I'll have some 6.5Jx16 Skoda Vega alloys for sale after the weekend - they fit 205/55R16 tyres and are genuine Skoda with centre caps from my car. They have a few scratches and the odd bit of flaking paint, one has a kerb mark on one of the spokes, but they will clean up well enough for winters. I am going to list them in the for sale section at some point over the weekend for anyone interested.

They fit fine over 312mm front discs (as that is what I have).

I dont think winter tyres are necessary unless its snowing. That doesnt mean winter tyres are not safer in wet etc, you are right. Problem is i have never had a problem driving carefully in treacherous conditions.

I do a lot of motorway driving and winters make a huge difference to grip levels when the weather is cold. Like you, I originally bought them for the snow 2 winters ago, but have found them to be superb in the wet in late autumn and winter as well. They haven't worn half as quick as I thought they would either.

Hi

I put 16" VW Transporter T5 steel wheels with 205x55x16 Continental WinterContact tyres onto the CR170 VRS.

What a difference in the winter weather especially the snow. Bit of an initial outlay (ebay for wheels (£130 delivered) and local kwikfit for tyres (£61 each fitted) so not overly expensive - I also got a set of plain black half size wheel trims (ebay for a fiver) to keep the salt etc off the wheel bolts) but well worth the peace of mind when my wife and daughter are in the car.

If you can get a decent deal on the tyres (mine were a really good price) then I wouldn't hesitate.

Cheers

Dave

You sure they are T5 Transporter wheels as they seem to have a pcd of 120. I think you may have bought T4 ones

http://www.wheelfitm...T5 (2003 - 2010)

Just saying in case others follow your purchase.

Edited 24 September, 201213 yr by sly200sx

You sure they are T5 Transporter wheels as they seem to have a pcd of 120. I think you may have bought T4 ones

http://www.wheelfitm...T5 (2003 - 2010)

Just saying in case others follow your purchase.

Correct i looked into this also. T5 wheels dont fit. Dam it as there are heaps of cheap ones on ebay. Got someone coming tonight at 7pm to hopefully buy my BMW winter wheels and tyres. Think i will use the money for winter tyres for missus's RAV 4. Overkill on a 4wd car but with wee one on board im taking no chances. Looks like ill be struggling on with summer tyres again in my VRS but it has to be better than my BMW surely??

Was thinking of putting all season tyres on come replacement time on the VRS, but the fronts would need replaced first. Whats peoples thoughts on having all season tyres on the fron ans summer on the back?? Sorry for hijacking thread.

Hmmm, different grip levels front to back sounds fun! why not rotate the tyres and then change all 4 at once.

Hmmm, different grip levels front to back sounds fun! why not rotate the tyres and then change all 4 at once.

Thought about this but have seen a lot of comments on here about rotating tyres i.e saying its a bad idea. Suppose if i do it with plenty of tread left on them. Fancy all weather tyres as it means not having to change them come winter time. As long as they arent as squirmy as winter tyres as they felt weird.

Thought about this but have seen a lot of comments on here about rotating tyres i.e saying its a bad idea.

No worse than having summers on the back and all seasons on the front.

If many of you had come back and said "the vRS is a nightmare without them in the winter, too much torque, traction control stops you going anywhere" then I probably would have made them a necessity. Given that nobody has actually come out and said that then I might see how I get on.

I'm a MK1 owner, not 2. So you may well discount my experience, but my car is a nightmare when it gets cold and wet. Takes a lot of skill to navigate all the b roads around here and I live the part of the country with the mildest winters. The power is very difficult to handle in those conditions IMHO.

But you sound like a camp A guy, so each to their own.

But you sound like a camp A guy, so each to their own.

Whats his sexuality got to do with winter tyres lol

Edited 25 September, 201213 yr by sly200sx

I'm a MK1 owner, not 2. So you may well discount my experience, but my car is a nightmare when it gets cold and wet. Takes a lot of skill to navigate all the b roads around here and I live the part of the country with the mildest winters. The power is very difficult to handle in those conditions IMHO.

But you sound like a camp A guy, so each to their own.

I'm certainly not discounting it! Like I say I think I'll go with the factory fit tyres and see how they go. We also tend to have fairly mild winters, and I tend to avoid the B roads when the weather gets colder anyway (I'm fortunate that I can - the main roads are always a lot busier during the summer due to the close proximity to a big tourist attraction so B roads are a must then - obviously not so in the winter). I'll see how it goes, but thanks for the reply.

I take it that the wheel / tyre selection for a Octavia RS 1Z TFSi will be the same fitment as my 2011 vRS TSi ?

Looking at ordering mine ready as the insurance company says that they won't cost me any extra.

Paul

I used winter tyres for the first time last year on my seat Toledo. On snow and ice they were amazing....the abs rarely cut in under hard braking on completely ice covered roads. They also performed better in wet weather than summer tyres. I know there is a debate do you fit two four. I only had them on the front and it drove fine.....the back only broke free if you steered sharply/abruptly ie provoked it. Would still say it was far safer than not having them.Will definitely be putting them on the vrs this winter.

I used winter tyres for the first time last year on my seat Toledo. On snow and ice they were amazing....the abs rarely cut in under hard braking on completely ice covered roads. They also performed better in wet weather than summer tyres. I know there is a debate do you fit two four. I only had them on the front and it drove fine.....the back only broke free if you steered sharply/abruptly ie provoked it. Would still say it was far safer than not having them.Will definitely be putting them on the vrs this winter.

Just replyed to this and something went wrong so apologies if it double posts.

Do not replace only driven wheels with winter tyres especially if you have a BMW. It is totally undriveable even at 30mph. Mine had 255 section rear tyres and winters were 205. Ended up having to get 4 tyres. Leason learned the hard way. Wouldnt advise this on FWD either although it may not be as bad. But less bad is still bad. Especially if you logic for having winter tyres is safety in the first place. Search this online and you will see for yourself.

Just replyed to this and something went wrong so apologies if it double posts.

Do not replace only driven wheels with winter tyres especially if you have a BMW. It is totally undriveable even at 30mph. Mine had 255 section rear tyres and winters were 205. Ended up having to get 4 tyres. Leason learned the hard way. Wouldnt advise this on FWD either although it may not be as bad. But less bad is still bad. Especially if you logic for having winter tyres is safety in the first place. Search this online and you will see for yourself.

Would agree that it is best to always fit four as there will be a difference in grip levels . Might have been due to the fact that you ended up changing the width? I ran 225/45 17 all round (winters on front , summer tyres on rear ) and was suprised how stable it still felt as everyone had said it would undrivable - it certainly wasn't. Under heavy braking the back never broke free and it was always the fronts that would try and lock . Yes four winter tyres are the best but in my experience on a fwd car having the winters on the front were far safer than the previous year where the car was uncontrollable on the ice and snow. Would mention that I intend fitting four on the vrs this year.

http://briskoda.net/...winter-tyres-on

http://michelin.co.uk/tyres/learn-share/care-guide/cold-weather-tips

Best to understand Cold Weather tyre pressures.

george

Would agree that it is best to always fit four as there will be a difference in grip levels . Might have been due to the fact that you ended up changing the width? I ran 225/45 17 all round (winters on front , summer tyres on rear ) and was suprised how stable it still felt as everyone had said it would undrivable - it certainly wasn't. Under heavy braking the back never broke free and it was always the fronts that would try and lock . Yes four winter tyres are the best but in my experience on a fwd car having the winters on the front were far safer than the previous year where the car was uncontrollable on the ice and snow. Would mention that I intend fitting four on the vrs this year.

Long story short - I live in a country where snow and icy roads are common for at least 4..5 months during the year. Here, naturally, winter tyres are a must and also it is illegal to drive without them during the winter.

One can choose to have studded tyres or "friction" winter tires, that is completely up to the driver. However it is a must to have the same type fitted front and rear due to the high risk accident if one has studded tires in the front and friction in the back.. or vice versa, same goes for having summer at the back and winter in the front. It's just an accident waiting to happen. There is a reason why failing to have 4 tyres the same type makes warranty and incurance void. Probably not the same in UK as you guys rarely have snow.

Would agree that it is best to always fit four as there will be a difference in grip levels . Might have been due to the fact that you ended up changing the width? I ran 225/45 17 all round (winters on front , summer tyres on rear ) and was suprised how stable it still felt as everyone had said it would undrivable - it certainly wasn't. Under heavy braking the back never broke free and it was always the fronts that would try and lock . Yes four winter tyres are the best but in my experience on a fwd car having the winters on the front were far safer than the previous year where the car was uncontrollable on the ice and snow. Would mention that I intend fitting four on the vrs this year.

Even after i fitted all 4 i still found the winter tyres really squirmy. Actually didnt inspire much confidence when cornering. They would trigger the ESC a lot even in a relatively slow corner. Did you find this? I was wondering if it was because i went from low proflie wide tyres to high side wall narrow tyres but it still shouldnt have triggered ESC so much i thought. This and the fact that we had no flippin snow made me regret buying them. If i did go down winter tyre route again i think i would get ones the same size and profile as my summer tyres to see if that helps.

Even after i fitted all 4 i still found the winter tyres really squirmy. Actually didnt inspire much confidence when cornering. They would trigger the ESC a lot even in a relatively slow corner. Did you find this? I was wondering if it was because i went from low proflie wide tyres to high side wall narrow tyres but it still shouldnt have triggered ESC so much i thought. This and the fact that we had no flippin snow made me regret buying them. If i did go down winter tyre route again i think i would get ones the same size and profile as my summer tyres to see if that helps.

Can't say I noticed them being that bad. It certainly didnt cause the esp to intervene any more than usual. I found them a lot better on wet roads as well even if there was no snow or ice (fitted Hankook Icebear). I sold the car to a friend in April with them still on and he has ran them through the summer - there still hardly worn! If you push it they do feel a bit soft in the warmer weather. Ive actually had worse experience with fitting cheap tyres to a car than having combination of winter/summer. When I bought the toledo the previous owner had fitted Triangle tyres on the rear. Worst tyres ever ....the rear would break loose on the wet going round roundabouts even at slow speeds. Can't believe there allowed to sell such crap tyres!!!

Can't say I noticed them being that bad. It certainly didnt cause the esp to intervene any more than usual. I found them a lot better on wet roads as well even if there was no snow or ice (fitted Hankook Icebear). I sold the car to a friend in April with them still on and he has ran them through the summer - there still hardly worn! If you push it they do feel a bit soft in the warmer weather. Ive actually had worse experience with fitting cheap tyres to a car than having combination of winter/summer. When I bought the toledo the previous owner had fitted Triangle tyres on the rear. Worst tyres ever ....the rear would break loose on the wet going round roundabouts even at slow speeds. Can't believe there allowed to sell such crap tyres!!!

Think im going to so something similar i.e when tyre replacement time comes i may fit all weather tyres and just run them all year. I read a reveiw and all weather tyres although not as good as winters are far better than summer tyres. Probably a decent comprimise.

Think im going to so something similar i.e when tyre replacement time comes i may fit all weather tyres and just run them all year. I read a reveiw and all weather tyres although not as good as winters are far better than summer tyres. Probably a decent comprimise.

problem is then you have tyres that are not as good as winters in the cold months, and not as good as summers in the warm months..

best solution is two sets - cost nothing more in the long run as you are only wearing out the set that's fitted!

Even after i fitted all 4 i still found the winter tyres really squirmy.

by their nature, winters will have a deeper tread depth so you're feeling the tyre blocks move around. This was really noticible on SWMBO's bmw on bridgestone bizzaks but on my vRS (goodyear ultragrip performance2 winters) there is no squirm as these are specifically designed for a performance car.

ie - its down to the brand/ type rather than being a generic issue with winters.

Jock, I noticed the same with winter tyres on my 4wd this year. They feel wallowy like normal tyres which are 10psi down. This wasn't the tread-depth as the toyo winters had less tread than the BFG's I normally run. IMO it's the thinner and more flexible casing. The toyos are physically much lighter tyres.

Next year I'll just run the winters tighter and see how it goes.