who has their winter tyres on?

[RichardSmith]

You are correct in that the best tyres should be at the back regardless of driven wheels. This goes against all that I thought having grown up with front wheel drive cars. All the manufacturers now recommend that if just 2 new tyres are fitted then the rear is where they should go because the rear end coming around is much more difficult for people (in general) to deal with than a front end slide. I would put some all seasons on the rear.

I have heard that from many a tyre fitter as well - also because it is easier for the rear wheels to break traction (in either FWD or RWD) owing to the lack of weight over them!

 

[roop_the_loop]

PS. They're "Nokian" tyres, no idea who owns them now, other than Bridgestone being "largest shareholder". Apparently the first people to manufacture a specific winter tyre. Which amuses me when various tyre shops down here have never heard of them.

Ran a set on last car and thought they were blumin good!

When Nokian Tyres was first spun off Nokia Corp, the latter owned something like three quarters of it, but over the years they've completely divested. Now I think it's mainly owned by institutional investors, pension funds etc., and the aforementioned Bridgestone.

 

[Blobcat]

Rear only? In other words, you're saying it would be OK to mix (keep summers at front and put all-seasons at rear)?

In which case, is that as far as you'd go, put all-seasons (assuming the fronts stay as summers) but not full winters?

I'd put full winters on if finance allow, I have nangkangs on the VW and they are amazing. If you can only go for 2 then all seasons will mean you could keep them on all year and not have to change.

 

[Rotorhead500]

Whoop whoop! The winter rubber has arrived, off to get them fitted at lunchtime.

So folks, time to get your shorts & t-shirts back out... Indian summer about to make an appearance!

 

[Rotorhead500]

And here they are:

 

[television]

Are they noisy to drive on

 

[Rotorhead500]

Hard to say really TV, literally did 4 miles across town with them, driving like Miss Daisy as had summer Contis (wet ones) on rear seat.

Ride didn't seem to be affected. Will report back asap but working away most of next week so bare with me!

 

[Blobcat]

The ones I had on the Volvo and those on the VW are very quiet

 

[Rotorhead500]

The ones I had on the Volvo and those on the VW are very quiet

Likewise the Nokians I had on the W203, even in the Spring. At the risk of becoming a Nokian fanboy, I was really impressed with them. (Unfortunately, they are now £100 a set dearer than these Avons, so i thought I'd try an alternative for comparison!) :neutral:

 

[ianstaley]

Mine go on next week all four of them will be like driving a steam train on the road so just turn up the DAB radio.

 

[OP_Merc]

Can't say I've noticed much noise difference between the Dunlop Wintersport 3D and the Dunlop SportMaxx RT... Might just be me though.... (too many screaming engines, too few ear defenders...)

 

[coventryslk]

Not using winter tyres, never needed them. I get to work and all over the county when the majority are off sick cos they cannot get anywhere because of snow. The only issue is making sure my long driveway is clear of snow and ice as it rises toward the road.

In my old SLK, a few years ago i got over a small ice/snow coated bridge that people were turning away from in off road vehicles

My old Laguna was great in the snow/sleet. It had very good traction and i could bomb around with confidence plus it had ASR with a snow function

The W204 is OK to, bit light on the front end but i will adapt my driving to conditions

 

[frog1520]

Had Nokian WR2's on my S class for the last few winters - they were brilliant.

I've put Pirelli scorpion winters on my ML this year - hope they're as good!

 

[gizze]

The W204 is OK to, bit light on the front end but i will adapt my driving to conditions

I will wave as I go passed at 50 while you're doing 15.

 

[Blobcat]

Fitted mine today to the VW my 11 yr old daughter helped by jacking it up and checking the pressures as well as putting the summer wheels away. She's a great girl and has 5* running through her veins

 

[NeilA]

My Uniroyals MS 66's 18 inchers just arrived (got em for a bargain price of 93 quid each, at that price hard to beat) - off to Austria for a weeks skiing and bruising at xmas - probably get them fitted at the beginning December.

 

[RobWheatley]

Mine are on now, 225/60/16 Michelin Alpin all round (245/45/18's normally) grip is much better in the wet, no more noise, and a few better MPG due to the narrower tyres I think.

 

[coventryslk]

I will wave as I go passed at 50 while you're doing 15.

I used to blast around with superb levels of grip in my old laguna, i felt like a rally driver with all the other drivers holding me up

 

[Myros]

I put the mem's on her 210 yesterday

Nankangs like yours Russell. They make light work of the hills around here in snow, which can give us a 'moment' on summer rubber. I didn't have to keep shovelling the snow off the road in front of the house ,which is a bonus.
Just girding up to go and do mine on the S-Class. I have Kumhos on 16 inch rims. In the 1deg C cold last night, I noticed just how much thumpier the ride on my 18's had become with the sidewalls stiffening up. The 16s do give a magic carpet ride, and are only a tad noisier than summer patterns.

I look forward to my neighbours marvelling at just" how good Mercedes are in snow" again this year...

 

[Rotorhead500]

I look forward to my neighbours marvelling at just" how good Mercedes are in snow" again this year...

LOL. I'm just waiting for a guy down the road to scratch his head as his Q3 slides gracefully sideways into the curb, as mine makes it's way past quite happily!

Just like last year.