Last year I did a bit of research on winter tyres as I fancied getting a set for her Mk5 TDi.
We were 'expecting' and with baby due in November thought we'd be prepared.
I read EVO mag and they've been mentioning winter tyres for the last couple of years, then running Pirelli Sottozeros on a Jag XFR (RWD and 500hp.)
After a long look at the ADAC winter tyres test etc, decided on Conti WinterContact 830P tyres and had a good chat with my local dealer who did me a internet matching price for them fitted on the car.
I ended up paying £170 per corner for new 2010 stock. Size 225/40/18.
My tyre dealer told me that tyre manufacturers don't make winter stock all year round. They make them only in the run up to winter and that the UK is the poor relation to mainland Europe where legislation dictates their use. Very low % of people run them here.
The tyres were ordered 1st October, a special order from Continental and 3 weeks later they arrived.
I got them on the car and was well prepared for the snow that hit in November.
They are fab. I now know that winter tyres are the best money you can spend on a car through the winter months and we'll be getting another set of winters for my car this year.
From what I could gather all stock available during the summer months may be last years stock if there is any about.
I wanted to get freshly made ones, so hence the request for 2010 stock.
So if you can get hold of them then pick them up, but you may find that not many places have supply.
And remember that people have very short memories so I don't think in Sept/Oct there will be a huge demand and the tyres will be at their lowest price point hopefully. Around mid Sept I'd say is the time to make that purchase, when companies are gearing up production.
Our winters are still on the car, I'm using the clock change as my guide, so until BST starts last weekend of March.
