Help Needed, Which Snow/winter tyres tires to buy in Poland?

Hi,

I have recently located to Gdynia, Poland from Manchester UK.

I have been told that in winter most people change to their snow tyres, in England we never have much snow, so it is unheard of to swap to winter/snow tyres.I have looked at prices and they made my head spin. I dont want to buy the cheapest ones out there i just want tyres that are highly rated that wont break the bank. So if anyone knows of a Good Snow/winter tyre id love to hear from you.

The car is an audi a4 2002 model. 1.9tdi tyres are 205/55 R16.

i have looked on baloon.pl and have seen some goodyear and continentals for around 400zl per tyre, obviously i dont want to pay that much but would like a good tyre, as dont want to economise on safety. Have new baby and wife to keep safe :)

Thank you in advance for your help.

regards Tee

Hi Tee,
This isn't my text - I asked someone who has bought tyres in the past (in Trojmiasto)

"These are big rims - so tyres will be big too, though I would think 400 was a bit much unless they were tall tyres, like for a 4x4, which these are not, I think.

Please note that two things make a tyre a "winter tyre":
1. thread - obviously
2. softness of rubber - summer tyres get very hard below 7 degrees Celsius - and hence less traction, though no tyre - except a studded one (illegal here) - will grip on ice!

I will phone around my suppliers and see if I can locate a set that is reasonable quality and still an affordable price - but it may take me a day or two to do it - OK?

Wojtek
"

Back to me : what are your current tyres? Are they all-season or specifically 'summer' tyres? Might be worth checking their specification online to see what they're capable of...

Also, don't forget about snow chains. If you plan to do any countryside driving you might need these. They're a pain to use but sometimes there's no other way ...

Oh, and with regard to countryside driving: be prepared - carry a shovel in the boot...
/cjj

The only thing that really works in snow is four wheel drive , but once the snow has been cleared a bit with a plough you should be able to drive safely enough in a normal car with normal tyres...Some cars are better than others in the snow , i have a Honda accord which is front engined and front wheel drive , always better to have the weight at the same end as the driving wheels , its also got abs which makes stopping a bit easier...The most important safety factor in my case is twenty plus years of racing which means i know how to react if it slides about a bit....Drive slowly , steer and brake gently , and carry a shovel , warm clothes , walking boots , and maybe blankets and a flask if you are venturing out in the sticks....You will be fine with normal tyres , just take it easy...if it gets bad , trade your car in for a 4 x 4....

Hi cjj AND wildrover,

Thank you very much for your advice, i appreciate your info immensely.

My current tyres are not season specifc just standard continentals (sport contact or something ike that)

I will check the specification as they may be ok.

I dont plan to drive off the beaten track so hopefully they will do me jyst fine, as here in Gdynia and Gdansk the roads that i am using are well travelled.

Thanks once again. :)

Tee

It might well be that the biggest problem you have in the winter is with other drivers. The urge to tail-gate doesn't leave people just because it has snowed ...

Hello again cjj, i know what you mean, same as in England, but having heavy snow on the roads makes it much more dangerous. Have located a place that will do the tyres at 200zl per tyre and will fit them for that price. I certainly need them though as my tyres were spinning on entrance to the secure parking for our apartment/flat.

Thank you both for your input.

Hope you have a lovely winter and Xmas.

Best Regards

Tee

Just got this update ...

"I have asked my friendly tyre person and got the following info:

You should be able to get good winter tyres for your size at 350 zl, balancing and putting them on included in this price.

e.g. Kleber or BF Goodrich (both my Michelin) or Winterstar (by Continental)
Do NOT use the Polish Kromoran!

I have often used Kleber in the past and did not complain

They also have (still had as of this morning) used tyres of that size for 250 to 350 FOR A PAIR, so it works out125-175 each, including putting them on, balancing etc.

They are a friendly out of town shop in Osowa
Ul. Kielenska 157
phone: 58 - 552 86 65
"