OldDogmeat

OK, so I've been looking for some winter rubber as the AD08's can be quite entertaining on slush (no suprise there).

I've done all the appropriate searches and absorbed as much info as is available, decided on buying some cheap wheels and away I went.. then spent hours trying to match available tyres with wheels and failed, probably because I've been hunting mostly for exact match OEM 17" size tyres.

So here's what I'd like to know from the good people on this forum..

If I go the OEM 17 inch wheel route, exactly what tyre sizes can I get away with and what is sensible?

for example, I can find plenty of Dunlop SP WINTER SPORT 3D rears 245/40/17 BUT cannot find a perfect match for the fronts (I dont think Dunlop make an exact match for the OEM 17 fronts 215/45/17), the nearest I can find are 225/45/17.. Would these work on the OEM wheel? Or is that madness going wider?

It's a similar deal with another well reviewed tyre, that being the Continental WinterContact TS 830P, but this time it's the fronts that are available and the rears I don't think are even made in the OEM 17" size..

I really don't want to mix and match tyres either..

OR,

I could opt to buy some 16" wheels.. If I did do this can people point me in the right direction for tyre sizes as the FAQ mentions something about S02's being one size and anything else being another and then I see other threads where folks have used 215's all round.. all a bit confusing..

What size should I be shopping for for the standard 16" OEM wheel and what specific tyres would people recommend that I could buy 4 of that might actually be in stock somewhere.

btw, I don't want a tyre that is awesome on snow and absolutely useless on dry tarmac as we'll likley once again only see a bit of the stuff and thus the tyres will spend 99% of the time on just cold wet/dry/greasy roads.

lovegroova

Stick with as close to OEM sizes as you can, the width isn't that relevant really. Wider winter tyres will be much better than skinny summer tyres.

If you go for 16s, then stick to 225/50 on the rear - see unclefesters thread on the Kumhos - he has different model numbers front and rear, and is more than happy.

225/45R17 would be suitable for the rear and there's a very good selection at camskill
http://camskill.co.uk/m97b0s637p0/Wi...17_225_45_R_17

You could use 205/50/17 for the front - lots of choices there too
http://camskill.co.uk/m97b0s635p0/Wi...17_205_50_R_17

Both alternatives are close enough in diameter to OEM

Just make sure you notify your insurer.

ChilledBud

As a new owner from this Thursday, and using the car as a daily driver, I too thought it wise to invest on some winter boots.

I sourced a cheap and cheerful set of 16" as by the time you've paid for removing and adding tyres onto one set of alloys, it was cheaper to buy some 16" alloys and then much cheaper 16" rubber too.

I asked regarding the sizing of 16" tyres in a post a few threads down , as I had the tyres down to either Kumho KW27 ( front and rear ) that UncleFester is running here or making use of the 25% off Hankook I*cept Evo W310 at Blackcircles.

The Kumho came in at £398 fitted at Event Tyres, and the Hankooks £350 fitted at a local garage.

I went to order the Kumho as they had the better size match, but sadly they didn't have any left by this morning, so I've gone and ordered the Hankooks, the rear in 215/55 like someone posted in my thread. I've no massive idea how great it is going from what seems to be a 245 fitting for OEM sizing ( like you stated the 225 was for the exact OEM tyre ), but my hand was somewhat forced.

P.s As lovegroova stated, tell your insurance as people have had issues before, even though it seems your doing the right thing in better equipping your car. For information Sky Insurance have no charge for such a mod.

Bassoctopus

Admiral made no charge for me putting winter tyres on the BM but said they liked to be kept informed of what the car was running on.

I think insurers have realised that winter tyres are a good thing on any car.

earl's_f20c

Just made the switch from OEM 17" to 16's with new winter rubber today thanks to Event Tyres who were excellent as usual. As UncleF has said in his 16" refurb' post the bigger side walls are really comfy, soaking up potholes and giving my spine a real treat. I like the looks too, kind of 'retro'.

FYI I went with the standard tyres sizes, with Goodyear Ultragrip Performance in 225/50/16 on the rear and the Goodyear Ultragrip 8 on the front in 205/55/16. Slightly different tread pattern but as Chilled said it's fairly tough to source exactly the same make/model tyre front & back. Would have been a lot cheaper to go 205's all round but I didn't fancy having 80mm less rubber on the road.

Came in at a little over £500 so slightly overbudget, no Xmas pressies for anyone this year

Black Circles only had one winter tyre in the standard rear size, which was a run flat Ultragrip (at £190.20 ea not fitted)

In my quest I found a couple of other (foreign) sites for you if you're interested, have no idea if they're any good though!
http://www.tyres-pneus-online.co.uk/...225-50-16.html
http://www.oponeo.co.uk/tyres/car-wi...res-225-50-r16

OldDogmeat

Thanks everyone for your input on this, all of the info has certainly helped.

Cheers,
Dan

Lusaka_MG

I have run two winters at 215/45 and 255/40 with Bridgestone Blizzacks LM25s due to the same issue but as has been said, narrow is better. This winter I am running Dunlop SP Wintersport 3D in 245/40 on the back and left the Blizzacks on the front - seems good so far. Dunlop do a Wintersport M3 in 215/45 and that is what I will go to if the front LM25 are at the end of their life.

s2k4tony

I have Continental WinterContacts on my 16's. TS810's, very good tyre and you learn that they aren't that grippy in warmer conditions. The cold is where they come alive, and now with the weather turning pretty sour and cold, at last they are becoming worth buying them.

The newer conti's win all the awards this year, they have outstanding grip. Next winter, the ts830's will be my purchase for my rear winter tyres

J_B

Thread resurrection...

Are the 16" wheels people are using here for winter tyres the OEM 16" wheels from 1999-2004 models?

Considering a set myself.

lovegroova

Yes, although 1999-2003 if we are being picky