[stupot]

I have seen a few mentions in other threads about changing to winter tyres.

My wife's coupe has been off the road now for nearly a week, unable to move more than 2 inches on the driveway, while my Citroen C5 company car has continued fine.

I am seriously considering buying an old set of 17" alloys to put a set of winter tyres on.

Have any of you done this already, could you maybe write a little review of wheels size, tyre size and type, cost and end result?

Is it worth doing? Is the difference worth the expense?

Cheers

[the_rangdo]

Can't give you a review yet but I have a set of 16" 205s (can't remember the style no.) waiting for some Vredestein Wintracs to be delievered.

Current wheels are 17" 225/255. The way I see it, my summer tyres will be getting a rest while the winters are one thereby lasting longer so long term the cost should be minimal. And any extra grip is always worthwhile

The wheels were about £150 off fleabay, the tyres £110 each for 205/55 R16 XL, just need a jack then I can swap them myself.

[doughboy]

Originally Posted by stupot

I have seen a few mentions in other threads about changing to winter tyres.

My wife's coupe has been off the road now for nearly a week, unable to move more than 2 inches on the driveway, while my Citroen C5 company car has continued fine.

I am seriously considering buying an old set of 17" alloys to put a set of winter tyres on.

Have any of you done this already, could you maybe write a little review of wheels size, tyre size and type, cost and end result?

Is it worth doing? Is the difference worth the expense?

Cheers

You can get full winters in 18" or 19" sizes, so you could just swap tyres on your wheels. Then get them swapped back in spring by a mobile fitter for about £30.

I wanted winters but couldn't get the 18" 255/35/18 without waiting weeks for it to be imported.

Vredestein wintrac extremes are defo available in 19" coupe sizes.

What size are your wheels?

[F31-340i]

I ve put my experiences on my Ad in the classifieds. Any specific questions just ask

[Estoril Sport]

It would seem that a few people recommend http://www.camskill.co.uk/products.php?plid=m11b0s637p0 for tyres. They also sell 18" winter tyres.

[Steve748]

I have 18" Pirelli runflat winter on the front and Kumho winter on the rear. The tyre place couldn't get four from the same manufacturer. I only found out the fronts were runflat when I took them off and they seem to work well although I have not driven on really bad snow yet. I managed to turn round on a hard snow packed carpark with no problems yesterday.

[stupot]

Originally Posted by doughboy

You can get full winters in 18" or 19" sizes, so you could just swap tyres on your wheels. Then get them swapped back in spring by a mobile fitter for about £30.

I wanted winters but couldn't get the 18" 255/35/18 without waiting weeks for it to be imported.

Vredestein wintrac extremes are defo available in 19" coupe sizes.

What size are your wheels?

I have the 19" wheels. I thought the 19" tyres could get expensive. I thought it might be cheaper to get smaller wheels and tyres and swap them over when the snow comes and goes.

I just wasn't sure whether they give you drive over anything grip or just a little bit extra.

[Steve748]

18" are difficult to get and 19" near impossible as winter tyres. Tyre manufactures list them but when the tyre place tries to get them it's very difficult. Try buy some 17" or 16" will be cheaper and easier to get.
It is worth it, the difference is between getting stuck on packed snow and being able to drive on it.

[anglaslt]

Originally Posted by stupot

I am seriously considering buying an old set of 17" alloys to put a set of winter tyres on.

Have any of you done this already, could you maybe write a little review of wheels size, tyre size and type, cost and end result?

Is it worth doing? Is the difference worth the expense?

Cheers

If I lived in Scotland I'd do exactly that. Buy a set of 17" wheels and fit 225/45 17 Vredestein Wintrac Xtremes or similar. There is obviously an initial extra outlay but tyre wear is spread over two sets of tyres. I do not like the idea of changing tyres on the rim twice a year and it cannot be good for the tyre beads. Run flats are difficult to change anyway, esp when cold.

In Lithuania it is mandatory to change between Nov-Mar and most people will keep two sets of wheels/tyres. On my 335i I change from 18" (255/35 and 225/40) to 17" and keep mobile all winter. By contrast the UK car stays put at the least sign of snow because it's difficult to justify the expense of winter tyres/wheels for just a few days each year in the south.

[doughboy]

I agree about changing tyres twice a year could be bad for rims/tyres.

But I couldn't bare spending 5 months a year with a shit set of 17" rims on i'm afraid.

When I lived in Switzerland, everyone had their small winter wheels on, even big mercs and bm's with rusty steel rims on, but in the UK for a few days I wouldn't go for that.

Vreds Wintrac extreme are readily available in the 19" BM sizes. Go for that IMO. It's the 18"/255 that are hard to come by.

I'll be ordering some winters in early for next winter, and a set of spare alloys of EBAY.

[Steve748]

Originally Posted by doughboy

IMO. It's the 18"/255 that are hard to come by.

I'll be ordering some winters early for next winter, and a set of spare alloys from EBAY.

18" winter tyres are available, not much choice though


Next winter? we still have 3 months of this winter to go