I went for 195/65R15, which was a permitted tyre size on the lower models of Octavia II.  The car currently has 205/60R15.  Mytyres will sell you tyres and steel wheels for about £400 all-in, although you'll probably want some wheel trims to hide the exposed hubs.

 

Generally you go for the narrowest and tallest profile tyre you can in winter.  Not for cheapness, but because they work better.  Back in the day when family cars were knocking around on 135R13 tyres (no profile number means 82%), snow wasn't half the problem it is now, even with rear wheel drive.

My winters wheels with Nokian WRG2's typically go on closer to December over the last few years

I do keep a close eye on the temperatures, I may put them on early this year

Its finding the time on a weekend to do the swap at home thats usually the problem

I am fitting Winters for the first time this year, bought a package from 

 

http://www.mrwinterwheels.co.uk/17-vw-golf-vii-mark-7-alloy-winter-wheels-tyres-borbet.html

 

Went for the Goodyear Ultragrip 8s as they were second in the Autoexpress Winter Tyres test and at a realy good package price, wheels, fitted, balanced and delivered

 

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/64430/product-awards-2013-best-winter-tyres

 

mrwinterwheels very helpful and recommended - no relation or connection.  New wheels made in Germany not the far east and TUV approved for VWs etc

Winter tyres you're joking right? It's 18 degrees outside today!

That mrwinterwheels website never showed up when i was googling winter wheels etc... just as well i got em cheaper lol

That mrwinterwheels website never showed up when i was googling winter wheels etc... just as well i got em cheaper lol

 

If you share the details it would help others looking for a deal

Long range forecast still predicting average temperatures for next 30 days with little if any morning frost - Met Office official.

 

Suggest winter tyre switches can be left till mid November in North and late November in South.

 

Discount the Daily Express long term  dire forecast - they know as much about the weather as they do about football

I went for 195/65R15, which was a permitted tyre size on the lower models of Octavia II.  The car currently has 205/60R15.  Mytyres will sell you tyres and steel wheels for about £400 all-in, although you'll probably want some wheel trims to hide the exposed hubs.

Unfortunately it will be closer to £600 for a good set of winter tyres but I'm still considering it.

Ha ha ha, don’t believe it … you will ‘need’ them on for a damn site longer than a week, trust me!

 

For me once the temperature starts to drop to 7° (at the times when the cars are being driven) then I will change them over… probably got another month or so to go yet.

Well we'll see, colleague of mine was in -8 in Gothenburg yesterday, now that's a place I'd appreciate having winters on. Not sure about the daily express forecast though, always take there headlines with a pinch, fistful of Salt...

Only one frosty morning so far this month, so not bothering just yet. Will wait until there's a week long run of single figure temps before doing the honours. Need floats at the moment rather than winters - been a bit wet here past 24hrs.

If you share the details it would help others looking for a deal

Well you could try my tyres.co.uk I just bought a set for my new car that was a good £80 isn cheaper that mrwinterwheels but the prices for a set for my prev car the vrs, the price is spot on at mrwinterwheels.

 

£539 inc delivery for a set of steels with dunlop 4d tyres is pretty good, £581 for same at my tyres.

Mine have been on my Scout a few weeks now just for convenience really.  I had a service and first MOT so it was easy to get them put on at the same time.  Also trying to get a bit more out of them before proper Winter weather comes as they're down to 4mm.  I've been running these Michelin Alpins for about 4 Winters but have decided to give the Conti TS850s a go as they seem to get good reviews.  I bought them in the Summer while stocks were good and prices reasonable.  I'm high up in the Peak by the way so they will be on until at least March.  Or if last year around here was anything to go by until May.

If they're down to 4mm aren't they finished? Normally the winter wear marker is about there.

Yes they are. That's why I have the new ones already but while it's wet and mild I can get another 1k miles out of them. As soon as it gets colder I'll swap them over.

Unfortunately it will be closer to £600 for a good set of winter tyres but I'm still considering it.

Are you after bigger sizes?  The top brands in the size I chose are only up to about £110 each, including the wheel. 

 

I thought about Dunlop Winter Sport 4D instead of the Nokians (Nokians were slightly more expensive), but the Dunlops weren't quite as good as I expected on my old BMW 320d estate last winter (having said that, just getting around in a BMW in snow is a result, and they did get me up a multi-storey ramp covered in fresh snow, albeit with a fair bit of slippage). 

 

To be honest, even the cheapest Nankang SV-2 tyres have massive grip in snow - and in cold wet roads - compared to a summer tyre and I used to run them on my old MX-5.  They're just not especially well made and will probably require more balance weights than a premium tyre.

 

I've never noticed a fuel consumption penalty with any winter tyre.  Usually the taller profile and narrower width easily compensates for any additional rolling resistance from the tread.

Edited 23 October, 201312 yr by rogerzilla

Are you after bigger sizes?  The top brands in the size I chose are only up to about £110 each, including the wheel. 

 

I thought about Dunlop Winter Sport 4D instead of the Nokians (Nokians were slightly more expensive), but the Dunlops weren't quite as good as I expected on my old BMW 320d estate last winter (having said that, just getting around in a BMW in snow is a result, and they did get me up a multi-storey ramp covered in fresh snow, albeit with a fair bit of slippage). 

 

To be honest, even the cheapest Nankang SV-2 tyres have massive grip in snow - and in cold wet roads - compared to a summer tyre and I used to run them on my old MX-5.  They're just not especially well made and will probably require more balance weights than a premium tyre.

 

I've never noticed a fuel consumption penalty with any winter tyre.  Usually the taller profile and narrower width easily compensates for any additional rolling resistance from the tread.

 

I'd want Continental TS850 tyres since then come pretty consistantly top of winter tyre tests at the moment (see here). They also have a significantly better fuel economy rating than all rivals (category C vs E at best for others). I'll probably be looking for 195/65/R15 91H tyres. The best price I can find is £81.76 each (fitted), and 4 (new) wheels from an eBay seller is £182. So that's a total cost of £511.04. Plus the cost of a storage rack and probably some hub caps. BUT I do need to phone my insurance company before making any decision on wheel sizes in case they are awkward about it.

 

(My £600 estimate was based on a quick search for my normal 16" wheel size. I was waiting to confirm with Skoda that a 15" wheel was officially OK before exploring this as a serious option.)

Edited 23 October, 201312 yr by Ultrasonic

If they're down to 4mm aren't they finished? Normally the winter wear marker is about there.

 

That's the advice but

A winter at 4mm has got to be better than a summer at 4mm?

Only in the pliability, but the sipes will be gone so you'll have lost most of its grip.

Only in the pliability, but the sipes will be gone so you'll have lost most of its grip.

totally agree. Got mine stuck in street at beginning of year which has never happened before but I was at 4mm. Hence why I have two new ones with 10mm sitting in garage.

Decided to stick with the All Season tyres - Goodyear Vector 4Seasons - as the last set did pretty good the last couple of winters in snow and slippery conditions.

Current set have done 61,000 miles, so can't complain about the £600(ish) cost for a new set when they give me so much mileage!

WOW! I didn't think you'd get anything like that sort of mileage out of all season tyres. Or summer tyres come to that!

 

For me all season tyres are too much of a compromise for the majority of the year, but they are another option.

I have heard good reports on the Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons . I have no room to store the wheels and can't be arsed changing every 6 months. I know all seasons are a compromise.  

205/55/16 is correct for the VRS See below for comparison ref rolling diameter. 99%* of us VRS ppl when using winter rubber are on 205/55/16 as per Skodas recommendation. 

 

 

 

*= stats compiled in my head

Another "thumb up!" for 205/55/16 winters on a vRS.

I spent last winter on Hankook winters (steelies & tyres £460 balanced and delivered from Rainworth Skoda) and they were a revelation in the cold (-7 degrees) and snow/ slush. I live on a very steep hill - mainly 10%, lots at 14%.

If anyone doubts the ability of winter tyres, please take my word for it! Winters with 2WD outperform Summers with 4WD once it gets cold & slippy. My brother lives in Canada and swears by winter tyres.

Well I have ordered my winter rims and tyres. First time of changing but living in North Scotland I believe them to be a good investment. Even if I only get two winters out of them before I potentially change my car I should still be able to sell them on for £200.

 

I went for the 16" steelies with Dunlop WinterSport 4D. Costing £539 but Mr WinterWheels are offering a £50 Fuel Cashback at Tesco. Link below.

 

http://www.mrwinterwheels.co.uk/16-skoda-octavia-ii-steel-winter-wheels-tyres.html

 

Also looking at ways to store my 18s over the winter. I think I will go down the bag route. I have seen these from The Skoda Shop although there are other options on Amazon.

 

http://www.theskodashop.co.uk/product/Alloy_Wheel_Bags_%28Set_of_4%29_ZGBUB000073900

 

I just need to decide on what wheel trim I want! Thoughts on these 2?

 

 

 

Paul

 

I'm using 195/65x15 Kleber Quadraxa winter tyres at around £70 each. A set of steel rims from salvage will cost around £60 - £80, so at tops, my winters have cost me around £360 per set with brand new tyres. I know I could have paid a LOT more for the tyres, but have never had a problem with the Quadraxas -- the difference using these over summer tyres on the alloys is nothing short of unbelievable.

 

Slightly off topic -- I've just bought myself two wheel storage trees instead of having the wheels just stacked up in the garage.

 

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370826015283?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

Really good quality, and won't break the bank at under 20 quid delivered.

 

Mike

Hi Mike,

did the tree come with a cover, only i dont have a Garage so they will sit in the Garden and be exposed to the elements so a cover would be a good thing. Other than that i could put each wheel into a bin bag and hope the refuse guy's dont make a terrible mistake..