Winter Tyres

[Zak33]

Summer Update

Lo good people

I've gone through our excellent Summer now on the Kleber Quadraxers (on the front only), and in the hot days, on the dry roads... they were OK.

Not great..you'd not expect superb... but they were fine. 150bhp through them, driven like it's stolen every third day.. and they were OK.

Still wanders a bit on motorways, and lets go progressively but early on roundabouts, vs normal summer tyres. But still... I have 100% confidence to recommend All Season Tyres on a family car for normal driving. As with all things, learn how they feel and you'll adapt.

They have worn VERY well: I am very pleased with 18k miles and still 4 to 5mm across them

(Have also bought some for Sair's Civic 2.2 CDTI and they're on the rear, and will go on the front around November)

Now... I thought I'd be cunning and buy my next pair now.. in Summer.. when there is no rush on. Winter tyres run out in winter (they did last winter). Nope.. none in stock.

I've fiddled about online looking for replacements and I have discovered some remarkable tyre options for All Seasons.

Now, you'll need to bear lots of things in mind, both about the brands, and what you do when buying.

(Some websites simply wanted too much of my personal details: and terms and conditions read, I was not interested in being available for the world tocall me, home work and mobile. However, this is not a thread about online sales.. it's about tyres)

Some unheard of, cheap brands do very well in tests.

Take the "Star Performer SPTS AS 225/45 R17 94V XL"

now, for £68 inc vat and delivery per tyre, that is CHEAP....

and it scored really well too.

Google the tyre as per my description and you'll find it.. and the website I refused to use.

Goodyear Vector4Season is well known... but I have decided to try looking further afield and then talking to a few Swedes about what they've used.

now look for a Sava Eskimo S3... yes I know.. its the internet and it might all be fan boihs.. or the tyre company owners son...

or it might be that other country's tyres are not too bad.

Anyway.. I've opted for a pair of Kumho SOLUS VIER KH21

they'l be here next week, go on in the next few months and if they're rubbish come off again.

One thing is clear though for me: if your car is a fairly normal run of the mill job, there is a very good reason to consider a bargain set of all season tyres next time.

[Knoxville]

Kumho make some fairly good off road rubber so I'd be intriguied to see how they work out for you! Just out of interest, is there a noticeable difference in road noise vs standard tyres?

[kalniel]

Anyway.. I've opted for a pair of Kumho SOLUS VIER KH21

The all season tyre that fails to shine in any conditions!

Hmm, stay safe please!

I was considering some conti WinterContact TS 850 - they're winter tyres, but so well rated all round people are using them as all-season.

Also Vredestein Quatrac 3 look worth a shout.

[Guy]

http://www.reifen.com/en

For all your winter and all season tyre needs! They stock pretty much anything and everything but aren't usually quite as competitive on summer stuff.

Often have various tyres on some cracking deals.

They even sell sets of steelies + tyres if you don't already have a suitable set for winter/second use.

A mere €20 for 4 delivered from Germany and they're stupidly quick (providing it's in stock at the time of ordering)

[bledd]

Bought a set of 2nd hand (unused) steelies for £90 and 4x winter tyres for the wife's car. Think they were about £40 each for Hankook Ice Bear's. They're on for 4-5 months of the year, and Continental Premium Contact 5's for the rest of the time. They're about £34 each.

This is in 175/65/14



I just use my summer tyres and get a lift with her if the ice is that bad..

[Zak33]

The all season tyre that fails to shine in any conditions!

lol

I know... but then again
A) it's Auto express and B) my Quadraxers are apparently bloody aweful, and yet I love them

[Zak33]

Bledd.. Icebears are awesome I have used some and they were the bomb


quite expensive on larger sizes though

[Zak33]

Kumho make some fairly good off road rubber so I'd be intriguied to see how they work out for you! Just out of interest, is there a noticeable difference in road noise vs standard tyres?

on the Quadraxers.. yes.

Especially on concrete roads.. bloody loud.

the thing is.. I'm getting used to things being average....

average in rain...average in snow.. average in dry.. average price... average fuel consumption...average handling....

so long as nothing is bad.. I like

[Zak33]

OK.. the Kumo's are now on the front and the Kleber's moved to the rear with 4.5 mm on them. (I';; probably buy new rears before winter, and will judge they Kumo's vs the Kleber's for the replacements)

So.. over the next week I'll ponder how they feel and keep y'all updated

[deejayburnout]

I forgot to take my winter tyres off the 307 this year and they are still doing OK. Make a lot more road noise though.

Also managed to get a pair of winter tyres for my 106 including alloy for free on Freecycle. Never heard of the brand but look good to me.

[HalloweenJack]

http://www.reifen.com/en

For all your winter and all season tyre needs! They stock pretty much anything and everything but aren't usually quite as competitive on summer stuff.

Often have various tyres on some cracking deals.

They even sell sets of steelies + tyres if you don't already have a suitable set for winter/second use.

A mere €20 for 4 delivered from Germany and they're stupidly quick (providing it's in stock at the time of ordering)

500 euro for 4 wheels and tyres for my synergie

[eagle123]

my Honda jazz still on the Pirelli snow control 2 tyres, the last time I had them checked they were 5mm tread all round, but that was on dec 2012 so not sure how much I have left now, was looking at fitting all season tyres the Dunlop looks good as tested by autoexpress, or change the front for winter tyres when they have got 1.5mm tread left

haven't changed the tyres yet, but it snowed in feb freaky weather

[Zak33]

OK.. a few days into the Kumo's and they're not quite as good as the Kleber Quadraxers.

it's an odd feeling.. they don't turn into a roundabout as well.. not as definite.. but they actually grip fine once they load up with cornering force.

They're also no where near as good in deep water at speed. Where the Quadraxers cut through like a knife through butter these tug to the side of the puddle.

but.... on muddy roads or resurfaced roads with loose chippings they are very very sure footed.

So.... Im adapting.

I will buy Kleber Quadraxers over these if the two choices are available.

Now.. for the random entry.....

I've just picked up a Jap Spec CRX Del Sol VTEC. and it's got Fate Antartika's (185's)

Now.. I know the previous owner.. and I know his skills.. and I know his knowledge, all of which are far superior to mine... and I have now driven the VTEC... and these FATES are very very competent in summer

[bledd]

Any pics of the Del Sol? The guy I bought my DC2 from had a lime green Del Sel

[kalniel]

OK.. a few days into the Kumo's

You know the score.. give it some miles. I've done 500 on the new goodyears and I'm biting my tongue, but they're still changing as they wear off the release compound and bed in. Come 1000 I'll start commenting I think

[shaithis]

I recently put Kumo KU39's on my 328i and have to say they have been very good. Living in rainy Plymouth I wanted a decent wet weather tyre for this winter, which is what the KU39 is supposed to be and so far their wet weather prowess seems to show, at least at the couple of spots where my back-end became quite loose on my old tyres........although oddly, there hasn't been much rain recently to give them a thorough testing

As a side-comment, I couldn't believe how good black circles prices were, especially when you consider they include fitting and delivery (to your fitting centre)