Tyres

[Craig]

Right, looking to get some new tyres for the winter to change the runflats off the S Spokes I have. i would keep the runflats, but when I got the car, it veered all over the road under acceleration, however with my 18's on and std tyres, no such problem. So std tyres it is now...

Having looked at the t'internet there seems to be about £10 per tyre difference between 205/45/17 and 215/45/17 (the latter being cheaper). Has anyone got the 215's on their car and does it have a detrimental effect on the handling?

I have still to make my mind up on make and model of tyre, but I really don't want to spend more than about £75 per tyre. I did think about the snowprox tyres, but they are over £100 per tyre

Thoughts required as always, including what to put on for the winter that will give good grip and now cost a fortune. I have heard great things about Uniroyal Rainsports and can get them for about £85 per tyre, but I can also get Khumo Ecsta Sports for about £55 per tyre - is the difference worth it?

[doogz__]

I'm personally a bit of a tyre snob. I recently paid upwards of £150/corner for 18's for the Audi.

Having said that, in my experience, kumho's are decent enough tyres, not amazing in the wet though. I had them on the 182, and in the dry, they were as good as T1-R's, but in the wet, they were much less handy.

Rainsports are good in the wet, which i suppose is what you're after, but they get hot, quickly in the dry.

You looked at Bridgestones? Turanza's? And Vredestein is another make i'd definetely look into if i was you, they're very good, but relatively unknown.

[Big Gordy]

Your best bet is to speak to 'The Dogfather' as he did a very in-depth study of this very issue No doupt he'll be along soon I'm sure he gave the rainsports a Remember the tyres are the bits keeping you on terra firma and to use a well known saying...'you only get what you pay for' I had Nangkang once....they were truly awful....got shot of them after 2 weeks

[Big Gordy]

Did Burple not have 215's on his mini at one time What about Federals..?? (I don't find them as bad in the wet as some folk say)

[Forbes]

I had Nangkang once....they were truly awful....got shot of them after 2 weeks

They gave me a few scary moments when I had them. Were good in the dry but in the wet

[ianking]

I wouldnt go any where near the federals. The road noise from them is unreal.
Also dont think they cope with anything more than Cooper power.

[Craig]

Your best bet is to speak to 'The Dogfather' as he did a very in-depth study of this very issue No doupt he'll be along soon I'm sure he gave the rainsports a Remember the tyres are the bits keeping you on terra firma and to use a well known saying...'you only get what you pay for' I had Nangkang once....they were truly awful....got shot of them after 2 weeks

yeah, I would never buy the really cheap tyres as I have had issues before with some crap tyres...

I think my budget is good enough to get decent grip in the wet and cold conditions of our winters...

[RyanK]

Are winter tyres advisable? Been thinking about them for this winter after my last ONE was hellish in the snow

[doogz__]

I believe it's compulsory in Germany?

I've never really bothered, i have decent quality tyres and 4WD, so snow's never really an issue.

Was more of an issue in the Clio back in Feb when we had that crazy snow though.

I know a couple of people that have different wheels and tyres for winter, but that's mostly to protect their polished wheels from the excess grit, salt, and general muck on our roads in the winter.

[The Dogfather]

Depends how much snow you encounter, mind you they are better in cold conditions than summer tyres.

I fit Nokian WRG2s they are great tyres, well suited to our climate.

Its not just about keeping going as 4wd can do that, its the steering and braking that have the biggest boost