Rich Posted January 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2017 Thanks for the links. It looks like the good tyres are the premium ones and I can't justify spending £600+ on them. A few of those that are cheaper aren't in the size we need, which is so frustrating. I'll probably wait until September before getting them now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sagitar Posted January 18, 2017 Report Share Posted January 18, 2017 Nice find It wasn't really a find Tony. I've been looking at that site for some years. I'm pretty sure that the Continental Winter Contacts that you put onto my first Prius were confirmed as a good buy on that site. I got rid of the Lexus IS250 because of it's very poor handling on ice and snow. It's a while ago and I might get some of the figures wrong, but I seem to remember; rear wheel drive; about 220 bhp; no limited slip differential; auto gear box. And the consequence on the gentlest upward slope with a bit of snow or ice. Even with no accelerator, a wildly spinning left rear wheel with a stationary right rear wheel as soon as Drive was engaged, which it did with a terrific "clunk". It was at the start of my cardiac problems and I recall coming home from a cardiac session at the hospital and having to take a spade to the snow under the car to get it up the gentle slope into the Close where I live - not a recipe for survival. I sympathise with Rich. The Continental Winter Contacts have rocketed in price since I had them on my first Prius. I paid about £75 a corner fitted in 2009. Now I see them listed at about £135 a corner before fitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted January 18, 2017 Report Share Posted January 18, 2017 That is a dramatic price hike and an explanation fails me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted January 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted January 18, 2017 Some tyre prices are shocking now compared to 5+ years a go. It also depends on the size of the tyre and how popular it is - 225/45/17 has a lot more choice and is cheaper than the 215/45/17 the Lexus uses. I did look for the 16" wheels to use for winter but they rarely come up for sale but they use a 205/55/16 tyre. The Dunlop WS5 which is about £90 delivered in that size, in a 215/45/17 it's £120. Having said that, compared to the 225/45/17 which is £115 there's not much difference in price. Maybe they're just cashing in on most cars coming with larger tyres now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2017 With the missus now doing around 5k extra miles a year taking Josh to school as it's cheaper than paying the council for their taxi I am definitely getting winter tyres for the Lexus this year. Is now the best time to buy or should I wait until next month/November, will prices come down? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 4, 2017 Report Share Posted September 4, 2017 Last winters lack of snow left a surplus winter tyre stock so now is the time to buy. Be wise about the date on the tyres though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2017 It doesn't look like prices have dropped since I looked last year. I didn't look over the summer months as I forgot but winter tyres on the whole seem really expensive now, for the premium ones anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 4, 2017 Report Share Posted September 4, 2017 Once the centres hold stock the market becomes competitive, that's when you strike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CumbrianFoz Posted September 7, 2017 Report Share Posted September 7, 2017 It doesn't look like prices have dropped since I looked last year. I didn't look over the summer months as I forgot but winter tyres on the whole seem really expensive now, for the premium ones anyway. You might just have missed them, something seemed to happen end of August.... I meant to get mine last week, but so preoccupied with family grimness I didn't get round to it. Checked prices at my local place again on Monday and they'd gone up by £20 a corner Luckily Blackcircles hadn't changed their prices yet and found an odd one on the Bay of fleas at a good price, so only lost out to the tune of £30. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 8, 2017 Report Share Posted September 8, 2017 Simple supply and demand.... Any hint of snow this year means they can ask anything for the tyres? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 I had better get looking then before they do go up in price! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 11, 2017 Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 I would.... The last two winters have been snow free so the prices are a bit suppressed, add a few flakes prices will top out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 Well I've narrowed it down to these 2 - Dunlop Winter Sport 5 - https://www.tyres-guru.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=320&typ=R-281019&partner=1&ID=psm_rdg_uk_tyrereviews&Country=GUK Nokian A4 - https://www.tyres-guru.co.uk/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=320&typ=R-323594&partner=1&ID=psm_rdg_uk_tyrereviews&Country=GUK There are more reviews for the Dunlop, they're a premium tyre compared to the Nokian which is mid-range and I've used the 3D winter tyres before which were excellent. There's only about £12 difference a tyre so I think that's made my mind up, the Dunlops it is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted September 11, 2017 Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 Good choice.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2017 They've also come 1st in winter tyre tests so I think they'll be a good choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted October 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 Well the missus wasn't keep on spending over £500 on tyres so the Dunlop got ruled out. I've always wanted to try the Nokian A3 and they have a lot more reviews than the newer A4 so going for those. Currently £97 on Oponeo but I've seen the price fluctuating so I think I had better order them soon. Anyone else got their winter tyres on yet? First frost of the year this morning so I think it's time to get them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted October 30, 2017 Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 I think the frost will prompt many people now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted October 30, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2017 Well I've ordered them so when they come I'll be over to get them fitted. What's the betting they go down in price tomorrow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 11, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 Good job I ordered them when I did, they increased a day or two later and haven't gone down yet. Had them fitted earlier and I've only done 15 miles so far but they felt a lot grippier than the summer tyres felt on the way there. This was down the wet muddy country lane as well. I don't really like the way asymmetrical tyres handle but these feel ok so far and don't seem to tramline that much but it is early days so we'll see how they are after a few more miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
russellgirl Posted May 14, 2020 Report Share Posted May 14, 2020 I'd go with MICHELIN X-ICE XI3 or BRIDGESTONE BLIZZAK (listed here https://carpassionate.com/best-winter-tires/) I've driven on both on a different car and they perform nearly the same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted May 15, 2020 Report Share Posted May 15, 2020 Holy thread resurrection batman! 11th Nov 2017, to 14th may 2020! Thanks for your input russellgirl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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