Are winter tyres needed in the uk

[JACUPRA280]

The real question is:

Are you guys comparing winter tyres to poor quality/budget summer tyres which are absolutely lethal in the wet or cold?

Or are you comparing to good quality tyres that grip pretty well in the cold & wet, such as the Eagle F1s? I still have Eagle F1s on (yes it's a mk2, but not relevant for the purposes of this discussion) and they still grip very well in the cold and damp weather.

I'm comparing them to the stock Bridgestones and the Dunlop Sport Maxx which has an 88/100 rating for wet grip at http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Dunlop/SportMaxx-RT.htm. My Nokian's rip them apart for wet grip.

My mate has just had 4 new Eagle F1 fitted to his MK6 Golf GTI and he says they're awful when it's cold and wet. He actually regrets getting them.

 

[JACUPRA280]

I've experienced snow as well as cold, wet and slushy roads in FWD and RWD cars with both good quality summer and winter tyres.

There is no comparison when the roads are cold and have slush and/or snow on them.

Yes you can 'get away with it' but that comes down to a position on risk compounded with a relatively high initial outlay on a second set of tyres and/or wheels.

The fact I went out at 5 in the morning a few nights ago onto the moors which were covered in a layer of snow that was melting just to have some fun with my winter tyres says it all - they grip like nothing else in such conditions. Summer tyres don't even come close!

 

[Deputy]

JACUPRA280 looks like you live near me. I'm up in the Yorkshire hills and one of my greatest driving moments was in an old Ford KA on winter tyres driving up a snowny hill past a stuck brand new Range Rover (22inch rims on low profile tyres, just meant all 4 were spinning and each rim worth more than my entire car) with the owner waving at me to stop, saying "You'll never get up there in THAT!". I just smiled and drove past. The look on his face as I went past was priceless.

 

[JACUPRA280]

JACUPRA280 looks like you live near me. I'm up in the Yorkshire hills and one of my greatest driving moments was in an old Ford KA on winter tyres driving up a snowny hill past a stuck brand new Range Rover (22inch rims on low profile tyres, just meant all 4 were spinning and each rim worth more than my entire car) with the owner waving at me to stop, saying "You'll never get up there in THAT!". I just smiled and drove past. The look on his face as I went past was priceless.

I'm over Huddersfield way, is that where you are as well then?

Skinny winter tyres and a very light front end = a great snow mobile!

 

[andrewpain]

if you can afford a set, do it. Might save your life.....

 

[Seastormer]

The problem with winter tyres is that as they are not compulsory, you can stop better but Joe public then runs into the back of you. If the weathers that bad I jump on the bus.

 

[andrewpain]

if someone drives into my rear I'm not fussed. Their fault.
if I plough on at a bend, slide into someone else, or clout a kerb - I'm bovvered
but it IS about cost, no question. However you do it you're spending £400+ on something you hope you don't really need.