XSeries-forum

As far as I can see there are three approaches to winter tyre/wheel set up (aside of the rubber compound itself)

Narrower tyre width - presumably to cut through/bite into snow?

Higher profile - again to ensure there is more tyre and less wheel in contact with snow ?

Smaller wheels i.e. coming down from 19inch, as an example, to 17inch - not sure why the wheel needs to be smaller diameter though ?

Smee

Never had an auto in the snow, do you use D or M Traction on or off


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Traction ON and I found it better to drive in M +/-

I have found mine to be fine in the Ice / Snow. I was running Diamaris all round so this might be a factor. This year I have brand new Toyo Proxes all round so we will see how that goes.

As I work out of the country most of the time I couldn't justify the spend on a winter set of wheels... I would also have to buy at least 18" wheels and tyres.

There was a thread on here when we had the bad weather of one of the members' X5's coping very well in the snow in scotland with standard wheels and tyres... pics on the thread too...


Turks.

Thanks again for the replies. I do have the option of fitting some Range Rover Vogue 19's that are in my garage. These are 255/55/19 Goodyear Wrangler HP with M&S markings. Could be worth a go?

I believe they will fit

[quote=""Turks""]Traction ON and I found it better to drive in M +/-

I have found mine to be fine in the Ice / Snow. I was running Diamaris all round so this might be a factor. This year I have brand new Toyo Proxes all round so we will see how that goes.

As I work out of the country most of the time I couldn't justify the spend on a winter set of wheels... I would also have to buy at least 18" wheels and tyres.

There was a thread on here when we had the bad weather of one of the members' X5's coping very well in the snow in scotland with standard wheels and tyres... pics on the thread too...


Turks.[/quote]

ok cheers

i don't think we are going to be hit as bad this yr as last, but been snowing today followed be rain.

FWIW I am a great fan of winter tyres......I change to the winter setup mid November-ish until Easter or even a bit later, and my X behaves like a "proper" 4x4 on ice and snow - I had a Range Rover prior to the X and the performance in bad weather is pretty comparable (not had the X offroad - comparing bad weather conditions on road).

Winter tyres are generally cheaper than pricey summer Diamaris, so you spare your expesnive tyres for a big chunk of the year.

My line of thought is that the tyres are all I have between the safety of my vehicles' occupants and the road, and I like to have the most appropriate tyres for the conditions I am likely to encounter. However, winter tyres are nor feasible for everyone.

I run these General Grabber UHPs on 19" all year round

after a year the fronts are nearly as new....rears taken some hit on wear

cant really afford a winter set TBH.

http://www.tyretest.com/4x4_reifen/gene ... index.html

the rubber may not be too soft for winter but there some decent grooves, perhaps not the right shape but quite chunky....

My line of thought is that the tyres are all I have between the safety of my vehicles' occupants and the road, and I like to have the most appropriate tyres for the conditions I am likely to encounter. However, winter tyres are nor feasible for everyone.

I agree with that, and the set of winter tyres ive just put on (wintrac extreme) is about the same cost as my insurance excess and less hassle than having to sort out an insurance claim and go car shopping if the worst happens. Also they should last a couple of years now

Before I bought our X5 I borrowed one for our annual trip to the Grizedale rally last year. The snow was bad enough for the rally to be cancelled, but the X5 (2005 3.0d Sport) fitted with new budget Maxxis tyres on the front and Bridgestone on the rear coped with everything with ease. I just left the HDC switched on and didn't go at it like a bull in a china shop.
Since getting our own X5 (same year & model) I've put new Vred wintracs on standard 19's as I couldn't find any 17 or 18 inch wheels for the right money.

[quote=""storminmike""]I run these General Grabber UHPs on 19" all year round

after a year the fronts are nearly as new....rears taken some hit on wear

cant really afford a winter set TBH.

http://www.tyretest.com/4x4_reifen/gene ... index.html

the rubber may not be too soft for winter but there some decent grooves, perhaps not the right shape but quite chunky....[/quote]


I am really interested to know how you get on with these. I believe they are probably the meatiset all season tyre available for straight swap on 19's.

I have been consiering going for these or Toyo Proxes as an all year around solution when Diamaris need changing. (I know more than many that dedicated winters are best for winter & snow but I have other expenditures not least a house move).

How are they when pushing along on hot tarmac in summer ?

Do they affect MPG ?

Can they cope okay in light mud/sand/snow etc ?

Any issues with blocks lifting ?

Tyre noise issues ?

Any other info ?

Thanks in advance

[quote=""AW8""][quote=""storminmike""]I run these General Grabber UHPs on 19" all year round

after a year the fronts are nearly as new....rears taken some hit on wear

cant really afford a winter set TBH.

http://www.tyretest.com/4x4_reifen/gene ... index.html

the rubber may not be too soft for winter but there some decent grooves, perhaps not the right shape but quite chunky....[/quote]


I am really interested to know how you get on with these. I believe they are probably the meatiset all season tyre available for straight swap on 19's.

I have been consiering going for these or Toyo Proxes as an all year around solution when Diamaris need changing. (I know more than many that dedicated winters are best for winter & snow but I have other expenditures not least a house move).

How are they when pushing along on hot tarmac in summer ?

Do they affect MPG ?

Can they cope okay in light mud/sand/snow etc ?

Any issues with blocks lifting ?

Tyre noise issues ?

Any other info ?

Thanks in advance [/quote]





How are they when pushing along on hot tarmac in summer ?

I've never had a problem with the TBH but I've only the YOKOHAMAs it had on previous to go by.....and they wore out within months of buying the X. I think.....and it's hard to say why, the YOKOs were a smidge nicer and perhaps a little softer....but I cant' honestly say one way or the other. I couldn't get a 4 wheel set of YOKOs when I wanted...and I wanted 4 matched tyres.

I loved the look of the YOKOs but the grabbers looked butch. The wifes freelander 1 has them on but it's a noisy car full stop but that got out of snow no problem

Do they affect MPG ?

I do 50 miles round trip a day (25 urban/25 motorway) and get about 5 miles to the £ @£1.38 per litre...which is about 32 mpg
In the summer it was more like 34 mpg

facelft 3.0d by the way

Can they cope okay in light mud/sand/snow etc ?

Never tried sand.....snow was reasonable but I got jittery climbing a short 1 in 3 slope in 6" of snow...but it did it

Any issues with blocks lifting ?

Na...but the fronts last ages and the rears are getting a bit near to worn at 16,000 miles

Tyre noise issues ?

The tread is progressive or seems to overlap but may be or seem a smidge noisier than the YOKOS....but their aint no drumming, Seems a smidge noisier strangley from the front (with more tread) in these colder days...but nothing like LANDROVER rumbling...the X5 is so quiet you here anything

Any other info ?

£310 a pair for the rears

stop well too....not 1 lock up in the wet...ever....snow well brakes and snow don't mix do they

Thanks that very useful.

Ideally I would like to see General Grabber AT or Toyo Proxes II in our sizes but in abscence of same it seems General Grabber UHP are top of my list if for when I eventually replace my 19" Diamaris.

The 1 in 3 snow climb, ( just), is enough to convince me. In similar conditions I couldnt even move on the Diamaris & with decent tread depth. In the end I had to slide to bottom of front garden onto a lesser incline then took a run up before literally power drifting sideways up the drive wheels spining madly & me applying massive opposite locks. Lawn didnt look to good after everything thawed.

Bearing in mind my very southerly location I think UHP's will probably suit my needs in abscence of being able to justify a dedicated 2nd (winter) set up.

Oh & I dont have steep driveway anymore.

So why do folk go for a smaller diameter wheel in the snow ?

Smee

It increases the sidewall height which increases the profile and allows the vehicle to move a little sideways (kind of shimmying I guess?) without forcing the tyre to slide as the sidewall is softer, but maintains the rolling diameter so the speedo stays accurate - or so the tyre bloke I used tried to tell me. I've no idea if he's right on the sliding bit, but the rolling dia/speedo accuracy is correct.

...and then of course it keeps the alloy wheel itself further away from the curb when you do slide