Saying that I love the Continental TS850 winter tyres on my Skoda Superb II.
The Continental TS800 winter tyres on my car are amazing. They are worth it, although when I change car, I might be tempted by a set of all seasons.
Having experienced the difference, I wouldn't run a future car of mine on summer tyres all year round.
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It's been interesting following cars this week on my commutes, the tyres on my 4x4 are snowflake and mountain marked so full winter rated and within reason the levels of grip were only slightly less than on a damp road, but i've followed cars that the drivers were fighting them on every bend and having to bring the car back into line on many a straight section.
I've seen mainly FWD's struggling but they are in the majority now, the obvious RWD's seem to be more stable once on the move, at least this appears to be the case from observing them and that has been my experience of all my RWD cars too, i never liked FWD in slippery conditions and have seen nothing to change my mind, but each to their own.
By the way, why are people in certain bands of cars quite so ignorant these days (this doesn't apply to those in cheaper cars nor those in genuine quality cars), is it beyond their wit to acknowledge a courtesy that has been extended to them, good manners not in their remit? pity, it diminishes them but maybe they're too self centred to notice and could care less, either way they are to be pitied.
Edited by gordonbennet on 02/03/2018 at 21:24
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It's been interesting following cars this week on my commutes, the tyres on my 4x4 are snowflake and mountain marked so full winter rated and within reason the levels of grip were only slightly less than on a damp road, but i've followed cars that the drivers were fighting them on every bend and having to bring the car back into line on many a straight section.
I've seen mainly FWD's struggling but they are in the majority now, the obvious RWD's seem to be more stable once on the move, at least this appears to be the case from observing them and that has been my experience of all my RWD cars too, i never liked FWD in slippery conditions and have seen nothing to change my mind, but each to their own.
I put it down to people running on wide low profile energy effecient summer tyres (ie what the car comes with when new). A lot of people refuse to be conviced by the arguments for winter or all seasons tyres.
My car was horrific in snow on it's standard summer tyres, that's why I decided to try a set of winter tyres. I wish more folk would try them rather than burying their heads in the sand.
Feel the authorities should make it mandatory for new cars to be supplied with all seasons or winter tyres.
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Teachers could certainly benefit from winter tyres, one less excuse for not bothering to attend work:-))
Judging by some of the driving this week, its probably as well that not everyone does have winter spec rubber, the roads were uncannily quiet this afternoon and evening, so maybe there is a happy balance.
Those of us who have a duty, obligation, or just b***** minded enough that we are going to work come hell or high water, will buy suitable vehicles and/or we'll fit suitable tyres that means we can go do what we have to.
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Teachers could certainly benefit from winter tyres, one less excuse for not bothering to attend work:-))
Terrible idea (most parents wouldn't buy winter tyres). Just imagine all the school run SUV's on their rubber band summer tyres, slithering about bringing gridlock to the entire country! Think we've had enough problems for the past week without suggesting that!
Edited by FiestaOwner on 03/03/2018 at 07:06
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I've seen mainly FWD's struggling but they are in the majority now, the obvious RWD's seem to be more stable once on the move, at least this appears to be the case from observing them and that has been my experience of all my RWD cars too, i never liked FWD in slippery conditions and have seen nothing to change my mind, but each to their own.
As part of my commute there is a three(two up one down) lane steepish hill that is prone to snow drifts. In bad weather (including this week) I usually see a line of stuck/ squirming cars that usually has a high proportion of BMWs and Mercs.
This may be because of the RWD or because these higher spec cars have very wide tyres. Saying that I have a friend who always runs Merc or BMWs without any problems in the winter but he always fits winter tyres at this time of year.
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As part of my commute there is a three(two up one down) lane steepish hill that is prone to snow drifts. In bad weather (including this week) I usually see a line of stuck/ squirming cars that usually has a high proportion of BMWs and Mercs.
This may be because of the RWD or because these higher spec cars have very wide tyres. Saying that I have a friend who always runs Merc or BMWs without any problems in the winter but he always fits winter tyres at this time of year.
Even as a BMW driver, I can't take any offence at that. Because it's entirely true - RWD and summer tyres are, in the current weather conditions, next to useless.
Much like your friend, I've got winter tyres on my RWD BMW, and they transform it.
I've noticed that there are two real viewpoints of people regarding winter tyres :
1. They're pointless. This viewpoint is only uttered by people who've never used winter tyres.
2. They're great. This viewpoint is uttered by those who DO use winter tyres.
Think about that. Would you take a recommendation regarding something from someone who had never used the product ?
For example, you're thinking of buying a Worcester boiler, BEKO cooker, Ford car ... or any other product. If someone said "Oh, I've never owned one, and everyone I know that has never owned one reckons they are useless" would you really take note, or would you find owners / ex-owners and ask them instead ?
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I'm sure winter tyres are great in snow. The trouble is in this country you dont know if you're going to get a snowy winter or not. If you don't then summer tyres are fine in the winter and you dont have the hassle of changing tyres over and storing your summer tyres somewhere. Also, many people have company cars and I dont know about all companies but mine does not switch ours to winter tyres. I would reckon most large BMW, Audi and Mercs on the road are company cars.
Edited by Mr Carrot Cake on 03/03/2018 at 03:25
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I'm sure winter tyres are great in snow. The trouble is in this country you dont know if you're going to get a snowy winter or not. If you don't then summer tyres are fine in the winter and you dont have the hassle of changing tyres over and storing your summer tyres somewhere. Also, many people have company cars and I dont know about all companies but mine does not switch ours to winter tyres. I would reckon most large BMW, Audi and Mercs on the road are company cars.
My winter tyres are fitted for 5/6 months of the year and are on their own wheels so I swap them over myself. Remember they are cold weather tyres, so it doesn't matter if there's snow or not.
Agree that most companies wouldn't swap between summer and winter tyres. You could suggest that when your car is due for renewal that they supply one with all seasons tyres. All seasons tyres are pretty good and you eliminate the need to change tyres twice a year.
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I'm sure winter tyres are great in snow. The trouble is in this country you dont know if you're going to get a snowy winter or not.
My winter tyres are fitted for 5/6 months of the year and are on their own wheels so I swap them over myself. Remember they are cold weather tyres, so it doesn't matter if there's snow or not
As said. Snow just brings out the real best in winter tyres. They are very good in 'generally' colder conditions too - frosty, icy roads, etc.
My winters went on in mid-November, and will stay on until roughly the end of April.
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Much like your friend, I've got winter tyres on my RWD BMW, and they transform it.
I've noticed that there are two real viewpoints of people regarding winter tyres :
1. They're pointless. This viewpoint is only uttered by people who've never used winter tyres.
2. They're great. This viewpoint is uttered by those who DO use winter tyres.
Think about that. Would you take a recommendation regarding something from someone who had never used the product ?
Yes, these viewpoints are very widespread.
I've never seen a report from anyone, who has spent their own money puting winter tyres on their own car, critise them.
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I've never seen a report from anyone, who has spent their own money puting winter tyres on their own car, critise them.
Maybe not, but I bet they notice the handling improve in the spring when they put summer tyres back on.
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I've never seen a report from anyone, who has spent their own money puting winter tyres on their own car, critise them.
Maybe not, but I bet they notice the handling improve in the spring when they put summer tyres back on.
Well I can honestly say (having put my money where my mouth is) that my car handles better on it's winter tyres.
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I've never seen a report from anyone, who has spent their own money puting winter tyres on their own car, critise them.
Maybe not, but I bet they notice the handling improve in the spring when they put summer tyres back on.
I would exepct summer tyres to handle better in summer conditions than either winter or all seasons but in the real world you will never get anywhere near the speed where the difference is really noticable or applicable. Drive to the absolute limit on a public road in an attempt to find the difference would make you an absolute idiot.
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Oh you will notice on country roads, in the corners. You can notice the difference between different summer tyres. I changed from Kuhmo to Pirelli because the Kuhmos hadslow/ vague turn-in (soft sidewalls i think maybe.
Edited by Mr Carrot Cake on 03/03/2018 at 13:16
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Oh you will notice on country roads, in the corners. You can notice the difference between different summer tyres. I changed from Kuhmo to Pirelli because the Kuhmos hadslow/ vague turn-in (soft sidewalls i think maybe.
Just because you thought Pirellis were better than Kuhmos doesn't support your belief that all summer tyres handle better than all-season tyres.
You have not tried all brands of either type, if you tell us how many cars you have had, which brands of tyre, how many years/miles you have been driving, if you had skidpan training or track day experience, this would help give credibility to your claim.
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Well I can honestly say (having put my money where my mouth is) that my car handles better on it's winter tyres.
Mine probaly would have done too in last 72hours. Given the rarity of serious snow here on SW side of Northampton it's not worth my while buying second set of wheels/tyres and mucking about changing them.
If I lived 200 miles further north and/or closer to the 1000foot contour I might view life differently.
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I've never seen a report from anyone, who has spent their own money puting winter tyres on their own car, critise them.
Maybe not, but I bet they notice the handling improve in the spring when they put summer tyres back on.
Nope, not really. Because in spite of having a 200+BHP RWD BMW, I don't drive it like a complete eejit in inappropriate conditions.
I can safely say that the last time I properly found the limits of adhesion by giving a car a good booting (rather than a momentary bit of wheelspin) was when I had a TVR Chimaera 4.5, back in 2001 or so. No traction control, wet greasy tarmac, you could hang the back end out quite easily.
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I've never seen a report from anyone, who has spent their own money puting winter tyres on their own car, critise them.
Maybe not, but I bet they notice the handling improve in the spring when they put summer tyres back on.
Nope, not really. Because in spite of having a 200+BHP RWD BMW, I don't drive it like a complete eejit in inappropriate conditions.
You dont need to drive like an eejit to notice.
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Having destroyed a rear tyre in a puncture, I have ordered 4 Michelin C Climates for the jJzz for next week - from Black Circles who have a buy 4 get £25 off offer. £303 for 175/65/15s
Drove from Stoke On Trent to Soneleigh in Warks and back Saturday - roads clear and virtually no drivers . Pity the return was at 50 mph due to space saver limit Honda's OE fit was no spare and tyre gooo- which would have been no use with a 1cm gash in middle of tread right through to inside.. Piece of steel still in destroyed tyre.
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On Thurday morning during the red weather warning I was overtaken on the A720 by an idiot with a space saver on his nearside rear. Then I was overtaken by an even bigger idiot who pulled back over when he had only just cleared my, then proceeded to tailgate the space saver car.
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On Thurday morning during the red weather warning I was overtaken on the A720 by an idiot with a space saver on his nearside rear. Then I was overtaken by an even bigger idiot who pulled back over when he had only just cleared my, then proceeded to tailgate the space saver car.
I notice you never replied to my query as to whether you'd ever used winter tyres ?
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Very irritated this week at very poor driving. I did my bit by keeping my E350 off the roads, despite some new rear tyres with very good wet traction. I figured I would be a menace on cold, snowy & slipperly roads. So instead I drove the children's 14 year old Punto 1.2 with Dunlop summer tyres. Apart from failing to get up one steep snow covered hill, it was excellent, providing good levels of grip and feedback. In addition I noted that the Punto actually heated my feet not my ankles that so many cars do.
However, I witness some dreadfully selfish driving. BMW X6 turned off a side road onto a snow covered main road in front of me without stopping. It then proceeded along the road at just 10mph, with a huge queue of cars building up behind us. Despite much hooting and flashing and also some very stupid overtaking (by others), the driver remained in the centre of the lane for over a mile until we reached traffic lights. The female driver was hunched over the wheel scared witless. Ten seconds later, after our lights turned green, two cars came across us at speed clearly with no intention of stopping for their red light.
I banned my son from driving home from University at the weekend. Train only; its not your driving (he is a reasonable driver) it's the other idiots on the road.
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