Facelift Winter tires - Time to take responsibility?

[Ormesome]

So, with temperatures hitting the lowest seen in 7 years, plus snow every winter now becoming the norm, should we all become a little more responsible and fit winter tires? I ask this question as I sit at work in Switzerland where nearly every morning I have to dig my car out of the snow, and if I don't then ice is always an issue. Also, watching the news and seeing all the idiots in the UK driving around on summer tires, sliding everywhere and crashing into people, I can't help to think that we all really should start taking precautions. Various threads on here have talked about winter tires, the need for them, there are always pros & cons, but surely at times like these, we should all start to realise the real need for them?

The pros I can see are:

• Safer (for obvious reasons!)
• Better in all condition under +8 degrees - This means that Nov,Dec,Jan,Feb & parts of March you will get better grip based on average temperatures (if based on minimum temps then you can also add in October, April,May)
• The lower temperatures are usually when most of us will be driving to work, 1st thing in the morning & last thing in the afternoon)
• Cost- I don't understand why people but the cost in the negative section. The cost of your winter tires will be cancelled out because you are putting less wear on your summer tires. False economy if you ask me.

Negative:

• The only negative I can see is finding time to change them over and storing the tires. Not all people have a place to store the tires

Please keep this thread nice and calm! another thread got a little out of hand. All opinions will be just that, and geographically based opinions too so this should be thought of!

Finally, sorry for the post and that it goes over issues again! Its just frustrating seeing the UK stop for around 10cms of snow when most of the EU functions besides getting this daily for months. Also, as a recent convert and believer in changing tires, perhaps the current conditions will allow less enlightened souls to finally see the light!!

 

[msdmjb]

It is snowy down my way in France and life just carries on as normal.
No grit, no salt just winter tyres and people just carry on their lives as always. A Berlingo/Kangoo van with winters is the ultimate winter vehicle, no need for the 4x4 that ironically the UK is obsessed with.

The only issue I see is that if the majority don't do it then you will just be stuck in the same jam as everybody else even with winters, I live in a very rural area and no way would I not use winters for the 8-10 weeks of the winter that I do. Spare set of wheels with the winters, takes less than 30mins to swop all 4 wheels. I use dunlop wintersport 5 and they are great for road use even in milder temps, last a very long time too.

 

[AlS3BE]

Half the problem in the uk is too many idiots think they can drive in the snow/ice with or without winter tyres. A lot of them buying all these SUVs/4wd thinking they are invincible in all conditions. Last year with the beast from the east I had to go out middle of the night and dig my wife’s friend out in my a6. He had a Land Rover discovery sport and it got stuck. Then he asks me how I managed to get to him with no drama considering the snow was past my bumper. I had winter tyres.

 

[Jassyo06]

Drive to the road conditions Simples l don't need winter tyres as when and if it snows that bad, l will just stay in the house, no snow in Central Scotland just now, beast from the east in late February and early March last year was the worst weather conditions in Scotland for 10 years and no winter tyres fitted to any car would have been driven anywhere during this type of weather ergo

 

[Ormesome]

Drive to the road conditions Simples l don't need winter tyres as when and if it snows that bad, l will just stay in the house, no snow in Central Scotland just now, beast from the east in late February and early March last year was the worst weather conditions in Scotland for 10 years and no winter tyres fitted to any car would have been driven anywhere during this type of weather ergo

Winter tires are not directed just at snow. Driving to the conditions, of course, we all agree with this. I would beg to differ that all people drive to the conditions in Winter. As beforehand, this thread isn't directed at the snow, it's regarding subprime summer tire conditions. Click on any news channel or online paper right now (UK based) and i guarantee that the main picture is chaos on UK roads. Is this driving to the conditions? You can't just stay at home because you can't drive to the conditions, you have to make the conditions the best you can to a certain point. Would you wear flipflops to work in Winter and then moan when your feet are cold? Iv had to invest in really grippy walking boots to get to work from the car park. I tried for a few days in my smart suit shoes but fell over a few times! Now i am walking to the conditions!

 

[Uno98988]

See I completely agree with this. If not winter tyres, at least put on some 4 seasons (last year I had crossclimate + and I had no issues). I have been having this argument at work recently, all of them are telling me as long as you drive appropriately nothing will happen and winter tyres are just a from of marketing. Or they try to give the story that if it gets that bad they just won't leave the house. Nonesense. I explained that yes they were originally created for more snow than we usually get in the UK however they work miles better than summer tyres on things like ice and cold asphalt. I was born in a European country where you would actually get fined if you didn't have winter tyres on from November to March.

 

[AlS3BE]

Drive to the road conditions Simples l don't need winter tyres as when and if it snows that bad, l will just stay in the house, no snow in Central Scotland just now, beast from the east in late February and early March last year was the worst weather conditions in Scotland for 10 years and no winter tyres fitted to any car would have been driven anywhere during this type of weather ergo

Managed fine going to shops, had to stock up on beer and obviously food for the kids, and checking on my folks everyday with winters. Even with a foot plus of snow.
Wanting to see which is better the haldex in the s3 or my torsion diff in the a6.

 

[S32B]

Half the problem in the uk is too many idiots think they can drive in the snow/ice with or without winter tyres.

Drive to the road conditions Simples l don't need winter tyres as when and if it snows that bad, l will just stay in the house

Couldn't agree more. The only thing that annoys me is that I had 4x4 & quattro for 4 winters and didn't get a single snowflake, this is the 2nd winter without it and we've had heavy snow and ice for both!!!

Winter tyres is a good excuse to have a different set of alloys for a change of look though!

Talking of idiots!!! I was driving up the road a few nights back, a gritter was coming down with cars parked either side, I waited for the gritter to come down thinking "Great he's going to pebbledash the car", once he'd gone two cars were coming down as well, the first car stopped and flashed me to come through. I pulled from the side of the road and started to drive towards them passing the parked cars on my left! Suddenly the BMW driver that was behind the car that was waiting decided he didn't want to wait any longer! So he pulled around him and started driving towards me I thought what a t1t, where can I go?!?! As he got closer he had to slow right down and squeeze between me and the kerb, he then had the audacity to put his window down and start shouting at me for being a F*#*#*g W#*#*R I didn't even look at him, I just raised the middle finger and continued to drive, that would wind him up more The guy that had waited was shaking his head in disbelief whilst pointing the BMW.....there are some right plonkers out there!

 

[Ron240]

As already stated too many idiots in this country do not adjust their driving style to the conditions.....then wonder why they go sliding off the road, or worse into other vehicles.
Some go the complete opposite and drive too slow which conributes to others getting stuck behind them.
A basic understanding of how your vehicle is likely to behave in differing conditions is required.
As Jassy said though....in the very rare times that it gets bad enough I just stay in the house.
I have never used or experienced winter tyres.....the expense for me personally cannot be justified.

 

[AlS3BE]

As already stated too many idiots in this country do not adjust their driving style to the conditions.....then wonder why they go sliding off the road, or worse into other vehicles.
Some go the complete opposite and drive too slow which conributes to others getting stuck behind them.
A basic understanding of how your vehicle is likely to behave in differing conditions is required.
As Jassy said though....in the very rare times that it gets bad enough I just stay in the house.
I have never used or experienced winter tyres.....the expense for me personally cannot be justified.

Expense for me is time.
Last set of new Audi winter alloys and tyres with storage bags cost me £700 with storage and changes for 2 years included.
Sold them after 2.5 years for £600 could have got more on eBay if I was willing to post them but couldnt be bothered with the hassle. So cost of running for a few winters was around £60 cause I kept the storage bags for new set.
If I kept the summers on that would have been a new set of tyres at £7-800 so actually made a saving.
Current new set cost about £700 and I would be happy to get £5-600 back in a few years.

 

[Ormesome]

As i stated in the 1st post, i do not understand the cost argument. Firstly, this is an Audi forum (A3 section). we all drive expensive cars, so one could assume that we are doing ok in life. Of course, this is a generalisation and there could be those on PCP who are stretching their pay packets just to meet the monthly payment but i guess that is another story. Secondly, the cost argument doesn't really add up when you realise that you will not be running the summer tires for a period of time hence not causing wear. The only cost scenario that is making sense is the initial outlay argument.

Another point, staying at home might be ok for some, others not so. Staying at home only applies when snow is really bad and only if your work is relatively ok with you pulling a "snow day". Here in Switzerland (and most of this area of Europe, Northern Italay, Austria, parts of Germany etc..) snow days do not exist. You get to work no matter what the weather. Why should you stay at home because you can't drive your car in 1cm of snow? it's your car, you need to maintain it to the conditions.

The term we are using a lot, "Driving to the conditions" is a ridiculous way to think in my opinion when it comes to maintenance and preperation of your car.

 

[Jassyo06]

As i stated in the 1st post, i do not understand the cost argument. Firstly, this is an Audi forum (A3 section). we all drive expensive cars, so one could assume that we are doing ok in life. Of course, this is a generalisation and there could be those on PCP who are stretching their pay packets just to meet the monthly payment but i guess that is another story. Secondly, the cost argument doesn't really add up when you realise that you will not be running the summer tires for a period of time hence not causing wear. The only cost scenario that is making sense is the initial outlay argument.

Another point, staying at home might be ok for some, others not so. Staying at home only applies when snow is really bad and only if your work is relatively ok with you pulling a "snow day". Here in Switzerland, snow days do not exist. You get to work no matter what the weather. Why should you stay at home because you can't drive your car in 1cm of snow? it's your car, you need to maintain it to the conditions.

The term we are using a lot, "Driving to the conditions" is a ridiculous way to think in my opinion when it comes to maintenance and preperation of your car.

I can drive my car in several cm of snow mate, the problem being the gritters no longer grit the street/part of the estate l live in only bus routes and main routes so these localised housing areas , l personally don't want to afford the £1000 plus expense of another set of wheels and tyres my car costs me enough just for summer tyres, it's all down to personal circumstances if l have to drive out in heavy snow I'll take the Mrs car lol

 

[S32B]

As i stated in the 1st post, i do not understand the cost argument. Firstly, this is an Audi forum (A3 section). we all drive expensive cars, so one could assume that we are doing ok in life. Of course, this is a generalisation and there could be those on PCP who are stretching their pay packets just to meet the monthly payment but i guess that is another story. Secondly, the cost argument doesn't really add up when you realise that you will not be running the summer tires for a period of time hence not causing wear. The only cost scenario that is making sense is the initial outlay argument.

Another point, staying at home might be ok for some, others not so. Staying at home only applies when snow is really bad and only if your work is relatively ok with you pulling a "snow day". Here in Switzerland (and most of this area of Europe, Northern Italay, Austria, parts of Germany etc..) snow days do not exist. You get to work no matter what the weather. Why should you stay at home because you can't drive your car in 1cm of snow? it's your car, you need to maintain it to the conditions.

The term we are using a lot, "Driving to the conditions" is a ridiculous way to think in my opinion when it comes to maintenance and preperation of your car.

The problem over here is that we can go years without any snow, then we get 1cm of snow and the country stops! If we were in a country that gets snow each year without fail, then I'm sure more people would have snow alloys/tyres.

I always feel embarrassed as a nation when it's all over the news telling people to stock up on food, stay indoors, don't drive until absolutely necessary and then show you why:

Example:

And then you see other countries just getting on with it:

 

[surfer8210]

Winter tires are based on temperatures and not the amount of snow you might receive.
The tread patterns will disburse the material but the material has to be compliant enough to give you traction.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ormesome]

The problem over here is that we can go years without any snow, then we get 1cm of snow and the country stops! If we were in a country that gets snow each year without fail, then I'm sure more people would have snow alloys/tyres.

I always feel embarrassed as a nation when it's all over the news telling people to stock up on food, stay indoors, don't drive until absolutely necessary and then show you why:

Example:
View attachment 174833

And then you see other countries just getting on with it:
View attachment 174834

Yep I agree with you mate. I'm from Somerset, so pretty much as south as you can get! Never had winter tires, never even had the thought of putting them on, but this was because of my mentality then and the people around me. The fact that temperatures are below +8 in around 5 months of the year in the UK and that snow falls pretty regularly for a couple of weeks a year now, I thought that the mentality might be changing. It's not all about the snow, which is why some comments of " I drive to the conditions" annoy me. -1 going over the hills in Somerset will be full of slippy roads and winter tires will help with grip. You may drive to the conditions, but this doesn't mean that you are prepared for the conditions. Going back to the shoe analogy, in summer I might go hiking in normal Salomon shoes, if I took these out at any point in winter I would slip and fall over. I could walk slower and potentially be fine but why take the risk. May as well buy some new proper winter hiking shoes that serve the purpose and offer better grip in "winter" conditions.

I feel that people are caught up on the idea that Winter tires mean snow tires and that 0 degrees is the cut-off point!

 

[Toonsoldier91]

Drove to my mot and back fine this morning. 35 mike around trip. 3-5 cm snow depending on the area.

Roads were slippy as it was early ish, slowed down. Left room to slow down and stop.

Summer tyres that are nearly 2 year old.

If you drive to the conditions I think most people will be fine but you always get that one person who think they know better. And that isn’t just 4x4 drivers. Luckily for me snow on the ground is rare as I live right on the coast but up where I work it’s snows often in winter time.

 

[NevMan]

Have had a chuckle reading some of these comments. Each to their own just as is the case with car, colour, model, purchase method etc etc.

I have just been to drop missus at train station as she is off to London for the weekend. went past quite a few stranded cars, and spinning wheels, and yes some idiots driving around corners like Ari Vatinen (but nowhere near his skill level) on ice.

Winters were faultless, may as well have been on slightly muddy road with no traction issues etc.
I am a fan, and as @Ormesome has said, along with his other valid comments, is after initial outlay (my tyres and alloys cost about £700), you are not wearing your summers down for 4-5 months of the year. When I come to change cars, can sell these and will probably get £500+ easily.

Not a difficult decision for me, but that is just me

 

[NevMan]

Winter tires are not directed just at snow. Driving to the conditions, of course, we all agree with this. I would beg to differ that all people drive to the conditions in Winter. As beforehand, this thread isn't directed at the snow, it's regarding subprime summer tire conditions. Click on any news channel or online paper right now (UK based) and i guarantee that the main picture is chaos on UK roads. Is this driving to the conditions? You can't just stay at home because you can't drive to the conditions, you have to make the conditions the best you can to a certain point. Would you wear flipflops to work in Winter and then moan when your feet are cold? Iv had to invest in really grippy walking boots to get to work from the car park. I tried for a few days in my smart suit shoes but fell over a few times! Now i am walking to the conditions!

walking to the conditions...love it!

 

[NevMan]

So, with temperatures hitting the lowest seen in 7 years, plus snow every winter now becoming the norm, should we all become a little more responsible and fit winter tires? I ask this question as I sit at work in Switzerland where nearly every morning I have to dig my car out of the snow, and if I don't then ice is always an issue. Also, watching the news and seeing all the idiots in the UK driving around on summer tires, sliding everywhere and crashing into people, I can't help to think that we all really should start taking precautions. Various threads on here have talked about winter tires, the need for them, there are always pros & cons, but surely at times like these, we should all start to realise the real need for them?

The pros I can see are:

• Safer (for obvious reasons!)
• Better in all condition under +8 degrees - This means that Nov,Dec,Jan,Feb & parts of March you will get better grip based on average temperatures (if based on minimum temps then you can also add in October, April,May)
• The lower temperatures are usually when most of us will be driving to work, 1st thing in the morning & last thing in the afternoon)
• Cost- I don't understand why people but the cost in the negative section. The cost of your winter tires will be cancelled out because you are putting less wear on your summer tires. False economy if you ask me.

Negative:

• The only negative I can see is finding time to change them over and storing the tires. Not all people have a place to store the tires

Please keep this thread nice and calm! another thread got a little out of hand. All opinions will be just that, and geographically based opinions too so this should be thought of!

Finally, sorry for the post and that it goes over issues again! Its just frustrating seeing the UK stop for around 10cms of snow when most of the EU functions besides getting this daily for months. Also, as a recent convert and believer in changing tires, perhaps the current conditions will allow less enlightened souls to finally see the light!!

Well said mate.

And on the Negative...I pay my local Audi £120 to swap over tyres twice and store for a year..bargain. And also gives me a chance to give them a proper clean and coating before handing back to them for storage

 

[S32B]

Going back to the shoe analogy, in summer I might go hiking in normal Salomon shoes, if I took these out at any point in winter I would slip and fall over. I could walk slower and potentially be fine but why take the risk. May as well buy some new proper winter hiking shoes that serve the purpose and offer better grip in "winter" conditions.

That's an excellent analogy and I never thought of it like that As a walker myself I see where you're coming from, in summer I use my Merrell gore tex hiking shoes and in winter I go fully booted in the Orkney's...which are 7 years old and still going strong!

The pros I can see are:

• Safer (for obvious reasons!)
• Better in all condition under +8 degrees - This means that Nov,Dec,Jan,Feb & parts of March you will get better grip based on average temperatures (if based on minimum temps then you can also add in October, April,May)
• The lower temperatures are usually when most of us will be driving to work, 1st thing in the morning & last thing in the afternoon)
• Cost- I don't understand why people but the cost in the negative section. The cost of your winter tires will be cancelled out because you are putting less wear on your summer tires. False economy if you ask me.

Reading that again and thinking about it, it does make sense. The next car I get I intend to extend the warranty and keep it for 5 years, as I'm doing under 5,000 mile per year. So 5 lots of say 5 months on winter tyres = 25 month wear saved on the summer tyres, which could mean I don't have to buy new summer tyres before selling the car, so that saving has paid for the winter tyres You are also saving the summer alloys from winter damage as well! I've noticed a few potholes open up the last few weeks on the way home from work.

 

[NevMan]

The analogy does make sense. Amount of times I have slipped and fallen over when in wrong shoes.
Your maths makes sense, just ask @45bvtc who has used his same winters for a number of seasons, as due to conditions and probably tyre compound (and the cold) they don't wear down like summers do.

Sold my A6 winters after using for one season, and bloke that bought them couldn't believe his luck, as even had the colour markings on the tread they have when new. Sold the tyres and alloys for £500, Having spent £200 + £500 on the alloys and tyres

 

[AlS3BE]

Well said mate.

And on the Negative...I pay my local Audi £120 to swap over tyres twice and store for a year..bargain. And also gives me a chance to give them a proper clean and coating before handing back to them for storage

That’s not bad. My dealer wanted £200 so told them for that much I will do it myself

 

[S32B]

The analogy does make sense. Amount of times I have slipped and fallen over when in wrong shoes.
Your maths makes sense, just ask @45bvtc who has used his same winters for a number of seasons, as due to conditions and probably tyre compound (and the cold) they don't wear down like summers do.

Sold my A6 winters after using for one season, and bloke that bought them couldn't believe his luck, as even had the colour markings on the tread they have when new. Sold the tyres and alloys for £500, Having spent £200 + £500 on the alloys and tyres

Well you can't argue when you see them in action

 

[Ron240]

As i stated in the 1st post, i do not understand the cost argument.

The term we are using a lot, "Driving to the conditions" is a ridiculous way to think in my opinion

On your first point.......well I own my car outright and I always take cost very seriously.

Your second point.......all I can say is, are you actually being serious?
You think driving to the conditions is ridiculous?
Wow.....I've never heard that one before....and am honestly astounded!

 

[45bvtc]

The analogy does make sense. Amount of times I have slipped and fallen over when in wrong shoes.
Your maths makes sense, just ask @45bvtc who has used his same winters for a number of seasons, as due to conditions and probably tyre compound (and the cold) they don't wear down like summers do.

Sold my A6 winters after using for one season, and bloke that bought them couldn't believe his luck, as even had the colour markings on the tread they have when new. Sold the tyres and alloys for £500, Having spent £200 + £500 on the alloys and tyres

rue

Tis true, q5man. I/we live on Hednesford Hills, there's a clue to the elevation of our local roads in the name. And yes, our RS3 winters are on their 8th winter, our TT winters are also on their 8th winter, and our A1 winters on their 2nd winter. And guess what will be my first purchase the day after I acquire that Q5, q5man; yep, no prizes there, a set of OEM rims with winter rubber. We have way enough hospital trips each week on and off the Hills that we don't need a traction/snow/lack of a gritter-man issue to stop us.

Me, I'd BAN the gritters, we never see 'em here on the Hills anyway. And anyone stuck out there in the snow on summer rubber I'd leave. And anyone having a wee bump on snow and/or slush and/or ice while shod with summer rubber would be their fault, period.

The £s we spend on grit and gritters is way too much anyway

These cars suitably shod just love it!

Happy days...

 

[Ormesome]

On your first point.......well I own my car outright and I always take cost very seriously.

Your second point.......all I can say is, are you actually being serious?
You think driving to the conditions is ridiculous?
Wow.....I've never heard that one before....and am honestly astounded!

You're quoting me out of context just to get a little jab in! Just to put it in context for you..... We are talking about drivers who are arguably not using the correct equipment for the conditions, so arguably the fact these drivers say they are driving to the conditions is just nonsense because they can't drive to the conditions!

This is the quote you should have used, not just your edited version to get some justification:

The term we are using a lot, "Driving to the conditions" is a ridiculous way to think in my opinion when it comes to maintenance and preperation of your car.

 

[45bvtc]

Well said mate.

And on the Negative...I pay my local Audi £120 to swap over tyres twice and store for a year..bargain. And also gives me a chance to give them a proper clean and coating before handing back to them for storage

You PAY!!! £££s to someone????

 

[Ron240]

@Ormesome
I wasn't having a dig at you....I never have random digs at people. I always edit quotes to reflect exactly what it is that I am replying to.
What we have here is simply a difference of opinion.
I highlighted to you that cost can(and usually is unless you are loaded) be a genuine consideration regardless of whether we drive Audis or not, and reinforced that from my situation in that I own my car outright. I drive less that 5000 miles per year and live 8 miles from my work. Winter tyres cannot be justified for me, but for others they make perfectly good sense.

Your "driving to the conditions" statement has to stand on its own, that is why I deliberately edited the remainder of your sentence.
Driving to the conditions is a very real thing, and it is obvious that some do not do this....which in turn can be the main cause of many road traffic collisions. In the context of this thread driving to the conditions is about adjusting your driving style in keeping with the road and weather conditions.
I always keep my cars properly maintained, but like I said I have no need to fit winter tyres.

I hope we have not fallen out over this.

 

[Ormesome]

@Ormesome
I wasn't having a dig at you....I never have random digs at people. I always edit quotes to reflect exactly what it is that I am replying to.
What we have here is simply a difference of opinion.
I highlighted to you that cost can(and usually is unless you are loaded) be a genuine consideration regardless of whether we drive Audis or not, and reinforced that from my situation in that I own my car outright. I drive less that 5000 miles per year and live 8 miles from my work. Winter tyres cannot be justified for me, but for others they make perfectly good sense.

Your "driving to the conditions" statement has to stand on its own, that is why I deliberately edited the remainder of your sentence.
Driving to the conditions is a very real thing, and it is obvious that some do not do this....which in turn can be the main cause of many road traffic collisions. In the context of this thread driving to the conditions is about adjusting your driving style in keeping with the road and weather conditions.
I always keep my cars properly maintained, but like I said I have no need to fit winter tyres.

I hope we have not fallen out over this.

No problem at all! I'm glad you replied in this manner as some wouldn't, I appreciate it. I do understand both of your points, each person is different and tackles situations differently. Just one point... Over here, if someone is driving and does not have winter tires, skids and crashes into someone or just damages their own car, then they are not insured. This is due to the owner of the vehicle not correctly equipping the car for the conditions. I think my "driving to the conditions" comment was aimed more at that, hence my shoe analogy! Can't remember what the T&Cs are in the UK regarding this.

 

[NevMan]

You PAY!!! £££s to someone????

I know mate, but I don't have a garage, big jacks etc...I did store my last set of winters from A6, but to be honest, for me £120 is a bargain.
So which Q5 you getting then?

 

[NevMan]

rue

Tis true, q5man. I/we live on Hednesford Hills, there's a clue to the elevation of our local roads in the name. And yes, our RS3 winters are on their 8th winter, our TT winters are also on their 8th winter, and our A1 winters on their 2nd winter. And guess what will be my first purchase the day after I acquire that Q5, q5man; yep, no prizes there, a set of OEM rims with winter rubber. We have way enough hospital trips each week on and off the Hills that we don't need a traction/snow/lack of a gritter-man issue to stop us.

Me, I'd BAN the gritters, we never see 'em here on the Hills anyway. And anyone stuck out there in the snow on summer rubber I'd leave. And anyone having a wee bump on snow and/or slush and/or ice while shod with summer rubber would be their fault, period.

The £s we spend on grit and gritters is way too much anyway

These cars suitably shod just love it!

View attachment 174851


Happy days...

That is astounding mate...8 winters!! Can't argue with any of your other comments

 

[45bvtc]

I know mate, but I don't have a garage, big jacks etc...I did store my last set of winters from A6, but to be honest, for me £120 is a bargain.
So which Q5 you getting then?

a) I agree, q5man; £120 would do it for me, too; makes a lotta sense. b) The 286bhp 3.0tdi does it for us. Back to back with a new petrol SQ5 at our Stafford Audi meet (which you missed ) this 3.0tdi:

https://www.swanswaygarages.com/aud...i-q5-s-line-3.0-tdi-quattro-286-ps-tiptronic/

was so much more preferred for ride (even in Dynamic) and get-up-and-go over local/A-rods we generally use; oh so tempting.

That said, in two of our NHS visits this week we were mega happy to be parking our A1 in the limited space(s) available: like I say, "wants" (the SQ5/Q5) and "needs" (the A1) can be quite different.

Getting a 2.0tdi 'loaner' at the end of the month for further evaluation...

In the meantime, gonna enjoy the Audi cars we have for now - let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

 

[Pook]

I personally just don’t think winter wheels are worth it, be it financially or otherwise. This year we didn’t have any bad weather that would even closely justify winter wheels until well into jan. likelihood is we might have up to a month of poor conditions maximum and that is fairly typical. Drive to the conditions. Stay safe everyone.

 

[Pook]

And cars look utter poop with winter wheels. IMHO. Am not paying the amount I do a month to have it looking rubbish.

 

[Ormesome]

I have my 19 inch alloys running all year round because I agree the smaller alloys don't look as good! Not got stuck yet in the worst snow in years here. Yes, smaller wheels are better in snow but we are talking about all conditions, not just snow. Generalising but most of the drivers stuck out there today on the motorways, would have been fine if they had equipped their car properly. The question isn't about "bad weather", it's about getting the most grip. Why should your braking distance or grip levels be optimised only in the summer.

Video here, up to 3mins its about snow, after its about conditions that are up to +7/8 degrees, i think the most shocking part is the braking distances and the speed that the car on summer tires is doing when the car on winter tires has stopped:

 

[S32B]

I know mate, but I don't have a garage, big jacks etc...I did store my last set of winters from A6, but to be honest, for me £120 is a bargain.

I called Audi assist out twice to change a punctured tyre for me, once away from home and once whilst the car was on the drive. Yes I could have done it myself, but if it had dropped off the supplied jack it would have caused a lot of damage....so I can see why you pay someone to do it If I went for winter tyres/alloys on the next car I'd pay for someone to switch them over, luckily I have space to store them myself.

PS: The new JCW is up on the site to build

Max. Torque 320 Nm
Power 231 HP

 

[45bvtc]

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[Ormesome]

View attachment 174886

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Spot on! Same here in Switzerland, Germany and Northern Italy. In Austria its a legal requirement.

 

[AlB82]

We had a fair amount of snow last year so gave me a chance to compare my Q5 quattro on summer tyres vs the wifes Leon on all season Michelin cross climates. Hands down the all seasons were better, particularly breaking and going around roundabouts. I didn't have anywhere to store winter tyres so when the snow comes I just take the wifes car and leave the 4x4 on the drive.

The Q5 has been a big lesson in cars. I bought it as I wanted something that could handle anything. What I didn't consider at all was the cost of tyres for the stunning 21" wheels and the fact I'd really need two sets of wheels. Next car I won't make the same mistake.

 

[SteveMcB]

We had a fair amount of snow last year so gave me a chance to compare my Q5 quattro on summer tyres vs the wifes Leon on all season Michelin cross climates. Hands down the all seasons were better, particularly breaking and going around roundabouts. I didn't have anywhere to store winter tyres so when the snow comes I just take the wifes car and leave the 4x4 on the drive.

The Q5 has been a big lesson in cars. I bought it as I wanted something that could handle anything. What I didn't consider at all was the cost of tyres for the stunning 21" wheels and the fact I'd really need two sets of wheels. Next car I won't make the same mistake.

The 21s are expensive right enough but second hand deals do come up fairly regularly on winter wheel/tyre sets. I was sceptical about their value but splashed out on a genuine unmarked set of 20" RS4 style with good as new dunlop winter tyres for £800 delivered.

They turned the SQ5 into a real weapon in the heavy snow last year, the first time I had used winter tyres and was gobsmacked at the difference they made, after almost 40 years of motoring I'm now a convert. As others have mentioned also means the expensive summer rubber lasts longer.