Currently have Dunlop Grandtrek WT M3's - which is an excellent winter tyre - with the exception of poor rolling resistance. They came with the car when I bought it 3+ years ago. This year I've run them all year as the tread was a bit low for another winter so thought I'd get some life out of them in the summer before replacing. I actually have dedicated summer wheels (19's) that I normally use in the summer.

After much research I'm leaning towards Vreds. As I a) Live in Switzerland and b) Don't need year round performance.

Vreds seem to be at least as good as any other tyre in snow if not better. I had thought about Nokian's but in the tests they're not as good as Vreds in snow. They're probably a more suitable tyre for the wet UK. I know from driving on mountain roads in snow storms that here you really want ultimate snow performance.

Next is size. I'm currently on 235/65 R18. Obviously the R18 will be the same, but I could go to 255/60's, but just don't see a reason to. My summer tyres are 255/55 R19 and I don't notice much difference in comfort or grip, or even fuel consumption.

My tracking seems to have gone out, so I'll sort that at the same time.

Anyone else have any feedback? I normally do a fair amount of tyre research and won't compromise on quality, but won't pay for a brand. I don't need selling on winter tyres, and they're a legal requirement here anyway.

I run Nokians on my wifes car. I had them on my Range last winter and they are fine to run all year.

If there good enough for the Finlanders they are good enough for me

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/nokia...9-111-v-xl

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/nokia...0-106-v-xl

Last edited by Gazellio @ Prestige Cars on 12th Sep 2013 11:25am. Edited 1 time in total

an indicator of a good tyre would be what other users in your area have on their cars ..if the majority have vredestein [or any other make] then there must be a good reason for that.. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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I'm not having a go at the Nokian's Gaz - they look an excellent tyre, just in the tests the Vreds beats them in snow. In wet weather they're better. Doesn't mean they're bad in snow. They're also not available in 235/65 R18, although that's not a big issue.

Half of Northern Europe (Snowbound) run on Nokians....

I have run both for periods of over 6 months and I like the Nokians in snow but very little difference. Daft but I also prefer the chunkier look of the Nokians,

Vreds work really well used them for some years now and going on my L405 in next 6-8 weeks i would think depending on the global warming, warmer winter rollocks of course  Far to many gone...

Kurt, why do you want 235/65 R18 - Bit narrow that?

http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyre-details/nokia...8-109-v-xl

i agree seems rather small Far to many gone...

You're more impressed with girth?

Why go thinner "Girth" than factory Standard

To be honest that's why I discounted the Nokians, I could only see them in 275 width, I know I can get close enough to standard but the insurance is a bit of a worry.

Particularly given why you want winter tyres!

a wide tyre isnt always necessary in snow..

it depends on the type of snow,

on wet snow a wider tyre will grip the snow better because its got more grooves..

if its a powdery snow then the narrow tyres will push the snow out of the way much easier. ... - .- -.




Y. O. L. O.
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My comment was about getting 235 "Thinnies" instead of Standard 255.

thats a whole 80mm of width lost across all the tyres and a few inches of tread when you think about the whole area (cant be bothered to work it out) but with the weight of an FF a narrow tyre will help cut into the snow a lot better and provide more pressure for cutting in as well as pushing the stuff out of the way.

Really you want tyres that at the press of a button will deploy studs and then also retract them

The vreds get great reviews on the Disco forum as well in the 19" sizes mostly and they do a lot more plugging than most RR owners will do when the snow comes down

David why you worrying about this? Just get one of the Ho's to do the driving and spend the time in the back seat with 2 others using friction to keep warm if the journey up to the 'special' chalet gets nippy!

have you got an FBH remote as well  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

They are factory standard Gaz, I'm not doing anything wierd. Here's the standard factory sizes.

I'd be happy on 255's, after all I normally drive around on them in summer. Just I don't see much benefit.