there was a piece on winter tyres on Radio 4 money box program, saturday gone.

The AA are calling for a industry wide policy on the fitting of Winter's.

Great idea. Stop the country from grinding to a halt.

Mike

Unfortunately it wont stop the country grinding to a halt, because even with them fitted there will still be "Richard Heads" who can't drive!!

Unfortunately it wont stop the country grinding to a halt, because even with them fitted there will still be "Richard Heads" who can't drive!!

Nicely put!

Agreed, but it would help.....

I was talking to a Swedish girl today who couldn't understand what all the fuss is about over here - as we know, she said that they by law have to change from summer to winter tyres on a certain date and back on another. They have snow for 3 months, not our 3 days, or maybe 3 weeks up in Scotland. (maybe longer, only God knows.)

Mike

I too have a mate in Sweden who drives a Fabia VRS...but on studded winter tyres. As stated, it's law over there.

My company exports all over Europe. Last week we were not able to ship any goods out and no raw materials were able to come in. The situation is better this week but deliveries coming in are coming a day or two later and that is causing problems. Do any of my end users care? No, of course not. They care that their factories are still producing and if I can not get my goods to them then they will buy them from my German competitors. The fact that I can get to work in my Yeti is of no use if the rest of the country is at a standstill. Cars, lorries, transits all need to keep moving not crashing.

I don't like the idea of having to get winter tyres but if it means that my business, and everyone else's can keep running that it is something we have to deal with. Anyone who has their own business will understand that we do not have a safety net that govt / state employees have and so snow is an absolute evil.

A bit of a rant this but when I might lose business because of the fact that our transport network has collapsed and that business pays my mortgage then it is a serious matter. Multiply this around the country and a lot of people are affected because we use the wrong tyres.

I'm going to have a cup of tea and some chocolate now to calm me down. (could you tell that I have just recd news of a delivery coming in late which means I will not be able to supply one of my Eastern European customers this week. Why, "snow issues!!!")

Agreed, but it would help.....

I was talking to a Swedish girl today who couldn't understand what all the fuss is about over here - as we know, she said that they by law have to change from summer to winter tyres on a certain date and back on another. They have snow for 3 months, not our 3 days, or maybe 3 weeks up in Scotland. (maybe longer, only God knows.)

Mike

Except that winter tyres are for winter, not just snow. The temperature is below 7c for a lot longer than 3 weeks of the year, I can assure you (!) and winter tyres perform better at these temperatures.

Edited 19 December, 201015 yr by pixor

Except that winter tyres are for winter, not just snow. The temperature is below 7c for a lot longer than 3 weeks of the year, I can assure you (!) and winter tyres perform better at these temperatures.

+ 1

People just don't seem to grasp this fact! Winters tyres are for winter conditions. They don't just hold advantages over standard tyres for the single week of snow we get! I drove on the Dunlop sports on change over day and then did the same route just 2 hours later on the winters - the difference was very noticeable. :yes:

According to the weather station in my back garden, the temperature has not risen above +7 Centigrade since 21st November - even in balmy Essex. And it's not half way through winter yet :'(

I had not heard of winter tyres until this forum highlighted them. Now I'm thinking that they represent the best £400 that I have ever spent on improving a car. Even Mrs Trevorminor's Roomster has been totally transformed by fitting them.

And to think that colleagues and friends ridiculed the idea of buying a 4WD - particularly a Skoda and then thought that I had totally lost it when I went out and imported some winter tyres. I am now laughing as I am able to get to work and save my holiday for when I want to take it!

And prices have now gone ballistic since they are now being publicised on TV & the press - why? 'cos there are virtually no stocks un the UK!

Some premium brand winter tyres have now more than doubled in price since beginning of November.

A for Skoda wheels - my dealer tells me that his next supply of 16" steels is not likely to arrive until late January - or is that just him exagerating - again!

.

Edited 21 December, 201015 yr by speedsport

You can say that again

Well, I've had a right old game trying to get kitted out with winter tyres and rims.

Originally ordered Vredestein snowtrac 3s complete with steel rims - cost £468 from mytyres.

Replied shortly after saying the tyres weren't in stock. Hmmm

Decided to get rims and tyres independently. Skoda chap told me they were immediately available so told

him I was going to order some tyres from pneus online (netherlands) who had stock of Michelin Alpin A4.

I paid for the tyres by debit card and then phoned the Skoda dealer to order the Steel rims.

Imagine my surprise when told that the rims available had now all gone and that they'd need to go on back order

with a delivery date of 12th Jan or so! Hey ho I thought - better late than never.

Imagine my further surprise when Pneus online informed me that they hadn't actually got any tyres and

refunded my money! So, rims in january and nowt to put on them.

Phoned god knows how many tyre suppliers to be told the same thing "You want what? Snow tyres? None in the

country mate - all going to Europe"

Had a call today from Skoda saying that they didn't know how, but the steel wheels arrived today.

Made a speculative call to Tyremen who had some Apollo Acelere winter tyres for £99 each and had loads.

Couldn't find any tests for this tyre cos they newly introduced by the new indian manufacturer. Not keen cos they

ain't exactly cheap and come with no track record or test data.

Phoned wheelbase in Oldham (01616280000) who also stock the Apollo to find out if they knew anything.

Imagine my surprise (again) when they told me that they had 8 Vredestrein Snowtrac 3s in stock (205/55/16/91H)

and that the could ship tomorrow.

Well, I've ordered 4 to be delivered to the dealer that's got the wheels. He'll fit the tyres and have them ready for Thurs.

That's the plan, but with my track record I'll update this post with what went wrong before the weekend!

If it works out, I'll report on the Vreds

Well, I've had a right old game trying to get kitted out with winter tyres and rims.

Originally ordered Vredestein snowtrac 3s complete with steel rims - cost £468 from mytyres.

Replied shortly after saying the tyres weren't in stock. Hmmm

Decided to get rims and tyres independently. Skoda chap told me they were immediately available so told

him I was going to order some tyres from pneus online (netherlands) who had stock of Michelin Alpin A4.

I paid for the tyres by debit card and then phoned the Skoda dealer to order the Steel rims.

Imagine my surprise when told that the rims available had now all gone and that they'd need to go on back order

with a delivery date of 12th Jan or so! Hey ho I thought - better late than never.

Imagine my further surprise when Pneus online informed me that they hadn't actually got any tyres and

refunded my money! So, rims in january and nowt to put on them.

Phoned god knows how many tyre suppliers to be told the same thing "You want what? Snow tyres? None in the

country mate - all going to Europe"

Had a call today from Skoda saying that they didn't know how, but the steel wheels arrived today.

Made a speculative call to Tyremen who had some Apollo Acelere winter tyres for £99 each and had loads.

Couldn't find any tests for this tyre cos they newly introduced by the new indian manufacturer. Not keen cos they

ain't exactly cheap and come with no track record or test data.

Phoned wheelbase in Oldham (01616280000) who also stock the Apollo to find out if they knew anything.

Imagine my surprise (again) when they told me that they had 8 Vredestrein Snowtrac 3s in stock (205/55/16/91H)

and that the could ship tomorrow.

Well, I've ordered 4 to be delivered to the dealer that's got the wheels. He'll fit the tyres and have them ready for Thurs.

That's the plan, but with my track record I'll update this post with what went wrong before the weekend!

If it works out, I'll report on the Vreds

Edited 21 December, 201015 yr by jessica

We had a similar experience with Skoda wheels. After SUK telling me I couldn't have 205/60's on our model Yeti, I had to change the wheel order from 6J to 7J so we could fit 215/60's, and was then told January 12th for delivery, only for the wheels to turn up without warning a few days later! We already had the tyres from mytyres sat in the shed, luckily bought just before the price hikes(they are selling Nokians now in this size for over £300 each). We bought Kleber Krisalp HP2 215/60/16 99H XL M&S, made by Michelin in Poland I think, and can only say we are amazed at the improvement.

Living on the side of a hill with a bend, it is now covered with compacted snow and ice, polished nicely by all the drivers trying and failing to get up, and we only just made it up previously, but now we can drive up with ease. The tyres feel really grippy, and also give a much softer ride over the frozen bumps. This is our first experience with Winter tyres, and we are very impressed, feels much safer all round, and are converts totally to Winter tyres. Tony

Ordered some winters (Bridgestone Blizzak) on rims for the wife's Fabia II from mytyres on the 9th. There currently in a DPD depot on the Rhine, having been in transit since Friday :(

Might get them in time for the forecast thaw starting next week

TP

Seriously thinking of joining the winter tyre converts and have a quick question from any CR170 keepers who are already converts. I've trawled through various tyre threads and apologise it it's been asked before.

Given the size of the spare wheel (ie a 16" rim), but with 17" rims as standard, I'm presuming that there is adequate clearance between the big calipers and the 16" alloys/steels for the winter tyres? Od do most stick with 17"?

It looks like it should be okay...

Seriously thinking of joining the winter tyre converts and have a quick question from any CR170 keepers who are already converts. I've trawled through various tyre threads and apologise it it's been asked before.

Given the size of the spare wheel (ie a 16" rim), but with 17" rims as standard, I'm presuming that there is adequate clearance between the big calipers and the 16" alloys/steels for the winter tyres? Od do most stick with 17"?

It looks like it should be okay...

Hi aero,

16's are fine for a 170; Agerbundsen's for example came with them as standard (215/60 R16 95H on Moon alloys) also runs winters in the same size.

Anyway hope your having a good Christmas.

Regards,

TP

Hi aero,

16's are fine for a 170; Agerbundsen's for example came with them as standard (215/60 R16 95H on Moon alloys) also runs winters in the same size.

Anyway hope your having a good Christmas.

Regards,

TP

Thanks, TP. I thought you might know what's what...! Next stop some smart black steelies, me thinks. I reckon look smart, especially with the Skoda centre caps.

(PS Christmas going okay so far, thanks. Trust yours is too.)

Thanks, TP. I thought you might know what's what...! Next stop some smart black steelies, me thinks. I reckon look smart, especially with the Skoda centre caps.

(PS Christmas going okay so far, thanks. Trust yours is too.)

thanks yes

Would probably advise going for VAG steel wheels if possible; have a set of steels from mytyres for my wife's Fabia II. Appear to be of good quality, however the Skoda wheel trims don't quite fit as well; also read similar findings on the forum.

Regards,

TP

thanks yes

Would probably advise going for VAG steel wheels if possible; have a set of steels from mytyres for my wife's Fabia II. Appear to be of good quality, however the Skoda wheel trims don't quite fit as well; also read similar findings on the forum.

Regards,

TP

I agree about the wheels. I'm sure Allams will be able to get hold of some - and it's an excuse to blag another coffee of James...

I agree about the wheels. I'm sure Allams will be able to get hold of some - and it's an excuse to blag another coffee of James...

hoping for my next coffee down there early March all being well Although that currently feels a life time away :(

TP

Next stop some smart black steelies, me thinks. I reckon look smart, especially with the Skoda centre caps.

Hey Aerofurb

I have a white monster with black Skoda steelies from James and black centre caps - take a look at this:

Cappuccino/white SM

wheel

brand new

Mike

edit: they are T5 centre caps with Skoda badges glued on. added more photos

Edited 26 December, 201015 yr by rockhopper

Hey Aerofurb

I have a white monster with black Skoda steelies from James and black centre caps - take a look at this:

Cappuccino/white SM

wheel

brand new

Mike

edit: they are T5 centre caps with Skoda badges glued on. added more photos

Hi Mike

I have the black steel winter wheels as well with VW centre caps (on a red Pat Monster Jr).

Doesn't look quite as good as on the white model.

What size are the Skoda badges and which supplier did you use?

(Being lazy - haven't done a search)

Fred

Hi Mike

I have the black steel winter wheels as well with VW centre caps (on a red Pat Monster Jr).

Doesn't look quite as good as on the white model.

What size are the Skoda badges and which supplier did you use?

(Being lazy - haven't done a search)

Fred

Hi Fred. Glad you're enjoying Pat. I've now done about 1650 miles in Elsie.

These are the skoda badges I have used:

My link

Mike