[Rich9600]

Hi guys.

This is my first year of having winter tyres... I've had them sat in my garage waiting to go on for a month or so, but it just hasn't got down to the magical 7C average temperature yet, in fact it's only dropped below 7C a couple of times.

However, I can feel my summers getting increasingly slippery on wet greasy roads in air temperatures of 8-12C.

I've got a chance to change over to my winters tomorrow, with the forecast for the next week or so indicating it will drop to about 7C in a weeks time, but until then it's 8-12C and wet.

Which setup is best in these wet but not that cold conditions? 19" staggered with Bridgestone Potenza's, or 18" square with Pirelli Sottozero II's?

Cheers

[Defero]

I'm in the same situation. I'm changing at the weekend, banking on the weather getting colder.

I think if it stays warm the 19inch summers are the best option.

[Cuprat]

If your tyres are new maybe fit them now and scrub them in so they are fully good to go when the cold weather hits.

I changed over a week ago. Mainly as I had the time to do it and it was a fine day, but also as I have had a few mornings where the temps were well under 7 degrees.

Even above 7 degrees the winters will work fine so not big deal if the weather stays a little warmer for now.

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by Cuprat

If your tyres are new maybe fit them now and scrub them in so they are fully good to go when the cold weather hits.

I changed over a week ago. Mainly as I had the time to do it and it was a fine day, but also as I have had a few mornings where the temps were well under 7 degrees.

Even above 7 degrees the winters will work fine so not big deal if the weather stays a little warmer for now.

Scrubbing off the release agent and getting used to them before the cold hits may be a good plan.

I reckon I'll have a go at changing over tomorrow.

[Nick the Greek]

No.

[....,,,,..,,..]

We still have roses flowering - seasonal weather is very unpredictable these days.

Not noticed any lack of traction or slippery surfaces yet.

If doing them yourself do while it's reasonable weather, if it's a garage, leave it a while.

Other than that make most of the wet roads and have fun with all that grip.

[robwils]

Swapping over to summers was one of those jobs I never got round too
But I kinda like my winter set as wheels are black.
Never noticed too much difference unless really accelerating when the traction light would flash a bit.
As others have said they take a bit of time to settle in anyway. I found mine a bit 'skittish' when brand new .

[Edinburra]

Yes. Before it starts to happen.

[Frosticles]

Did mine last week.

[gatsojon]

It's so much easier on the continent where there are set dates when tyres must be changed by. It's quite understandable that we don't have that here though, with our moderated temperatures.

I've not done mine yet but will do in the next couple of weeks when I get chance.

[Trialskings]

Good old Express, standard weather forecast. I'll be parking the car & firing both the woodburners up.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/nature...s-polar-vortex

[zooberoo]

Originally Posted by Trialskings

Good old Express, standard weather forecast. I'll be parking the car & firing both the woodburners up.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/nature...s-polar-vortex

Nathan was bang-on with his forecast last year...

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/436...d-for-November

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Brigand

We still have roses flowering - seasonal weather is very unpredictable these days.

Not noticed any lack of traction or slippery surfaces yet.

If doing them yourself do while it's reasonable weather, if it's a garage, leave it a while.

Other than that make most of the wet roads and have fun with all that grip.

Exactly! I went to a house yesterday that had ripe strawberries growng in the garden!! Crazy weather!

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by Trialskings

Good old Express, standard weather forecast. I'll be parking the car & firing both the woodburners up.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/nature...s-polar-vortex" rel="" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.express.c...lar-vortex</a>

Standard fair.

Even if it's just cold and wet, the softer rubber and better water pump action will be worth it for me. Cumbria is always wet... It's how we got The Lakes...

4 or 5 years ago it was a really cold winter, it never got above freezing for a fortnight here and snow laid on the ground in the shade permanently. Two winters ago a freak snow storm cut off even low living areas about 20 miles from me, 10' snow drifts etc. But, nothing settled any nearer to me.

About the only predictable thing about Cumbrian weather and its winters is that they are unpredictable.

But, let's enjoy the annual 'Worst Winter on Record' headlines.

[Notechy]

Rich9600

I like the format of your weather forecast. How do I get it, please?

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by Notechy

Rich9600

I like the format of your weather forecast. How do I get it, please?

The App is called Weather Pro.

[SkyJawa]

Still umming and ahhing whether to even get winters. I never got stuck in my E92 with normal tyres on, even through the major snow a few years ago or had any issues with stopping or aquaplaning....

For me it would be more about protecting the 19s over the salty road winter months, but 1k+ is an awful lot to spend just for that!

[garypaul]

I'll be waiting until it is consistently below 7 degrees

[pmgreenwood]

I tend to look at Accu monthly forecast.


http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/bri...eather/2520246


Even for Brighton the forecast temps from the 20th onwards justify winter tyres.

Winter tyres are not just about grip and safety , they are also about reduced wearrate in winter . When I had an E91 on summer tyres for the 1st winter the tyres wore at twicw the rate that the winters did over the next three winters and I live on the South Coast!!

[Rich9600]

Changed them over. I must say I quite like the winter look. Silver 441M's suit MG nicely.

Staggered wheels and square tyres is no problem.

I've just been out for a quick drive in the wet, about 9C. The car feels better than it did on summers yesterday... Smooth, comfortable, balanced and nimble... Maybe @F30AM is right about 18's and Adaptive Suspension being the sweet spot...

But, it could be the Pirelli Square vs Bridgestone Staggered... Or, just the Bridgestone's...

It turns in much more like my E90 320d SE did... I had changed this from Continentals to Pirelli all round.

Maybe the M Sport normally having 255 rears induces a more directionally stable car... But, I quite like the readiness to turn I've found again on the square Pirelli rubber...

I think my next summers may be Pirelli again. It's my normal tyre of choice...

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by pmgreenwood

I tend to look at Accu monthly forecast.


http://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/bri...eather/2520246


Even for Brighton the forecast temps from the 20th onwards justify winter tyres.

Winter tyres are not just about grip and safety , they are also about reduced wearrate in winter . When I had an E91 on summer tyres for the 1st winter the tyres wore at twicw the rate that the winters did over the next three winters and I live on the South Coast!!

For Wolverhampton, it looks like will be December, however as my Christmas leave starts on 12 December and very limited driving until January AND China mid Jan to Feb, then I may be winter wheel free this year.

[RichardJS]

Put mine on last weekend - although mainly as I'm going to be busy this weekend and the weather can change quickly at this time of year.