Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Scrimble on November 14, 2013, 10:17:29 am
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for the past few years I've always fitted winter tyres onto my van, and now my partners car too,
I'm having a set fitted onto my van this weekend ready, anyone else use them?
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no never fitted winter tyres to any van ive ever had.i have michelin tyres on my car and cheapos on my van.
whats the difference scrimble?
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This came up last year.
I'm with Scrimble on this.
Tyres you shouldn't scrimp on.
Even 1 metre saved on stopping distance can mean the difference between a dent and write off.
I didn't know you could get extra load winter tyres but will have a look.
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My personal opinion I never have a tyre is a tyre good set of brakes, when it snows let tyres down a little. Can't see the point in wasting mo ET changing tyres. I think if it was to make a big difference there would be a law against it but each to there own if that's what you want to do you's go for it.
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We use winter tyres on the family cars. Have done for over 5 years now. Take a look at this video.....
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/66692/winter-tyres-4x4-grip-test-video
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Getting winter tyres can a good idea, but it is a big expense and a lot of hassle. Ideally you would have 2 sets of wheels, 1 with summer tyres, the other with winter. If you can afford to, and have some means to change them over relatively easily, then yes absolutely. If not, I would say use wet weather tyres (like me, uniroyals), which given the climate these days, are certainly going to earn their keep!, and they will work better in the snow than summer tyres. but I don't see winter tyres as being necessary, drive carefully plan well ahead, leave a very big gap in between you and whatever is in front of you, use the gears to help slow you down, and don't make any sudden manoeuvres. One thing I definitely wouldn't do is buy cheap tyres, that is a very false economy.
I am also utterly baffled by dannymack's comment on letting the tyres down a little. I am assuming you mean pressure?, but why on earth would you do that?. If it is snowing, you want your tyres to cut down through the snow to find the grip, not float over the top providing no grip at all!. Yes if you are in Iceland or somewhere, driving on very deep snow, you let the tyre pressures down for floatation, same for deep mud. Doing it on the road could be very dangerous.
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Everything has winter tyres on
Only fools drive (or get stuck and clog up the roads) without them
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Always had a problem with our Renault Trafic, last year fitted winter tyres, hell of a difference well worth it. We use the same rims our local garage changes the summer tyres back free of charge ;)
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i thought i heard some where that fitting winter tyres to a vehicle is classed as a mod and can invallidate your insurance
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i thought i heard some where that fitting winter tyres to a vehicle is classed as a mod and can invallidate your insurance
Used to be the case.
A lot of insurers are coming round to sensibility of fitting winter tyres.
Best just tell me just in case though
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You only need to fit winter tyres on one axle so if you have front wheel drive fit them to the front they will make a big difference with traction and grip .
And you might get out to work in the snow instead of crying on this forum that you have not worked for days . Mike
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I have AT tryes on at all times so no need to swap them in the winter.
I do a bit of off roading and can tell you with some certainty that winter tyres WILL make a difference.
In the white (or brown) stuff you can have the best 4x4 by far but if you've only got road tyres - you will get stuck.
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Totally agree stuart i had a Suzuki grand vitara with HT Tyres on and the wheels still spun on a incline .
I have some Toyo AT's on my L200 at the minute it will soon be time for a change after 26 months what tyres do you generally have on your Landy . Mike
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I have AT tryes on at all times so no need to swap them in the winter.
I do a bit of off roading and can tell you with some certainty that winter tyres WILL make a difference.
In the white (or brown) stuff you can have the best 4x4 by far but if you've only got road tyres - you will get stuck.
I've just a put a set of Enduro AT Tyres on my Ranger. They feel very hard and seem to transmit a considerable amount of road noise. Are they all like this is or is it just a brand issue ?
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I have never had winter tyres before, but I have got a RWD van and have bought some this year, otherwise I have got not hope
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AT tyres generally transmit more road noise than HT's i will only fit AT's to my truck as prefer to be prepared for all terrains as i go to remote farms etc .
I have done 24,300 miles on my current tyres . Mike
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Totally agree stuart i had a Suzuki grand vitara with HT Tyres on and the wheels still spun on a incline .
I have some Toyo AT's on my L200 at the minute it will soon be time for a change after 26 months what tyres do you generally have on your Landy . Mike
If I'm feeling flush I put BFG AT's on there - at the moment it's Enduro AT's which are basically just a BFG copy.
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Compulsory here. The rubber compound reacts better than summer tyres at 7c and below. Grip in wet and cold better, and they are safer over all. No good in UK, because people there think they are "snow" tyres, and it doesn't snow much so no point in fitting them. ::)roll
The other side of the coin is, if you fit them, it makes no difference when the others on the road with you have summer tyres on. They get stuck and have accidents in front and behind you, and you get stuck behind them when they can't move. So unless everyone has them fitted, it's not much use. ;D
Enjoy the winter lads :D
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Totally agree stuart i had a Suzuki grand vitara with HT Tyres on and the wheels still spun on a incline .
I have some Toyo AT's on my L200 at the minute it will soon be time for a change after 26 months what tyres do you generally have on your Landy . Mike
If I'm feeling flush I put BFG AT's on there - at the moment it's Enduro AT's which are basically just a BFG copy.
Do find you get plenty of miles from the Enduro At's . Thanks Mike
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My work seems to be like Mikes and I was very off road yesterday in the middle of nowhere getting to a customers house that's only really accessible by green lane.
I had Goodrich HT on there before and never found any traction issues with them on any surfaces / snow / ice / gravel etc except they didn't like mud !
We're certainly quieter / better ride / more stable. I get the sense that these should last well but are AT really that much better ?
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Everything has winter tyres on
Only fools drive (or get stuck and clog up the roads) without them
Never had winter tyres in 24 years of driving, never got stuck, and while I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, I wouldn't consider myself to be a fool either.
In my opinion, at least 90% of those that get stuck and/or clog up the roads are there through not having a clue how to drive in the snow, and not whether or not they have winter tyres
But i'm sure you know best Rhinoman.....
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My work seems to be like Mikes and I was very off road yesterday in the middle of nowhere getting to a customers house that's only really accessible by green lane.
I had Goodrich HT on there before and never found any traction issues with them on any surfaces / snow / ice / gravel etc except they didn't like mud !
We're certainly quieter / better ride / more stable. I get the sense that these should last well but are AT really that much better ?
I decided to fit AT's to my truck as the original Bridgestone HT's all had to be changed at 15,000 miles my current mileage is 39,300 ,
The think is with AT's is the deeper tread ensures better traction in mud and snow so for me i feel a little more confident in driving through a foot of fresh snow or even compacted snow as At's have a bit more bite .
The outer edge of my front tyres wear quite a bit even though i rotate them every so often but the inner 75% of the tyre is currently about 4-5mm , So when the outer edge is down i will be changing tyre shame really as their will still be a good amount of tread on them . Mike
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How are winter tyres in the summer?
I'm guessing it's like hard and soft squeegee rubber and you can use soft all year round. Is it the same with winter tyres?
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You could have winter tyres on all year round if you wanted they used to be a lot softer once the temps got above 5+ and would wear far quicker .
But they wear a lot better due to advances and developments , If you still have a good tread on your current tyres and are having winter tyres fitted just keep your original tyres for the better weather then get them switched back over .
It only costs £10-20 per tyre change i pay £10 without balancing when having tyres rotated . Mike
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You could have winter tyres on all year round if you wanted they used to be a lot softer once the temps got above 5+ and would wear far quicker .
But they wear a lot better due to advances and developments , If you still have a good tread on your current tyres and are having winter tyres fitted just keep your original tyres for the better weather then get them switched back over .
It only costs £10-20 per tyre change i pay £10 without balancing when having tyres rotated . Mike
Right, I never thought about that; like squeegee rubber, again, though.
Thanks for your reply.
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You only need to fit winter tyres on one axle so if you have front wheel drive fit them to the front they will make a big difference with traction and grip .
wrong, you need winter tyres on all 4 wheels, before i knew there was such a thing as winter tyres i nearly crashed my van sliding sideways down a hill on 2 separate occasions,
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A lad i know you works at the local tyre place just puts winter tyres on one axle as his car is rear wheel drive and is a nightmare in the snow .
But if i am wrong i stand corrected ;D ;D . Mike
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A lad i know you works at the local tyre place just puts winter tyres on one axle as his car is rear wheel drive and is a nightmare in the snow .
But if i am wrong i stand corrected ;D ;D . Mike
putting 2 on is a cheap skates way of doing it
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A lad i know you works at the local tyre place just puts winter tyres on one axle as his car is rear wheel drive and is a nightmare in the snow .
But if i am wrong i stand corrected ;D ;D . Mike
Must be a nightmare to steer in the snow too. Why do Brits think winter tyres are "snow" tyres?? Are there such things as snow tyres? When I was driving trucks, I did a few winter runs to Sweden, and they have studded tyres in the winter. Otherwise, never heard of snow tyres. AT tyres yes, but they're different.
Another thing to think about is, if you transport your family around in a vehicle with summer tyres on instead of winter tyres, how would you feel if they were injured in an accident during freezing and wet conditions?
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Winter tyres have a softer density to give them better grip on ice, as such they wear down quickly. It ain't cheap but it's better than being stuck or worse - dead.
Perhaps you think; 'I'm a better driver than these idiots who get themselves stuck' but it is not that simple.
Wide wheels + high BHP + normal road tyres = very poor traction, no matter how good you are at driving in the snow. I have been there.
The large weight carried by most window cleaners is both a help and a hindrance, the weight will give you better traction but if you start to slide you have had it.
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So pleased i have a proper 4X4 and will manage just fine when it snows next week ;D ;D ;D . Mike
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So pleased i have a proper 4X4 and will manage just fine when it snows next week ;D ;D ;D . Mike
How's that then? When you travel along a road and cars get stuck because they have summer tyres on and they block the road, what do you do, drive over them?
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Generally just overtake them i live in a semi rural area so it is very rare for the weather to cause major tail backs and at busy times i use back roads which a lot of car drivers avoid .
Along with the fact i have a Mitsubishi L200 which will go virtually anywhere my All Terrain tyres have coped with the last 2 winters and that is fully loaded with 1/2 a ton in the back and even driving through 10" of snow which i doubt your winter tyres and little van will :-* :-* . Mike
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I live in Germany mate, and we get minus 15 as normal every winter. Got a Trafic, DCI 150, I used to have a MD21 Nissan. I never saw it as an extension to my willy though like some. ;) So remember to just keep going when you are in a traffic jam and tell everyone they have a little van etc.
If anyone gets stuck and you can't get past them, just show 'em your big L200. ::)roll
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I was simply trying to make a valid point , As you live in Germany and suffer more prolonged lower temps winter tyres are of a greater importance
And their has been some good evidence that even 4x4's would greatly benefit from fitting winter tyres.
Here in the Uk most drivers dont have a clue how to drive in winter conditions and every year it is suggested car drivers should fit winter tyres but most wont due to cost .
I chose to have an L200 to ensure i could get out to work in the winter and do so safely and ensure my wife could travel more safely with the reduced risk of travelling in bad weather . Not willy waving but if more people were more sensible about traveling in winter conditions we would not have so much troble getting around in the ice and snow . Mike
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You only need to fit winter tyres on one axle so if you have front wheel drive fit them to the front they will make a big difference with traction and grip .
And you might get out to work in the snow instead of crying on this forum that you have not worked for days . Mike
I've been onto tyre places all day today.
They said all 4 needed it....
I can't see why though.
Don't spose you've got any info or experience on it have you?
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To be honest Darren i am going off what a Tyre fitter told me just over a year ago but that could well have been his personal opinion and choice to fit 2 tyres .
If they are telling you all 4 then that is your best bet , I guess you got to consider cost verus not getting out to work .
But it depends on the state of the roads on housing estates which is normally dire which is one of the many reasons i chose to buy a 4x4 . Mike
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I had my first 4wd vehicle about 7 years ago and at one point i switched to a 2wd motor and soon found out it would go nowhere in the snow with a bit of weight in the back .
And could not be without a 4x4 now we used to live in a more rural location until about a year ago and taking my wife to work at 6:30 am or trying to get out of the village at most times during heavy snowfall was difficult . Mike
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To be honest Darren i am going off what a Tyre fitter told me just over a year ago but that could well have been his personal opinion and choice to fit 2 tyres .
If they are telling you all 4 then that is your best bet , I guess you got to consider cost verus not getting out to work .
But it depends on the state of the roads on housing estates which is normally dire which is one of the many reasons i chose to buy a 4x4 . Mike
Cheers.
It's just that I can't see why the non driven wheels in the van would benefit.
And the people telling me I need all 4 are selling them so not without bias.
I'll keep googling.
Thanks for your help.
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Noticeably less than BFGs. You could get 24,300+ miles out of them so long as you switch them front to back every 6 months or so.
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dont need a 4x4 in winter you need winter tyres,
dirty darren look on you tube to see what happens when you fit them on the front only, in the countries where by law you have to fit winter tyres its on all 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7xXDMkVFlE
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Been told today at tyre fitters that if your vehicle is front wheel drive you only need to fit winter tyres to the front axle ,
If you have rear wheel drive then you must fit winter tyres to both axles , I have 5mm left on my tyres at the minute so wont be changing my AT's yet .
But looking at getting some Maxis At's in the next few weeks . Mike
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m&m did you not watch the video?
in some countries it is illegal to fit just 2 winter tyres instead of 4, the tyre fitters you spoke to are wrong,
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tyre fitters you spoke to are wrong
The tyre fitters are only wrong in the sense that you don't 'need' to fit winter tyres at all.
If you fit 2 onto your drive axle you are less likely to lose traction and be stuck.
If you fit all 4, you are less likely die in a fiery ball going backwards into a tree.
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Cheers Scrimble.
I was gonna go for just 2 but seeing that video, I'm gonna get 4.
Now...what happens if you drive on winter tyres in summer?
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Cheers Scrimble.
I was gonna go for just 2 but seeing that video, I'm gonna get 4.
Now...what happens if you drive on winter tyres in summer?
Not a-lot.
They wear quick though, especially in warmer temperatures.
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watching that video I can see the benefits to fitting 4 but for the amount of snow we have in this country unless you are in an extremely rural and snow prone location (and face it you would probably have a 4wd anyhow) it seems a waste of money. If I felt it were needed I would fit 2 winter tyres to my front wheel drive and drive to the conditions and within my limitations e.g. not expecting to take corners at 40 mph in heavy snow. The snow has only ever really been a problem where I live in side streets and hills etc. for a week at most and in those circumstances traction loss on icey slush.
I'd rather stay at home a couple of days than blow a load of money just so I could carry on working for those occasional days. Each to their own though, suppose it really depends on where you live/work and how bad you expect weather to affect you ;)
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Location is a big factor but any of us can suffer a heavy Snow fall and persistent low temps with continued snow .
Winter of 2010-11 was the worst the side roads and road sides of main town roads ended up with 6-12" of compacted snow and ice and even if you got out to work without the right vehicle or and tyres parking up on compacted snow for a good while became a struggle to set off again .
What some are missing here is if you have 500kg in the back of your motor whether in snow ice or colder temps how long will it take for you to stop or when temps plunge a road turns to a sheet of ice at any time of the day can you travel safely .
Every year on this forum when the bad weather hits their is a multitude of posts about how you cannot get out to work or dare not risk it , Fitting winter tyres is like taking out insurance you do so in order to safeguard yourself and your family incase something happens .
Because of the shortage of supply of winter tyres in the UK when its to late its to late i have spoke to a few people today who have or going to fit winter tyres before the bad weather hits better to get them now before their is no more left . Mike
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Some guys will spend £300 or so on a hot system but wont spend the money on winter tyres , Hot wash is useless if cant get your van of your drive for a week or more . Mike
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Location is a big factor but any of us can suffer a heavy Snow fall and persistent low temps with continued snow .
Winter of 2010-11 was the worst the side roads and road sides of main town roads ended up with 6-12" of compacted snow and ice and even if you got out to work without the right vehicle or and tyres parking up on compacted snow for a good while became a struggle to set off again .
What some are missing here is if you have 500kg in the back of your motor whether in snow ice or colder temps how long will it take for you to stop or when temps plunge a road turns to a sheet of ice at any time of the day can you travel safely .
Every year on this forum when the bad weather hits their is a multitude of posts about how you cannot get out to work or dare not risk it , Fitting winter tyres is like taking out insurance you do so in order to safeguard yourself and your family incase something happens .
Because of the shortage of supply of winter tyres in the UK when its to late its to late i have spoke to a few people today who have or going to fit winter tyres before the bad weather hits better to get them now before their is no more left . Mike
That's true.
I've itdered winter tyres for the car.
They won't be here until a week on Tuesday and are ordered from France!
Just in time according to the front page of the express. (Not that I believe that!)
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I don't get it ??? Why do some people in UK still think they are snow tyres?? They are winter tyres. Not snow. I know it's complicated lads, but they are winter tyres. Not made to only drive in snow, but temps lower than 7c.
By the way, in answer to the question, what happens if you use them in summer, answer nothing. I have mine on all year. They're supposed to wear quicker, but I've not noticed.
Imagine, some people will risk not only their own lives, but their family's lives and any poor sod they may collide with when they lose grip, because either they couldn't afford a set of winter tyres, or could afford them, but couldn't be bothered because they thought they were only for snow conditions.
Winter tyres are cheaper than summer tyres here, is it different in UK? All the big boy window cleaners earning thousands a week, and it's an issue to change to different tyres to suit the weather conditions ???
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Depending on rim size you could get a full set of 4 tyres for about £320 fitted maybe less now that aint expensive . Mike
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Depending on rim size you could get a full set of 4 tyres for about £320 fitted maybe less now that aint expensive . Mike
Lol. I wish. I'm looking at £320 per corner on the car.
Not checked the van yet...
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:o :o :o Bloody heck Darren what size rims are they , So you are paying £320 per tyre for my L200 winter tyres are a similar price to summer or all season tyres , Which ranges from £92 - 150 per tyre fully fitted . Mike
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;D F1 Red Bull wet tyres by the look of those prices!!
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£320 wtf? BMW runflats?
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:o :o :o Bloody heck Darren what size rims are they , So you are paying £320 per tyre for my L200 winter tyres are a similar price to summer or all season tyres , Which ranges from £92 - 150 per tyre fully fitted . Mike
295/35/21
Michelin Alpine.
Found them a bit cheaper online but with delivery & fitting it's much of a muchness.
Got about 3mm left on my Pirelli P Zero's but I think I'll ebay them & brand new in summer/spring. Gonna be an expensive few months!
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Michelin-Latitude-Alpin-La2-295-35R21-107V-M-S-/350846993235?pt=UK_Cars_Tyres_RL&hash=item51b01c4353
OUCH!! :o :o
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It's a no brainer!!
I'm fitting my winter tyres tomorrow, 4 Goodyear cargo supergrip on steel rims. Change them back over in the spring.
Cost me £600 off the internet with rims so you just swap them over each year, I've had them 3 years now, still look brand new.
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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Michelin-Latitude-Alpin-La2-295-35R21-107V-M-S-/350846993235?pt=UK_Cars_Tyres_RL&hash=item51b01c4353
OUCH!! :o :o
They're the ones.
Cheaper at ATS though.
Reviews are good.
Be interesting to see how they perform!