Winter Tyres - what size?

[mal79]

Hi,

As we have seen significant snowfall a few times this month, I have decided to get some winter tyres fitted to my 1.8SE FWD asap. The current tyres don't have a lot of traction...

I am running the standard SE rims with 205/55 R16 tyres on. The question is, do I get winter tyres in this size or do I downsize to a 15" rim/tyre? I noticed on the tyre pressures sticker there is a tyre (185/??R15) with M+S listed. Is this the winter tyre size I should be going for, or is this just the recommended tyre for use with snow chains?

Ideally I would stick with the current size and get another 3 rims along with the current spare fitted with winter tyres. But if the official recommendation is otherwise, then I will probably go with that.

I am also trying to convince the Wife that a Quattro is a very good idea and that an S4 is really what we want

 

[AnniinaW]

Hi,

I have an A4 Quattro with winter tyres (studded due to being in Finland) but I have also had friction tyres all of which have been standard 205 55 R16's. I have never heard anyone recommend to me anything like downsizing the wheels although I suppose it might give a little extra grip with narrower wheels due to smaller area of pressue on the road, maybe? I've had no trouble whatsover with mine at 205 55 R16 though. Quattro certainly helps. I also agree with the S4... I might go for one too when I next upgrade.

 

[aragorn]

I fitted winter tyres to the standard 17" alloys on our car, in the standard size of 225/45r17

Its entirely up to you what you do, personally i'd find another get of 16's and fit the 205/55r16's. Swapping between tyres on one set of rims gets expensive!

 

[mal79]

I fitted winter tyres to the standard 17" alloys on our car, in the standard size of 225/45r17

Its entirely up to you what you do, personally i'd find another get of 16's and fit the 205/55r16's. Swapping between tyres on one set of rims gets expensive!

There seems to be a much better range of tyres in the 205/55R16 size so I will go down that route. Whilst the narrow tyres are likely very good for getting through snow, I dont think I would be happy running them all winter.

Completely agree with the extra set of wheels, as the "summer" tyres are all good, just not very grippy. Being FWD I want to maximise the grip I have, especially driving up hills in this weather.

This weather seems to be helping to keep the quattro prices high, so I may have to wait until spring to get the new car

 

[Bradderz_1988]

quattro is definately the way forward and its good to have a little play with in the snow ha

 

[mal79]

The only other thing I need to confirm I guess is the speed rating. I am minded to go for "H" rated, but wonder if "T" rated derserve a look?

On one hand I am thinking that I'll never be driving anywhere near to 118mph, let alone 130mph, thus the cheaper tyres would make sense. Then I consider that the "H" rated will probably be more durable so should wear better over couple of winters. In addition, the various tyre tests appear to have been conducted with "H" rated tyres so I would be buying a known quantity so to speak.

Keeping this car on the road is an expensive business, but keeping me and the Mrs on the road is worth it!

 

[aragorn]

I wouldnt go lower than H.

Ours has a pair of V and a pair of H for winters, as i simply couldnt get hold of four V rated ones.

 

[AnniinaW]

My 205 55 R16 winter tyres are T rated but there wasn't a difference in price for me. Is the difference in price very big? T rating was worth it for me as I ended up in Germany at one point and couldn't resist the autobahn.
Generally though the speed ratings makes little difference in the winter as (like you said) the max values are never going to be reached. If the price difference is a consideration I think that H would be just fine.

 

[aragorn]

H is 130mph, T is 118mph.

 

[mal79]

Well I just eBay'd myself a second set of wheels, so it is all go with the winter tyre plan now. By the time I am done, I will have likely spent more than the car is worth...

The winter tyres I was hoping to go for were Goodyear Ultra Grip 7 +. The price difference between the T and H rated seems to be £40 more, about £150 per tyre! It does however seems to be completely the wrong time to be buying winter tyres, so I may end up going for the cheaper Dunlop Winter Sport 3D tyres (£120 each) instead.

And I guarantee that after I have the tyres fitted, we will not see another flake of snow for 10 years or more...

 

[AnniinaW]

H is 130mph, T is 118mph.

Hi, you're totally right! I have H rated on the winter tyres and V on the summer ones. Don't know how I confused that one! I had checked the price of the T and H and they were both the same here so I asked for the 210km/h.