After a few weeks thinking about what winter tyre to go for and what exact wheel I needed...

Ive finally ordered a set of steelies already to go with some Viking Snowtech 2 tyres. I went for 16" 205/55 94H fitment with a wheel offset of ET: 50.

The tyres are interesting as they are made by Continental in Sweden and that appears to be one of their biggest markets; as well as the Canadians also, who apparently rate them very highly. They are basically VERY similar to the ContiWinterContacts seen here, using the same compound and similar tread pattern:

ContiWinter tyre

I ordered from mytyres.co.uk for I think is quite a reasonable price (£420 delivered)

Here are the Viking SnowTech 2's:

Link to Snowtech 2 details

However, ive been watching the price of these and a couple of other winter tyres and the prices are starting to rise steadily.

If I'd have ordered three days ago I'd have saved a further £32! They even went up an additional 50 pence today!

So if you are sitting on the fence as I was my advice would be; if you are going to do it then do it before the prices rise further.

On the conti tyre it says the max width is 215 ???

The ADAC 2010 winter tyre test results are published tomorrow. The sizes tested - 185/65 15" and 225/45 17" don't quite fit the Yeti, but the larger size should be close enough for Yetis with 17" wheels.

15´" Test winner: Dunlop Winter Sport 3D MO

Three highly recommended: Goodyear UltrGrip 7+; Esa-Tech Supergrip 7 and ContiWinterContact TS830

17" test winner: Michelin Alpin A4

Two Highly recommended: ContiWinterContact TS830P; Dunlop Winter Sport 3D

On the conti tyre it says the max width is 215 ???

Yes, 215 is the maximum width they do as you shouldnt really be thinking about wider for snow use - narrower is better hence most manufacturers limit their winter tyres to around that width. I very nearly went for 215's but instead went for 205's.

Yes, 215 is the maximum width they do as you shouldnt really be thinking about wider for snow use - narrower is better hence most manufacturers limit their winter tyres to around that width. I very nearly went for 215's but instead went for 205's.

Gawd just when I thought I was beginning to get this winter tyre thing now I discover that to get a quote for putting on winter booties I should get a thinner tyre ??

Well I cant afford another set of wheels, and tyres even off ebay, so if someone would recommend the correct tyre spec for me to stick on my beast for the winter on my 17" alloys I will be a happy bunny lol

yours confusedly

Gawd just when I thought I was beginning to get this winter tyre thing now I discover that to get a quote for putting on winter booties I should get a thinner tyre ??

Well I cant afford another set of wheels, and tyres even off ebay, so if someone would recommend the correct tyre spec for me to stick on my beast for the winter on my 17" alloys I will be a happy bunny lol

yours confusedly

All the required info is in the manual or can be found in TP's excellent tech guide (which is what I used):

Tyres and Wheel fitting info

Gawd just when I thought I was beginning to get this winter tyre thing now I discover that to get a quote for putting on winter booties I should get a thinner tyre ??

Well I cant afford another set of wheels, and tyres even off ebay, so if someone would recommend the correct tyre spec for me to stick on my beast for the winter on my 17" alloys I will be a happy bunny lol

yours confusedly

I still can't see how you can warrant spending £80 at the start of winter to get the tyres swapped and then £80 in the spring to get them swapped back on, and then the same the year after, and after that and, and... I really don't see how you think you are saving money by spending £160 every year for the life of the car and not just buying a proper second winter set?

Well my tyre man charges £10 a wheel, so my "charges" would be half that, Johann

I still can't see how you can warrant spending £80 at the start of winter to get the tyres swapped and then £80 in the spring to get them swapped back on, and then the same the year after, and after that and, and... I really don't see how you think you are saving money by spending £160 every year for the life of the car and not just buying a proper second winter set?

They are excessive costs - try 50-60% LESS and thats certainly more realistic of the charges most outlets would charge around North London.

They are excessive costs - try 50-60% LESS and thats certainly more realistic of the charges most outlets would charge around North London.

OK... So £50 a time and £100 a year. Makes only a slight difference to the argument. You'll still be better off getting a full extra set IMHO.

They are excessive costs - try 50-60% LESS and thats certainly more realistic of the charges most outlets would charge around North London.

I'm struggling to understand why you want winter tyres when you live in North London. Unless you have a country retreat up a mountain in Wales :S I thought about getting a set of steel wheels and winter tyres and I have the space to store them but I think I'd rather just stay at home when the weather is really awful.

Stewart

I'm struggling to understand why you want winter tyres when you live in North London.

Yetis want to escape places like London as quick as they can. And to escape with a Yeti during the winter to Wales, Scotland or indeed go skiiing in Europe a Yeti needs winter tyres no matter where his house is!

I'm struggling to understand why you want winter tyres when you live in North London. Unless you have a country retreat up a mountain in Wales :S I thought about getting a set of steel wheels and winter tyres and I have the space to store them but I think I'd rather just stay at home when the weather is really awful.

Stewart

I live in Hertfordshire and commute daily to N. London.

I bought a 4x4 to use it as such. If I planned on simply staying indoors whenever it rained (winter tyres aren't just for snow!) I could have saved my self some money and gone for a very nice 1.2 2wd Yeti. After the snow earlier in the year I found the limitations even around the rural parts of Hertfordshire and our SM will be abroad each year and that plan next year involves some snow.

Edited 22 September, 201015 yr by FocusZtec

I'm struggling to understand why you want winter tyres when you live in North London. Unless you have a country retreat up a mountain in Wales :S I thought about getting a set of steel wheels and winter tyres and I have the space to store them but I think I'd rather just stay at home when the weather is really awful.

Stewart

It's a misconception that winter tyres are just for snow. They offer better grip in the more usual winter weather in the uk of cold and rain.

I still can't see how you can warrant spending £80 at the start of winter to get the tyres swapped and then £80 in the spring to get them swapped back on, and then the same the year after, and after that and, and... I really don't see how you think you are saving money by spending £160 every year for the life of the car and not just buying a proper second winter set?

ebay £95 for a set of audi alloys

Does anyone know what the XL stands for on tyres such as the Nokian WR G2?

Cheers

Does anyone know what the XL stands for on tyres such as the Nokian WR G2?

Cheers

Xl stands for xtra load meaning it has reinforced sidewalls.

Xl stands for xtra load meaning it has reinforced sidewalls.

Cheers

I live in Hertfordshire and commute daily to N. London.

I bought a 4x4 to use it as such. If I planned on simply staying indoors whenever it rained (winter tyres aren't just for snow!) I could have saved my self some money and gone for a very nice 1.2 2wd Yeti. After the snow earlier in the year I found the limitations even around the rural parts of Hertfordshire and our SM will be abroad each year and that plan next year involves some snow.

Fair enough, I don't have a commute so I don't have the same need to travel during bad weather and I couldn't persuade my wife to go anywhere on holiday that included cold and snow.

Stewart

I'm struggling to understand why you want winter tyres when you live in North London. Unless you have a country retreat up a mountain in Wales I thought about getting a set of steel wheels and winter tyres and I have the space to store them but I think I'd rather just stay at home when the weather is really awful.

Stewart

Some of us have to work !! I have had to take 6 days enforced holiday in the last 2 winters due to being unable to get out of our lane for snow and ice......and that in rural somerset !!!.....snow ??...in somerset ??

I can see your argument 9000 but a decent set of wheels and tyres is a fair whack to pay, but agree the overall cost saving would be better !

Gawd just when I thought I was beginning to get this winter tyre thing now I discover that to get a quote for putting on winter booties I should get a thinner tyre ??

Well I cant afford another set of wheels, and tyres even off ebay, so if someone would recommend the correct tyre spec for me to stick on my beast for the winter on my 17" alloys I will be a happy bunny lol

yours confusedly

Have seen some photos of jurno hack Monsters running on standard 17" Dolomite alloys fitted with Avon Ice Touring ST 205/50 R17 93H tyres My link.

This size of tyre is that recommended for use with the 6J x17 'Flash' alloy wheel (winter use). However the standard 7J x 17 alloys such as the Dolomite are also within the acceptable rim width range for this size (5.5 - 7.5J according to Avon). Therefore as a winter tyre size this may be a better option than the standard 225/50.

Hope that's of help,

TP

anyone ever used http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/ ??

Have seen some photos of jurno hack Monsters running on standard 17" Dolomite alloys fitted with Avon Ice Touring ST 205/50 R17 93H tyres My link.

This size of tyre is that recommended for use with the 6J x17 'Flash' alloy wheel (winter use). However the standard 7J x 17 alloys such as the Dolomite are also within the acceptable rim width range for this size (5.5 - 7.5J according to Avon). Therefore as a winter tyre size this may be a better option than the standard 225/50.

Hope that's of help,

TP

Yes it does many thanks again - are the elegances spitzberg 17" alloys the same dimensions as the dolomites ?

I have been down to see the chaps at Sheldons in Manchester and am about to order a set of Vredestein Nextremes and a set of Alloys from them. Decent replica wheels (S5/RS6 etc) with Audi centres should be around £400 fitted and swapped I reckon (the tyres are another matter). But my thinking is the tyres should last 3 winters and so use up a full cycle of normal tyre wear anyway and this leaves me with a set of alloys to flog at the end of it all. So as the tyres are not a fresh expense, I would hope to get say £150 for the wheels if they are in decent condition, costing my £250 over 3 years, or about £83 per year.

Obviously the cost comes down if you are buying 16"/17" wheels

Yes it does many thanks again - are the elegances spitzberg 17" alloys the same dimensions as the dolomites ?

Yes the Dolomite, Spitzberg and Anapurna alloys are all 7J x17

Regards,

TP