Make a donation
« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Winter Tyres  (Read 3851 times)

Offline rsreid2000

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 3
  • -Receive: 2
  • Posts: 139
Winter Tyres
« on: October 05, 2010, 08:58:37 am »
I was considering putting on some winter tyres this year after the bad snow last year in which I drove a focus estate which was surprisingly good in the snow.
The GTI has 18" on, could I drop a size or do I stick to the 18". My understanding is that the skinnier the tyre the better.
Car is DSG what are they like in the snow/ice.
Logged

Offline icenutter

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 13
  • -Receive: 7
  • Posts: 148
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2010, 11:07:45 am »
Winter tires are amazing; after you've had a set there is no going back.  The grip they give in poor weather is incredible.  They're also much better on cold, damp tarmac, so they are definately not 'snow tyres.'  Driving a car with summer tyres in the winter is frankly terrifying in comparison.  Don't let anyone tell you that 'just drive slower in the snow,' or 'its never that bad in the UK.' They really are good.

Narrower tyres are theoretically better, but I'd just get a set in the same size as your standard tyres.  I've got a set of 16" wheels from a GT Sport with my winter tyres on, but that's more because I already had the tyres from my Audi A4.  You can also fit standard snow chains on the 16" wheels, rather than posh ones.
Logged
Get all your sports nutrition products here; http://www.myprotein.co.uk and use the code MP73153 to get 5% off your first order.

gaz b

  • Guest
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2010, 11:29:30 am »
Logged

Offline gobbleplease

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 64
  • -Receive: 48
  • Posts: 1094
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2010, 09:27:27 pm »
i think im going to go for a set too if i can get the 17s over my brakes !
The dunlops and contis won the winter tyre tests, although i dare say any would be better than f1s in the snow ! :scared:
Logged
MK5 EDITION 30 - CW - REVO S2+ - GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

MK7 GTI - ARRIVING DECEMBER

MK2 GTI - RB - 1.8T - GARAGE QUEEN

Offline andrewparker

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 32
  • -Receive: 78
  • Posts: 1770
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #4 on: October 05, 2010, 10:09:50 pm »
Quote from: gobbleplease on October 05, 2010, 09:27:27 pm
The dunlops and contis won the winter tyre tests, although i dare say any would be better than f1s in the snow ! :scared:

Which tests are these mate? Wouldn't mind reading a bit of a comparison as I've no idea what to go for.
Logged

Offline gobbleplease

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 64
  • -Receive: 48
  • Posts: 1094
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #5 on: October 05, 2010, 10:57:48 pm »
There are loads mate, auto Bild done one where the dunlops won andthe contis came second.
There are a few other winter and summer tests from magazines too
Logged
MK5 EDITION 30 - CW - REVO S2+ - GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

MK7 GTI - ARRIVING DECEMBER

MK2 GTI - RB - 1.8T - GARAGE QUEEN

Offline LouCyffer

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 36
  • -Receive: 63
  • Posts: 875
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #6 on: October 06, 2010, 07:09:38 am »
I have Vredestein Wintrac Extreme 225/45/18 on my 'winter' Monzas. Just waiting for the ambient temperature to drop into their working range. I'm sure November will oblige.... :wink:

As for how the DSG does in the snow; I got mine last November. After driving 4x4 Subarus for 8 years, I got front wheel drive just before the worst winter for 30 years. And in all honesty the DSG was brilliant. Much better than I thought a front wheel drive car on 18s would be. I'm expecting it to be ridiculously good on Wintracs.
« Last Edit: October 06, 2010, 07:12:01 am by LouCyffer »
Logged
Black 2008 5 door GTI. Leather, DSG, ipod prep, 18" Monzas. Retrofitted: Cruise, PDC, RNS510, 729 Skoda Bluetooth (thanks SteveP), MFSW buttons (thanks MortyGTTDi), Armrest & vents, covered cupholder, Highline (thanks Kalu), Polar FIS+ (thanks Richn), Reversing camera (thanks MortyGTTDi)

Offline 182_blue

  • Global Moderator
  • Just look at my post count
  • *
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 20
  • -Receive: 54
  • Posts: 3373
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2010, 07:51:34 am »
Im sorely tempted to get some Wintracs for my Taladegas but i am not sure 19" winter tyres are a good idea ?
Logged

Offline icenutter

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 13
  • -Receive: 7
  • Posts: 148
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #8 on: October 06, 2010, 08:02:07 am »
The only reason they would be a bad idea is that you might scratch your 18s.  You will get more traction, even in the dry, than summer tyres.  Apart from the cost and maybe storage they are a win-win situation.
Logged
Get all your sports nutrition products here; http://www.myprotein.co.uk and use the code MP73153 to get 5% off your first order.

Offline 182_blue

  • Global Moderator
  • Just look at my post count
  • *
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 20
  • -Receive: 54
  • Posts: 3373
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #9 on: October 06, 2010, 08:05:51 am »
Do you get more road noise
Logged

Offline ub7rm

  • Won't Shut up.
  • *****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 35
  • -Receive: 43
  • Posts: 807
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #10 on: October 06, 2010, 08:17:37 am »
Another brand which are very good is Nokians - they are from Finland and if anyone knows about running tyres in the snow its them  :happy2:
Logged
Sepang Blue S4 BE Avant

Offline icenutter

  • Always Involved
  • ****
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 13
  • -Receive: 7
  • Posts: 148
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #11 on: October 06, 2010, 10:22:51 am »
Quote from: 182_blue on October 06, 2010, 08:05:51 am
Do you get more road noise
A small amount more. When I changed from PS3 to Sessanta (summer tyres) the noise level went down noticeably, and the winter tyres are maybe a little noisier than the PS3s.

They take a little hit on mpg as well - maybe a little less than 1 mpg.
Logged
Get all your sports nutrition products here; http://www.myprotein.co.uk and use the code MP73153 to get 5% off your first order.

Offline JPC

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 93
  • -Receive: 111
  • Posts: 6222
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #12 on: October 06, 2010, 10:53:15 am »
I love my vredestein cold weather tyres! They're epic!
Logged

Offline Frodo-anni

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 14
  • -Receive: 45
  • Posts: 1336
    • Email
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #13 on: October 06, 2010, 11:19:51 am »
Last year i put some lassa snoways on some 16" steelies on my anni, the difference was amazing  :jumpmove:

I was going up silly hills that people couldnt even walk up!
Logged
mk4 Anniversary pd No0341 - Sold
mk5 GTI Edition 30 DSG No0391

Offline JPC

  • Just look at my post count
  • ******
  • Thank You
  • -Given: 93
  • -Receive: 111
  • Posts: 6222
Re: Winter Tyres
« Reply #14 on: October 06, 2010, 11:36:17 am »
Me too mate. I was trying to find the steepest scariest hill that I couldn't get up

I failed as I got up them all first time!!
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »