Firstly a big thanks to to Phil/Philpix/Gizmo68.

The Avon Ice Tourers sound just the ticket...as used in Yorkshire (Snow..What Snow!!?) & I'm doing my research on them now Price etc.

Is there a web site or forum specifically for tyres on the www.?

We have to drive to the Fatherland this week (My Sturmabteilung Oberbefehlshaber has a need to review the shops und Christkindelsmarkt) & of course the new tyre regulations mean that winter tyres are not only desireable, but also compulsory, unless one wishes to lose the case in court....

Are any winter tyres considered, not worth the money-poor value-unsuitable?

Are there winter tyres that are considered to be good, or very good, but also affordable - value for money?

Thanks,

Tdm.

If you find a good deal from a reputable company based in the UK please post their details and price, I'll order some too.

Thanks,

Mark.

Hi Chaps,

having spent a few years in the Fatherland, I tended to use reviews from the ADAC. Basically Germany's equivalent to the AA but they appear to do a lot of independant testing & lobbying.

please find a link for a summary of tyre tests for R16 - 205/55 tyres (H speed rating ~130mph) - Load rating not specified, I'm not sure what the Superb requires... mines not due for about another 10 days.....

http://www.adac.de/infotestrat/tests/reifen/winterreifen/2009_Winterreifen_Test_205_55_R16.aspx?ComponentId=29880&SourcePageId=31821

Personnally I have always stuck with Conti tyres & have always found them to be very good, ie. never had an issue - the WinterContact TS830 is what I would choose - being in Manchester & the low milage we'll do in the Superb I won't be buying any. I'll risk the company car first (a Golf Bluemotion - has shown surprisingly good handling) - don't tell the boss.

The ADAC is often quite critical of cheaper "no name" brands. They always say the few pennies saved are not worth it! Be it grip & handling or longevity. For this reason I would personnally always stick to a main brand, the amount of testing they do gives me much more faith in them

A quick translation of the headings for you is as follows:

ADAC - Urteil = ADAC Results

Trocken = Dry

Nass = Wet

Schnee = Snow

Eis = Ice

Gerausch/Komfort = Noise/Comfort

Kraftstoffverbrauch = Fuel consumption

Verscheiss = Wear (how many miles you'll get from a tyre)

Hope this helps

Stef

Just thought I'd pass comment on how good winter tyres are.... Bloody great! To think that you can basically do a slalom down a gentle incline and be in full control when driving on compacted snow & ice at well below sub zero temeratures! The first time you drive with winter tyres in such conditions you think it simply defies the laws of physics! I think companies should supply company car drivers winter tyres - the rest of us should decide if we really need to travel - risk a bump or as usual stump up the bill. In Germany I used to pay about €600-650 for a set of 4 tyres on (including) steel wheels, fitted. Over here you're looking at around £700 for the same. Rip-off Brtiain spring to mind?

Edited 5 December, 201015 yr by sk8tergirl

eBay: 2nd hand 16" Audi Alloys..£120

Camskil (September) Kumho KW27 Winter tyres £46 each

Fitting £40

A no brainer!!!

Edited 5 December, 201015 yr by ChrisRs