Winter Tyre Poll

[Mountain Goat]

Originally Posted by jepho

Fitted continental TS830P to some 16 inch alloys. Grip in the wet is much better and in slushy conditions they felt very secure. There is no tram-lining or tendency to aquaplane; as I had experienced with 18 inch alloy wheels on some dire BF Goodrich hoops.

If the wear characteristics are as good as Continental state, then I will probably leave them on all year. There is no great road noise to speak of and the water clearance capability is outstanding.

16inch wheels? What car? What size/aspect tyres?

[jepho]

Originally Posted by Mountain Goat

16inch wheels? What car? What size/aspect tyres?

The car is a 59 plate C70 Coupe Cabriolet. It was on 18 inch Volvo Midir wheels and it is now on 16 x 7.5 Ronal R42 5 x 108 ET45 alloy wheels. The tyres which are fitted are Continental Winter Contact TS830P 215 55 16 97 V XL.

[Mountain Goat]

Originally Posted by jepho

The car is a 59 plate C70 Coupe Cabriolet. It was on 18 inch Volvo Midir wheels and it is now on 16 x 7.5 Ronal R42 5 x 108 ET45 alloy wheels. The tyres which are fitted are Continental Winter Contact TS830P 215 55 16 97 V XL.

Doesn't this mean then that the new wheels/tyres have a smaller circumference? If you've gone from 18" to 16" wheels and the new tyres are only 55% then unless the 18" tyres were very low profile e.g. 35% then overall the new setup must be smaller thus changing the gearing and speed displayed.

[jepho]

Originally Posted by Mountain Goat

Doesn't this mean then that the new wheels/tyres have a smaller circumference? If you've gone from 18" to 16" wheels and the new tyres are only 55% then unless the 18" tyres were very low profile e.g. 35% then overall the new setup must be smaller thus changing the gearing and speed displayed.

I checked whether the 16 inch wheels were a possible fitment and Volvo do supply the data for them on the tyre pressure plate by the driver's door. The tyre aspect ratio with the 18 inch wheels was 40 so yes, there is a small difference in overall circumference.

I did several GPS speed checks at various speeds up to 70mph. The car is going slower than the indicated reading on the odometer by 1mph at 70mph so I am not bothered by the slight inaccuracy. The tyres are inflated to 36psi as recommended by Volvo.

[CJL]

Good to hear that you like the TS830Ps as I'm about to fit some to my V70. Can't decide whether to source the wheels from ebay and the tyres from one of those European based online outfits and save a few hundred pounds, or just get the set risk-free from Volvo.

[jepho]

Originally Posted by CJL

Good to hear that you like the TS830Ps as I'm about to fit some to my V70. Can't decide whether to source the wheels from ebay and the tyres from one of those European based online outfits and save a few hundred pounds, or just get the set risk-free from Volvo.

The cheapest I have seen the tyres is around £168 per corner including VAT and fitting. I did it through a dealer friend and got them slightly cheaper at £155 a piece fitted and a saving of £52. Providing Volvo don't overcharge you then you may be just as well getting wheels and tyres as a complete package from them.

If it is not essential to buy Volvo wheels (please don't shoot me) then the wheels which I bought were good quality Ronal wheels from www.rimstyle.com. at £465 net of VAT. You will need to add carriage, wheel nuts and locks plus VAT.

[Qatar kid]

Originally Posted by CJL

Good to hear that you like the TS830Ps as I'm about to fit some to my V70. Can't decide whether to source the wheels from ebay and the tyres from one of those European based online outfits and save a few hundred pounds, or just get the set risk-free from Volvo.

For my car in the UK, I got my winter tyres from Reifen.de and saved around £50 a corner on Continentals

[davidabz]

Originally Posted by 155mph

Are you slapping on winter tyres? Go on, let us know.

Have just fitted 205/55/16 winters on a set of genuine Volvo wheels (second hand) to my V60 D2. Did consider purchasing wheels and tyres from "mytyres" who offer great packages on either alloys or steels. Will swap back to summer tyres in April.

For many years I lived 40 miles from work and on the advice of my Norwegian Bosses fitted winter tyres to all our company cars every year, they gave me confidence to drive in snow and ice no matter what the weather and over a period of 8 years I only missed about 2 - 3 days work per year and never got stuck. This was in normal saloon cars Mazda, Saab Lexus & Jaguar and not 4x4. The front wheel Saab being the worst until I fitted the winter tyres.

So in my experience for your own safety fit winter tyres.

PS: I live in the North East of Scotland and we have snow & ice every year.

[Harvey1512]

Originally Posted by davidabz

Have just fitted 205/55/16 winters on a set of genuine Volvo wheels (second hand) to my V60 D2. Did consider purchasing wheels and tyres from "mytyres" who offer great packages on either alloys or steels. Will swap back to summer tyres in April.

What make have you gone for? It is always interesting to hear what people put on.

[volvorocks]

Originally Posted by Harvey1512

It is always interesting to hear what people put on.

Pirelli Sottazero 235/18 £760 fitted and stored with summers re-fitted next year.

Regards