EVO Winter tyre test

[Bernhard30]

Just looked at the EVO mag that arrived in the post today.

Winter tyre test makes good reading.
Continental TS830P comes out top just above the Michelin Alpin A4, tested using Golfs and Leons.

Don't I feel smug knowing I have 4 of these or order for her car and 4 in the garage ready for fitting to my car.

Expect a mild winter now then peeps...

[andrewparker]

All mentally expensive bar the Nankangs though.

[ub7rm]

How did the Nankangs do?

(Fingers crossed as he has 8 of the buggers in the garage...)

[andrewparker]

Not well (but not last), but then I ran them last winter and they were great. They were listed at £94, whereas the nearest competitor was £165!

[the bruce]

How did the Nankangs do?

Forget them.

I'd burn them in the garden.

[andrewparker]

How did the Nankangs do?

Forget them.

I'd burn them in the garden.

I obviously got a rouge pair - they were perfectly fine!

[ub7rm]

How did the Nankangs do?

Forget them.

I'd burn them in the garden.

 





 

I'll put my faith in Andrew's experience.  I'm not expecting to go racing with them - just get me to work and back without drama.  A good few others seemed to have reviewed them well specifically for the GTI so can't be too bad ...

[andrewparker]

I'm not expecting to go racing with them - just get me to work and back without drama.

Exactly. If we're talking driving hard then I can understand, but that takes a back seat for me over the winter months. I think what really matters is that they're probably 1000% better than driving around on summer tyres, and for a low cost compared to other winter tyres.

[Bernhard30]

I'm far from being a badge snob but I wouldn't use Nankangs.

In my view these winter tyres will likely be on the car about 5 months per year, Nov - March and are likely to be in use a few winter seasons, therefore some initial outlay for a branded make in my mind makes perfect sense.
When doing some research last year the Conti/Dunlop/Goodyear/Pirelli/Michelin/Vred winter stuff seemed a lot better in terms of how they perform versus the budget gear.

Obviously each to their own, but I wouldn't use Nankangs in any circumstance so for me I never even looked at them for winter use.





 

[andrewparker]

The important thing to note here is that in all conditions even the budget winter tyres performed far, far better than the ContiSport Contact 3 summer tyre they also tested. Bottom line is that whether you choose budget or not it's far better choosing a winter tyre than skating around on your summer rubber.

[Andy]

The important thing to note here is that in all conditions even the budget winter tyres performed far, far better than the ContiSport Contact 3 summer tyre they also tested. Bottom line is that whether you choose budget or not it's far better choosing a winter tyre than skating around on your summer rubber.

Totally agree..i fitted some makes of snow tyres i hadn't heard of before last year and the customers said they were brilliant in the snow

[ub7rm]

For me I don't expect these tyres to perform like my summer tyres do in the summer.  I expect to modify my driving behaviour to suit.  I think anyone expecting winter tyres to let them continue driving around like its the height of summer is in for a shock. 

I 'managed' last winter with my summer tyres and expect these to make my life a lot easier / safer than last year and so a budget brand is fine.  Most people i know sling on a relatively cheap brand for winter (and many have been advised this by garages) because any winter tyre is much much better than a summer tyre in winter conditions.  Pin sharp cornering or maximum grip for acceleration isn't a consideration.

I run Michelin PS3's as my summer tyre for performance driving.  I've bought cheap winters to let me make progress in bad weather and nothing else.

[stealthwolf]

+1. I had to see my boss last winter and he was working out in the sticks. Was genuinely scary when driving in snow and ice on PS2s. Given that I'm now working there and will be for another 10 months, it makes no sense to risk life and limb, not to mention car damage, by not using winter tyres. Will still drive carefully as no doubt others are still idiots when in such conditions.