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Just fitted winter tyres......remoulds!

Fatbloke
in Skoda Fabia Mk2 (2007-2014)

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Having regularly used remoulds when they were all I could afford and, to be honest, always being happy with their performance, I have no qualms about using them. Before I took the plunge though I did some research and found a number of articles and papers with some interesting information that came from studies commissioned by government bodies in the US and Europe. One of the studies involved collecting roadside debris and analysing it, apparently they can tell the difference in source between retread materials and original. The ratio of material found reflected the ratio of retread to new tyres dispelling the myth that all the roadside tyre rubbish is mainly from remoulds (overheating of poorly maintained tyres is the main reason for disintegrating tyres). Another study investigated the performance of winter tyres comparing premium, budget and retread winter tyres. The test involved assessing lateral grip (cornering) and longtitudinal grip (braking) in the wet and dry at reduced temperatures. The result was that obviously the premium tyres were the best in all categories but the surprise was that the remoulds were only a small amount behind them and the budgets were significantly down. The reduced performance of the retreads was down to the use of summer carcasses being slightly stiffer than the winter specific carcasses. The main reason for commissioning the studies is to be able to promote the green angle of recycling and re-use and being confident that they are actually safe.

I fitted German Winter Tact WT81 from Mytyres ~£32 + £8 mounting, balance and valve, a corner in 185/55 15 H size to 6Jx15 steel rims (TUV recommendation for M+S tyres from The Plumbers link attached to various posts mainly in the Yeti Forum as there is no specific M+S recommendation in the UK). I drove them tonight on a mixture of wet and dry roads and to be honest they far exceeded my expectations. The ride is comfortable, the grip is very good and they are so quiet after the OE Bridgestones.

If they was still in business I would consider buying Colway/C-Tyres Remolds. My dad used Colways with soft Avon rubber on for his MG Maestro, Winter/all-season tyres on Mum's AX and I had Colways on my old Metro. I actually found they had better wet grip than cheap budgets. They were even cheaper than them.

Colways were produced in the UK (Langley Moor, Durham) and I have spoken to the distributor Fred Henderson many times. They use Michelin tread patterns and I believe Avon Rubber. They were used in Racing in a class or Porsches, several classes of Rallying & Rallycross.

It is just a shame the recession hit them and they went into administration a few years ago.

If they are reliable and safe...Why not?? :thumbup:

I have used part worns and remoulds on many occasions in the past. I would have to think hard about it now as i am better off now then I was as a youngster but i wouldn't EVER dismiss either out of hand without proper reason. Carry on using them and save yourself some dosh! Any numpty can drive outside the limits of a set of hoops and cause an accident, a GOOD driver will understand what the road, rubber, etc is telling them and drive accordingly, regardless of whether the tyres are top drawer or third rate!

Oh, and a bad driver will ALWAYS blame the car, the road, next door neighbours best friend's cousin's cat... You know, the one that keeps running into the road, rather than accept they drive like Stevie Wonder, with earplugs in!

Anything bigger than a van is probably running remoulds anyway, so as long as they're from a reputable source, I can't see a problem. As you say, there are definite environmental advantages to remoulds, as although all the individual components of a tyre can be recycled or reused, separating them is extremely difficult...

Hi, can I just ask have you fitted the 15" wheels to your Fabia Dsg. Only reason I ask is that I have some spare 15 inch Fabia alloys which i want to put winter tyres on but was unsure if they would fit ok over the front brakes as they seem bigger on the dsg models?. Many Thanks.

  • Author

Hi, can I just ask have you fitted the 15" wheels to your Fabia Dsg. Only reason I ask is that I have some spare 15 inch Fabia alloys which i want to put winter tyres on but was unsure if they would fit ok over the front brakes as they seem bigger on the dsg models?. Many Thanks.

I fitted 15" steel rims off a mark 1 Octy 6Jx15 ET38 and they fit fine over the 288mm brakes ( the same as the vRS Fabia I&II) The new Fabia S also comes with the TSI engine on 6Jx15 ET43 so I shouldn't think there is an issue. I think there are posts in the Fabia I forum where they have put winters on 15" alloys on their vRSs too.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

Well surely remoulds are much better than having summer tyres or having bald tyres anyway. Thank you for the advise will get some winters ordered for mine now :thumbup: did think that the s and se dsg had 15's but just wanted to check, prob wont be icy or snowy now lol. Sorry to hijack the thread.

I have never even thought about having different tyres depending on the time of year. My tyres work really well wet or dry. Maybe its because I am a Southerner right on the South Coast with little in the way of hills. Perhaps if I lived 'oop North' I would change my tune given the more inclement weather they get up there.

I did get stuck last year though. We had sneaky French snow surprise us from the South and I got stuck overnight in a tiny village (with a fabulous pub and friendly locals). Just couldnt get up and over the South Downs. Would winter tyres have really made a huge difference in 5 inches of snow ?

Its a pricey option as I would need 4 rims and the tyres for something i wouldnt need often. Maybe a set of snow chains would be a better investment :yes:

Edited by raisbeck

I have never even thought about having different tyres depending on the time of year. My tyres work really well wet or dry. Maybe its because I am a Southerner right on the South Coast with little in the way of hills. Perhaps if I lived 'oop North' I would change my tune given the more inclement weather they get up there.

I did get stuck last year though. We had sneaky French snow surprise us from the South and I got stuck overnight in a tiny village (with a fabulous pub and friendly locals). Just couldnt get up and over the South Downs. Would winter tyres have really made a huge difference in 5 inches of snow ?

Its a pricey option as I would need 4 rims and the tyres for something i wouldnt need often. Maybe a set of snow chains would be a better investment :yes:

Yes they would.

What you dont realise is that winter Tyres give better grip on cold wet roads too..even on sheet ice as well

Regarding; would wintertyres have made any difference in 5 inches of snow.

I live in Stockholm / Sweden. We tend to get a huge amount of snow every year around December.

Honestly, using summertyres is like trying to run on sheet ice with your sneakers.... Not good at all =)

With proper wintertyres you can manage more then 5 inches of snow safely (if you have enough groundclearance).

I`ll be happy to post a review of the Fabia II 105DSG snowhandling as soon as mine arrives, (it will be equipped with Good year Ulra Grip ICE+).

Bestr regards

//

Bäverhanne

Regarding; would wintertyres have made any difference in 5 inches of snow.

I live in Stockholm / Sweden. We tend to get a huge amount of snow every year around December.

Honestly, using summertyres is like trying to run on sheet ice with your sneakers.... Not good at all =)

With proper wintertyres you can manage more then 5 inches of snow safely (if you have enough groundclearance).

I`ll be happy to post a review of the Fabia II 105DSG snowhandling as soon as mine arrives, (it will be equipped with Good year Ulra Grip ICE+).

Bestr regards

//

Bäverhanne

After displaying my ignorance of winter tyre benefits I did some research. This has resulted in me aiming to get some winter tyres fitted this weekend. Ruddy hard to find down here, nobody stocks them. I wanted the Dunlop SP Winter Response. I also now own some 'autosocks' B) . Just in case.......

After displaying my ignorance of winter tyre benefits I did some research. This has resulted in me aiming to get some winter tyres fitted this weekend. Ruddy hard to find down here, nobody stocks them. I wanted the Dunlop SP Winter Response. I also now own some 'autosocks' B) . Just in case.......

What size?

What size?

Try not to laugh.....this IS a Greenline Fabia

165-70-14

Thinner is better on snow anyway......not so sure about ice. My tyre choices are limited. I may go for Nokians. I have mailed a few local fitters, will see what they come up with.

  • Author

Try not to laugh.....this IS a Greenline Fabia

165-70-14

Thinner is better on snow anyway......not so sure about ice. My tyre choices are limited. I may go for Nokians. I have mailed a few local fitters, will see what they come up with.

I had excellent service from mytyres and I'm sure there'll be a fitting partner near you or you can have them delivered free to your home/work etc and have them fitted wherever you fancy

I had excellent service from mytyres and I'm sure there'll be a fitting partner near you or you can have them delivered free to your home/work etc and have them fitted wherever you fancy

Thanks for the links, mytyres do the Dunlops I was after. If I get no luck from the local places I will order them online.

Nokians get good reviews so I will get them instead if available locally.

I used the find a fitter guide on that link and they have an installer just down the road from me !! Nokians and Dunlops. If they have the dunlops I will get them. Cheers !!

........i think the issue with winter tyres is not because they are useful in snow and icey conditions but they maintain there flexibility when temprtures drop below 7 degrees .

.........Sommer tyres tend to become too hard when it gets really cold making them slippery talking from my personal experience ........hope im not wrong :)

  • Author

........i think the issue with winter tyres is not because they are useful in snow and icey conditions but they maintain there flexibility when temprtures drop below 7 degrees .

.........Sommer tyres tend to become too hard when it gets really cold making them slippery talking from my personal experience ........hope im not wrong :)

That and the siping - the small zig zag grooves in the tread blocks allow the tyre to present more edges to grip with. Additionally the tread patterns promote snow clearance from the tyre surface rather than just blocking up and presenting a smooth surface.

  • 2 weeks later...

I've just fitted snow tyres to the front of my Ibiza. I now have a bit of traction in the snow!!

The cost, £70 for the 2, I chased around trying to get some steel wheels, I eventually got 2 Golf wheels from a VW breakers for £30 the pair. My Son has just bought six Part worn Pirelli P Zero K6 M+S tyres in 205/65 x 15 for £95 inc carriage, he put four on his BMW, I got the other 2 off him for £30, it cost me a tenner to have them fitted to the rims. There is not much clearance around the arch but the don't touch!! Incidently 15" steel rims go over 288mm discs & callipers

Just been out in the snow and the grip is tremendous, I live on a slight hill and after snow I go out downhill and always come back in at the top of the street, i can now drive up from the bottom of the street!! One downside of the tyres is the noise they really howl, but they are a competition tyre & designed to provide maximum grip with no thoughts given to tyre noise!! I just need to be wary about the lack of grip at the back of the car!!!

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  • Author

Update on the remoulds. Flippin brilliant! I am staggered at the extra grip afforded in the snow. I was expecting a slight improvement but they really are significantly better than expected. I was impressed before the snow at their grip, ride and noise but I cannot recommend winter tyres enough now they have been 'tested' in some proper weather

  • 1 year later...

Update on the remoulds. Flippin brilliant! I am staggered at the extra grip afforded in the snow. I was expecting a slight improvement but they really are significantly better than expected. I was impressed before the snow at their grip, ride and noise but I cannot recommend winter tyres enough now they have been 'tested' in some proper weather

Just used my Winter Tact WT81 tyres in anger for the first time, excellent grip both in the snow and sheet ice. Thank you for recommending them Fatbloke.

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