Last year I asked my insurance company what they expected regarding the change to winter tyres.

They said as long as the rolling circumfirance of the tyre was within 5% of the original wheel I could use it. They didn't say anything about speed ratings, presumably because all tyres are rated to work over the national speed limit, and you shouldn't be going that fast anyway... Not to mention in wintery conditions!

So I can run tyres up 5% smaller, or 5% bigger than the OEM 205/40/17 according to my insurers.

http://www.btmauk.com/data/files/Replacing_Car_Tyres_1_June_2011.pdf

Both on my current VRS & previous 1.9tdi furby over the last 3 winters have ran the same 15" steel wheels (from an old Octavia) with 195 Michelin m&s tyres on the front. Insurance noted & no additional costs. November-March.

Both cars drove perfect & on the occasions of bad weather 195's were ideal over a wider tyre.

And they will be going on again this year, they have deffinetly been cost effective & very much peace of mind during bad weather.

Re " The Vehicle will be Siezed if they do an Insurance Check & There is not Cover for the Mods or if the Officer wants the vehicle looked at. Bill Stephens Motors, Brechin will be called to come and uplift the vehicle."

If I understand the rules on vehicle insurance in the UK, only cover in relation to the insured property is inoperable if there are undeclared mods. 3rd party insurance still remains in force until the whole policy is declared void. That cannot be done until the insurance company have inspected the vehicle themselves as they have no first hand evidence. Therefore, unless the vehicle is unroadworthy and taken off the road at the instigation of VOSA inspectors (a very different issue to whether it has an induction kit of dubious merit) the police may be acting ultra vires. It's a legal requirement to have 3rd party cover, but if that is in force, and until it is withdrawn, the legal requirement is satisfied. I'd have thought. Sounds like shroud waving to me!

Weedon,

the way you ran your Summer tyres amazed me.

An Insurance Examiner or Loss Adjusters birthdays would come all at once as they find a possible reason to reject any claim by the policy holder driving with tyres stretched onto unsuitable rims.

(any 3rd party claims would have been paid out on)

& Stretched the way you run them would have you stopped and a Qualified Police examiner would be all over your car.

I can understand your need to run 195's in winter, would anything else of fitted in the arches.

The 3rd party cover on the vehicle will indeed be in force.

It still does not allow the person that is not covered to drive the vehcle to drive it or move it unless they are in a position to show that they have cover allowing them to drive.

(there are 2 parts to INsurance cover in the UK, minimum cover for the vehicle & then a driver needs to have cover, its bought as one package, but all drivers can not drive all vehicles, more so when under 24 say or a Named Driver that turns out not to be driving a vehicle that the Policy might alllow them too, ie, non declared Mods.)

Its uplifted untill proof of insurance on the vehicle is provided.

You do not pay the £150 uplift charge & £20 daily charge if the vehicle was covered by insurance.

You do not pay the VAT anyway, the tax payers pay that.

Here they use the Inappropriate & the Antisocial bit to stop car d1cking and loud exhausts etc to check over vehicles.

The unisured can come from driving cars being Fronted by parents. Lowered and ICEd cars in Mums name.

It gets them in to be checked, then they go heavy on 'Cut' Springs, induction or chipped, window tints on the front & non conforming Number Plates etc.

You get an Engineers Report done and or a MOT, & when the Insurance is correct for the vehicle you collect it.

george

http://www.tayside.p...002.Lang-EN.htm

http://www.tayside.p...ng-campaign.htm

And the way to avoid that, is don't turn your car into a police magnet.

Big rear wing, large chrome rims, lowest profile tyres you can find, chop those springs, big bore exhaust. All red-rags to the officer and patrol and all completely different to fitting a set of winter tyres and wheels.

Re "(there are 2 parts to INsurance cover in the UK, minimum cover for the vehicle & then a driver needs to have cover, its bought as one package, but all drivers can not drive all vehicles, more so when under 24 say or a Named Driver that turns out not to be driving a vehicle that the Policy might alllow them too, ie, non declared Mods.)"

SFAIK while an insured person is covered for the vehicle they drive, then until they have committed an offence they should be able to continue. George keeps dragging in scenarios that are outwith the initial issue! If cover is held it continues until the insurance company determines otherwise. I have no objection to anti-social drivers/fronters being checked out, but the remedies are under the RTA, not fudged through insurance cover.

And the way to avoid that, is don't turn your car into a police magnet.

Big rear wing, large chrome rims, lowest profile tyres you can find, chop those springs, big bore exhaust. All red-rags to the officer and patrol and all completely different to fitting a set of winter tyres and wheels.

It doesnt matter what modifications your car has provided the insurance company is happy with them , winter tyres are no different at all , if in doubt ask your insurers NOT George !!

Of course the Insurance company is happy with the tyres, if they are the correct tyres for the vehicle,

which has been said throughout this thread i think.

It does not even arise as a problem or any need to, if there never is a problem.

It is not like there is a shortage of Winter tyres to suit the type of vehicle, or that they need be expensive.

http://www.camskill.co.uk

george

Apart from what is deemed correct? You are preoccupied with speed ratings etc but it doesn't matter at all if the insurer is happy then it's correct it doesn't matter what the manufacturer says

I think you probably know what is correct. The tyres are clearly marked

Only preoccupied that if you are going to fit Winter tyres to a vRS for 4 or 5 months and you only have a couple of weeks of poor or cold weather, the tyres should be safe for those nice days where you are out enjoying the car.

Thats when the speed rating matters, not so much when driving to reduced speeds maybe.

For the sake of 1/2 an hour changing wheels thats what i do, or its as easy to have suitable tyres on throught.

geoege

Guys, could you please let me know if any of the below wheels (not looking at the tyres fitted to them atm) would be a straight like for like replacement of OEM wheels for Fabia vRS?

I'd like get a set of wheels and shod them with winter tyres of the same size and ratings as original OEM tyres when temps go below 8C and stay there. I like Team Dynamics ones in the first link a lot and seem to have a good proce as well.

Another set of wheels would be good to have for track days so doesn't matter the state of them as long as can be balanced and not mising large chunks of alloy

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Team-Dynamics-Pro-Race-2-Black-17-Wheels-et-35-5x100-/270811037527?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Trims_Car_Rims_ET&hash=item3f0d987f57

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/17-7X17-7-X-17-CALIBRE-FRICTION-BLACK-RED-SPOKE-DETAIL-ALLOY-WHEEL-5X100-110-/390452130110?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Trims_Car_Rims_ET&hash=item5ae8c2b13e

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-VAG-AUDI-VW-17-INCH-ALLOY-WHEELS-GTI-GOLF-TT-S3-A3-LEON-225-45-17-5X100-/251160029127?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Rims_Car_Wheels_ET&hash=item3a7a4de7c7

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/alloy-wheels-17-5-stud-5x100-vw-volkswagen-golf-toyota-subaru-audi-mg-rover-seat-/170914439433?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Rims_Car_Wheels_ET&hash=item27cb4b6109

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TSW-subaru-celica-5-x-100-17-vvti-alloy-wheels-and-tyres-/271064000026?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Rims_Car_Wheels_ET&hash=item3f1cac661a

You will see your fitment here,

sometimes a good deal to be had on a package.

http://www.alloywheels.com

george

Just to update with my progress on Winter Wheels..

After faffing around for a while I'd decided on the 195 55 15 (prolly conti's with the mytyres offer of £80 a corner atm) with steel wheels. So I contacted my insurer to see what extra cost would be involved.. (hoping none..)

My insurers got back to me finally today. This is Quotemehappy.com's (AVIVA) policy on Winter Wheels..

We will accept winter tyres on the car as long as it's the tyres that are placed on the car only. You cant change for example change from steel wheels to winter tyres on alloys. The tyres need to be of the same profile and size that's currently on your car.

It’s no problem to change your policy, but it’s best for you to do it yourself online through your My account – otherwise we’ll have to charge you an administration fee.

So I tried to apply the modification online and it told me they couldn't even contemplate insuring that modification.. and if I want to talk to a real person about it I have to pay £25 as an admin fee. Needless to say next year I'll consider my options on more than just price, but this year I'm knackered and will have to put up with the 'safer' OEM equipment...

Not even considering having 40 profile 205's as winter tyres with the black alloy damage as a fellow briskodian has mentioned, minimal side wall protection and no added comfort of a more cushioned ride when not 'using the car'. I wonder if they know Skoda dealers are recommending 185's with 15" steel wheels as the Manufacturer recommended option?!

So buyer beware, might be one to avoid if you are considering any mods in future (among about 500 options, roof rack and debadging are considered policy changing mods btw..).

Edited 3 October, 201213 yr by RobL

It is always a good idea to contact your insurer before you decide on any modification to get a rough idea of what they consider modifications and how it will effect your premium

And then swiftly fork up policy cancellation admin fee and move elswhere

Edited 3 October, 201213 yr by Jabozuma

Hey guys,

I dont want to start a new thread, but what winter tyres would you recommend for a monte 1.2 tsi? Iv had a look on tyre sites but most dont list the monte 1.2 tsi.

Thanks

Hey guys,

I dont want to start a new thread, but what winter tyres would you recommend for a monte 1.2 tsi? Iv had a look on tyre sites but most dont list the monte 1.2 tsi.

Thanks

http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/car-tyres-205-40-17-84-W.html - all season tyres

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-finder/car-winter-tyres-205-40-r17 - Vrated winters

http://www.mytyres.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?details=Ordern&cart_id=26662168.110.25616&Cookie=froogle&typ=D-107350&ranzahl=4&Breite=205&Quer=40&Felge=17&Speed=V&weiter=0&kategorie=6&Ang_pro_Seite=20&Transport=P&dsco=110&sowigan=Wi V-Rated winters

None of them have W speed rating...

It doesnt matter what modifications your car has provided the insurance company is happy with them , winter tyres are no different at all , if in doubt ask your insurers NOT George !!

I was talking about the problems you get driving a car dressed up as a cop-magnet. Even if all the mods (real mods, not carrying a full-size spare and winter rubber) are legal and declared to your insurance co, you can still expect the police to take an un-natural interest in your vehicle and continue checking to ensure that it is fully legal.

I was talking about the problems you get driving a car dressed up as a cop-magnet. Even if all the mods (real mods, not carrying a full-size spare and winter rubber) are legal and declared to your insurance co, you can still expect the police to take an un-natural interest in your vehicle and continue checking to ensure that it is fully legal.

The last time I was pulled over I was in a totally stock 3 month old car, most of my cars have been heavily modified through specialist insurers, I've never had an issue with the police

In three years I was never pulled in this , despite having an extremely loud exhaust

And in the three years prior to that I was never pulled over in this either

Police in this country can work out if you car is likely to legal very quickly and rarely need to stop you

Now we take both of those obviously well cared for cars, lower both of those by about 2 inches more, add a large home-made looking fibreglass front bumper (damaged of course), the biggest rear wing we can find on ebay and go for a drive.

Hey guys,

I dont want to start a new thread, but what winter tyres would you recommend for a monte 1.2 tsi? Iv had a look on tyre sites but most dont list the monte 1.2 tsi.

Thanks

Have a Monte C TSI 86 on order to replace a 2010 Elegance TSI 85.

Ran 195/55 R15 H winter tyres mounted on steel rims and Hermes wheel covers with the Elegance. However I don't think that would quite suite the MC so I've picked up a set of new Skoda Fabia II 15" alloys of fleebay form a Skoda main dealer at a discounted price (£100 off the set) and sticking with the 195/55 R15 tyres (Avon's).

Reasons, well for one the 195/55 is an exact match diameter/circumference wise to the standard 205/40 R17 tyres and from experience the lightweight petrol Fabia even with winters can still slide about a bit on compacted snow due to that lack of weight and I'm sure a 205 winter would be even worse for it.

Had no real handling issues with the 195's, rides a little softer and you get more side-wall flex in a bend or corner but do you want to be hammering around in the winter anyway.

TP

"Police in this Country",

you see it is 'Great Britain and Northern Ireland' or the 'United Kingdom'.

Different Countries & in those 4 Countries rather different Police forces.

They certainly act different in the North East of Scotland to the South West of Scotland and they have the same powers.

Different priorities to deal with. Here they have plenty time to pay attention to vehicles.

(you see plenty Scottish People in the Police down south of the UK, they seem a bit calmer, it must be the air)

Same Traffic acts through the UK, but different ways of acting here in Scotland.

Different ways of implementing the Laws here.

You might find one Policeman stopping you if you were stopped in England,

here it will be 2 to be of any use in any prosecution or to corroborate.

They can get rather uppity here when they are in the mood.

Nice mostly & a bit prone to some excessive speeds when the mood takes them.

Stopping cars is not always about the car, but the longer you look and chat, the more you learn

(not about the car, the people in the car).

Some just look at cars & are doing exactly that.

george

@ The Plumber

If you do not get any grief from your insurance company go for it, 195 winters are much better than 205 winters, the slimmer the better as more pressure per square centimeter. When you do get grief just fit winter tyres of the same size as all season/summer tyres and insurers will have no legs to stand on. Also, if you get a statement from SUK that 195 are the recommended winter tyres by Skoda then you will be off the hook. They base their quotes and premium increases on a statistic and evidence based very complicated mathemathical model. With evidence from Skoda this should do the trick.

Still winter 205 are waaay better than summer 205 in winter conditions...

Been running the 15" in place of 16" on the Elegance for two years now with no complaint from the insurer (insurer also listed with the ABI as one of the companies who except winter tyres/rims without notification anyway).

Also have said e-mail from Skoda UK for the Elegance at least plus the size is listed on the filler flap, it's the same size as the official spare oh and its the size used on the base model. Now if that lot doesn't confuse an overseas call centre into submission I don't know what will

Oh also intend to list the extra set of wheels with the factory options when I eventually need to inform them of the change.

TP