Ice skating in the s8

[RanjS8]

Well after almost skidding off the road in to a lamp post last night....I was actually in a slide towards the lamp post ...when some how I had sense to straighten up...take foot off brake and apply gently....

Well following that I went on a nervous four hour journey to Skegness.....at one point I felt like I was actually driving on ice....so my question is do winter tyres help to reduce the skidding thing or will that happen anyway....and if so what is a decent winter tyre???

[Adrian E]

Standard S8 18s with correct winter tyre size will give you much better grip on slippy surfaces - I find mine almost undrivable in this sort of weather on 20s and much prefer using the A6

[RanjS8]

Thanks Adrian

Time to source a set....strangely enough the avuncular wheels can sometimes be a bit trickier to find....I remember when I needed some for the s4...in the end I settled for a set of b5 rs4 wheels.

[Reffro]

Hi Ranj,
glad to hear you and the S8 are in one piece. You have found out the limitation of the S8, it has superb traction thanks to quattro, but you have no more grip than any other near 2 tonne car on summer tyres. Assuming you still have the Conti's on the car, you will be in severe trouble when braking on snow/ice. Winter tyres are the way to go if you plan to use the car on snow/ice.

I have winter tyres on my Merc and they are a revelation. I don't have the same traction as in the S8, so can't tackle all the hills, but they kick ass when cornering & braking.

[RanjS8]

Hi Reffro

The contis have been awesome....but yes winter tyres are what I need!!!....irony of it is that by the time i have a winter set the snow will probably be gone....but at least I ll be prepared next time....

[tintin]

Well after almost skidding off the road in to a lamp post last night....I was actually in a slide towards the lamp post ...when some how I had sense to straighten up...take foot off brake and apply gently....

Well following that I went on a nervous four hour journey to Skegness.....at one point I felt like I was actually driving on ice....so my question is do winter tyres help to reduce the skidding thing or will that happen anyway....and if so what is a decent winter tyre???

I did the same two winters ago on 20 inch Michelin PS2s, and slid into a kerb, resulting in an expensive refurb, and have been on 18 inch winter for the last two winters, without any fuss or bother.

Reffro's right - it's the weight that does it, in many ways quattro gives you a false sense of confidence - so when traction does go, it can be at a higher speed than would otherwise be the case.

I'd wholly recommend 18" winters - they also have the added benefit of being cheaper to run....(esp. second hand @ £40 a piece vs new 20" PS3s)

[SilverS8]

We do have alot of snow and ice here in Norway and the best studless winteryres are from my experience from driving on both frozen lakes and roads is as follows:

Yokohama IG30
Nokian hakka 7
Michelin X-Ice (might have a new name this year)

Also remember that wintertyres that have speedrating of H and V has no function on snow and ice what so ever.. R is ok but Q is def the best

:)

[daviesbike]

I have not touched my brakes... As soom as you brake and begin to slide i just lift off and nock it down a gear and let the engine do the work +++... I lived in tromso norway too and had a ford sierra with winter studded tyres and it did fairly well for a rear wheel drive car.. Bet the quattro with studded winters on kicks ass ?

I have no winter tyres at the moment for the same reason by the time i get a set of wheels to put them on and fit them the snow will be gone... Its an expence thats only valid in the uk for a couple of weeks and then it melts and pandamonium is over ...

[daviesbike]

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=220874541240&index=4&nav=SEARCH&nid=99023973363
Or get a set of snow socks there amazing ... They really do provide grrat grip and are a cheaper alternative to having a full set of tyres

[David's8]

Given the number of days (usually) that snow affects us, snow socks are definitely a good but cheaper investment than winter tyres ( at around £70 a pr.for 245x18") I saw a number of 6s in the Alps last year using these in deep snow with icy roads and they had climbed a steep village track to park outside their chalet. They are pretty easy to put on too.

I've got a set of chains but, lo and behold, the west of Scotland has been free of snow this year whilst the rest of the uk has been knee deep!! :(

[HPsauce]

Well maybe, but the actual "investment" is really only in a spare set of wheels (if you do it that way) and time/effort (maybe cost) in swapping them twice a year.

Used "tatty" wheels suitable for winter use are fairly cheap anyway.
Tyres wear out as you drive, so the net cost of rubber is the same overall.
In fact it "can" be cheaper as the wrong tyres for the ambient temperature (either way) tend to scrub and wear out quicker. ;)

[David's8]

Well maybe, but the actual "investment" is really only in a spare set of wheels (if you do it that way) and time/effort (maybe cost) in swapping them twice a year.

Used "tatty" wheels suitable for winter use are fairly cheap anyway.
Tyres wear out as you drive, so the net cost of rubber is the same overall.
In fact it "can" be cheaper as the wrong tyres for the ambient temperature (either way) tend to scrub and wear out quicker. ;)

Well, each to his own. I dont see many offers on this forum for a set of 18" winter wheel for less than £100 (unless you are offering! +++) and the softer compound winter tyres wear out quicker when used - as they will be - 95% of the time on tarmac.

Its a fine decision either way and dependent on where you live, of course. If you live in Ballater then you'll need something more than snow socks today!

[ainarssems]

I have no winter tyres at the moment for the same reason by the time i get a set of wheels to put them on and fit them the snow will be gone... Its an expence thats only valid in the uk for a couple of weeks and then it melts and pandamonium is over ...

It's not just about snow and ice, winter tyres perform better then summer tyres in cold ( below 5-7C) and wet. 18" tyres are cheaper then 20" and you save on wear on summer tyres. Avoid possible damage to summer tyres and wheels and protect them from salt. Money you invest in second set of wheels can be recovered from selling them on at later stage. If you keep same car for several years second set of wheels with winter tyres is the way to go. If you swap cars that cannot use the same wheels every couple of months then it is debatable. Only downside is initial investment in second set of wheels as that money cannot be used on something else. Over the time it pays back.

[Singh]

19"'s won't clear my ceramics, need to get some 20" winter wheels. Ker-Ching! Don't think I'll bother.

[Reffro]

It's not just about snow and ice, winter tyres perform better then summer tyres in cold ( below 5-7C) and wet. 18" tyres are cheaper then 20" and you save on wear on summer tyres. Avoid possible damage to summer tyres and wheels and protect them from salt. Money you invest in second set of wheels can be recovered from selling them on at later stage. If you keep same car for several years second set of wheels with winter tyres is the way to go. If you swap cars that cannot use the same wheels every couple of months then it is debatable. Only downside is initial investment in second set of wheels as that money cannot be used on something else. Over the time it pays back.

Ditto

[RanjS8]

Well today the same road that had given me so much trouble was clear of ice and the traction was back in my summer tyres.....it felt soooooo good....at one point I just couldn't resist pressing kickdown and overtaking and slightly slower polo....the acceleration and sure footed feel was awesome.

I am convinced winter tyres are essential....but considering the cost I will be saving for next winter now as I don't think the snow will be back for a little while now.

[notorious]

>> Its an expence thats only valid in the uk for a couple of weeks

In fact, you actually need your winter wheels for 2-3 seconds per year -- not more. But those 2-3 seconds can cost life.

... And they fully justify their cost during those 2-3 seconds.