Winter tyres for Finland?

[Nj]

Just thinking ahead here but I might look for some winter tyres before heading over to Finland. My car has 18" wheels just now but came with 17" as standard. I'll probably buy a cheap set of alloys or steels to put the winter tyres on. I don't know what size I should go to though? I've found a cheap set of good quality 195/60/15s but I don't know if 15s would be too small for my brakes (might even sit on the ground, who knows)

Anybody got any input on this please? Buying a set of 18" winter tyres in Finland could be expensive
cheers
nj

[S2central.net]

You will need to check with local regulations I think and get some local recommendations too - winter rubber must be cheaper there. Isn't it mandatory to have winter rubber there anyway after a certain date - I always thought so... I've had great results with Pirelli Snowsport on 205/55HR 16 - pretty sure they do them in bigger sizes as they are specifically for big modern cars. I think the H rating is mandatory in some countries even for winter use. These tyres aren't studded or anything extreme like that but they perform very well in cold temps and on snow. BTDT

[shark_90]

You won't get 15" wheels over you brakes mate, 16" minimum.

[Henkjan]

by them in Finland mate, you'll want studded tyres there, nothing less.... I'm sure Nokian will have a good wintertyre in 16".. don't go too wide, 195 or 205 will probably do (if the height will be enough). iirc winter tyres are mandatory in Finland after 1st of November (in the north earlier)

[silizium]

Nokia Hakkapeliitta 5 or 7 is good choice and 205/55 r16 or 205/60 r16 is your size.

[Skaala]

no need for studded tires when you have quattro. Very good ones are Nokian Hakkepelitta studless snowtires (Q speed rating, max 170 km/h) Made especially for nordic conditions. 225/45/17 on the RS2

[S2central.net]

Now there is local / regional knowledge for you. Result.

[kwlw]

no need for studded tires when you have quattro. Very good ones are Nokian Hakkepelitta studless snowtires (Q speed rating, max 170 km/h) Made especially for nordic conditions. 225/45/17 on the RS2

There's need event with quattro. I vote for studs. They come to help when you really need traction - when braking on ice. Quattro helps only to get speed, and you need to stop sometimes... Also today's studded tire is better on tarmac, than studdless. Which is also very important in my country, because we get mix of snow, rain, whatever, and temperature flux in 10-20 degrees of C per single day/night (in Finland I think it is less important).

My personal choice is gislaved nord frost. Noisy - but grips nicely.

Sau
P.S. I have used Hakkapelitta Q and Gislaved Soft Frost I and II for few winters, but when I have tried studs - never really wanted to go back.

[MidnightBlueS2]

I can certainly vouch for the Nokian's. I followed the advice of the forum Vikings when I enquired on what kind of winter tyres to buy and it was sound and solid advice.

[EspenW]

I used to run studded tires, but not since 1999 or so. Studless winter tires have become so good that they match/surpass studded ones on pretty much anything except for ice with standing water.
In the bigger cities of Norway, the ratio of studless/studded is approx 80/20.
Note that I'm talking about scandinavian type studless winter tires, with Q or R rating, not the H rated winter tires used in Germany, etc.

I can recommend Nokian Hakka R and Conti VikingContact 5

[moradi2k]

I have stoppet using studded tires here in norway.

Graspic DS-2 from dunlop has been great om my fwd golf 5 and Im going to buy these for my s2 when they need replacing.

The good thing about studless is that you can take them on when you like, and don't have to take them of at a certain date, like you have to with studdet tires, At least this is the thing in norway.

Studded tires will help you stop, but Commom sense always works better then any studded tire you can buy. And remember that tires get old, I normally just use mine 2 sesons before i change, If you use old wintertires, you may be better off using you newer summer tires!

[Henkjan]

that's odd, in Finland (countryside, not pääkaupunki) probably 90% is on studs, but this just might be conservatism? I personally don't know anyone who drives on studless.

Can any of the Fins here maybe produce the results from a test from a car magazine (I'm sure TM has tested them) that compares studs with studless?

[Steftam]

I am using winter tires good year GW3 size 225/45/17 with the normal cup wheels with very result in snow conditions or ice

[Nj]

Brilliant, thanks for all the advice lads.

It looks like I should find a set of 16" or 17" wheels to bring with me and then buy my winter tyres when I'm there. Am I right in thinking that you guys would normally keep a set of winter wheels rather than swapping tyres over? 18" winter tyres would probably bankrupt me anyway. Although I do have a spare set of 18" RS6 alloys in my garage now.

Do any of the Finnish guys have a link to a website so I can see how much I should expect to pay for something like the Nokian Hakkepelittas?

[Nj]

Nokia Hakkapeliitta 5 or 7 is good choice and 205/55 r16 or 205/60 r16 is your size.

On a side note how do you find Espoo to live? I applied for a good job there with Kone so if god exists and he loves me (that might be asking a bit much) I could end up there.
cheers