Winter wheels now on...

[percymon]

... and just about run in after 350 miles in the last week.


Observations/comments...

1. The original Seattle wheels had done a total of 17193 miles since December 2009
2. The front Bridgestone RE050 had been replaced by Falken Ziex ZE-912 at 16189 miles
3. The Falkens showed no sign of any wear after 1k miles use (as expected)
4. the rear (original Bridgestone RE050) tyres had about 4mm tread depth (not measured). However the inner most tread blocks show minor crazing in all blocks, almost as though they have hardened through lack of use !. When looking across the width of the tyre the central tread block bands are also very slightly wedged, so one side of the block is worn more than the other. I'm not overly worried about it, as to get 25k miles from sports summer 17" tyres is pretty good to my eyes.
5. The original 17" alloys and 225/45/17 tyres are damn heavy - i didnt weight them but i reckon each one is about 3Kg more thana 15" steel rim and 195/65/15 tyre


And to the winter set..

1. No clearance issues fitting the 15" steel rims (as expected)
2. The Nokian W+ tyres are excellent, giving no more tyre noise (faint tyre noise when cornering), excellent comfort (with the lowered sports suspension), and so far improved mpg !! They didn't seem any worse than summer tyres last week in 12'C warmish weather.
3. They don't do much for the looks, although at the moment i quite like the gangster look of the black wheels against the red bodywork lol! I've got some Mk5 trims to put on when i find 10 minutes.

[johnski60]

How did you find the Falkens noisewise as I remember you had noise issues previously.

John

[RickT]

3. They don't do much for the looks, although at the moment i quite like the gangster look of the black wheels against the red bodywork lol! I've got some Mk5 trims to put on when i find 10 minutes.

I would leave the car without the trims on... its like the Sweden/ Norway look.

Rick

[Frelon]

Yes, put mine on this week! I bought my wheels from a Touran driver who was upgrading to alloys, so the wheel trims came with them - and very smart they look too.

Will allow me to give the alloys a good clean and inspection before putting them away for the winter.

Slightly more noise with these wheels with my Dunlop Winter Sport tyres, but oh so much more grip!!

[andywell]

My winter tyres and wheels are going on tomorrow. 16" steel with Yokohama W.drive 205/55 R 16 tyres. I got a set of Touran wheel trims off ebay for £45 but I don't know whether to fit them or leave the wheels 'au naturel'. I'm planning to get my 2 kerbed alloys refurbed over the winter

[kabooooooom]

I've never bothered with winter tyres before but after the ice and snow of last winter I don't know whether I ought to be considering them?
Having done 22k my front tyres have 3mm on them so I'm not sure if I should
a) leave them because they are still legal
b) get two new front tyres
c) get winter tyres fitted and if so does this mean I need to buy four new wheels too?

Your thoughts appreciated

[Frelon]

Really depends on where you live and what type of motoring you do!

If you live in a rural area that is susceptible to bad weather (ice and snow) and really need to use your car, then I would seriously consider winter wheels and tyres.

You can shop around (ebay etc) for some steel rims and look on eBay for some part worn winter tyres and bish bash bosh, as they say!

I live in rural France (Normandie) where they do not grit the roads locally (would cost too much) so I feel much safer to have these wheels on my car from now until early February (or whenever it warms up!).

Just have to remember that when I change my car I do so for a car with the same size wheels!!

[percymon]

How did you find the Falkens noisewise as I remember you had noise issues previously.

John

1000 miles on new tyres versus the old Bridgestones is hardly conclusive, but i'd say they were comparable (after allowing for the wear)

[percymon]

I would leave the car without the trims on... its like the Sweden/ Norway look.

Rick

did this for a week, to make it easy to recheck bolt torque, but the wheel hubs were red rusty in no time. cleasned them up with some emery, coated in grease and put the trims on now. No looker, but i'l put safety ocver style in the cruddy winter months.

[andywell]

No looker, but i'l put safety ocver style in the cruddy winter months.

I'm in same position. My car looks looks pretty cr@p with wheel trims instead of my 18" Interlagos alloys but safety over style.