19 replies to this topic

[whittlebot]

You've all helped in so many ways, and the help and advice is appreciated more than you can possibly know,

I'll be retiring soon (no pun intended) so how I spend my money will matter rather more than it used to. I will no longer be able to afford Summer and Winter Tires. Mindful of the dreaded Winter now approaching, Is it possible to have high grip with low rumble on an all-season tire. Recommendations welcomed. Please.

Jonathan 

[DeadSquare]

Unless you are throwing the car round the roads, you only need a pair of winter tyres on the front.

 

A pair of 50 year old still partially studded Dunlop SP 44's work wonders on the rare occasions that we get more than 6" of snow in the country lanes that don't get treated.

 

(I know there are rules about them)

[dotmatrix]

in my opinion you will need both sets of tyres for year-round driving.
but wont the cost be about the same whether you have one or two sets as the mileage you do will be the same and there for the wear will be the same only distributed over two sets of tyres?

[Bat]

Hi,

I've driven in heavy snow with a 1380 on 13" Yoko A008 tyres. You can use any tyre as long as you drive within it's capabilities.

People used to drive them in every kind of condition with only cross ply tyres underneath them years ago...

Cheers 

[weef]

Hi,

All seasons tyres are a good compromise if you only want one set. Any tyres from the premium manufacturers are good, not too noisy, reasonable wear and economy.Cost wise they are more expensive but as you only need one set this offsets it. Always fit a full set, half sets can catch you out on occasions and can be dangerous.

Winter tyres use a rubber compound more suited to cold temperatures and over the years I've tried all makes and find that any winter tyres are better than none. On our workshop van, a Transit Connect, I fitted a set of Falkens all seasons last year and they coped well in the snow but can still eat up the motorway miles. I have a customer whose daughter runs a Corsa fitted with Good Year all seasons with no reported problems.  I fitted a set of Nokian winter tyres to one of the local forestry engineers Transit who ran them all year round with no problems, he needed them more for their mudplugging ability than their snow grip. This winter I am fitting some Michelin all seasons to our van but these are expensive at £100 per corner so i'll see how they perform. 

It really all depends on what you need and can afford, definitely keep clear of the budget brands as these are just a false economy, but I personally like the all season tyre concept because your always "ready" if the weather turns nasty with no need to change a set wheels/tyres.

The winter tyre demand is a comparatively recent thing here, its only in the last few years that they seem to have come to the fore with many of the fast fit centres actually stocking them instead of looking at you as if you had two heads as once was the case if you enquired about them.

Summing up, "normal" tyres adequate, pure winter tyres good and all season tyres a good compromise. 

[gazza82]

It will also be down to what you can get in the small Mini sizes .. most "moderns" are at least 15" diameter rims now ..

[SolarB]

I consider my self lucky to have a choice of 10" tyres at all, let alone winter/summer/all season.

 

A008s are OK in the snow, A032s were more of a challenge.

 

Edited by SolarB, 11 September 2018 - 07:56 AM.

[Bat]

Hi,

That's a good point, is there any thing all season available in Mini sizes?

Anything that does more than one thing will be a compromise in all situations.

It all comes down to how much tyre performance you want Vs cost...

Cheers 

[Cooperman]

Best not to take clasic cars out in the snow, unless they are historic rally cars, in which case full knobby tyres will be fitted.

[SolarB]

Best not to take clasic cars out in the snow, unless they are historic rally cars, in which case full knobby tyres will be fitted.

 

Why?

What happens?

[Cooperman]

 

Best not to take clasic cars out in the snow, unless they are historic rally cars, in which case full knobby tyres will be fitted.

 

Why?

What happens?

 

They go rusty, or should that be 'even more rusty'!

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

 

 

Best not to take clasic cars out in the snow, unless they are historic rally cars, in which case full knobby tyres will be fitted.

 

Why?

What happens?

 

They go rusty, or should that be 'even more rusty'!

 

So knobby tyres stop your car rusting ; but only if it's a historic rally car?

[whittlebot]

Thank you again, to all of you. What's on my baby now. Are Yokohama.

Jonathan 

[cal844]

By all means use it in winter but it will need welding within a few years, you should ideally use good tyres

[Cooperman]

Best not to take clasic cars out in the snow, unless they are historic rally cars, in which case full knobby tyres will be fitted.

Why?
What happens?

They go rusty, or should that be 'even more rusty'!

So knobby tyres stop your car rusting ; but only if it's a historic rally car?

No, historic rally cars go rusty, but that rust is dealt with along with other wear and damage on a regular basis.
Most classic car owners don't want their cars to rust or get damaged on a regular basis.
If a classic is used for motor-sport the level of additional on-going work is accepted.