I wanted a set of winter tyres made up (with the rims, for ease and convenience0 before Christmas, as I was off to Germany, and I've been caught before. So - research.

The ADAC "highly recommended" the Dunlop SP Winter Sport 3D (The ADAC are bloody difficult to please, so "Highly Recommended" is not commonplace) - so I got them in 195/65 R15 H. In Germany, they advise fitting the next size down from your standard summer wheels - no idea why - but as the Octy II can take 195/65s, that's what I got.

Over these past few days, I've had the chance to test them on powdery snow, compacted snow, slush and ice. They are first-class, and I had not one slip or slide, and could drive comfortably at reasonable speeds, unlike the other drivers with their summer tyres. On normal roads, wet or dry, you wouldn't even know they were winter tyres. Performances are really by far the best I've had from winter tyres. On my old MkI Octy, I had Continentals, and was glad when I could change back for the summer tyres. With these, I'm really at ease. Recommended.

Had a set of Continental TS810 for the past 2 years and changed to the 3Ds last month.

Satisfied with the tires (205/55 VR 16 as 3D and 205/55 HR16 as TS810), a little bit more humming (if I am really listening) than the TS but very nice to drive. As we are having snow at the moment, grip is very good.

I will never purchase Dunlop tyres after what mine did on my car after two years - shocking

Hope yours prove to be ok.

Edited 7 January, 200917 yr by jamesmckelvie

Those Dunlops rate very highly with the folks in the US on Tirerack.com too.

Just for contrast ...

My summer tyres are Avon ZZ3 225/45/17

my winter tyres are Avon ice touring 195/65/15.

I'm happy with both sets.

cheers ... Darren

I will never purchase Dunlop tyres after what mine did on my car after two years - shocking

Hope yours prove to be ok.

Well, come on, tell us! What did they do? Which type were they?

They were the original supplied Dunlops with the car 01 sport I think they were called. They split in between the treads, not just little splits, but ones that went round the circumference of the tyre. They didn't even last 24 mths.

They were the original supplied Dunlops with the car 01 sport I think they were called. They split in between the treads, not just little splits, but ones that went round the circumference of the tyre. They didn't even last 24 mths.

Point taken. All of them? Sounds unusual to say the very least. Dunlops have a pretty solid reputation. Any idea of the cause?

They were the original supplied Dunlops with the car 01 sport I think they were called. They split in between the treads, not just little splits, but ones that went round the circumference of the tyre. They didn't even last 24 mths.

I also have these Dunlops on my car, from new. The front ones are almost slicks after only 14000 miles :(

My 01 Sports only lasted about 14K miles on the front....... loadsa grip, though!!!!!! Glad I wasn't paying the bill for new tyres...........

Point taken. All of them? Sounds unusual to say the very least. Dunlops have a pretty solid reputation. Any idea of the cause?

Sorry no idea of the cause, however the service guy at my dealer, instantly said when I told him the problem 'are they dunlops'.

Hope you have more success with yours. The ones they put on the Octavias are cheapies, so maybe if you pay extra like you did they are better quality.

The Dunlop SP9000 on one of my Astras did exactly the same. One of them the whole tread came off like a big rubber band and overtook me. Never again.