winter tyres. In my view, it's fair for them to want to know that you're changing wheels (if you do) and make a note that you're changing from the OE wheels, but charging you for the privilege is an absolute joke!

I totally agree with everything you said, I too am a convert and have encouraged friends and family to fit them aswell.

Well worth the initial extra outlay and like you say the cost balances out eventually.

 

[tom.b]

is anyone else had theres fitted already because i had mine put on a week ago and its never dropped below 10 bloody degrees, bit worried at wearing them out before the snow even comes what do you guys think?

 

[steroidchris]

is anyone else had theres fitted already because i had mine put on a week ago and its never dropped below 10 bloody degrees, bit worried at wearing them out before the snow even comes what do you guys think?

I've had mine on a week now. If yours a brand new like mine, you need to get a few miles on them to scrub them in for optimum performance in the snow anyway.
They work best at below 7'c and we aren't far off that now.
I wouldn't worry, they'll be alright.

 

[JonTelfer]

Maybe we should start a thread on which insurance companies were OK with winter tyres? Either way - LV had no extra charges for me putting winter tyres on my factory fit alloys.

 

[Dabbalz]

Not bothering with winter tyres, you don't need them as long as you treat the conditions your driving in with respect!