Hi All

Would appricate some advice on winter wheels and tyres.

Thinking of buying set of steels for my 1.2Tsi S ,I purchased a spare wheel when buying the car which has a 195/60/r16 tyre fitted , would 3 more of the same size wheels be suitable to make a full set for winter tyres and can anyone suggest a good winter tyre for this size wheel.?

Probably looking for next winter now as I realise there is a great demand and prices will be high.

One final question would one of my normal alloys with 215/60/r16s do for a spare (obviously a short term measure )

Apologies I do realize this subject has been kicked aound before but nothing quite specific on this

Bit late but happy new year to all

Hi All

Would appricate some advice on winter wheels and tyres.

Thinking of buying set of steels for my 1.2Tsi S ,I purchased a spare wheel when buying the car which has a 195/60/r16 tyre fitted , would 3 more of the same size wheels be suitable to make a full set for winter tyres and can anyone suggest a good winter tyre for this size wheel.?

Probably looking for next winter now as I realise there is a great demand and prices will be high.

One final question would one of my normal alloys with 215/60/r16s do for a spare (obviously a short term measure )

Apologies I do realize this subject has been kicked aound before but nothing quite specific on this

Bit late but happy new year to all

Hi and welcome

try this link The Plumbers tech guide in the Yeti Technical guide section.

Mike

Hi

The Plumbers guide is better than anything you will get from Skoda Uk and probably better than you will get from most dealers.

Having used his guide, and taken advice from Skoda UK, Skoda Cz and dealer:

I've got a 1.2 TSI SE DSG (17" alloys as standard with the spare wheel option) and put 16" 7J steel wheels on it with 205/55/R16 tyres (Michelin Alpin A4 as it happens).

Why?

a) its a Skoda recommended wheel and tyre size that allows snow chains on the front if they are ever needed, and which the insurance company would accept.

it was the cheapest combination by far - the narrower 6J spare wheel is dearer than the 7J, and the 205/60/R16 tyre size costs more than the 205/55/R16 which is a more common size.

c) back in November the use of 195/60/R16 tyres on the 6J rim didn't appear to be approved for normal running above 50mph/80 Kph - though that situation may have changed.

d) the actual speed being a further 3% below the indicated speed doesn't bother me.

If you do go for your suggested solution make sure your insurance company accepts it, preferably in writing.

Don't know where you are in Gloucestershire but I'm on the southern edge just off the M4/M5 intersection if you want to see what my combination looks like - some people don't like the "small" wheel in "large" wheel arch look. One thing in its favour - it doesn't clog up with snow!

I had to smile at the comment about small wheels in big arches, and I mean that in a sympathetic way. In particular if you were worried by that would you have gone for a Skoda, a fairly square Skoda and a 1.2 Skoda at that. Skoda as a brand is, on the whole, about substance over style and I personally would happily have smaller wheels if it meant that I had an improved ride and they cut through the snow better but it is not an option. In the past you had to choose to get bling wheels, now they are forced on you. Fine for those who want them, and many do and that is absolutely fine, but it is a pain for those of us who are not so bothered about style. So as Fred_Bristol sort of says, "get those smaller wheels" and stay safer on the roads.

if you want to see what my combination looks like - some people don't like the "small" wheel in "large" wheel arch look. One thing in its favour - it doesn't clog up with snow!

I've not heard of anybody yet with the 'big tyres' to have problems with clogging up with snow (or mud).

Go with whichever option you want, but the 205/55's do over read big time according to reports - 80mph indicated is a 72mph on a level straight road with TomTom.

My 215/60's are more compliant over bumps due to the higher profile and reads about 73mph for a TomTom indicated 70mph.

Mike

I've not heard of anybody yet with the 'big tyres' to have problems with clogging up with snow (or mud).

Go with whichever option you want, but the 205/55's do over read big time according to reports - 80mph indicated is a 72mph on a level straight road with TomTom.

My 215/60's are more compliant over bumps due to the higher profile and reads about 73mph for a TomTom indicated 70mph.

Mike

I've not heard of anybody yet with the 'big tyres' to have problems with clogging up with snow (or mud).

I did about 500 miles across Belgium, Holland and Germany non-stop in heavily falling snow and sub-zero temperatures before Christmas on 17" wheels (and winter tyres, obviously) - the arches did fill up a bit, but the only result was that it was a bit graunchy reversing on full lock when I did eventually park up.

Thanks to all for advice, went to my local Skoda dealer this morning who can get 6J steels for £61.25 inc vatt per wheel he also says the 7J would be quite a bit dearer both would be mid January delivery ,these prices seem a bit steep to me.

He also informed me to shop around for the tyres as they are quie scarce (I did expect this)

Sraight to a reputable tyre dealer ,(not one of the High street well known dealers) who regretfully informed me that due to demand from Gemany and a few more EEC countries there is very little chance of him getting any more stock in the near future, also that as we get futher into the year the manufactures switch production to summer and all weather tyres so the shortage willm probably continue.

Still a few more places to try so not given up yet.

Thanks for your help Bob

He also informed me to shop around for the tyres as they are quie scarce (I did expect this)

Sraight to a reputable tyre dealer ,(not one of the High street well known dealers) who regretfully informed me that due to demand from Gemany and a few more EEC countries there is very little chance of him getting any more stock in the near future, also that as we get futher into the year the manufactures switch production to summer and all weather tyres so the shortage willm probably continue.

Still a few more places to try so not given up yet.

Thanks for your help Bob

I got mine (Marangoni Meteo HPs) from mytyres.co.uk, who are based in Germany and had stock in December when everyone else seemed to have run out. Don't know what the situation is now, but worth a try.

Thanks to all for advice, went to my local Skoda dealer this morning who can get 6J steels for £61.25 inc vatt per wheel he also says the 7J would be quite a bit dearer both would be mid January delivery ,these prices seem a bit steep to me.

Every other Skoda dealer charges less for the 7Jx16's. The 6Jx16's have been much more expensive. I paid about £45 each for my steel 7Jx16's.

Mike

Thanks to all for advice, went to my local Skoda dealer this morning who can get 6J steels for £61.25 inc vatt per wheel he also says the 7J would be quite a bit dearer both would be mid January delivery ,these prices seem a bit steep to me.

He also informed me to shop around for the tyres as they are quie scarce (I did expect this)

Sraight to a reputable tyre dealer ,(not one of the High street well known dealers) who regretfully informed me that due to demand from Gemany and a few more EEC countries there is very little chance of him getting any more stock in the near future, also that as we get futher into the year the manufactures switch production to summer and all weather tyres so the shortage willm probably continue.

Still a few more places to try so not given up yet.

Thanks for your help Bob

We also only paid around £45 for our 7J wheels from our Skoda dealer, they always were cheaper than the 6J as far as I know, unless something has changed recently. Tony

We also only paid around £45 for our 7J wheels from our Skoda dealer, they always were cheaper than the 6J as far as I know, unless something has changed recently. Tony

You are correct, the 6J's are considerably more expensive. Naughty dealer telling 7029Bob a porkie. I suggest Bob asks the dealer just how much the 7J will be then if it's going to 'considerably dearer', he will get a surprise. £44.64 7J and £59.60 6J pre VAT increase.

My fellow Briskodians,

the benefits of winter tyres far outweigh ANY disadvantages.

I'm on my first set of Vredestein Snowtrac3s and they are simply amazing on my 1.2

Whilst it is the added traction that most seem to want winter tyres for, for me it is the

staggering improvement in cornering and especially stopping (The most important bit)

that impresses most.

When the tyres do reach the limit of their grip on corners they dont just let go and slide

with no grip like summers do - they retain the levels of grip reached just befor sliding.

In other words they are progressive.

They are confidence inspiring in the wet and through deeper puddles do not aquaplane

where the summers do.

I prefer small wheels in my big arches to a small Yeti in a big ditch!!!

Hi bob,

would probable advise fitting exactly the same sizes as you have as standard; 7Jx16 ET45 steel rims and 215/60 R16 winter tyres. However winters are difficult to come by in this size and more expensive but performance alloys have a couple of reasonable brands in stock.

If cost is a key consideration then 205/55 R16 91T or H would be the way to go. again I'd advise using the 7J rim as you could fit 215/60's to them in the future. For this option maybe consider a tyre and rim package from mytyres such as My link or just tyres on there own then these are a very good recommendation My link

Would leave the spare as it is, as the standard size tyre is a poor fit under the false floor.

Hope that's of help,

TP.

Allams have now got my steelies (7Jx16) ready for collection - and at £45 or so per wheel. I ordered them last Thursday and they arrived today - standard efficient Allams. Now waiting for the Vredestein winters to arrive....

Feltham tyres ltd near heathrow still has about 5 sets of 205/55H16 factory run dunlop winter 3D available on 6.5X16 steels available at £400 plus vat

Contact 0208 890 7138 (Peter)

Just ordered my 7J x 16 steels from Claybank Skoda Manchester. They are selling at £38.97 + VAT = £46.76 each. The factory has 36 sets for immediate delivery (3 days). Seems like a bargain..... all I have to do now is locate the winter tyres!

Now, do I go for Nokian WRG2 which are especially good on slush, but not he best on ice/snow, or Cont TS830 / Michelin A4 which are better on ice, but slush performance is not mentioned in the tyre tests?

(Curiously, the above price was obtained by searching for Yeti Steel Wheel on Skoda's parts ordering system. By searching instead for a 7x16 steel wheel the result is £8 +VAT more expensive, and quotes it as being an Octavia part.. I wonder if the Octavia's spare parts prices have been increased, but the Yeti's spares havent yet? They seem to have the same part number!!!)

Edited 5 January, 201115 yr by speedsport

I'm a little surprised that more people haven't gone for a set of used alloys for their winter sets.Lots available on the popular auction site, as long as you're confident with finding the size information. Got mine for £100 and they work fine.

I think though, if you follow what other members have posted up that has suited them, a reasonable amount of viable options exist. Just choose what suits you.

If speedo accuracy is paramount, then you can see which way to go, personally doesn't worry me in the slightest. Everyone will have their preferred option for sure.

Thanks to all for advice, went to my local Skoda dealer this morning who can get 6J steels for £61.25 inc vatt per wheel he also says the 7J would be quite a bit dearer both would be mid January delivery ,these prices seem a bit steep to me.

I'm surprised by the 7J being dearer than the 6J 16" steel wheels - it was the other way round in November.

About £46 for the 7J and £61 for the 6J (per wheel). I know Skoda have increased their prices but I didn't realise they had changed the relative prices.

I'm a little surprised that more people haven't gone for a set of used alloys for their winter sets.Lots available on the popular auction site, as long as you're confident with finding the size information. Got mine for £100 and they work fine.

+1

I have a lovely set from an Audi A4 Quattro and Mrs T's has got a beautiful set from a VW Bora on her Roomster. All then fitted with excellent winter tyres and approved by insurers. My set of wheels cost £100 all in and the Bora's were about £130 again all in from Fleabay. Tyres were about £300 a set on top.

So we are both driving around with wheels that look far better than 'Fiesta Popular' steelies, are VAG made and have, with the tyres, made driving this winter not just bearable but even enjoyable.

Edited 5 January, 201115 yr by Trevorminor

So EXACTLY what wheels off what models will fit?

I know the VW T4 van.......................

After placing my order 'on line' for winter tyres with Performance Alloys a week ago, I rang them to find out if they'd been despatched yet - as nothing had been heard since the order confirmation email.

Apparently nil stock, no other winter 215/60 16s in stock of any brand and no idea when they would have some. And no email or phone call to tell me.

Cancelled the order and have placed an order with mytyres instead.... So don't think just because an order is accepted then someone is going to send you what you want!

After placing my order 'on line' for winter tyres with Performance Alloys a week ago, I rang them to find out if they'd been despatched yet - as nothing had been heard since the order confirmation email.

Apparently nil stock, no other winter 215/60 16s in stock of any brand and no idea when they would have some. And no email or phone call to tell me.

Cancelled the order and have placed an order with mytyres instead.... So don't think just because an order is accepted then someone is going to send you what you want!

My order with Performance Alloys was also cancelled due unavailability but they did notify me the following day. I subsequently placed an order with "reifen.com" in Germany and I received the tyres this evening - approximately 3 weeks after ordering which is probably not too bad given the time of year and bad weather conditions. When I ordered the tyres availability at seemed to be OK. Good luck with the search!

Just been having a browse in the more obscure corners of the SUK web site and came across an article entitled;

Prepare Tyres Now For Treacherous Winter Conditions

Strangely there is no mention regard the availability or benefits of winter tyres, however you are advised to have a 20p coin at the ready :wonder:

prepare_tyres_now

Regards,

TP