Winter Tyres - Are they REALLY Needed?

O

One Team

Member
I mean seriously?

I've not experienced autumn and winter yet in my Z4 Coupe (and might not yet if things transpire - more on that at some point!) and I wondered whether winter tyres are really needed.

I've never used them on any car I've had before but then when we had that snow last winter even my 3 series I had at the time was rubbish in the snow.

Is the Z4 OK in normal winter conditions like the cold, a bit of ice and frost etc. Appreciate snow is a different story.

Thanks,

One Team
 
Check out Pawnsacrifices Z4 with winter tyres where as my car would not even get up a slight incline with an inch or 2 of snow on it with my Falkens

[youtube]9LAbV3nQw2g[/youtube]
 
You mention ice and frost. That's the principle benefit behind modern winter tires. Micro siping, blading and application specific compounds, including special polymers that will remain flexible under sub zero temperatures. Back to siping, winter tread patterns offer a very different type, one that runs wider and deeper within the tread blocks, again, enabling the tread surface to better adhere on ice and snow. On a major safety aspect, braking distances are considerably reduced when the same vehicle is equipped with winter ice/snow tyres. Lateral control in skidding situations is also greatly improved.

I could go on for hours, since I've made a career as a sales and technical consultant for a major tyre manufacturer, but...you get the picture.

BTW, the SP winter Sport 3D is one high tech piece of rubber.
 
I look at it a different way.

They completely change the car. Anyone who says different has never tried them. I didn't use them for years, tried them for the first time last year. Way more traction on a cold, frosty morning. Night and day.

Would I have crashed in a huge ball of flames without them? Unlikely?
Did it make the car more controllable, safer etc. Definitely.

If I removed your ABS and traction control, and fitted drum brakes you would probabally manage fine. It just makes the car better for the sake of £400.

In snow I got stuck on a flat road without them. With them I took that instead of the Rover 25 on narrow tyres as it was much better in the white stuff. :thumbsup:


Have bought some for the Rover this year after my experience last year. The rover should be unstoppable on them.
 
Absolutely worth every penny.I have them on my Z4MR and my wifes Honda Accord.
Last year was the first time having them on any car and to be honest was a bit sceptical till i tried them.
The Honda had amazing control in the ice covered snow with virtually no slip under braking or accelaration,even my wife who has a 40 mile commute commented how different the car felt and that it gave her more confidence when the roads were bad.As for the Z4M the tyre were bought as i think on normal tyres the car would never get off my driveway and up the hill where i live.Proved the point several times last year when most people sat wheel spinning just down from my house and were amazed when i drove straight off the driveway and up the hill.
 
ga41 said:
No need for them here. :rofl:
Click to expand...
Sod off 8)

(I'm just bitter/jealous!)



Pawnsacrifice has pulled together the Ultimate Winter Tyre Thread™ - see HERE. Everything you need to know about winter tyres should be in there...
 
Summer performance tires are crap when the weather get below around 5 C and even much worse when the roads are not only cold but cold and wet as well. As a rule where I live we don't see any snow until late December but I switch to winter tires in November because of the temp change.
 
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