Winter Tyres - well worth the money!!

[johns]

Had a set of these fitted to my car just over a week ago. Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 tyres in 225/45HR17. Cost about £360 fully fitted from Costco, using their 20% off voucher.

I've always managed to get by on normal tyres for the past 7 - 8 years I've been running an Impreza. I've had a few scary moments, usually when braking on icy surfaces on a downhill slope, but with a bit of caution I could manage most journeys without problems.

This year I decided to bite the bullet, and go for the winter tyre option. Decided that they would last at least 3 years before they needed replaced, so overall costs aren't that bad, and that the cost is actually about the same as the excess on my insurance policy so a worthwhile investment.

Initial impressions for the first week were of a much spongier feel to the car, which is hardly surprising given the compound used, and the softer sidewalls. You soon get used to it though, and it's not as though I press on very hard on cold, wet roads covered in leaves etc anyway. Noise levels are actually lower then the Goodyear F1s I had on, and there's a slight improvement in ride quality. Initial braking tests on cold wet roads (3 degrees c) surpised me. I wasn't expecting them to be much different from the F1s, but stopping distances were shorter, and there was more control. The ABS didn't kick in so easily and the car felt more in control under braking. You can feel the tyres squirm under heavy braking, but you get very good initial bite, and not the instant buzz through the brake pedal as the ABS kicks when using the F1s in similar conditions.

This weekend past, we had an inch or two of snow, so had a chance to try them out in anger. I must admit, I was gobsmacked at the difference they make. Previously, just touching the brake pedal on compacted/polished snow/ice, even on a level road would have the ABS kicking in, and I would normally use engine braking at all times. Downhill, you would just travel very slowly and avoid the brake pedal at all costs. Now I could actually brake and slow down, even on downhill sections. Yes it was quite easy to get the ABS to activate, but stopping distances were very good, and probably not that much longer than on wet roads.

The biggest difference though was in traction. On F1s, wheelspin and tail happy action were just a blip of the throttle away, even off boost on a standard MY02 STi in 2nd gear, especially uphill. Now I can use virtually full throttle in 1st & 2nd gears without much wheelspin until you reach full boost, and even then it's very controllable. Just a slight lift and then reapply and off you go.

Turn-in around corners is equally impressive. OK there's a bit of understeer if you turn in too fast for a corner, but most of the time they just grip and go round with little fuss.

In normal (ie not pushing too hard) driving, you can drive on snow and ice as if the roads were just wet, but obviously with a bit more caution required. The difference in car ability and driver confidence is well worth the investment.

My only concern was the H rated tyres, but I only get close to those sort of speeds on track, never on public roads. I wouldn't recommed using these tyres on track though, probably last about 3 - 4 laps

I've since had a set fitted to my wife's car (FWD Astra), and she is now happy to go out driving in snow and ice. She reports that you hardly notice that there's snow/ice on the roads at all.

In all, a very worthwhile purchase given the weather we'll get in Scotland for the next few months.

John

[st3ph3n]

I used Costco in Glasgow for tyres once a few years back. They were more professional, by a distance, than any of the local slow-fits. The tyres were rank though - "Kormorans" - but were cheap tyres for a cheap car.

I've always thought about Winter Tyres, but I don't know if we get enough weather in Glasgow to make them a viable option or not.

[Croc]

I tried Costco but they refused to swap my summer tyres onto a different set of wheels so they could put the michelins on the WR1 anthracites (which I got cheap, complete with unused REO70s) - they wouldn't touch them because they are only allowed to work on michellins. Pity, cause they were reasonable

I ended up getting Toyo Snoprox. Big difference - although I've only had them for about 10 days so far, and don;t think I'll be pushing it as much as you sound like! Feels a lot better though.

only slightly marred by the flat tyre I got after 2 days and only 25 miles. Thought it was a nail or something - turns out the garage had damaged the valve when putting one on. Phew. Gladly paid the tenner to redo the valve. Wouldn;t been gutted if I'd ruined it after only 2 days!

it's a bit of a pain doing shuttle runs to the garage with the extra wheels in the back - cause it'll only take 2 at a time!

p

[ally-b]

Do you need a business account to use Costco ?

Where is Glasgow one ?

Al

[fai17]

<< Do you need a business account to use Costco ?

Where is Glasgow one ?

Al >>

Springburn m8..

[johns]

When I spoke to the chap at Costco, he did say they would swap the tyres back again come spring.

You don't need to be a business member, you can buy personal membership. Costs about £25/year for you and one other. We more than save that in a year with various purchases. You do need various proofs of address etc to sign up.

John

[Rob_D]

John, glad you made the switch, now u know what we've been saying for the past few years about winter tyres!

Just need more snow now!! Doh.

[johns]

Rob,

I always planned to get them last year also, but just too many things to do, not enough time etc. Very happy with them now, and still can't believe the difference they make.

John

[Gaz 78]

Totaly agree with John!

I got winter tyres from my employer for running back and forth from work during the winter months here in Shetland. I have to admit that I would never have even thought about winter tyres, but now they are on the car in Novemebr and off in March. What a difference they make!!!!!!

I thought I would try them on a snow covered road.. Doing about 40 I slammed on the brakes... The car just ground to a halt.. Not sliding or anything!!!!

I currently have two Pirrelli SnowSport 240`s on the back and two Toyo Snowprox S950 on the front for extra bite... A great combination.