[mjcuk]

From the bad winter we had up in Scotland last year I learnt two things - one that the GT is rubbish in the snow and two that it's too late to wait until the first snow falls before trying to get winter tyres as eveyone will be sold out!

As a result of this I'm looking to sort out some winter tyres for my GT just now so I'm ready for this winter. So the question is simple - does anyone have any particular recommendations for winter tyres? I'm planning to fit them on the standard 17" alloys.

Cheers,

Mike

 

[andypj]

Just a thought - on Mytyres.com they sell a 15" steel wheel and tyre combo for a GT and they worked out last year at about £89 per wheel. You might find this cheaper than a 17" winter tyre, and it'll save your alloys from the salt and rubbish around on the roads. It'd be a lot simpler to swap them over when winters over too. Only down side is that they aren't going to look great.

 

[mjcuk]

Andy,

That could be a good option, cheers. I had thought about getting a set of 2nd hand 16" alloys and getting tyres for that but it didn't seem that cost effective and was going to be a bit of a faff to sort out. The steel combos look like they could be a decent price and save a lot of hassle, although you're right it's not going to look the best!

 

[Al Faromeo]

I concur with what Andy said: 15 inch steel rims with skinny winter tyres! They have the added benefit of allowing chains to be fitted if needed, which will not be possible on the 17" because of their width.

 

[bobda]

Yup, change the wheels for the winter. A set of cheap 16" or 15" (if they fit over the calipers - 15" was never an option on the GT) fitted with winter tyres is your best bet. The narrower the tyre the better for snow & ice.

 

[CJO]

www.mytyres.co.uk seem to have some good deals but note there is a £9 per wheel for delivery

 

[casadalloro]

had marangoni italian tyres last year .... good job...buy them early prices go mad when the snow arrives.......

Marangoni Tyre

 

[andypj]

Yup, change the wheels for the winter. A set of cheap 16" or 15" (if they fit over the calipers - 15" was never an option on the GT) fitted with winter tyres is your best bet. The narrower the tyre the better for snow & ice.

15" wheels are listed in the handbook for all models except the 3.2. After all the space saver spare is a 15" rim! Tyre sizes for winter tyres are quoted as 195/60/15 88Q

 

[bobda]

15" wheels are listed in the handbook for all models except the 3.2. After all the space saver spare is a 15" rim! Tyre sizes for winter tyres are quoted as 195/60/15 88Q

15" wheels have never come up when putting reg number into an online tyre site so I didn't think they were ever fitted. I've never seen any - not sure I'd want to! :lol:
Space savers tend to have a weird shape so they don't foul the calipers, but I take your point.

 

[andypj]

You know, I don't think I'd want them on either....well in the summer anyway:lol: They are listed as an option though (but then again who would specify them?????). Then again from what people keep telling me about winter tyres I might (only might mind you) be tempted!!

Then again I could 'borrow' the Lupo!!

 

[Guitar Hero]

my GT was great in the snow on its standard P zero rossos. 18".
But I put cooper winter tyres on and its phenominal. I also have a pair of winter socks whicj I haven't needed yet

 

[Bezste]

I have full set of 16in tele dials from my old 156 SW with two all-season tyres fitted on the fronts. Last winter they were superb on the 156. They fit and look fine on the GT but haven't tried them in snow yet.

Using them on the 156 was absolutely brilliant. I have a colleague with a 4WD Subaru and I could get everywhere he did with no problem whatsoever. The previous year, with ContiSport 3s on all round, I really struggled. Chalk and Cheese.

The tyres I have are Kleber (made by Michelin, apparently) Quadraxers. I highly recommend them for the following reasons: They are an all-season tyre and so grip in normal conditions is very good, especially the wet. They are not too noisy either, which all-out winter tyres can be. They seem to be wearing very well. i.e. no signs of wear yet - although I only covered around 3,000 miles in them last year.

Now, before people start shouting "all-seasons are crap in deep snow and ice!" the Quadraxers are unusual in that although they are classed as "all season" they carry the 3-peak snow symbol which means they meet the standards for use in deep snow and ice. Believe me, they are absolutely brilliant in snow, slush and ice. I never even had a wheel-spin.

I would have considered using them all year round but since I'm lucky enough to have a spare set of alloys lying around and somewhere to store them, I may as well have two sets. Less wear on the summer tyres too!

I used to be a cinic when it came to winter tyres and whether we really need them in Britain. I was wrong. Believe me; speak to anyone who has tried them during the recent winters and I bet none of them would consider going back to summer tyres in the snow.

Oh, I paid around £80 each for 205/55/R16 size from ATS. Fully fitted.

 

[colinbull]

Is it ok to reduce tyre width past what is stated in the manual?

Easy on my 147 1.6 i was planning to take off the 215/45/17 alloys and use 185/65/15 winter tyres on steel rims.

But on my 156 2.5V6 i was going to take off the 205/55/16 alloys and use 205/60/15 winter tyres on spare alloys.

the 2.5V6 only lists the two 205 tyre sizes in the manual and i wouldn't like to go thinner?

 

[casadalloro]

shouldnt be any problem going narrower as long as its ok for the rim size... check that first....narrower will work better in snow... think of cars in swedish rally ..... tyre size is 135 or 145 studded on 15" rims ....

demon twweks ususlly list in their books which tyre size works with which rim size range...yokohama i think....

 

[andypj]

Make sure you check with your insurance company first, just to make sure that they are ok with it. You wouldn't want a smack & for them to turn round & say that you've modified your car and that you werent insured!

 

[Pud237]

Is it ok to reduce tyre width past what is stated in the manual?

Easy on my 147 1.6 i was planning to take off the 215/45/17 alloys and use 185/65/15 winter tyres on steel rims.

But on my 156 2.5V6 i was going to take off the 205/55/16 alloys and use 205/60/15 winter tyres on spare alloys.

the 2.5V6 only lists the two 205 tyre sizes in the manual and i wouldn't like to go thinner?

185/65/15 will fit if you want to go narrower but it was never an option on the 156 V6 so check with insurance co. first.

 

[Pud237]

15" wheels from a 156 or 147 will fit on the 1.9 JTD and 2.0 JTS GT.

 

[Trouty]

I got Hankook Ice Bears for my wifes car and Kuhmo KW27's for mine. Both were excellent in the heavy snow last year. Full sets all round on both cars, if you go for front only there's a chance the car will swap ends on you

 

[Roof]

15" wheels from a 156 or 147 will fit on the 1.9 JTD and 2.0 JTS GT.

I can buy a set of 15" steel rims from a 147/156 with goodyear winter tyres (7mm profile left) for a decent price, but the size is 185/65/15. Anybody know if this is going to cause a problem on a GT 2.0 JTS Selespeed? (Calipers, speedometer, etc?)

 

[Pud237]

I can buy a set of 15" steel rims from a 147/156 with goodyear winter tyres (7mm profile left) for a decent price, but the size is 185/65/15. Anybody know if this is going to cause a problem on a GT 2.0 JTS Selespeed? (Calipers, speedometer, etc?)

Speedometer will be within 3-4%, no issues with calipers etc.

Obviously you will have to corner much slower though with those tractor tyres on! :lol: