Last year I invested in a set of 18 inch HSE alloys and fitted Goodyear Ultra Grip M+S winter spec tyres. However, due to poor health I never fitted these and they are still neatly stored in my garage for the second year.
The weather last year year down here in the 'balmy' south was mild with no snow, but plenty of floods! This year in contrast we've had snow and a couple of inches today. I didn't fit my winter set again and have to say was a bit concerned when my wife ventured out onto country lanes at 7.00 today. Fortunately she came back and reported most favourably about our FL2s handling in these conditions, but I suppose that's to be expected from a LR even though it's shod with standard Continental Cross Country tyres.

I'm now wondering about the wisdom of keeping (and shelling out in the first place!!) my set of 18 inch winters with brand new tyres??

Any similar experience from 'Southerners' out there, or wisdom of whether to keep or sell my winter set to a more deserving owner in less temperate parts of the Isles?

I put my winter set on when the temperature consistently drops below 7 degrees, and this is the third season they have been used. The first year we had snow drifts over the downs, and the Freelander was fantastic with winter tyres. For the last two years they haven't seen anything more than a hard frost, but I still feel safer with them on compared to the Continental all seasons.
The Freelander is great in the snow (and wet), but with winter tyres it is better still.
If you have the space to store them, and are planning to keep you car for a few years I would say hang on to both sets. I still have 7mm left after 3 years ! _________________
Gone - 2010 Rimini XS

Aero, wife and I debating whether we should go back to a Disco when warranty runs out on the FL. If we do I'll put them up for sale but for now I guess I should put them on even its just for remaining month or two now. Thanks anyway.

Prior to getting the Freely in January, I had already done some back to back comparisons of regular vs winter tyres on our Leon and Exeo.

On both cars, the traction light comes on significantly more with the summer tyres using the same style of 'spirited' driving on damp wintery roads. The level of confidence when braking is also increased noticeably.

So, within a week of getting the FL2, a set of winter wheels and tyres was being sorted.

On the original tyres, I was able to get the traction light to blink a bit on wet roundabouts, but nothing from the lamp on the winters.

Not had a chance to test them in the show yet (Kent), but this morning the road was covered with a thin frozen layer of hail.

On foot I had a number of 'almost' moments, but the Landy was more than happy and it took an unnecessary level of braking to wake up the ABS.

If you've got them, there's nothing to lose by sticking them on until the spring, compared to the amount of kicking yourself when you are stuck in an icy ditch with the winter tyres sitting in the garage


Ian

Spagley, sound advice and risk analysis.

Looks as if I'll be putting on my overalls and using the trolley jack on Saturday!

I used to do it myself, but Kwik Fit do it for £27 now while I have a coffee. Lifes too short  _________________
Gone - 2010 Rimini XS

Be careful with Kwik Fit, I inquired to the cost and was also told it was £27.

Per tyre...

HiQ charge me £50 inc vat for all 4 tyres 

gingerlord wrote:

Be careful with Kwik Fit, I inquired to the cost and was also told it was £27.

Per tyre...

Definitely charged me £27 in December for all four, used torque wrench and did a good job _________________
Gone - 2010 Rimini XS

I was about to don my overalls on Saturday to fit the winters when my wife persuaded me to go 'shopping' instead But this was to look at Discos
Anyway two local dealers later and we are very close to doing a deal on a two + year old Disco 4 HSE. The FL is a great car but we've found the load space too small for our everyday needs. In an ideal world we'd keep both but the lottery just hasn't borne any fruit for us.
If we make the deal for the Disco later today I'll be posting these four brand new 18" Ten Spoke Sparkle Silver alloys with unused 235/60 Goodyear Ultra Grip M+S winters later today. See pics in my gallery.
I'll also put up LR cross bars, load space rear mat and front and rear rubber mats, all genuine LR. Plus TRAVall half dog guard which is like new.

Deal done on the Disco. We're sorry to let the FL go. .. ...but practicality dictates otherwise.
The wheels and other bits will go for sale as soon as.

Another convert to Permagrin