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Winter tyre reviews- factual reviews only, please, not general discussion :)

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phoenix:
As suggested, let's have a thread where people can share their experiences of different winter tyres.  Please can you include information on size, rating and the car they were on. I'll start.

Vredestein Wintrac Extreme

I've used these in one size  (225/45/17 XL) but two speed ratings- H&V. Both seemed equally grippy but interestingly on removing them I noticed that having been run at 37PSI, the H rated ones had worn more in the centre of the tread. I would infer from this that the best pressure is actually 35.

On the road they are surprisingly quiet and quite responsive. I can't say I've noticed a significant fall off in the general handling characteristics either compared to summer.

Ultimate snow grip may not be as good as some less performance oriented winter tyres, but they've kept me moving in my MY03 9-5 Aero estate for the last 3 winters.

This year I'm Trying Kuhmo KW27 and will report back when they've been on a while.

jmblack:
First winter tyre I got was Toyo Snowprox 225/34/17 94V on 54 plate 2.0t Vert Auto. Were excellent in winter and snow - all the stuff about going past 4x4s and only me and Land Rovers on the road. went off quite quickly as it got warmer. Wear was reasonable.

Next were Nokian WR on same car, same size. Fantastic tyres. Could drive anywhere in winter and they were only slightly inclined to a bit of scrabble on heavy acceleration when the weather got a bit warmer. Ran them on over the summer as they reached end of their life and they performed well. Wear was good ( ido about 22k p.a. so wear is important).

Then got a set of Nokian WRG2, again same size. They started on the vert too, then I transferred them to my wife's estate - a 56 plate 2.3t auto. Very similar experience to the WR, but if anything a bit better in the dry and over summer at end of life.

Over period I had the vert, my wife ran spare 16" wheels first with Falken Eurowinter 215/55 16 93H tyres. These were definitely winter only and performed well down to about 5mm when they started to go off pretty quickly in the snow - still fine in wet and dry. Wear heavier than the Nokians.

This year have put the 16"wheels on my 59 plate 95 Estate TiD manual with Nokian W+ 215/55 16 93T. Just gone on and seem fine, although seem to be a bit more inclined to a bit of vibration through tread - don't know if the T rating makes any difference to that. Seem to have same tread pattern as the old WRs.

For first time trying some all-seasons on my wife's car this year - about to repalce the old Nokian WR G"s which have done fine over summer to run the remaining tread off on the 2.3 auto with Hankook 4S 225/45 17 94V. Will see how they go, but will have to work hard to get anywhere near how much Iliked the Nokian WR G2s.

Problem is the Nokians have got very expensive. I was lucky with the price for the W+ ones this year or I'd have looked at something else.

Finally, my  Dad recently replaced ageing golf with a Skoda Fabia 1.4TSi Elegance 105bhp. It's great fun to drive - very nippy. The old golf had nice skinny tyes so pretty good in snow, but he's got winter tyres this year for rather odd sized 205/45 16 wheels. Got a T rating in a Kumho and I'll see how they go, albeit on a much lighter car.

If I was recommneding? Got for Nokian  - the WRG2s were great, but I suspect that any Nokian would be a good buy if price not excessive.. They are replaced now I think but repalcements look pretty similar. They do an eNtyre all season - would be interested to hear of anyone's experience of them in snow.

Max Headroom:
Good thread idea - I know prices will fluctuate as time/seasons pass but might be worth adding what you paid and where from?

I have just acquired some wheels and I'm now looking for winter tyres for the 93 convertible

Might get the Toyo Snowprox but need to research this more and listen to more comments and advice

jmblack:
Just remembered I had Vredestwein Quatrac 225/45 17 94V all-weathers for a while too. They are supposed to have a winter side and a summer side.........

They were poor in snow and more summer oriented I'd say, although still way ahead of Continental Sport Contacts in winter! They were like trying to drive on skates.

The Vredestein wear was poor too. I believe the proper winter Vredestein Wintrac are very good thogh.

JB:
I got some Continental WinterContact TS830 tyres (205/55 R16) and can't fault them on snow and ice. I managed to drive past quite a few other cars and 4x4s stuck on even quite gentle inclines last winter.  ;D  They are also very quiet on dry roads. Wet grip on cold roads is also very good.

I went for them following a test in the Swedish motoring organisation magazine Motor. They were way ahead of any of the other continental/European style winter tyres as used here in the UK or central Europe.

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