Just purchased 4x 205/55R16 Vredestein Snowtrac 3 for £323 including delivery. Vredestein Snowtrac 3 Winter Tyre Test Winner 2009

I have just bought 2 for the front £138 all in fitted, 15 inch, had the 2s last year lasted until July 34,000 miles

Hardly any tyre noise from the front now

I've bought four 16x6.5" beetle (5x100, ET42) steels for £80. Given them a fresh lick of paint, but can't seem to bring myself to buy the winter tyres to fit them now!!

Looking for 205/55R16 size, with at least a speed rating of V (149mph) or over.

Options so far appear to be:

-Cooper Weathermaster Snow (£64)

-Avon Ice Touring ST (£66)

-Vredestein Quadtrak 3 (£72)

-Vredestein Wintrak Extreme (£97)

Leaning towards the Avon's. Anyone got any feedback or advice on these tyres?

I've run the Nokian WR and WR-G2 at that size and rate them.

I've also heard good things about both of the Vred tyres.

I use Vredestein Snotracs (brilliant in snow, ice and slush), but even if they are speed rated for you needs (quite possibly not though) I think you would find your steering too vague with them fitted. The soft blocks with all those sipes in them has that effect and I guess any winter tyre will present the same problem to a greater or lesser degree.

Off topic, but just out of interest Bodge, I helped a guy buy the number plate BOD6E from the DVLA at auction. He's an agricultural contractor near Droitwich, and it looks great on his Defender.

I had the Avons on my vito last year. RW van V6 twin turbo diesel with 3-- BHP. Absolutely brilliant tyre. I would go for them again.

Regards

TC

I use Vredestein Snotracs (brilliant in snow, ice and slush), but even if they are speed rated for you needs (quite possibly not though) I think you would find your steering too vague with them fitted. The soft blocks with all those sipes in them has that effect and I guess any winter tyre will present the same problem to a greater or lesser degree.

Yeah those Snowtracs look pretty hardcore! Bet they are great in snow. Guess you can't have nobbly tyres, and a high speed rating in the same tyre. Like you say, they only go as far as H (130mph), and I'm not comfortable putting tyres on with a speed rating lower than my cars listed top speed. (I've hit 150mph on the clock in Germany before!)I know what you mean about the vague feeling with nobbly tyres. I've got Colway C-Trax Mud Terrain tyres on my Suzuki SJ, and although they are epic offroad and in snow, they are fairly horrific on the road!!

Yeah those Snowtracs look pretty hardcore! Bet they are great in snow. Guess you can't have nobbly tyres, and a high speed rating in the same tyre. Like you say, they only go as far as H (130mph), and I'm not comfortable putting tyres on with a speed rating lower than my cars listed top speed. (I've hit 150mph on the clock in Germany before!)I know what you mean about the vague feeling with nobbly tyres. I've got Colway C-Trax Mud Terrain tyres on my Suzuki SJ, and although they are epic offroad and in snow, they are fairly horrific on the road!!

The snotracs do make the steering a little vague, although strangely, at motorway speed they feel fine and it isn’t so noticeable. They are outstanding in the wet, especially when it is cold. But I don’t think I would try anything daring with them if they were fitted to my 123D.

I am loooking for a set of wheels for winter tyres, but could someone help me understand one thing please?

My Octavia (16" wheels) is listed as having PCD 5 by 112 which I do understand, but an offset of 35-45. The wheels I might buy have the same PCD but an offset of 42-50.

What is the offset? Does it need to be identical? Why a range?

Thanks!

What is the offset? Does it need to be identical? Why a range?

http://www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

See the diagram on the left of that page. The calculator will show you the impact of different offsets.

wega3k - thanks, that is helpful.

So two questions:

1. Why is the offset listed as a range? eg 35-45

2. Is it better to have a narrower tyre for snow? If I went from a 6.5J to a 6 there would appear to be more clearance all around.

Thanks

Just purchased 4x 205/55R16 Vredestein Snowtrac 3 for �323 including delivery. Vredestein Snowtrac 3 Winter Tyre Test Winner 2009

Have to say that over the last couple of days the ol' snowtrac3s have performed magnificantly on the scout.

its felt sooo stable and only felt the traction moving around under spirited acceleration (playing on a carpark ). Braking was responsive as well, with ABS kicking in twice.

so pleased i took the plunge and went for them, well worth the money (imho)

Jon