Unseasonal Request - Recommendation for Winter Tyres/Wheels

JP08

Doing our pre-housemove jobs list.

One of the early items on the list is to get a set of winter wheels - I'm expecting the conditions in the hillier reaches of North Yorkshire will be a little more challenging than those in suburban Cambridgeshire.

Looking at getting a complete set of wheels and winter tyres so that it's a DIY swap as required.

Any recommendations* - car is a Toyota Auris 1.2 Touring (2015 model).

*for wheels and tyres please- not to trade in the car for a 4x4 (though it is an option - a cheap one every couple of years might work out a similar price !!!)

worried_jim

Perfect timing! Get on eBay and buy a set, cheapest time of the year to do so.

JP08

Thanks Jim.

Agree about the timing - though I would prefer to go new when it comes to tyres ... just don't know their history second hand.

n217970

Bloke at work has the Michelin Climate Cross all season tyres and ravs about them.

However he has had them on for the last 2 years and nothing in that time has worried my Hancook summer tyres. Infact I have never had a problem with using summer tyres in winter and thats commuting into Hilly North Yorkshire every day with the last 5 miles being small country roads.

Edit: For what its worth I have not seen more then half an inch of snow for at least 7 years. Its not the Arctic up here.

wgl2014

+1 for Crossclimates.

Winter tyres are not really suitable for the UK's relatively mild wet winters. Crossclimates give better wet grip, better dry grip and are nearly as good as dedicated winter tyres in snow and ice.

JP08

n217970 wrote: »

Edit: For what its worth I have not seen more then half an inch of snow for at least 7 years. Its not the Arctic up here.

Heard variations on this a couple of times now - the local estate agents have mentioned how they haven't had a hard winter for several years now, etc

However we're looking at being a pretty long way up Swaledale - and it's just my luck that the next couple of years will be A66 shutters !

n217970

In fairness I reckon we are probably due a bad week next winter, but when that happens I'll get back into bed and work off the laptop

hollie.weimeraner

n217970 wrote: »

Bloke at work has the Michelin Climate Cross all season tyres and ravs about them.

However he has had them on for the last 2 years and nothing in that time has worried my Hancook summer tyres. Infact I have never had a problem with using summer tyres in winter and thats commuting into Hilly North Yorkshire every day with the last 5 miles being small country roads.

Edit: For what its worth I have not seen more then half an inch of snow for at least 7 years. Its not the Arctic up here.

I live in Sheffield and had Cross Climates fitted 2 years ago. Previously ended up snowed in numerous times but the Cross Climates have seen me through on the limited number of times we have had snow since. The look on peoples faces when I pass them whilst they are stuck is great!

Basically I have a front wheel drive car and just had 2 fitted at first which I put on the rear during the summer and move to the front when the first signs of snow start to appear. This year my other tyres will need replacing so will be having Cross Climates all round.

There are also a few promotional videos for them on youtube which shows how good they can be.

agrinnall

When I lived on the edge of the Scottish Highlands I had a set of full winter tyres (I've used Firestone Winterhawks) on steel wheels that I swapped onto the car at the first sign that winter was looming (as early as October some years and as late as December in others). In that location they were definitely worth having.



However, having now moved to tropical Birmingham they sat in the garage for the last two winters as we barely had any snow or low temperatures, and I've concluded that I really don't need them any more. So I will be selling them, but for the reason given by worried jim I'll be waiting until later in the year.

vikingaero

Check out oponeo.co.uk for cheap steel rims and tyres. Alternatively buy a set of secondhand alloys on eBay.

khcomp

Don't dismiss Ebay out of hand: The biggest concern with used tyres is their age - all tyres have date markings on them: The condition should be obvious as soon as you see them; there's a set of 2016 Winter tyres that have obviously done less than 100 miles for £120, or brand new steel wheels & Winter tyres for £325.