Winter Tyres
- Thread starter robert997
- Start date
Thanks but isn't it strange that in other European Countries, they swear by changing over to Winter tyres but here not many people do. It is probably down to cost but in a way its a false economy as we use our lovely Sports tyres through the whole year, even in snow when we have it, wear them down and then say s--t, we need new tyres! Surely its better to change them in Winter, then cahnge back in Summer. Safe as well as we all know what our cars can be like in the snow!!
This is a long running conundrum - essentially drivers who live in continental Europe and who suffer from a season of snow (Alps plus eastern Europe) do this because snow (or "winter", there is no difference) tyres are designed to run on snow. When new they have a tread depth of ca10mm and are built differently (larger blocks) and of a different compound to improve adhesion on very slippery surfaces.
In the UK we simply don't have that amount of continual snow or low temperatures.
If you think that you want a set of winter tyres and want advice then the best place to look is the German AA (ADAC) test results. Each year they test tyres both summer and winter. I've taken part in these tests - driving up mountainsides in Switzerland in snow on a car tyre that performs badly is one of my most scary experiences ... and I was the passenger.
There is an enormous difference in performance between the good and poor (I was involved in tests for Golf sized cars). Of course they won't have tested 911 suitable tyres (typically they go up to Merc saloon sized cars) but you'll be able to see which brands do best - it's not totally fair to assume that performance will stay the same. I suspect that the difference will be between the premium brands (which we'd buy as a matter of course) and the "ordinary" or "budget" ranges.
But have I got winter tyres - no: IMHO its not worth it. Spend the £1000+ on a winter holiday [
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One alternative that might be worth a thought is that some manufacturers do "all season" tyres (these have a sun symbol and a snow symbol) but my guess is that these won't perform on the road any where near as well during the 360 days when we have our normal weather.
In the UK we simply don't have that amount of continual snow or low temperatures.
If you think that you want a set of winter tyres and want advice then the best place to look is the German AA (ADAC) test results. Each year they test tyres both summer and winter. I've taken part in these tests - driving up mountainsides in Switzerland in snow on a car tyre that performs badly is one of my most scary experiences ... and I was the passenger.
There is an enormous difference in performance between the good and poor (I was involved in tests for Golf sized cars). Of course they won't have tested 911 suitable tyres (typically they go up to Merc saloon sized cars) but you'll be able to see which brands do best - it's not totally fair to assume that performance will stay the same. I suspect that the difference will be between the premium brands (which we'd buy as a matter of course) and the "ordinary" or "budget" ranges.
But have I got winter tyres - no: IMHO its not worth it. Spend the £1000+ on a winter holiday [
] One alternative that might be worth a thought is that some manufacturers do "all season" tyres (these have a sun symbol and a snow symbol) but my guess is that these won't perform on the road any where near as well during the 360 days when we have our normal weather.
Wills
New member
The average temp for the UK falls below 7c from November through to March.
It's not snow thats the problem (as we don't really get much) it is the way the compound in summer tyres deals with the temperature change (i.e it doesn't) below 7c a summer tyre hardens and fails to key into the road surface leading to loss of grip and braking performance.
Those of us that use our cars as daily drivers should change to winter tyres like Michelin Pilot Alpins
It's not snow thats the problem (as we don't really get much) it is the way the compound in summer tyres deals with the temperature change (i.e it doesn't) below 7c a summer tyre hardens and fails to key into the road surface leading to loss of grip and braking performance.
Those of us that use our cars as daily drivers should change to winter tyres like Michelin Pilot Alpins
berty987
New member
The wide section tyres fitted to Porsche sports models work well in dry conditions but not so well on wet or icy roads. I test drove my car in Europe in January , equipped with michelin sport alpins , the grip even with 3-4 inches of snow on the ground was incredibly reassuring . When I collected the car in March , the weather was cold and the tyres had been changed back to a new set of Michelin pilot sports. A very light dusting of snow and the car struggled on anything other than a flat surface , climbing any gradient was nigh on impossible. My advice is leave the porsche at home if ice or snow is forecast or invest in winter tyres bought from Europe where the prices are much more reasonable , due to better supply.
....although in my experience the current £/Euro exchange rate negates any previous cost advantage of that method. One of my cars will spend the winter in Euroland and is being fitted with winter tyres in Blighty next week, before it leaves the UK. It's what you might call more of a 'standard' tyre size though, which might explain this (ie. greater supply/choice available in UK) - it's just my experience; I'm not doubting Berty's findings. Shopping around is key, I'm sure []
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ORIGINAL: Clewsey
Seriously considering it as both cars are useless at the moment in these conditions OR buying a cheap runabout with narrow tyres and FWD. Anybody got a Ford KA they want to sell cheap? [
Fiat Panda?!
My RS6 is still blitzing about the snow, the 4wd means the traction control light isn't even flashing (unless I am a bit overly aggressive with the gas pedal that is). Despite this, I rang Reading Audi and enquired about winter tyres and snow chains. They said that for either they need to send off an email to Germany on Monday and after I ordered they would be with me in 3 weeks! Bit bloomin' late by then!
Clewsey
New member
[] You got one? I'll have it! Got the bus today for the first time in, well years. Then walked from the supermarket loaded with bags which was pushing my limits...
Then on top of that I had my next door neighbour gloating with his Land Rover Discovery. That really cheesed me off!! I'm getting winter tyres/wheels for next year.
Cheers
] You got one? I'll have it! Got the bus today for the first time in, well years. Then walked from the supermarket loaded with bags which was pushing my limits...Then on top of that I had my next door neighbour gloating with his Land Rover Discovery. That really cheesed me off!! I'm getting winter tyres/wheels for next year.
Cheers
ORIGINAL: Alex L
ORIGINAL: Clewsey
Seriously considering it as both cars are useless at the moment in these conditions OR buying a cheap runabout with narrow tyres and FWD. Anybody got a Ford KA they want to sell cheap? [
Fiat Panda?!
My RS6 is still blitzing about the snow, the 4wd means the traction control light isn't even flashing (unless I am a bit overly aggressive with the gas pedal that is). Despite this, I rang Reading Audi and enquired about winter tyres and snow chains. They said that for either they need to send off an email to Germany on Monday and after I ordered they would be with me in 3 weeks! Bit bloomin' late by then!
Impossible to know whether this weather is a one-off - as Alex says, it's expensive to have a second set of wheels and tyres if you rarely use them; besides, I don't think a 911 is ideal for this type of weather. I use an ageing Subaru Imprezza which does well.
Reminds me of a friend who spent £10k having a bore-hole drilled on his land when we had hose-pipe bans since when it seems to have rained pretty much continuously. He thinks he'll get his money back in about 40 years...
Reminds me of a friend who spent £10k having a bore-hole drilled on his land when we had hose-pipe bans since when it seems to have rained pretty much continuously. He thinks he'll get his money back in about 40 years...
baxster
New member
We bought some for our X5 as we need them for a European trip and am so glad we did. When the first Snow came just before xmas they went straight on and the difference is night and day, it now feels like driving on loose gravel not snow!
As for our C4s, I will probably between now and next winter try and source a spare set of rims from ebay and then some winter tyres.
As for our C4s, I will probably between now and next winter try and source a spare set of rims from ebay and then some winter tyres.
garyw
Moderator
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlYEMH10Z4s&feature=player_embedded#
winter v all weather v summer tyres.
winter v all weather v summer tyres.
hm... pretty compeling video (does assume you don't adjust driving style).
Would be interesting to see same test on wet.
My summer tyres are sure going to have a problem on that Silverstone Ice Hill on Feb 13th....
Would be interesting to see same test on wet.
My summer tyres are sure going to have a problem on that Silverstone Ice Hill on Feb 13th....
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