Facelift Winter tires - Time to take responsibility?

[Carefree69]

Wasting your time even responding to our “learned” friend Mr Carefree. Most in this forum provide constructive feedback and opinion, he (or she) is just a wind up merchant who fights fires in shorts, t-shirt and flip flops end of

Wind up merchant? What, because I don’t see the need for winter tyres in a typical mild and damp U.K. winter?

It’s frankly hilarious that you ‘winter tyre’ fanboys (or girls) get so over excited about those of us who choose not to use them, does it somehow offend you?

Comedy gold

 

[45bvtc]

Thinking back: late 60's and early 70's were Triumph Spitfire and GT6 days and I never used winter tyres: from 1973 it was Lotus Europa Twin Cam and then Lotus Élan +2S 130/5 and an Élan Sprint into the mid 80's and again no winter tyres: mid 80's and along with the Élans' came company MG Montego Turbo cars and again no winter tyres: Mid 90's and I was into a Vauxhall Carlton GSI3000 and that needed a paving slab in the boot and then winter tyres as I did once get stuck!

During this time rs3copilot was running an MG Metro Turbo (black with red seat belts and all) and during 17-years of daily commute she never once got stuck running summer tyres - great little car the MG Metro Turbo...

Mid 2000 and my first Audi 8L S3 and if only to protect my summer wheels the S3 gained a set of Sottozero's, a magic machine in the snow, just fun, fun, fun. The MG Metro Turbo was swapped for an Audi A2 and that had a set of winters.

In October 2011 we swapped the S3 for our RS3 and the same week we purchased a set of OEM rims and Vredestein Wintrac Xtream tyres, and we're still using 'em. In 2012 we swapped the A2 for a TT and that too was furnished with set of OEM rims and Vredestein Wintrac Xtream tyres, and we're still using them, too.

2015 and we need another car for 'hospital parking' and so another Audi A2 was acquired and again furnished with a set of winter rims and tyres. 2016 and we still need a 'hospital parking' machine but are spoiled by the DSG of the RS3 and TT and so swap the A2 for our current DSG equipped Audi A1 and yes a set of OEM winter rims and TOYO Snowprox winter tyres were purchased.

Winter tyres allow us to use snow covered back roads as an alternative route when and if the main roads are blocked by snow and other vehicles...

We like winter rubber...

 

[AlS3BE]

Thinking back: late 60's and early 70's were Triumph Spitfire and GT6 days and I never used winter tyres: from 1973 it was Lotus Europa Twin Cam and then Lotus Élan +2S 130/5 and an Élan Sprint into the mid 80's and again no winter tyres: mid 80's and along with the Élans' came company MG Montego Turbo cars and again no winter tyres: Mid 90's and I was into a Vauxhall Carlton GSI3000 and that needed a paving slab in the boot and then winter tyres as I did once get stuck!

During this time rs3copilot was running an MG Metro Turbo (black with red seat belts and all) and during 17-years of daily commute she never once got stuck running summer tyres - great little car the MG Metro Turbo...

Mid 2000 and my first Audi 8L S3 and if only to protect my summer wheels the S3 gained a set of Sottozero's, a magic machine in the snow, just fun, fun, fun. The MG Metro Turbo was swapped for an Audi A2 and that had a set of winters.

In October 2011 we swapped the S3 for our RS3 and the same week we purchased a set of OEM rims and Vredestein Wintrac Xtream tyres, and we're still using 'em. In 2012 we swapped the A2 for a TT and that too was furnished with set of OEM rims and Vredestein Wintrac Xtream tyres, and we're still using them, too.

2015 and we need another car for 'hospital parking' and so another Audi A2 was acquired and again furnished with a set of winter rims and tyres. 2016 and we still need a 'hospital parking' machine but are spoiled by the DSG of the RS3 and TT and so swap the A2 for our current DSG equipped Audi A1 and yes a set of OEM winter rims and TOYO Snowprox winter tyres were purchased.

Winter tyres allow us to use snow covered back roads as an alternative route when and if the main roads are blocked by snow and other vehicles...

We like 'em...

Impressive list of cars.

 

[45bvtc]

Impressive list of cars.

Thanks AlS3BE, great fun all of 'em; here's a wee collage of some:

 

[msdmjb]

All we are doing here is proving that individual circumstances are key, I live 450m up a hill and regularly drive home in the small hours on non gritted non salted roads so I will take as much grip as I can get on my car in winter.........never going to say oh damnit I have too much grip in these awful conditions nor do I want to cover the 75miles at walking pace.

Winter tyres are significantly better in the conditions they are designed for, I will continue to use mine and for the odd trip to Andorra/Pyrenees continue to pretend I am some kind of quattro rallying god

 

[Dan99]

Drive according to the conditions.

Not rocket science.

I am more worried about people who drive in the winter with summer tires, but All Season tires are still a compromise. However, summer tires in the winter are irresponsible. You are not the only one on the road. As one who uses winter tires, I'm not worried that I will hit the car in front of me; I am worried about the fool behind me who does not know I can stop in less distance than s/he can. And this includes people with All Season tires.

You can play sports with street shoes, and you can avoid falling if you take that into account, but you won't be operating at the same level as everyone else.

 

[MaxBoostMRC]

Poland 2019 Renault fwd with winter tyres -20 didn’t even have a issue with traction.

 

[ViperG]

I switch from summer tires to a very good all season on 18" rims Continental ExtremeContact DWS 06. I try not to take the s3 out at all in the snow but inevitably my wife will need the SUV during the snow so I have no choice. Typically though we just car pool so I have the luxury of taking either vehicle.
I was going to do a winter tire an I may at some point in the future but I think the Continentals are great tires on an awd car in the snow.

 

[Flying Scotsman]

I have also used Conti DWS-06 and they are a very good all season compromise with good traction in snow. I prefer the Pirelli P Zero high performance all season plus. Nether of these tyres are available in the UK. You see these tyres on a lot of performance cars in North America in the winter, as they are available in a very large size range for performance cars, normally a direct replacement size for the original factory high performance summer tyres.
The reason as to no availability in the UK. Those tyres cost as much as high performance summer tyres and who needs them in the UK, due to the weather?
But, no summer tyre will perform well on icy/snow/cold road conditions. The next best is an all season and for the best performance a true winter tyre.
Yes, you in the SE and SW of England may be able to putter around your area in summer tyres but if you travel outside this comfort area to points North??

 

[JohninMK]

On the S3 I have had CrossClimates all round for two years and will need to replace them in the Autumn at around 12k miles. Very happy with them.

On my FWD cars I have standardised on full winters in the winter, summers in the summer with all weather on the rear all year. That also works well.

 

[A4A4]

UK set for a week or two of mild weather..

I'll just call in work to say ' Can't get in today, conditions to slippery for winter tyres!'


DOH!

 

[Ormesome]

UK set for a week or two of mild weather..

View attachment 175587

I'll just call in work to say ' Can't get in today, conditions to slippery for winter tyres!'


DOH!

Funny! I hope you did that the last 2 months when the temperatures were under 8 degrees!

 

[cuke2u]

UK set for a week or two of mild weather..

View attachment 175587

I'll just call in work to say ' Can't get in today, conditions to slippery for winter tyres!'


DOH!

Nice one, though it does kinda reinforce the point that our weather is so fickle. As soon as we get a hint of wither everyone goes into panic mode, telling us we should fit this and and that you are irresponsible if you don't. Keeps me amused when really though some of us are just fine with it...

 

[Ormesome]

Nice one, though it does kinda reinforce the point that our weather is so fickle. As soon as we get a hint of wither everyone goes into panic mode, telling us we should fit this and and that you are irresponsible if you don't. Keeps me amused when really though some of us are just fine with it...

No one said you or anyone else was irresponsible. I think what was said, from my point of view anyway, was that if temperatures are below +8/9 degrees then you will have more grip with winter tires or up to a certain point with all-season tires. This is a fact that you cannot deny. Don't go misreading or putting words into peoples mouths as that's how arguments start. This thread has been remarkably calm compared to other threads and it would be nice to keep it that way!! The weather here in Switzerland is 11 and sunny all week during the day and 0 at night. The whole country won't start changing tires instantly as it will start snowing next week and be back to minus temps. Its all about being prepared as well as you can for the environment.

 

[cuke2u]

If I lived in Switzerland of course winter, even studded, tyres would be a must, goes without saying. But here in the south of the UK, nope, never. Getting on for shorts weather at the weekend. I may well be out there in them washing my car...

 

[JonW]

I think I'll look at some Winter's next year, its all about trying to avoid the other nutters on the road who cant drive to conditions, a prime example would've been the last bit of snow we had here in the High Peak, the Mrs point blank told me I was driving her to work as she hates snow and it was coming down pretty heavy to be fair and we go over a couple of decent hills. Half way there just tootling a long and there was a BMW coming towards us with his indicator on, you know when you think "he looks like he might go for it", I was right this time, he quickly tried to turn in to a side road, cutting across us, in normal conditions not a problem, this time however he span it 360, right in front of us, Mrs let out a wimper and I was tentatively having a crack at braking, it actually stopped better than anticipated with little fuss (brand new summer tyres hehe) and I immediately tried to make eye contact with the BMW driver to ask how he was....honest.

Its instances like that which make me think, I'd be happier on Winters.

They usually close the roads pretty quickly round here which makes going out pretty stupid, even if you have winters on, because as its a legit road closure announced by the local police and councils you wont be insured in the event of an accident, so VPN in and chill is my outlook!

 

[Adam14]

Apologies to revive an "old" thread. But I'm planning a trip up to Scotland over December/January so definitely considering purchasing some winter tyres (and probably winter alloys, as current alloys are diamond cut). Just curious where you people find these bundles for your car, can't find anything really for the S5 on eBay.

 

[45bvtc]

Apologies to revive an "old" thread. But I'm planning a trip up to Scotland over December/January so definitely considering purchasing some winter tyres (and probably winter alloys, as current alloys are diamond cut). Just curious where you people find these bundles for your car, can't find anything really for the S5 on eBay.

Your best getting a set of OEM rims for your car, get 'em checked/refurbished and then fit a set of suitable winters. No need to go expensive with the winters either, I ran TOYO Snowprox on my A1 over the last 3-winters and they were brilliant: that said, I've been running Vredestein Wintrac Xtream on both my TT and RS3 and I can't fault them either. The SQ5, however, is on a set of OEM 20" rims and Dunlop winter tyres purchased from Germany - and they look good too:

Your choice, there are various ways. Not saying these but you should get something similar part used for typically £500 less, see: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Original...814616?hash=item5469f37098:g:2zgAAOSwEUtZjZj3​

 

[JohninMK]

Seems a lot to spend for the trip. Had you considered 17" steels with higher profile tyres?

 

[45bvtc]

Seems a lot to spend for the trip. Had you considered 17" steels with higher profile tyres?

What price SAFETY?

And you can always sell your winters on later, as I'm about to do; look upon winter rubber as a SAFETY investment - as the Thread Title suggests. And, they'll always be there as a spare wheel/set in any unforseen event! Had to put a winter rim and tyre on our A1 recently just to sort a puncture, tsk...

I mean, I'll be selling soon:
1) 4 x 18-inch x 9J ET52 OEM Audi TT S-Line wheels (8J0601025C) with 245/40 18 Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme winter tyres - sell on or off rims,

and/or
2) 4 x 19-inch x 8J RS3 OEM Audi RS3 rotor wheels (8P0601025CP ) with 235/35 19 Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme winter tyres - again sell on or off rims.

Ask as all will be sold - for sure we're not going to be running our RS3 and/or TT on winter roads when Tonka, our recently purchased SQ5, has winter shod rims ready and waiting...

 

[Adam14]

4 x 19-inch x 8J RS3 OEM Audi RS3 rotor wheels (8P0601025CP ) with 235/35 19 Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme winter tyres - again sell on or off rims.

Would these fit on the S5, if they've performed well I'd be happy to take them off your hands,? Not sure where you're based! Some reviews make comments that in the wet the braking is far from ideal, curious how you've found (seeing as your RS3 would be comprable to the S5 power wise)

Also thanks for your earlier message, I do a lot of driving and with I love my S5, had a scare in my S3 last year and wasn't even icy, just lost grip as summer tyres on a cold day. Regardless of the purchase for my trip to Scotland, winter tyres seem to be a sound investment.

 

[45bvtc]

Would these fit on the S5, if they've performed well I'd be happy to take them off your hands,? Not sure where you're based!

Also thanks for your earlier message, I do a lot of driving and with I love my S5, had a scare in my S3 last year and wasn't even icy, just lost grip as summer tyres on a cold day. Regardless of the purchase for my trip to Scotland, winter tyres seem to be a sound investment.

1) You need to tell me your rim details including ET.

2) However, mine are original OEM 8P RS3 rims, maybe 'mint' and no longer available anywhere - rare as rocking horse droppings in this condition, and as such I doubt would be within your budget but here's a peak of 'em:

1) as fitted:

or
​

2) being fitted and showing the difference between winter and summer rubber:

​

And 3) what you can do with 'em:

 

[45bvtc]

Would these fit on the S5, if they've performed well I'd be happy to take them off your hands,? Not sure where you're based!
.

CLICK my PIC! Staffordshire...

 

[Adam14]

You need to tell me your rim details including ET.

According to audi website: 8.5Jx19 ET32 are the wheel details, thanks. Hopefully that is what you need, not particularly au fait with this stuff.

 

[45bvtc]

According to audi website: 8.5Jx19 ET32 are the wheel details, thanks. Hopefully that is what you need, not particularly au fait with this stuff.

I'll take a look later in detail and send you info....

 

[Adam14]

I'll take a look later in detail and send you info....

Thanks mate, appreciate the message and your info

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[45bvtc]

Thanks mate, appreciate the message and your info

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What is your current tyre size, Adam? Let me know and I'll review later: on gardening duty here...

 

[Adam14]

What is your current tyre size, Adam? Let me know and I'll review later: on gardening duty here...

Haha no worries. Currently my tyres are 255/35/R19.

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[45bvtc]

According to audi website: 8.5Jx19 ET32 are the wheel details, thanks. Hopefully that is what you need, not particularly au fait with this stuff.

I am, later... Let me review and advise - still digging in the potatoes....

 

[eribaMotters]

I ran winters for 4 winters on my last car. I never encountered more than a dusting of snow so cannot comment on that. What I did notice was in the cold and rain the grip was very good, noticeably better than normal/summer tyres.
What I find difficult to get my head around is why manufacturers do not offer the option of "all seasons" rubber. This has grown in quality of performance and popularity over the last few years so a demand for it exists. If you can spec 4 or 5 wheel options why not the rubber that goes on them?

Colin

 

[45bvtc]

Haha no worries. Currently my tyres are 255/35/R19.

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Your: 8.5Jx19 ET32
255/35/R19.
Diameter: 26"
Width: 10"
Sidewall: 3.5"
Circumferance: 81.7"
RPM/Mile: 775

My TT: 18inch x 9J x 18 ET52
245/40/R18
Diameter: 25.7"
Width: 9.6"
Sidewall: 3.9"
Circumferance: 80.7"
RPM/Mile: 785

My RS3: 19inch x 8J ET50
235/35/R19
Diameter: 25.5"
Width: 9.3"
Sidewall: 3.2"
Circumferance: 80.0"
RPM/Mile: 792

And then there's the ET to consider:

Hope this helps but maybe not....:

 

[45bvtc]

I ran winters for 4 winters on my last car. I never encountered more than a dusting of snow so cannot comment on that. What I did notice was in the cold and rain the grip was very good, noticeably better than normal/summer tyres.
What I find difficult to get my head around is why manufacturers do not offer the option of "all seasons" rubber. This has grown in quality of performance and popularity over the last few years so a demand for it exists. If you can spec 4 or 5 wheel options why not the rubber that goes on them?

Colin

Now I purchased an SQ5 last Tuesday and immediately, and I mean immediately before we got the darn thing home, purchased a set of winter wheels and tyres - and in March I'll have you know....

And I've a TT and RS3 with both summer and winter rubber! But we live on a hill, a steep one at that, in every direction; and hospital visits are needed 3-times each week: so even with an all-wheel-drive Audi SQ5 looking at the 2019/20 winter my money went for winter rubber as for sure I want to be able to drive UPhill and DOWNhill in SAFETY - and make them hospital appointments - and get back home!

I no longer care what others do. Laugh at them slipping and a sliding cos they should know and/or do better.

Take yer car out on summer rubber in winter conditions and hey! enjoy!!! But don't complain if you can't get to where you were going, or get home even....

That said, when younger, I did love the challenge of summer rubber on snow, and that's driving a car on it I'm talking about...

 

[45bvtc]

Would these fit on the S5, if they've performed well I'd be happy to take them off your hands,? Not sure where you're based! Some reviews make comments that in the wet the braking is far from ideal, curious how you've found (seeing as your RS3 would be comprable to the S5 power wise)

Also thanks for your earlier message, I do a lot of driving and with I love my S5, had a scare in my S3 last year and wasn't even icy, just lost grip as summer tyres on a cold day. Regardless of the purchase for my trip to Scotland, winter tyres seem to be a sound investment.

So your 8.5J x ET32 rims: from the mounting face to the outside face of the rim is 76mm

My TT 9J x ET52 rims: from the mounting face to the outside face of the rim is 62mm

My RS3 8J x ET50 rims: from the mounting face to the outside face of the rim is 58mm

So you can see, to be SAFE, you're best sourcing an 8.5 J x ET32 rim and a set of winter rubber: see https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A5-S5-F5-B9-19-Winter-Wheels-8-5x19-Et32-Winter-Set-Titanium-Matte/312554870631?fits=Car+Make:Audi&hash=item48c5b8d767:guAAAOSwdr1b5Dj7

And if you need comfort on ordering, I purchased these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENIUNE-...EELS-DUNLOP-WINTER-TYRES-PERFECT/323722669258

And they are 100% as described... And will perform as expected when the needs/conditions for us arise...

 

[Adam14]

So your 8.5J x ET32 rims: from the mounting face to the outside face of the rim is 76mm

My TT 9J x ET52 rims: from the mounting face to the outside face of the rim is 62mm

My RS3 8J x ET50 rims: from the mounting face to the outside face of the rim is 58mm

So you can see, to be SAFE, you're best sourcing an 8.5 J x ET32 rim and a set of winter rubber: see https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Audi-A5-S5-F5-B9-19-Winter-Wheels-8-5x19-Et32-Winter-Set-Titanium-Matte/312554870631?fits=Car+Make:Audi&hash=item48c5b8d767:guAAAOSwdr1b5Dj7

And if you need comfort on ordering, I purchased these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENIUNE-...EELS-DUNLOP-WINTER-TYRES-PERFECT/323722669258

And they are 100% as described... And will perform as expected when the needs/conditions for us arise...

Thanks for your help, not 100% sure they'll fit. Think I've also decided just to buy some winter tyres and take some APC with me and sure I keep the alloys clean while there

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[Fatbloke]

I have used winter tyres for many years on several cars. Now I have two sets of 16" wheels for the A3 quattro and the Skoda VRS.

The Skoda has been amazing in all winter weather conditions over the last few years. The A3 has been pretty good too but not had much use in bad weather yet.

I swap them around the beginning of November and beginning of May normally. Well worth the initial outlay and over time they are cost neutral.

 

[davc]

Thanks for your help, not 100% sure they'll fit. Think I've also decided just to buy some winter tyres and take some APC with me and sure I keep the alloys clean while there

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I don't believe they'll fit either, the A5 centre bore is 66.5mm compared to 57.1mm from the A3/TT.

 

[Adam14]

I don't believe they'll fit either, the A5 centre bore is 66.5mm compared to 57.1mm from the A3/TT.

Thanks, thought this would be the case. Hence I've decided just to buy some winter tyres and I'll put them on my "summer" wheels and swap them back after winter.

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[davc]

The B8/B9 A4, plus the A6, A7 and A8 all have the same CB so probably loads of used wheels about on fleabay depending on what offsets you want to play with.

 

[Adam14]

The B8/B9 A4, plus the A6, A7 and A8 all have the same CB so probably loads of used wheels about on fleabay depending on what offsets you want to play with.

I didn't realise that, take a look and see if anything fits my budget on eBay

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[45bvtc]

I don't believe they'll fit either, the A5 centre bore is 66.5mm compared to 57.1mm from the A3/TT.

I'd forgotten that, dave, thanks; but at least people now know I've wheels and tyres for sale at some tine in the near future, our SQ5 will be taking on the winter driving role...