While Northern European winters are dominated by periods of heavy snowfall, here in the UK we tend to experience mostly cold and wet winters, which places a unique requirement on our winter, or cold weather tyres.
"The real challenge for a winter tyre is the balance of wet and dry performance, while offering a good snow ability"
Tyre Reviews
Snow performance, while important should be a secondary consideration when choosing rubber for the English winter. Any winter tyre will vastly outperform its summer equivalent on snow, with even the cheapest of winter tyres performing excellently on the white stuff, but the real challenge for a winter tyre is the balance of wet and dry performance, while offering a good snow ability.
Tyre Reviews
When you consider a cheap winter tyre can take an extra 15.9 meters, or 52 foot to stop a car in the wet from just 50 mph, it is wise to research your winter tyre purchase properly.
Fortunately for 2012, there are a number of new winter tyres which specifically target the wet and slushy conditions we often experience in the UK, without any compromise on the snow performance.
2012 Winter Tyre Recommendations
Developed to replace the multiple award winning TS 830, Continental had a real challenge making the TS 850 better than the outgoing model, but somehow they've managed it.
It has featured in five of the 2012 winter tyre tests, and has placed first in every one. It manages to offer class leading performance in the dry, wet and snow, while offering good wear and rolling resistance scores. The only negative we could find is it was beaten in slushy conditions by other tyres, and it's not the cheapest tyre on test. We believe it to be a price worth paying, and believe this is the best winter tyre on the market for wheel sizes 16" and under.
It has featured in five of the 2012 winter tyre tests, and has placed first in every one. It manages to offer class leading performance in the dry, wet and snow, while offering good wear and rolling resistance scores. The only negative we could find is it was beaten in slushy conditions by other tyres, and it's not the cheapest tyre on test. We believe it to be a price worth paying, and believe this is the best winter tyre on the market for wheel sizes 16" and under.
Last years tyrereviews favourite winter tyre, and often 1st or second in the magazine tests there's still excellent availability of the UltraGrip 8, and it's priced keenly for a premium winter tyre too. Resists aquaplaning, and grips well in the wet, making it another good choice for the UK winter.
While there are a number of good choices in the midrange sector, we believe Nokian offers one of the best value winter tyres.
Cheaper than the premium tyres above, the sportier Nokian WR A3, and the smaller sized Nokian WR D3 usually trouble the premium brands in the tyre tests, and have some of the best dry braking on the market. We also have reports of people running the WR A3 all summer, without a significant increase in wear or drop in performance. A slush optimised design leaves these tyres branded as "all season tyres" in more extreme winter climates, which means they're ideal for the mild UK winters.
Cheaper than the premium tyres above, the sportier Nokian WR A3, and the smaller sized Nokian WR D3 usually trouble the premium brands in the tyre tests, and have some of the best dry braking on the market. We also have reports of people running the WR A3 all summer, without a significant increase in wear or drop in performance. A slush optimised design leaves these tyres branded as "all season tyres" in more extreme winter climates, which means they're ideal for the mild UK winters.
2012 Performance Winter Tyre Recommendations
For drivers of ultra high performance cars, there's two new options in the 17" and above winter tyre sizes.
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1st:
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 Overall: Though not shown its face in any tests yet, the Pilot Alpin A4 promises to be the ultimate performance winter tyre. Co developed with Porsche, and recommended by Mercedes for the AMG models, the PA4 retains excellent dynamic response coupled with a strong snow performance. This tyre won't be cheap, but it's sure to be good. |
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2nd:
Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance Overall: Another new pattern in the UHP sector, designed for the wetter European winter where slush is more of a problem than sheet ice, the UltraGrip 8 Performance is available in 18" and above. |
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3rd:
Continental Winter Contact TS830 P Overall: Very much like its new 850 sibling, it is an excellent all-round tyre that not only performs well in all conditions but also has good fuel economy and comfort. |
SUV and 4x4 Winter Tyre Recommendations
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1st:
Michelin Latitude Alpin LA2 Overall: Another new pattern from Michelin. We've tested it on sheet ice, snow covered off road tracks, and a warm dry track and nothing phases this tyre. |
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2nd:
Goodyear UltraGrip SUV Overall: Offering the best wet and dry score in the 2011 Auto Bild 4x4 tyre test, the UltraGrip SUV looks to be another winter tyre particularly suited to the UK climate. |
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3rd:
Continental Winter Contact TS830 P Overall: Very much like its new 850 sibling, it is an excellent all-round tyre that not only performs well in all conditions but also has good fuel economy and comfort. |
Of course, there's the question of all season tyres, but we'll be covering that in a few weeks.
Update: We've covered all season tyres here
What is best tyre Size please for my vw golf for winter use - confused by 5 recommended sizes
I have a 2006 1.4 FSI golf that mostly does small commute to school (my work) with occasional long run with just myself. However, I am totally confused as to winter tyre to fit. I have 5 different sizes recommended by different online companies. I want to get steel wheels so I can just get wheels changed. I have to drive to school in all weathers and want a comfortable drive.
Btw the tyres fitted now are 205/55 R16 91h, others recommended are 225/45 r17 91h, 195/65 R15 91T, 205/r16 91q, 205/60 r15 91H - what a wide and confusing range. ?
Buying a used Audi Q7 next week and have the choice of buying 295/35/21 inch winters for the gorgeous alloys or taking a set of very plain 18 inch alloys and getting 255/55/18s. Given the car will be going to a ski resort regularly will 295 at the back just negate the advantages of winters? Has anyone tested 21s v 18s? Can you put 275 tyres on a wheel designed for 295s? I've heard there is some leeway there.
295 won't negate the advantages of winter tyres, they'll still offer remarkable performance on snow and ice. Regarding wheel fitments, you'd need to check your wheel width, then you can roughly work out what tyre widths will work.
Personally we'd probably look at switching to 18s and saving the lovely 21s for the summer. The winter tyres will be cheaper, and you won't feel as bad if you bump a kerb.
is the kink continental ts810 sport , isn't it ???
Not sure we understand, sorry?!
I've not found a test about the continental ts810 sport yet ,
so I asked if ''is the king of winter-tyre the continental ts810 sport , isn't it ???''
The TS810S was replaced by the TS 830P 2-3 years ago which is a better tyre. The TS830 range is also being replaced, expect to see a TS850P next year.
Thanks , I do not want to question your opinion, but I've heard that ts810 sport maybe is more indicated for who wants high handling on the dry with the stiff shoulder blocks.
They write :'' The sporty winter tire for powerful medium and luxury-class cars''
As a sports tire for winter use, the ContiWinterContactTM TS 810 Sport combines superb handling with good wet grip and safe driving characteristics on wintry roads. Stiff shoulder blocks deliver outstanding cornering stability. Its band-shaped tread structure in the center zone, similar to that of summer tires, ensures shortest braking distances on dry roads. Thicker sipes with their sipe spacers on the inside of the tyre keep the sipes open when they pass through the ground contact area. This makes the sipe fill up with more snow and boosts the amount of extra grip on wintry roads.
http://www.conti-online.com...
So dose ts850P have more handling and stiff shoulder blocks than ts810 sport ?
bye
by k54
Thanks , I do not want to question your opinion, but I've heard that ts810 sport maybe is
more indicated for who wants high handling on the dry with the stiff shoulder blocks.
They write :'' The sporty winter tire for powerful medium and luxury-class cars''
As a sports tire for winter use, the http://www.conti-online.com...
tires/winter-tires/contiwintercontact-ts-810-sport/contiwintercontact-ts-810-sport.html
So dose ts850P have more handling and stiff shoulder blocks than ts810 sport ?
bye
by k54
Feel free to question us all you like :)
We've never actually used the TS810S, all we know from Continental is the TS830 P is the replacement, and should improve on the performance characteristics of the tyre. As the TS810S has been replaced, it wouldn't be appropriate to recommend it.
The TS850 performance version isn't due until next year.
Goodyear UG 8 Performane is available even in 15" diameter (1 size - 195/55R15). There is also a couple of 16" and 17" sizes.
Greetings from Poland! ;)
After a little research you are totally correct, thank you. In the smaller sizes the UG8 Performance is a fair bit more expensive than the UG8, so we'd likely stick with that where possible until we get to the big tyre sizes.
Hi
You mention there have been 5 2012 winter tyre tests, and the TS850 has been placed first in each.
Can you link to all of these tests - I can only see 2 or 3 on this site?
Am wanting to get my winters ordered, but would like to see a couple more results first before I decide which to go for.
Thanks!
Hi,
They placed first in the Auto Express test, and they also won the top 15 from the Auto Bild shoot out.
Both will be on the site in the next week or so!