Given
87%
while driving a
BMW X5
(235/65 R17 H) on
a combination of roads
for 20,000
average miles
Getting my second set fitted this week, having run the last set from November '10 to March '11 and Sept '11 through to July '12. Total mileage over this period has been c.20k, and temps have ranged from -18 up to 22+ deg C.
As my daily drive is a round trip of 100 miles over the Peak District, with regular trips down to London/south Wales, I see a combination of country lanes, A-road, dual carriageway and motorway's in varying states of repair and surface conditions.
The tires were excellent in temps below 2 deg, where there was a risk of ice. Stopping distances were dramatically reduced, general grip and cornering was superb both on the flat and on slopes. Control was still there when the ABS kicked in on icy roads. On unploughed roads, (5-6" snow covering) the grip was not in question, and the driver gave up before the car. They also had a significant impact in wet/muddy conditions, being able to get the vehicle up and out of sloped fields.
There was a noticed feel of instability when temps got over 10-15 deg C, with them feeling a little 'squirrely' at motorway speeds. There was not enough to lose confidence in the tire, just that they were not as planted as the summer tires, (Cooper Zeon's on larger 19" rims), although a deeper tire wall may have contributed to this feeling.
Overall, given my inexperience with other winter tire brands, the Vredestein is an excellent winter tire that is more than capable for my needs. The tire has gotten me out of a few predicaments, and the first drive back from the fitters' in the snow was like night and day.