Winter tyres going on
- Thread starter bigbob
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Froddy
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Hi Bigbob,
I had Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme winter tyres on my GS before I sold her, and I thought they were excellent.
Now that I have a GT, and knowing how amazing winter tyres are, I've started my search this season. May I ask what boots you've fitted? For some reason I'm finding it difficult to find either Pirelli Sottozeros or Michelin Alpins (or indeed any other brand) in the correct (20 inch) size, which has surprised me. Today KwikFit told me (after 8 days of waiting) that it is not possible - there is no stock. I just don't believe them, so will revert to the independent who supplied my GS winter tyres (but who can't compete with the 25% offer Kwik Fit are offering at the moment - pity they can't fulfil it!)
I realise that time is of the essence as the size is rare and winter is fast approaching. Any pointers would be appreciated!
Froddy
I had Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme winter tyres on my GS before I sold her, and I thought they were excellent.
Now that I have a GT, and knowing how amazing winter tyres are, I've started my search this season. May I ask what boots you've fitted? For some reason I'm finding it difficult to find either Pirelli Sottozeros or Michelin Alpins (or indeed any other brand) in the correct (20 inch) size, which has surprised me. Today KwikFit told me (after 8 days of waiting) that it is not possible - there is no stock. I just don't believe them, so will revert to the independent who supplied my GS winter tyres (but who can't compete with the 25% offer Kwik Fit are offering at the moment - pity they can't fulfil it!)
I realise that time is of the essence as the size is rare and winter is fast approaching. Any pointers would be appreciated!
Froddy
I've got SottoZero II fitted. Bought mine locally but mytyres had stock when I last looked.
Just fitted them for their 3rd season - last much longer than summer tyres.
FWIW my GranTurismo is much more stable under both heavy acceleration and braking than my 4200 was so it makes it a much easier steer in low grip conditions.
Let me know what you get.
Just fitted them for their 3rd season - last much longer than summer tyres.
FWIW my GranTurismo is much more stable under both heavy acceleration and braking than my 4200 was so it makes it a much easier steer in low grip conditions.
Let me know what you get.
Has any used these guys on E Bay Germany? Free delivery and their prices seem reasonable.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/goodwheel/
Cheapest I have found for Falken Fk453 as an example for my GS.
Vredstein winters seem reasonably priced.
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/goodwheel/
Cheapest I have found for Falken Fk453 as an example for my GS.
Vredstein winters seem reasonably priced.
+1. Have them on my Disco.
TridentTested
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Brilliant, thanks, I've bookmarked that.
This topic comes up ad nauseam on motoring fora and all the old duffers trot out the usual "I've been driving for forty years and never needed them" arguments. I spend my winters in the Alps and I've driven my twenty-year-old battered 205 on its winter tyres past Touregs spinning all their four summer tyres.
Everyone in the Alps knows they are essential.
TridentTested
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Chamonix.
Sadly won't be there this coming season. QP ownership, and its inability to take skis, being one of the reasons.
Before I became a family man the best solution was for me to leave an old bangernomics wreck (on winter tyres of course) over there and Easyjet in and out - which is what I've done for years. I know that road from GVA like the back of my hand. But now that there are several of us, and we are stuck to school dates, this is an expensive option. It is cheaper to drive, even with the 4.2 litre's petrol consumption.
I would be putting winter tyres on the QP and doing just that but it would be a useless vehicle over there: skis won't fit in the boot, no roof bars available. They could just possibly be squeezed in the interior but there is no surer way of destroying a car's interior than trying to squeeze in long wet slippery heavy skis with razor sharp edges.
Will you be living near Geneva and commuting to the UK? Most do it the other way around.
Sadly won't be there this coming season. QP ownership, and its inability to take skis, being one of the reasons.
Before I became a family man the best solution was for me to leave an old bangernomics wreck (on winter tyres of course) over there and Easyjet in and out - which is what I've done for years. I know that road from GVA like the back of my hand. But now that there are several of us, and we are stuck to school dates, this is an expensive option. It is cheaper to drive, even with the 4.2 litre's petrol consumption.
I would be putting winter tyres on the QP and doing just that but it would be a useless vehicle over there: skis won't fit in the boot, no roof bars available. They could just possibly be squeezed in the interior but there is no surer way of destroying a car's interior than trying to squeeze in long wet slippery heavy skis with razor sharp edges.
Will you be living near Geneva and commuting to the UK? Most do it the other way around.
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drewf
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Yep Michael - decided we are going to be living near Geneva more than living in the UK, (actually near Cluses, since you know the area), and working at Gatwick, so Easyjet is a ridiculously easy and cheap commute. It's almost doable on a daily basis...
Relatively cheap 4x4 out there on winter tyres gives pretty much the same solution you suggest, and it's very rare we need to put the chains on even to get up the hill to St. Gervais/Megeve.
Perhaps you could sneak a weekend? ;-)
Relatively cheap 4x4 out there on winter tyres gives pretty much the same solution you suggest, and it's very rare we need to put the chains on even to get up the hill to St. Gervais/Megeve.
Perhaps you could sneak a weekend? ;-)
drewf
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17-year old new driver daughter has just reported in - winter tyres fitted to her SEAT Ibiza. She's very pleased with herself, having booked an appointment, taken the car to the tyre shop and getting them to fit the tyres I'd bought and dropped off for her in Yorkshire. Just like a 'grown-up driver'... I don't know what a grown-up is 
TridentTested
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Ha. My late, dearly beloved 205, went to this scrappy in Cluses http://goo.gl/0GmjjX
Cluses isn't the prettiest town in the world but well placed for Avoriaz, Les Gets, Mégeve and of course Cham. I've become bored with the young macho crowd in Chamonix of late and some of my recent best days' skiing have been in the outlaying resorts. Had a cracking day in Contamines a couple of years ago. It was one of those great powder days that has the enthusiastic crowd queueing up for two hours to be on the first bin, and everything would be tracked out by 09:00, but we drove to Contamines instead. What a great decision; all the French families stayed on piste and we had all the powder to ourselves. Untracked fresh snow all day long.
Yes, with all those stations around you Cluses is a great location.
Good luck with the move.
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Chrisbassett
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Wow, these winters throw out the water...the sides if my car are filthy after just a couple of quick blats on damp roads. First time using them and they are a different beastie to the summer/all year tyres I'm used to.
mjheathcote
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No excuse, magnetic ski holders!
They work very well, my friend has a small chalet in the alps and has a set to put on what ever hire car he has.
