Winter or All-Season tyres queries

[psybear]

2024 T6.1 Camper conversion currently with Hankook 255/45/R18 103H, with plenty of life left in them.

I'm planning a trip to the Highlands next month, probably as far as Harris & Lewis, and I'm actually hoping that there's some snow about the place. I called up my local tyre place today and he quoted (and recommended) Goodyear All Season at £180 each. He also offered Dunlop Winter tyres at £190. He said that he could get me cheaper Winter tyres (I think around the 160 mark and I forget the brand).

I was shocked at the prices to be honest, but maybe these are par for the course? They charge £15 per wheel to change over tyres, and offer a free storage service for the other set.

£760 for four winter tyres is a lot more than I thought, even accepting that I'd get a few years out of them if just switching over as necessary.

Are these prices normal or excessive?

Re the Highlands in winter, I'm guessing winter tyres are a must? My van couldn't even make it up a slight hill last winter in the snow, had to abandon it overnight and walk home. That won't be an option if I hit similar conditions in the Highlands...

 

[doncarlyon]

Check on camskill and tyreleader, will give you loads of options and prices to compare.

 

[doncarlyon]

I'd spend my money on these

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m141b0s11438p222194/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac_Pro%2B_255_45_R18_103Y_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_72dB

 

[Lubrown]

2024 T6.1 Camper conversion currently with Hankook 255/45/R18 103H, with plenty of life left in them.

I'm planning a trip to the Highlands next month, probably as far as Harris & Lewis, and I'm actually hoping that there's some snow about the place. I called up my local tyre place today and he quoted (and recommended) Goodyear All Season at £180 each. He also offered Dunlop Winter tyres at £190. He said that he could get me cheaper Winter tyres (I think around the 160 mark and I forget the brand).

I was shocked at the prices to be honest, but maybe these are par for the course? They charge £15 per wheel to change over tyres, and offer a free storage service for the other set.

£760 for four winter tyres is a lot more than I thought, even accepting that I'd get a few years out of them if just switching over as necessary.

Are these prices normal or excessive?

Re the Highlands in winter, I'm guessing winter tyres are a must? My van couldn't even make it up a slight hill last winter in the snow, had to abandon it overnight and walk home. That won't be an option if I hit similar conditions in the Highlands...

Back in September I paid £601 for four Continental AllSeasonContact 2 in size 215/65R16 102V (for my t28).
That was using Asda tyres online and selecting a local fitter (all fitted and balanced etc).

They were amazing in the recent snow we had and being all season I’ll just keep them on. I know summer tyres are better in the wet down to four degrees but the newest all seasons are still pretty good.

 

[Shaun Witts]

It sounds as if you are retaining your existing tyres for summer use? In which case, I would not go for All Season tyres, but full Winter tyres. Traditionally, all season tyres have not performed as well in winter conditions as proper winter tyres.

 

[wuckfitracing]

In December I had fitted four Michelin Cross Climate 3s. 235/55 R17 £634.04 from Black circles.

 

[Lubrown]

It sounds as if you are retaining your existing tyres for summer use? In which case, I would not go for All Season tyres, but full Winter tyres. Traditionally, all season tyres have not performed as well in winter conditions as proper winter tyres.

Although across most of the UK most of the time, even in winter, we don’t see much snow.
I side with the chap from Tyre Reviews in that an all season can act (i.e. is all one needs) as a winter tyre for the UK climate.
We get surprisingly warm days in winter here.

 

[BuilderJay]

I’ve got a T6.1 Sportline and as all my tyres which are Bridgestone 255/45/18’s (same as yours) I’ve been looking at the same size in Falken Wildpeaks. These are 109 load rating whereas mine are 103.
I’ve only done 19k miles and this is my 2nd set which are nearly gone.
Got a price of £130 each whereas my Bridgestones are £185 each.
Hope this helps!

 

[psybear]

I’ve got a T6.1 Sportline and as all my tyres which are Bridgestone 255/45/18’s (same as yours) I’ve been looking at the same size in Falken Wildpeaks. These are 109 load rating whereas mine are 103.
I’ve only done 19k miles and this is my 2nd set which are nearly gone.
Got a price of £130 each whereas my Bridgestones are £185 each.
Hope this helps!

Pretty sure that’s the other brand the guy mentioned to me

 

[BuilderJay]

Falken Wildpeak A/T AT3WA Tyre

The Falken Wildpeak A/T AT3WA is purpose-built for adventure no matter the scale, no matter the location, no matter the weather. This is some serious rubber that is not messing about when it comes to taking you where you need to go.True all-season tyreLow road noise levels and increased ride...

www.demon-tweeks.com

 

[BuilderJay]

55 profile sorry of which mine are on my T32