WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,354
Member is Online
|
Post by WDB on Jul 11, 2016 9:23:38 GMT
This is my hot motoring topic this week, since I've just ordered four of them for our E220 estate. They'll be fitted on Friday, and then we'll have a week to get used to them before we begin our annual long road trip to France.
My rationale for choosing them was that they seem to offer the same warm-weather qualities as the Primacy 3 tyres it's had for three years or so - rated marginally better for fuel economy and the same for wet grip and noise. What they add - on paper and apparently borne out in road tests - is enough cold-weather capability to make a difference in the few days of really bad winter weather, and also to be safe and legal on continental roads where winter tyres are required.
In other words, they seem to be full-fat normal tyres with some useful winter capability, where as other 'all-season' tyres seem to be compromised in both phases. That's what got my attention, and for a premium of about £8 over the Primacy 3.
I'm trusting they'll still have the qualities of directional stability and steering feel that, for me, distinguish the Primacy range from the competition. And I'm wondering whether they'll eventually be available as run-flats in staggered BMW sizes.
|
|
|
Post by Humph on Jul 11, 2016 9:30:16 GMT
It occurs to me that at this very early stage of the forum, that 3 of the members so far are drivers of E Class estates ! I guess it should be made clear that this is not a compulsory thing for membership !😉
|
|
WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,354
Member is Online
|
Post by WDB on Jul 11, 2016 9:44:53 GMT
I don't know, Humph - we might get a better class of contributor if it was.
|
|
|
Post by Humph on Jul 11, 2016 9:51:22 GMT
Heh heh ! How very "English" of you to say that ! 🎩
|
|
|
Post by Humph on Jul 11, 2016 9:55:45 GMT
AV has one, want to ask him if he fancies a pint?
|
|
WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,354
Member is Online
|
Post by WDB on Jul 11, 2016 10:22:41 GMT
I need to remind him he promised me a kebab.
|
|
|
Post by Humph on Jul 11, 2016 10:36:44 GMT
I hear they're quite difficult to find in some parts of the world.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2016 12:07:39 GMT
You might be E-Class estate owners, but only I can lay to the claim of having 6 cylinders.....Serfs - get washing my car!
I love my car but my favourite bit (apart from the self opening/closing boot) is the retractable dog net. Great for taking Polo out for the day. 250 miles yesterday (Manchester to Holyhead and back) and it just sings along the A55.
|
|
WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,354
Member is Online
|
Post by WDB on Jul 11, 2016 12:21:45 GMT
You might be E-Class estate owners, but only I can lay to the claim of having 6 cylinders.....Serfs... Ah, I was wondering who was the third. We need to get Vić in here; his has six cylinders too. My other car has six cylinders. Should I get that made into a sticker?
|
|
|
Post by Humph on Jul 11, 2016 13:24:31 GMT
You may well have multiple cylinders Espada, but my other car has multiple door mirrors ( not all at the same time admittedly, ) and my Merc has a secret sign engraved on one wheel. The meaning of which is only known to the few.
|
|
|
Post by Hofmeister on Jul 11, 2016 15:48:55 GMT
Dragging this thread rudely back on track to tyres. I honestly cant conceive why there is any doubt or discussion about what tyres are needed for normal UK driving and normal UK weather. The single most frequent driving hazard one is likely to encounter over here is Water. Inches and inches of it. Week in week out. That is why I put rain tyres on my cars. One can usually avoid snow, ice, or any other of the very infrequent weather hazards, one cant avoid the rain sodden roads. Been running Uniroyal rain experts for the last 110k miles, and been pretty glad I have
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 11, 2016 16:27:36 GMT
I don't really understand the wish for winter tyres in the UK. I don't even use them here. If its bad enough, then I put chains on. If its not bad enough, then what value are winter tyres to me?
|
|
WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,354
Member is Online
|
Post by WDB on Jul 11, 2016 20:45:34 GMT
Generally my thinking too, Z. The point of the Crossclimates, if I can believe what I read about them, is that they can do everything a regular 'summer' tyre can do, but add the low-temperature performance without compromising it. Effectively something for nothing - or for about £8 a tyre over three years. That's why I reckon they're worth a punt.
Of course, true snow tyres are no use in southeast England because they only get you further from home before you get stuck in a heap of stranded and abandoned cars, or rammed up the arse by someone who's heard her SUV can go anywhere - but hasn't learned that it won't just stop anywhere.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2016 9:04:03 GMT
...
|
|
WDB
Full Member
Posts: 7,354
Member is Online
|
Post by WDB on Aug 8, 2016 14:23:00 GMT
Still looking for the downside to the Crossclimates. They had their first encounter with rain last week – French rain and lots of it. Felt very secure and left a reassuring pair of dry streaks on the streaming motorway surface in the mirror.
In the dry they have the impressive directional stability that made me a Michelin man in the first place, maybe even more of it than the Primacy 3 the car had before.
Wear is the only question left to answer, and if we decide to change cars next year I may not even get to go that.
|
|