This has been touched on in another thread but that has got so big now I thought it worth starting this as a separate issue. There are lots of people who post regarding Winter Tyres and their benefits but few who cover All Season tyres. I would be interested to hear from people who use them as to how they find them throughout the year. Are they noisier than summer tyres for the bulk of the year, do they wear more, have you noticed an improvement in grip on snow and ice over summer tyres? Basically, do you find them a genuine alternative as an all year round tyre compared to using a standard summer tyre all of the year?

I would like to avoid Winter Tyre issues here, we know the benefits of winter tyres but this thread is for people who are thinking of using All Season Tyres all of the year, those who only want one set of tyres, not two.

Got Quatrac 3`s on my Octavie which are M and S ratedsince November and have been great over some 4000 miles in all weathers. Big difference in snow and just back from Germany incuding some awful wet conditions on autobahn.Not noticably noiser and dont go for high speed cornering these days, but seem to be fine. Had to brake hard in dry conditions and stopped very well thankfully. Also seem to give a softer ride over speed bumps and pot holes!

Price for 205/60/15H `s £80 each fitted was no more than Dunlop summers, with softer compound may not last as long but will probably be ok until Yeti time (thinking Sept) :yes:

Think they would make a great option on SM`s although test drove a 4wd DSG with ordinary tyres on snow and ice up and down some steepish inclines and was impressed but all season tyres would seem a good idea especially in hilly areas and if we do get more snow on a regular basis. The Germans have the right idea regarding winter tyres.

Edited 19 January, 201115 yr by Maffa

We have Goodyear Vector 4 Season tyres on the Yeti.

For our personal use they suit the car very well.

We have them in the standard size on the standard 17" alloys.

We only do 3k or 4k miles a year in the vehicle, so to have two sets of tyres and have to change them every 2k miles seemed a bit silly.

I find them almost as quiet as the Dunlops Skoda supply as standard. There is very little in it.

Roadholding is very good and they do perform much better than the Dunlops on snow and ice, which they have been used for. It also feels better when driving through standing water.

I have yet to experience them in the summer though.

A slight outrider as I don't have my SM yet, but my wife has a Fiat Panda Cross 4x4 which came with Continental all season tyres as standard. They have worn well, performed excellently in the recent bad weather (better than the standard Continentals on my Octavia Scout in terms of braking on ice, for example) but are to my ears slightly noisier than the standard Continentals she had in her previous Panda 4x4 (not a big problem as we tend not to use this car for long journeys). I know it's not a Yeti, but it's comparing like with like in my wife's case.

A slight outrider as I don't have my SM yet, but my wife has a Fiat Panda Cross 4x4 which came with Continental all season tyres as standard. They have worn well, performed excellently in the recent bad weather (better than the standard Continentals on my Octavia Scout in terms of braking on ice, for example) but are to my ears slightly noisier than the standard Continentals she had in her previous Panda 4x4 (not a big problem as we tend not to use this car for long journeys). I know it's not a Yeti, but it's comparing like with like in my wife's case.

Which (make and size) Conti's came with the Cross?

Slight deviation here (why break the habit of a lifetime!)...can you still buy new a Panda Cross or the 1.2 4x4 from Fiat showrooms? Hardly any about.... either the Cross or the 1.2 petrol 4x4 new or used. The choice of very small 4x4's seems to be limited to Jimny, Panda, Terios or used Terios (Mark one) or used Ignis 4x4 and the Pandas and Jimnys don't seem to be advertised new very much. Does your Cross seem high enough off the ground to warrant it being used in bad conditions ie. where you wouldn't want to go with something more conventional, do you think? As I mentioned in another current topic, I'm sort of chewing over a small 4x4.

I read that the new Panda won't be here till 2012....delayed to to the current state of affairs... generally, and with Fiat's financial situation.

Edited 19 January, 201115 yr by oldstan

Which (make and size) Conti's came with the Cross?

Slight deviation here (why break the habit of a lifetime!)...can you still buy new a Panda Cross or the 1.2 4x4 from Fiat showrooms? Hardly any about.... either the Cross or the 1.2 petrol 4x4 new or used. The choice of very small 4x4's seems to be limited to Jimny, Panda, Terios or used Terios (Mark one) or used Ignis 4x4 and the Pandas and Jimnys don't seem to be advertised new very much. Does your Cross seem high enough off the ground to warrant it being used in bad conditions ie. where you wouldn't want to go with something more conventional, do you think? As I mentioned in another current topic, I'm sort of chewing over a small 4x4.

I read that the new Panda won't be here till 2012....delayed to to the current state of affairs... generally, and with Fiat's financial situation.

Good morning, Oldstan

First, an apology - my wife's Fiat panda Cross is not running on all-season tyres but actually on Continental 4x4 Winter Contact 175/65 R15 tyres. Having said that, they are wearing extremely well and do not make any more road noise than her previous (non-Cross) 4x4 Panda on conventional tyres; they behave perfectly well all year round. Ground clearance is about 165mm - pretty good. We think it's a super little car and the Cross version benefits from the very lively 1.3 diesel engine (and also, with a very small fuel tank, from a greatly increased range which is a significant issue when you live in the sticks like us with the nearest petrol 10 miles away and not open 24/24, 7/7!).

Interestingly,a recent Farmer's Weekly rated the Yeti/Panda Cross as the best combination for a two-car family living in the countryside, and both cars featured in the top 10 cars for winter driving published in the Sundat Times's 'In Gear' supplement just before Christmas.

Hope this is helpful and encouraging. The Panda Cross does appear to be a rare beast (in this country at least - I have seen quite a few in France - and Italy, obviously): it went in for service recently at a localish dealer (35 miles away, but the nearest); he admired it, and said it is one of only two that they have ever serviced.

Good morning, Oldstan

First, an apology - my wife's Fiat panda Cross is not running on all-season tyres but actually on Continental 4x4 Winter Contact 175/65 R15 tyres. Having said that, they are wearing extremely well and do not make any more road noise than her previous (non-Cross) 4x4 Panda on conventional tyres; they behave perfectly well all year round. Ground clearance is about 165mm - pretty good. We think it's a super little car and the Cross version benefits from the very lively 1.3 diesel engine (and also, with a very small fuel tank, from a greatly increased range which is a significant issue when you live in the sticks like us with the nearest petrol 10 miles away and not open 24/24, 7/7!).

Interestingly,a recent Farmer's Weekly rated the Yeti/Panda Cross as the best combination for a two-car family living in the countryside, and both cars featured in the top 10 cars for winter driving published in the Sundat Times's 'In Gear' supplement just before Christmas.

Hope this is helpful and encouraging. The Panda Cross does appear to be a rare beast (in this country at least - I have seen quite a few in France - and Italy, obviously): it went in for service recently at a localish dealer (35 miles away, but the nearest); he admired it, and said it is one of only two that they have ever serviced.

Thanks. You seem to confirm the scarcity of them...and guess you're not sure whether they're still available new?

Thanks. You seem to confirm the scarcity of them...and guess you're not sure whether they're still available new?

Still available new according to the Fiat website.

Still available new according to the Fiat website.

Yes I did spot that, althought the configurator didn't seem all that helpful...and no-one seems to advertise them (new or used) .....nearly £14,000 new without options!!!!...that's quite a lot. Hence also looking at used, but none about. Maybe wrong time of year? People hanging on to small, useful 4x4's with, maybe, more snow to come.

Yes I did spot that, althought the configurator didn't seem all that helpful...and no-one seems to advertise them (new or used) .....nearly £14,000 new without options!!!!...that's quite a lot. Hence also looking at used, but none about. Maybe wrong time of year? People hanging on to small, useful 4x4's with, maybe, more snow to come.

List price is high but we got a good deal on ours (good trade in plus about 15% off list price) just over a year ago by shopping around (bought it from a dealer in Blackburn eventually).

Not wanting to hijack this completely, but how do you find the in-gear perfomance of the Cross?

I have a slightly perverse hankering for a Cross one day (my wife thinks I'm mad!!), especially if personal mileage allowance was ever linked to the dreaded CO2 g/km, but I am worried that should I ever take the plunge I won't be able to live with the performance. Not so fussed for 0-60mph, but I have to be able to get around 50mph dawdlers without much fuss. The Scout does this very well!

Also would a 3hr drive up the Motorway to Aberdeen be pleasant or would you be cursing?

Niall

Not wanting to hijack this completely, but how do you find the in-gear perfomance of the Cross?

I have a slightly perverse hankering for a Cross one day (my wife thinks I'm mad!!), especially if personal mileage allowance was ever linked to the dreaded CO2 g/km, but I am worried that should I ever take the plunge I won't be able to live with the performance. Not so fussed for 0-60mph, but I have to be able to get around 50mph dawdlers without much fuss. The Scout does this very well!

Also would a 3hr drive up the Motorway to Aberdeen be pleasant or would you be cursing?

Niall

0-60 not great but once the Cross is rolling it can certainly get past dawdlers without any problem. Three hours on the motorway can get a wee bit noisy, although the ride is very comfortable (I'm a six footer and find it easy to get a good driving position) - we tend not to use the Cross for journeys of much over 2 hours.

....... just over a year ago by shopping around (bought it from a dealer in Blackburn eventually).

...........if you can remember their name, I'll ring them........

...........if you can remember their name, I'll ring them........

The dealership is Blackburn Motor Park, Pendle Street, Blackburn BB1 1NG, phone 01254 505980. They deal in various marques, so you will need to ask to be put through to the Fiat showroom. I found them very helpful, especially in terms of keeping me updated re the progress of the car's build and delivery (not at all Skoda-like!).

Added note - I've just been on their website and they have a Panda Cross (in green) available at £13,190: might be a good deal if you could get a bit more knocked off that.

Second added note: or go to cars.yakaz.co.uk where there's an ex-Fiat fleet example (also in green) with extras including panoramic sunroof (now where have we heard about those before?) for £12,800.

Edited 20 January, 201115 yr by hmibennett

The dealership is Blackburn Motor Park, Pendle Street, Blackburn BB1 1NG, phone 01254 505980. They deal in various marques, so you will need to ask to be put through to the Fiat showroom. I found them very helpful, especially in terms of keeping me updated re the progress of the car's build and delivery (not at all Skoda-like!).

Added note - I've just been on their website and they have a Panda Cross (in green) available at £13,190: might be a good deal if you could get a bit more knocked off that.

Second added note: or go to cars.yakaz.co.uk where there's an ex-Fiat fleet example (also in green) with extras including panoramic sunroof (now where have we heard about those before?) for £12,800.

All rcvd. with gratitude.

I'll not pursue this any further here for fear of thread drift...

All rcvd. with gratitude.

I'll not pursue this any further here for fear of thread drift...

All Season Tyres try this :-

http://www.rezulteo-tyres.co.uk/breaking-news/all-season-tyres-a-good-compromise-409

All Season Tyres try this :-

Do you have any first hand experience, or is your opinion not your own?

The Auto Express winter tyre test also included an all season tyre for comparison; they said "We were impressed with Vredestein’s Quatrac, which performed admirably in nearly every category." In both the snow traction and the snow braking tests, the all season tyre wasn't far behind the winter tyres but was much much better than the summer tyre. In the dry braking test, which was carried out in warmer conditions, the all season tyre wasn't far behind the summer tyre but was ahead of all the winter tyres.

The TyreReviews website discusses the results of testing all season tyres by Auto Bild. I haven't been able to find the full results of the Auto Bild testing, but I found a Google translation of the summary, (source article for those who can read German).

Edited 20 January, 201115 yr by AnotherGareth

List price is high but we got a good deal on ours (good trade in plus about 15% off list price) just over a year ago by shopping around (bought it from a dealer in Blackburn eventually).

...........if you can remember their name, I'll ring them........

Last word from me (honest).....Called the dealer. Helpful fella. Absolutely no stock of 4x4 Panda in the UK and has been discontinued for a while now. Very few used - all get snapped up, both petrol and diesel.

Many thanks.

List price is high but we got a good deal on ours (good trade in plus about 15% off list price) just over a year ago by shopping around (bought it from a dealer in Blackburn eventually).

Last word from me (honest).....Called the dealer. Helpful fella. Absolutely no stock of 4x4 Panda in the UK and has been discontinued for a while now. Very few used - all get snapped up, both petrol and diesel.

Many thanks.

Golly! Perhaps with the Yeti we will then have two cars that buck the depreciation trend!