Why fitting winter tyres on your car could make it better at driving on snow than a 4x4

Sonicuk

Sonicuk

While searching for winter tyres i came across this and was quite surprised the 4x4 on summer tyres lost out to a FWD on winter tyres, I really didnt think they made such a difference and admit ive never put a winter tyre on any car and just made do with summers.

 
Very tempting indeed, shame they retail at so much maybe an investment worth thinking about further down the line.


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When i see tyres labeled Premium and the ratings are the same as a Budget ie E, C, 70db, it makes me think are we just paying for a name ?
 
I used to think like that, until I actually tried them. Models and brands in the premium range can still be hit and miss, but I've found Conti Sport Contacts and Uniroyal Rainsport 2s (which are getting in to the premium price bracket) to be better all round. Grip, feel, wear rate, and a really noticeable difference in ride quality. The better wear rate over Falkens or Kuhmos means you're not actually paying more, but you get a better quality tyre. Long term, I will never go back to those mid range brands. This is all from my first hand experience, and I've tried Falken 912s and FK452s, and Kumho KU31, and Cooper RS6.

With regards to ride quality I found 205/45 Sport Contacts to be a smoother ride to Falken 205/50. Anyone with coilovers and especially lowering springs I recommend you try the Sport Contacts or Rainsport 2s. If you don't have them then buying for the wear rate alone is worth it.

The winter Michelins I have I used for about 6,000 miles and likewise, better ride quality, even noticeable on a 195/55, and amazing wear rates. I was using the winters all the way up to June and they still look brand new.
 
I have Continentals on the front and Jinyu :eek: on the back, its one of my pet hates not having the same all round. I was originally going to have Goodyear Vector 4 Seasons put on all round this month but £200 for brakes and £200 for my sons wedding put a huge dent in this months wages. In all honesty id pay an extra few quid for a name iam familiar with plus a tidy looking tread pattern as some tread patterns scream cheap tyres and are ugly lol.
 
Tempted to pick up some part worns of these before taking the plunge on a full set once the part worns are no longer legal, thoughts?


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Yeah part worns are fine. Make sure they're at least 4mm though otherwise you might find they are less effective in the coming snow showers and slush.
 
What I love about the Bridgestones is that they simply do not aquaplane,skoda's are down to 4/5 mm on the front and still around 6 mm rear after 20k miles,gonna swap them round at work this week.Lagunas are still as new as only done about 5k on them,and they give a sad self satisfaction-used to get thoroughly blitzed by a red 08 m3 every morning on coast road driving to Brandesburton-until it snowed....blew past him 3 days straight in a 1.4 tdi fabia,catch me now you fuka......then it thawed lol
 
Had winter tyre's last few year's on my n16 never go back massive diffrence :) must be fitted in full st's an as my work college found out on his new astra after ingnoring our tech guy's....
 
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