(Boring) Another tyre thread -- which winter tyres?

bigjl

My NHS Trust has fitted Michelin winter tyres to the entire fleet of vehicles, including 205/55/16's on the Zafiras, noting but good reports so far.

Will try and get the exact tyre model but I believe they are the new Alpin tyres.

They are quiet in use and have very progrtessive handling characteristics.

I have heard lots of good reports about the Nokian winter tyres and when I was considering winter tyres they would have been on my shortlist, but my Toyo T1R's have really performed wel in the last two winters, much better than I expected, so I stuck with them.

Nankangs are much better than they used to be, they are one of the budget tyres that I would have, I had them fitted to my 17" wheels on my Subaru Legacy back in 2005/6, this was the then newly released NS2 tyre, they were very good, quiet, good wet weather grip, good wear rate.

My usual tyre choice would be Michelin or Toyo, but if I was on a tighter budget then I would have Nankangs, or at least i would have the NS2 again.

mikey72

Strider590 wrote: »

For this reason I shall be purchasing my winter tyre's (for next year) some time in the middle of May/June :cool:

Heard good things about the Falken and also one of the "budget" brands, as well as the Nokians. If my current tyre's need replacing by then I shall go for the Nokian entyre.

The vredestein quatrac 3 are supposed to be a good all rounder, but not as good as the the best summer, or best winter tyre.

mikey72

bigjl wrote: »

My NHS Trust has fitted Michelin winter tyres to the entire fleet of vehicles, including 205/55/16's on the Zafiras, noting but good reports so far.

Will try and get the exact tyre model but I believe they are the new Alpin tyres.

They are quiet in use and have very progrtessive handling characteristics.

I have heard lots of good reports about the Nokian winter tyres and when I was considering winter tyres they would have been on my shortlist, but my Toyo T1R's have really performed wel in the last two winters, much better than I expected, so I stuck with them.

Nankangs are much better than they used to be, they are one of the budget tyres that I would have, I had them fitted to my 17" wheels on my Subaru Legacy back in 2005/6, this was the then newly released NS2 tyre, they were very good, quiet, good wet weather grip, good wear rate.

My usual tyre choice would be Michelin or Toyo, but if I was on a tighter budget then I would have Nankangs, or at least i would have the NS2 again.

Don't think you'll find the NS2 on ambulances as a winter tyre.

I'd suggest looking at the SV2, maybe the SW7, or the N607 as the all rounder if you're on a budget.

jase1

That's why the Nankang was on the list really. Their newer products (NS2, SV2, N607) seem to be pretty competitive, and I think they're moving away now from their old "ditchfinder" image. Problem is of course that the price is increasing somewhat as a result -- they're now heading toward Khumo and Hankook.

Have to admit that the SV2/N607 (or even the "Star Performer" SPTS, which is a Nankang tyre produced as a private brand for mytyres) are looking the favourites for the Mitsubishi when the current Pirelli/Admiral tyres (both doing their job admirably, sorry) run down. It isn't used as a regular commuter car so these all-rounder tyres seem a good compromise.

We'll have to see what the prices are like June/July though -- I might end up with four Continentals if the price is right!

iNath

I had Continental WinterContact TS800 this winter and they were excellent. Bought from Kwik Fit in October for ~£53ea. (195/50/R15)

Kilty_2

iNath wrote: »

I had Continental WinterContact TS800 this winter and they were excellent. Bought from Kwik Fit in October for ~£53ea. (195/50/R15)

This was my 2nd choice at £90 a corner fitted in 205/55/16. Got my Bridgestone A001s for £80.50 from Farmer Autocare.

bigjl

mikey72 wrote: »

Don't think you'll find the NS2 on ambulances as a winter tyre.

I'd suggest looking at the SV2, maybe the SW7, or the N607 as the all rounder if you're on a budget.

Did you actually read my post, where did I say they fit Nankangs to any NHS vehicle or that they were a winter tyre, and yes I know that the NS2 isn't a winter tyre, I had a full set of them on my Legacy.

For extra info I checked the model of tyre fitted to the Zafira and they where Michelin Alpin, 205/55/16 H, not sure if it is relevant they where also marker up A4.

Somebody more up on winter tyres may know what that means, all I know is they grip well in the wet and snow.

However I did note that they had a little bit evidence of wear on the outside edges of the tread, so they may wear a bit more than normal tyres if you have an "exuberant" driving style, though perhaps that would be an issue with all winter tyres.

I wonder how long it will be till I am accused of working for Michelin, lol.

mikey72

bigjl wrote: »

Did you actually read my post, where did I say they fit Nankangs to any NHS vehicle or that they were a winter tyre, and yes I know that the NS2 isn't a winter tyre, I had a full set of them on my Legacy.

For extra info I checked the model of tyre fitted to the Zafira and they where Michelin Alpin, 205/55/16 H, not sure if it is relevant they where also marker up A4.

Somebody more up on winter tyres may know what that means, all I know is they grip well in the wet and snow.

However I did note that they had a little bit evidence of wear on the outside edges of the tread, so they may wear a bit more than normal tyres if you have an "exuberant" driving style, though perhaps that would be an issue with all winter tyres.

I wonder how long it will be till I am accused of working for Michelin, lol.

It's short for Alpin 4, fourth generation - A4.

bigjl

There you go, wasn't sure as they A4 bit wasn't in large letters, but in a smaller typeface a little bit away.

I assume the Alpin 4 is the latest generation? They have a V shaped tread pattern, with lots of sipes, very soft tread indeed, they will be getting removed soon and put into storage for next year.

There wasn't a repeat of the accidents and vehicles getting stuck that occured when the snow came two years ago, so they definately helped a lot, though I personally didn't find the snow that bad with the Michelin Primacy's fitted. But as I haven't driven with the winter tyres I can't give a personal view. But everybody that has driven with them has been impressed.

jase1

Going back to this old thread ... I've been offered some very cheap Sunny SN3830 tyres which are basically unused for a very low price.

Does anyone know how 'dangerous' these are lol? Again, I'd be putting them on the car November to March (and leaving them there). I have no doubt that they'd be an improvement in snow, but what about the wet?

I've never run a winter 'ditchfinder' before (I have run summer ones though), so I don't know what to expect. I would have thought they would be more solid on the road than the summer ones due to the softer compound, but I dunno. If I take a turn on a twisty A-road at 50 (that would be safe on a good summer tyre) in the wet on these tyres, will they kill me?