Winter Tyres

[craig mac]

Folks,

Going to get some winter tyres fitted to the standard 17" rims for the winter.

What and where would you all suggest???

Craig

[Gumball]

Craig,

TOYO PROXES T1-R are fantastic in the wet and the dry and the only tyre that i would think of using.

[craig mac]

Gumball

I was going to fit good proper winter tyres to the 17" that i have at the moment...........

Then come March next year i will have to get summer tyres "oh dear! look my little darling i would be almost as cheap buying the complete 18" set complete with tyres than i would just getting tyres"

" Oh so you would " would be the expected reply and hey viola i have my 17"s for the winter and nice shiny new 18"s for the summer And no wingin to boot..

So what winter tyres would you think? Dunlop M3 Winter Sports look like favourites at the mo

[martyn_slorach]

I'm running 17's with toyo t1s at the moment but i dont fancy them in the snow much so i invested in a set of scabby old 16s (£80 from glenburgie) , I'm also wondering what would be a good winter tyre .

martyn

[craig mac]

So can anyone suggest some ideas re tyres?

Craig

[zeolite]

Goodyear F1s are the best all round tyre peeps.

[Pentlander]

Canadian Driver

Tyres Online

Last year thread

NOKIAN WR - I can definitely recommend these tyres! - Bought some last year.

They were superb in the snow. - Effortless on gradients and kept their line on corners (obviously going a bit slower than usual!).

I remember a particular occasion in the snow on the A696 (just after Otterburn going south).

A gradual climb through some tight bends, onto a straight slight climb, before a tight left and a fairly steep long climb. - Heading up to Ottercops Moss.

At the bottom of the last climb I got held up behind a struggling 2 wheel (front) drive vehicle which was wheelspinning like f**k, albeit making slow steady progress.

I pulled out from behind it, put the foot down and cruised effortlessly up the hill.

Very little wheelspin (if any) and went exactly where it was pointed.

These tyres are also very good on wet greasy roads (once scrubbed a little), and are fine in the dry. Also very good wear so far.

I bought a cheap set of 16 alloys on e-bay and put 205 55 16's on, to make the overall circumference as close as possible to the original 215 45 17's. - Slightly narrower (better bite in snow) and cheaper - (only about £56 from Mytyres).

The difference between these Nokian WR tyres and the Bridgestone RE 050's (original summer tyres) I had on the year before, is vast. I struggled the year before in the snow.

Check what the links above say, and decide for yourself.

Cheers,

[Rob_D]

Yep same as above the Nokian WR tyre, had these for 2 winters now in Scotland and they transform the cars handling and grip in snow compared to standard road tyres.

They cost me £320 and if that saves you from ending up in the car in front or in a field then it's a no brainer!

Rob.

[His n Hers]

I've done a few searches on the net since my original question on this topic. I was surprised to find a whole range of snow tyres from Michelin, Pirelli, Toyo etc in a huge range to fit all sorts of high power cars with low profile wheels. Looking at the tread patterns they certainly look suitable for winter use, although some of them didn't look to be much good as an all round tyre. The Michelin Pilot Alpin and Pirelli 240 snowsport both come in 205/45 x17 at just over £100 each.

Definitely got to get some for this year as the Pilots I've got on look even less snow friendly than the original Bridgestones.

[craig mac]

Folks

Can not find these Nokian tyres anywhere!

Can you let me know where you lads got these from

Craig

[Rob_D]

Craig,

I got mine from Mytyres

Rob.

[His n Hers]

just checked their site, no 205/45 x 17's

[His n Hers]

just out of interest any one know how much smaller width a tyre I could put on the standard 03 WRX rims (7" rims IIRC) ie would 195's go on without stretching the tyre too much?

Cheers, Mark

[Rob_D]

Mark, 215/45/17 maybe?

[Pentlander]

Is the original size not 215 45 17 on yout WRX?

Mytyres have Nokian WR's in this size £98.50 each though!

As I said - I bought 4 16 rims off e-bay for £50 (ok a bit tatty) and put 205 55 16 Nokians on at £55 each.

So under £300 including fitting, and no hassle after the winter - Just put original wheels back on.

Also saves your good wheels from winter salt and chemicals.

[Rob_D]

Edited size above as I think Derek could be right about the standard WRX tyre size of 215/45/17.

[His n Hers]

the standard WRX tyres are 205/45's but I'm running a set of STi rims for the summer 225/45, I want the winter tyres for the WRX rims and reckon that the narrower the tyre the better. Her Sport is great in the winter with the standard tyres, although they need replacing after 3 years on the car.............wish I could get mine to last that long

[Rob_D]

Mark, I run 225/45/17 Nokians on my Sti because I don't have any choice but they are fine.

Yes skinny tyres are better but I don't think 10mm will make much differance.

[craig mac]

Rob D

Just ordered Nokian's from Mytyres 225/45/17 also to fit the Sti.

Wear them for winter and the buy 18"s come March time woo hoo

That will give me a nice set of spare winter wheels

Craig

[irish al]

Have got a wrx and the tyres that came on the car were 215/45/17.

Not sure if the standard WRX tyres are 205/45/17

Would i be able to fit any of the following to my standard 2003 wrx wheels

215/50/17

225/45/17

225/50/17

Would like a broader tyre with a higher tyre wall for all the bloody holes in the roads i travel on

[craig mac]

Al

You should be able to fit any of those sizes m8

Craig

[Pentlander]

MY03 WRX original tyre size is definitely 215 45 17 !

[Pentlander]

Mytyres Nokian WR 215/45 R17

Back in stock!