Best winter tyre

[IanClements]

I'm looking at winter tyres for this year as my much loved Goodrich always seem to get skittish when temperature's drop. There doesn't seem to be much around in the size I need - 195/50/R15 V - but the Vredstein Quatrac 3 gets good reviews.

However, have heard good things about Yokohama AD08's in the winter even though it's listed as a summer tyre so has anyone got any comments or can recommend anything different?

Autoexpress did a good review on winter tyres but it seems that most of those tyres just arn't available for 15 inch wheels.

[Polypedates]

As a regular user of winter tyres (albeit not on the MR2 as it is still in bits) I'd say just go with it. They will massively out-perform normal tyres once temperature drops below 7C.

I currently have Nokians for the FRP and used Pirelli Snowcontrols on the Panda 100HP previously. Both cars out performed 4WDs in snow and still drove brilliantly the rest of winter. It is a no-brainer if you do any significant mileage.

Just get the best you can for your budget based on the reviews (German reviews are best as they have more experience than UK motorists organizations) and you will find a night and day difference between a dedicated winter tyre and a 'normal' high performance tyre regardless of brand.

[IanClements]

Thanks for the reply. I'm reading some reviews on the net for the Advans being an Extreme Summer Performance tyre so I'm guessing it sounds like it wouldn't be too great in the depth's of winter.

Edging towards the Quatrac at the moment, shame there's nothing else around really.

[Lauren]

An AD08 is not what you want in the winter really.

But, I put my winter tyres on my car last year and it was simply too mild. It was advantageous for about five days in the winter. I would say above 5C they are worse than summer tyres.

I honestly think it's marketing hype about them being better at 7C. But when you get over 10C winter tyres are just terrible. I have Yoko W Drives on my spare wheels.

You notice the advantage the colder it is, but obviously it depends upon how cold a winter we have. Prolonged periods around freezing or colder and winter tyres will be worth it.

I'll stick mine on again once we get into the depths of winter, simply to save my nice wheels when salt is on the road.

[IanClements]

Thanks Lauren, the Quatrac's are supposed to be all season so I'm hoping they won't be too bad when it's mild. Anything better than what I had on last winter.

[oukie]

Both cars out performed 4WDs in snow .

Really ?

TBH I find this hard to believe,

When I had my Delica in the winter of 2010 I was driving through drifts up to 3ft deep and not getting stuck,

I used to regulary get past and go round other road users inc other 4x4 drivers in the snow and ice, just two winters ago I went round an over turned Landrover in snow and ice, I frequently pulled other vehicles out in the 2010 mega snow dump

Now I don't have it, nothing will compare to me.