Sorry if its a stupid question

 

Other half works for a major tyre distributor (supplies Kwik fit,, STS Tyres, Dealerships etc etc...), and has offered to grab me a set of spare 18" tyres using her discount.

 

I know that a set of winters could be a possible option, but I just wondered I should be speccing up, or is there an better tyre I could be sourcing for a little extra cash?

ive asked this before. generallly said that they come with conit sport contact 2's. although the demonstrator i drove had dunlop sportmaxx rt's on it.

All the photos I've seen were of the Conti Sport Contact 2.

Think he means size etc.

 

225/40/18 92Y are the tyres you need.  Go for Michelin PS3

For summer, I've seen the Goodyear Asymmetric 2 getting good reviews. For winter, Conti Wintersport TS850 seems to be the best by far (and the ones I'm buying), albeit noisier than the 2nd/3rd best choices.

I don't get this whole winter/summer tyre thing!

 

I've driven for 20 years and 20k a year mileage and never bothered with changing tyres for the various season. Just drive the car - simples!

Then you must either

a) Be a really good driver

Be good at planning and sticking to A roads

c) Be driving really slow at winter to the point where its annoying your fellow motorists ...

 

Here we occasionally get ice on the road. One year there was almost 1cm on the road I live on, save for a small patch that was missing for some reason. I got stuck on my way to work because another car managed to get stuck in that patch (in a way so they were blocking both sides of the road ... ) because they were running on "whole year" (err , or is the expression full year??) tyres.

For summer, I've seen the Goodyear Asymmetric 2 getting good reviews. For winter, Conti Wintersport TS850 seems to be the best by far (and the ones I'm buying), albeit noisier than the 2nd/3rd best choices.

 

I have Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 on the Passat at the moment and they are brilliant, I'll definately be getting them again.

Then you must either

a) Be a really good driver

Be good at planning and sticking to A roads

c) Be driving really slow at winter to the point where its annoying your fellow motorists ...

 

 

fair point I guess. Mainly A roads/motorways/ town centres etc. Each to their own but i've never felt the need for winter tyres. 

2 for just drive the car and why bother changing tyres? 

 

I've been driving ten years and never had winter tyres, nor had an accident in the snow.  Granted, when it snows I tend to avoid driving if practical, but when I have had to go out I just take it steady, along with the rest of the motorists.

 

Mind you, I do leave in the Costa del South East.  I know it gets a lot chillier up North.... 

For summer, I've seen the Goodyear Asymmetric 2 getting good reviews. For winter, Conti Wintersport TS850 seems to be the best by far (and the ones I'm buying), albeit noisier than the 2nd/3rd best choices.

You might want to look at the ts830p tyre from conti. It's the performance winter tyre and is flipping excellent. Even in 20 degree heat (we managed to get a whole week of sun up here!)

I'm not even sure if the ts850 comes in the right size for the vRS

I don't get this whole winter/summer tyre thing!

 

I've driven for 20 years and 20k a year mileage and never bothered with changing tyres for the various season. Just drive the car - simples!

 

I got in and out of this car park on winter tyres

 

 

what do you think your chances would be on summers?

I don't get this whole winter/summer tyre thing!

 

I've driven for 20 years and 20k a year mileage and never bothered with changing tyres for the various season. Just drive the car - simples!

 

 

Well seeing as according to your sig you have a VRS diesel, i will ask you your opinion after Winter.

 

Be interesting to know what Y rated 225 width tyres you had 20 years ago?

 

I never needed them when i had 175 70 13 tyres on my mk3 golf as they were narrow enough to cope.  But couple 225 40 tyres with a DSG gearbox and you aint getting anywhere without winter tyres in anything more than a light frost.  Been there done that and got the tee shirt when i prematurely put my 18's back on prior to the snow in April.  I had to borrow a friends civic with skinny tyres, drive home, pick up my winters, put them on so i could get out of the bottom of a hill in a cul de sac.  Nothing whatsoever to do with driving skill.

You might want to look at the ts830p tyre from conti. It's the performance winter tyre and is flipping excellent. Even in 20 degree heat (we managed to get a whole week of sun up here!)

I'm not even sure if the ts850 comes in the right size for the vRS

 

If you buy some wheel rims you can get the Conti WinterContact TS 850's for your vRS, order them in either 225/45 R17 91H, 225/45 R17 94H XL or 225/45 R17 94V.

 

The 94V's are quite tricky at times to find and unless you really need the higher speed rating (186 mph) you would be better getting the lower (130 mph) H-rated ones which will save you a few quid.

 

To select your wheels use a VW Golf Mk 6 or 7, years 2010> & 17" as the template vehicle and you need an ET of 45 ( might need some cheap aluminium spacers from Ebay) to ET 51.

 

I took delivery of my TS 850's yesterday (225/45 R 17 94H XL) and bagged them for £138 per tyre, you will be lucky to find them at that price now.

I don't get this whole winter/summer tyre thing!

 

I've driven for 20 years and 20k a year mileage and never bothered with changing tyres for the various season. Just drive the car - simples!

 

Try this then: buy a Fiat Panda, fit a set of 155/80 R13 winter tyres, wait for 4" of snow followed by a freeze, go out and play - you'll be the fastest car on the road.

 

You might understand winter tyres after that.

Edited 2 November, 201312 yr by gt40

Boring - the 'I don't need winter tyres' brigade.

 

Done to death every year.

 

Its fairly simple, you have significantly more grip with winter tyres due to the tread pattern and compound. And before we get into the next boring argument, M+S tyres are NOT winter tyres, neither are All Seasons etc.etc.

 

When we have 4" of snow and temperatures hitting -15 at night, I challenge all those on 225/40R18 summer tyres to drive up and then back down the hill approaching my house. If you can make it before the snow thaws out I'll give you a set of winter tyres. If you don't make it, you give me a set of winter tyres.

 

To give you an idea how steep the hills are around here, the dry ski slope follows the contours of the land.

 

Seeing as Landrovers in 4wd on summer tyres can't do it, I would just love you to try.

I've had winter tyres on my various cars for the Last Ten years and the difference between driving in Snow and ICE in minus10 conditions is like Night and Day i stopped When the Need arose my mate who refüsed the Outlay of several hundred Euros did Not stop and smashed into the back of a Polish 40 tonner i sät Looking across into my mates car with Airbags deployed chuckling to myself. he now has winters on his car that was one expensive lesson. Get them on Fellow Briskskodians.

I don't get this whole winter/summer tyre thing!

 

I've driven for 20 years and 20k a year mileage and never bothered with changing tyres for the various season. Just drive the car - simples!

I was the same as you for years until we got snowed in for 3 weeks, I then tried out a set of winter tyres and the difference was unbelievable! So from then on I've stuck with the winter tyres in winter and summer tyres in summer.

Although I have to admit I've not needed them this year...needed a canoe more lol

Although from a safety point of view the winter tyres perform much better when the temperature drops below 9.

Here's a pic of why we need winter tyres....albeit they would have made no difference!

Edited 4 January, 201412 yr by Cossiecol

Continental Sport Contact 2

Iv got conti sport contact 5's on mine, very impressed, as for winter tyres, i don't see the need, iv got some snow socks for the small time where I may get stuck they do and excellent job of pulling you up hills and rather a lot cheaper than a set of tyres

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The 2x vrs at my dealer had Falken 453 on. Conti sport 2 are being replaced by conti 3 &5 which are a better tyre.

Edited 4 January, 201412 yr by mikeoz

I was the same as you for years until we got snowed in for 3 weeks, I then tried out a set of winter tyres and the difference was unbelievable! So from then on I've stuck with the winter tyres in winter and summer tyres in summer.

 

First set of winters on the current daily for a drive across europe. Unbelievable. In temps less than 8 they are like glue. This is on a tail happy, heavy rwd omega too. Was so planted on cold and ice, no constant worry - in fact I couldn't find the limit on ice / mud / water / snow. 

 

Tyres don't wea any faster although mpg is down by a mile or so - as you have two sets they don't wear out any faster, and you can chuck them on a 2nd hand set to keep your summers looking ace. Win win and no nasty fatalities when people loose control in winter. 

 

With that said, I love taking the ascona v6 out for a blast in the snow (field or similar) it's great fun!

Summers/ winters is all down to the individual/ where they live/ what they have the car for/ there own circumstances.

Have i ever had winters? No. Will i ever be having winters? Highly unlikely. For a start i have nowhere to store tyres not in use.

Down in the South East we rarely get weather that requires them. Certainly not this year as yet. So it'll often just be those that live down country lanes that may have the need for them. But even then, it'll only be for about 2/3 weeks of the year. I only came to a stand once, but that was down to my own stupidity. I went looking for it. Instead of sticking to the main roads, I decided a back road could be fun, then decided to do a 'U' turn right at the bottom of a steep hill. 'doh'. What happens when the snow gets really bad? Well the main roads and town centres are still kept perfectly clear. Still no need for winters. What happens when the snow is so bad that these roads arent clear? I cant honestly say i have yet to come across snow so bad that the main roads were not clear.

Our cul de sac is usually the worst part of any journey. But clear your drive and put salt down, and its no problem. Yes ive driven up our road when it was horrible and icy. Very icy. But the car only slid around when you made it. Drive sensibly and the car doesnt bat an eyelid (well ok that was my last car, dunno about the Octy). Hey, even i faired worse than the car. Step out of the car, One step, and 'weeeeee', im on my backside. Unable to walk properly for a week or so. I bet my car was laughing at me! Its not my car that needs winters. Its me!!!!!! If i lived in the middle of the Yorkshire Moors, then yes, id probably had winters. Living where i live now? No, no need for them. So it is purely on circumstances and location.

I think every car forum is having a discussion on the use of winters or not.

As you say above it all depends on location, work needs , driving confidence etc.

Since I switched to using winters, not just because of snow but during colder months I am a convert. We live out in the sticks, no sign of gritters ever so for me they are essential but for many there's simply no need.

Got my new rims for the new arrival next sat so just need to sort out my tyres and they will be straight on !!