The Express do this every year forecasting a nice age, and James Madden who is quoted in this article is also well known for being a doomsayer.

This winter is likely to be on a par with those experienced recently but probably no worse.

No, the Express do this every week. What was notable about this particular Express front page was that it scored the double whammy of unprecedented freak cold-snap story AND Diana on the same day. Usually they'd do them on consecutive days, as part of their standard freak weather, Diana, Maddy, house prices, energy prices,  miracle cure for back ache, miracle pill to make you live longer pattern.

 

http://expressbingo.org.uk/

 

If you're not familiar with the Express you can gain a good understanding of it here:

 

http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/content/goundhog-day-why-daily-express-front-pages-may-leave-readers-sense-deja-vu

Not a newspaper reader myself as I think they all have their own agendas and twisted points of views on things, I stick with Sky News and BBC News, not alway innocent themselves but try harder than the papers.

I just came across this on Facebook and found if quite interesting. I did check both the Sky and BBC news apps to see if they had covered this, which they hadn't, so as any other newspaper article read into it what you will.

Also on the winter wheel / tyres issue I was reading advice on winter tyres from the AA and came across this:

"Over the winter of 2010/11 we did hear reports of some insurers increasing premiums or remarkably even refusing cover if winter tyres are fitted. As a result we recommend talking to your insurer if you are considering fitting winter tyres."

&

"Association of British Insurers (ABI) Statement

Motor insurers recognise that some motorists may wish to fit winter tyres to their car during cold weather. Motor insurers recognise that, whilst no substitute for common sense driving, winter tyres can have a positive impact on improving road safety.

To assist in reducing potential uncertainty, the ABI has produced a commitment setting out the position of a number of named motor insurers in respect of the impact on insurance premiums of fitting winter tyres to your car.

It's important to check the list of insurers as some require that you inform them if winter tyres are fitted even though there is no effect on premiums or cover."

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/winter-tyres-in-the-uk.html

Has anyone had any of these problems with insurers?

No. Just use decent insurers / brokers. Mine were fine about it. But then they didn't charge me any extra for various wheels, porsche brakes, air suspension, etc. so it would have been out of character for them to be silly about winter tyres.

Nobody seems to know about new octavia online all I see is for mk2 two places I emailed don't know about mk 3

Are they the same ? Ie offset ?

Or can someone give me a link to where they bought the correct ones please

When looking for wheel rims the best alternative I have found is to use a VW Golf Mk6.

 

You need to look at:

 

7.5J x 17"  & ET 45 - 51.

7J x 17" & ET 45 - 51.

 

You can always use a spacer to achieve the required (ET/Offset) distance and you can get a "universal" fitment one of varying widths (3 mm upwards) on Ebay for a few quid.

 

Look on Ebay, oponeo, alloywheels.com, alloywheelword.co.uk amongst others.

So about a £1100 with conti but what about Nankang or khumo only on car for 3-4mths maybe a saving of £300 any opinions guy/girls ?

What about Vredstein's or Goodyear Ultra Grip 8, Bridgstones Blizzaks as well. Too much choice?

The Uniroyal MS plus 66 look pretty good value, £93 each from Camskill & made/owned by Continental

What about Vredstein's or Goodyear Ultra Grip 8, Bridgstones Blizzaks as well. Too much choice?

 

I used Vredsteins SnowTrac 3 on the last car and they were really good (looked good nice tread pattern too..) They lasted three good seasons (Nov-March) and still had loads of tread left. We did multiple drives to Chamonix and to Sweden on them. Really good in the rain too.

 

Never had to chain up - even in Val Thorens with ice roads (though was sketchy)...

 

Would buy these or the Conti ones that everyone talks about....

Mytyres

Dezent 17"x7.5 with conti 830 p ssr 205 50 17. £1034 delivered good?

Or with uniroyals 77 same size £840 !

Expensive. Also you need a narrower rim. J7x17" ET 45-51:

 

Try buying separately Oponeo has some special offers on at the moment and I've found the Dezent RE's for £100 pw (£400 delivered)

 

Then see if you can find the tyre of your choice and then add £40 for fitting & balancing.

 

Sometimes doing it separately can pay dividends, I've saved £90 on the package deal before now, but I did have someone in the know in the tyre trade who did it on the cheap. 

The wanderer thanks so much will order soon good site

Like I said the if the Mk3 Octavia is NOT shown, then the best comparison I have found is a VW Golf Mk6 or Mk7 and select 17", they will usually give you a choice of 7J X 17" & ET 45-50 or 7.5J x 17" & ET 45-50.

 

If you order from oponeo, they won't let you buy incompatible wheels & tyres, as I found out today when I ordered the ATS Radials (Graphite) in 7.5J x 17" ET 50 PCD: 5 x 112.

 

When I placed the order, they sent me an email requesting information about the tyre I was going to fit to it before they would start the order process, once I confirmed that I was more than likely going to buy a set of Continental ContiWinterContact TS850's (225/45 R17) from them as well & they confirmed that it was suitable did they initiate the order for the rims. 

 

You can pay by Paypal, DC/CC & BACS (Instant Transfer).

Just a thought with the aftermarket wheels, are the wheelnuts required the same as stock? I must admit, if steelies are unavailable and dealer supplied wheels crazily expensive, aftermarket is a viable alternative.

I've yet to find any 17" steel wheels for the Octavia Mk3.