Winter tyres/wheels package

agrinnall

Thanks for all the replies, I think I'm going to go with the 13" wheels as I know they'll have the right stud pattern.

I agree with Strider590 that 4x4 is not the answer for me.

My research suggested that swapping between summer and winter tyres is a much better option than all season tyres as long as you have room to store the spare set and don't mind spending an hour twice a year changing them over. It might not be so good in the south of England but here on the edge of the Highlands we can have temperatures below 7 degrees for long periods and it makes a lot of sense to use tyres designed for those conditions.

I can't see anything on National's website to suggest they sell wheels as well as tyres; mytyres sell wheel/tyre packages, does anyone know anywhere else that does?

Hintza

I found the Panda coped very well last winter on the normal tyres. The only problem was as reported above when the snow was deeper than the ride height. We had snow for 5 weeks this year.

Norman_Castle

Can I use 13" steel wheels to replace my 14" alloys? Presumably I would have to replace all 4, which is what I intend to do anyway.

I am guessing that the 13" snow tyres have a higher profile than your 14" road tyres.This will give the same diameter and therefore your gearing will not be affected.

flyingscotno1

molerat wrote: »

The Pirelli website lists 155/80/13 for the winter tyres to replace the 165/65/14. The wheels will need to come off of a Fiat / Alfa as they use a unique 98mm pcd. Most Fiat 14" wheels will fit but a Punto is probably the best availability.

Sure about that- I have something in the back of mind that the Punto is an odd one out in the Fiat range and has different spacing to the Bravo/Panda range.

Strider590 wrote: »

A 4x4 on all weather tyre's won't stop and won't grip in corners ANYTHING like a normal car on winter tyre's.
Modern 4x4's tend to be fitted with wide sporty tread patterns too.... Great for sitting on top of the snow, instead of tearing through it!

4x4 is only good for one thing, traction under acceleration. They still only get 4 wheels to brake with, just like the rest of us.

Please don't buy into the myth that 4x4 is simply automatically better. The manufacturers will be pushing 4x4 sales this year based purely on urban myths.

Yep, 4x4 has no more grip if tyres are mince. Witness the 'Brits' getting laughed at in the European Ski Resorts as they slide around in the X5 and Range Rovers, whilst local in the Clio with winters on, hoons past.

Thinking of replacing my tyres to all-seasons. I got the car last November and it had Continentals which are great in summers, but they have little tread pattern really so grip in winter is low- everybody kept getting bogged down! Guess they are great in Germany where they have the habit of switching tyres.

The fronts have got to 20K, but the rear tyres don't need replacing- seems a waste to get rid, but for the winter advantages given I commute up to the hills in Scotland I think I'll just get 4 new ones.

molerat

flyingscotno1 wrote: »

Sure about that- I have something in the back of mind that the Punto is an odd one out in the Fiat range and has different spacing to the Bravo/Panda range.

I use http://www.rimstock.co.uk/rimstockuk/fitmentmakesearch.php and http://www.carlsalter.com/wheel_fitments.html and what I remember from my days in selling alloys. All come to the same conclusion, I don't remember any oddballs in the Fiat range. I always remember selling wobbly bolts with Punto alloys. Panda uses a 38et and PuntoII 35 but on a narrower wheel

DKLS

scotsman4th wrote: »

Would it not be better just to get a 4 by 4?

Nope I have a forester currently fitted with performance road tyres, if it snowed now, I would get home, but most of it would be sideways.
I picked up a cheap set of alloys from ebay with bald tyres and had winter tyres fitted which made such a difference in the snow and still allowed a little fun.

bigjl

I would just stick with the recommended size on the snow tyres, Yorkshie Ambulance Service bought a load of winter tyres last year to put on the Octavia Scouts during the snow, the manager was a pillock and bought the wrong size, but it was a good idea in principal. Lots of Americans and Europeans have two sets of wheels, one summer, one winter, the only reason I haven't done it is purely financial, winter tyres are also a good option just in cold weather, not just snow. There is no substitute for good driving ability though, I have driven on snow for years without any accidents, once drove back from University in 3 or 4 inches of snow back in Scotland, only problem was the snow building up in the engine bay making gear changes difficult, I was a new driver at the time, my dad had come up to collect me.
In London during the "big snow" the only thing stopping Ambulances and Police was people that didn't know how to drive on ice and snow getting stuck and blocking the roads.
Getting back to the OPs point, winter tyres are a win, but use them as soon as the ambient temp drops, not just for the few snowy weeks.