Winter steelies/tyres - confused!

[page3]

A3 Sportback 8P 2.0 140 currently running Audi 17" wheels.

Never having bought winter tyres (and steelies) before, I though you lot might be able to help.

I've finally narrowed down a winter wheel/tyre package to MyTyres as follows:

Steel wheels with winter tyres (LK 5 x 112.00 x 57.00)
Vredestein Wintrac xtreme with rim protection ridge (FSL), M+S marking 205/55 R16 94V
[FONT=Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif]Audi A3 SPORTBACK 2.0 TDI 8P 1968ccm 103 kW 09.2004-11.2012[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif]Mytyres aren't very helpful though, and I'm a complete novice when it come to changing wheels.[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif]Do these seem a good choice (they do to me!)?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif]Can I use my current bolts? If not, what do I get?[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, helvetica, sans-serif]Anyone got any experiences of MyTyres, particularly their wheels?

Many thanks![/FONT]

 

[S3_Jacko]

What is the size of tyres on your vehicle at the moment... and can I ask... Is there any specific reason that you are going for winter wheels and tyres?

 

[page3]

Standard 17" that came with the car.

I live at the top of the Chilterns and travel 25 miles each way to work. Last few years were 'interesting' as temperatures stay 5 degrees lower than surroundings so ice and snow sits for ages.

 

[S3_Jacko]

ahhh right... to be honest... you might just be aswell just changing the tyres... I really dont see the need for the steel rims, if its only the standard 17's..

I live in Scotland and have had 18's on my cars the past 5 years, so you can imagine the temperature up here dips very low... Only thing to watch out for is potholes... A quattro car is what it sounds like you need

Just need to watch out for potholes, and if you do damage an alloy... it would probably be cheaper just replacing that alloy than buying a full set of rims and 17's are easily available on ebay

 

[essIII]

ahhh right... to be honest... you might just be aswell just changing the tyres... I really dont see the need for the steel rims, if its only the standard 17's..

I live in Scotland and have had 18's on my cars the past 5 years, so you can imagine the temperature up here dips very low... Only thing to watch out for is potholes... A quattro car is what it sounds like you need

Just need to watch out for potholes, and if you do damage an alloy... it would probably be cheaper just replacing that alloy than buying a full set of rims and 17's are easily available on ebay

Got to respectfully disagree with this, for a couple of reasons.

1. It costs to buy specific winter wheels, however they'll retain value. Having tyre fitters swap summer and winter tyres on one set of rims at £50 a pop is soon going to outweigh the depreciation of your winter wheels.

2. It's fairly common to go one size lower in winter wheels - this means cheaper tyres. Looks like the OP is eyeing up some 16" winters which will have cheaper tyres than his 17" OEM rims.

3. Alloys get damaged by grit and salt in the winter - not just potholes or skidding into kerbs.


Edit: To answer the original question you can normally use your existing wheel bolts, and I believe the Vred Wintracs are pretty well rated.

 

[MrLapou]

I was able to pick up an almost immaculate set of 17" alloys wheels fitted with summer tyres at legal limit. Then from a tyre supplier a set of four part worn (5mm tread) Mich Alpins, which they fitted for free to the alloys. All in, the whole package cost me £300.00.
Only doing about 600miles a month in winter I thought this was the best way to equip the car with winter tyres.

Vredestein Wintrac xtreme are purely winter tyres and very fit for purpose. But if used above 7c they will wear like crazy.
Perhaps their all season tyre is a better choice.

Vredestein Tyres / All Season Car / Vredestein QuatracLite Vredestein Quatrac Lite - 205/55 R16 91V TL Fuel Eff.: C Wet Grip: C NoiseClass: 1 Noise: 68dB &pound77.30 All Season - Four Season - All Weather - Car/MPV Tyres - 16" R16" - 205/55/16, 205/5

 

[page3]

I had the Quatrac allseasons on my wife's car and they were excellent.

Unfortunately I needed new tyres in March this year and no-one could supply the quatracs I wanted because it was "out of season"! It meant I had to go for summers, hence complimenting them with winters. Had I been able to get the all seasons I would have, but don't want to replace tyres that have only done 8000 miles.