Writing about the
Goodyear Vector 4Seasons given
99% (225-50-17-)
Driving on
a combination of roads for 40
average miles
I bought these to use as all year tires over two years ago, I live on the south coast so to be honest heavy snow is rarely a problem, however heavy rain is. I drive an Xtype AWD 3.0 as well as a Derv estate one, so the car's are surefooted anyway.
The little bit of inland snow that we have had over the last few years is really insignificant, but no worries whatsoever when I have had to. Must admit I quite enjoyed sprinting away from stuff in the snow with no wheelspin or wandering over the road wet or dry. The car being AWD the traction available even on wet T junctions has to be experienced to be believed, some of this is down to AWD, I suspect most of it is down to the Vector's.
In the heavy rain we have, they leave a virtual cloud behind me at motorway speeds, I can always see the section of road I've been driving over in the mirrors, that's the bit that looks almost dry. I use the M25 quite a bit too, I have to admit over the concrete sections there's a little drumming, but no more than the previous favourite tire, (Hankook) that I had were.
I drive usually about 30,000 miles a year, and I change my tires at 2.5mm mainly because I ride motorcycles as well and I know the risk of low tread depth. Lets just say after a year i still had 4mm of tread left. i know they start out with slightly more than the average tire, but I call that wear exceptional. My bike I usually get 4,000 if I'm lucky.
I just bought another Xtype, a diesel estate that can carry a bit more "junk" than my saloon, it came with some Chinese Death finders on it. I've swopped them for Vectors and I feel like I have a safe vehicle again.
My wife's car has Hankook on it, because I was really happy with them on my Xtype so when they wear out it will be getting a set of these on it. She only drives about 3,000 a year so it probably won't be this year, but it will happen.
I also have a set of Snow tires in the shed for my car. They stayed in there this last winter. mainly because I wanted to try the Vectors in full snow conditions. Unfortunately I never got the chance although we had some heavy hail that looked like it had snowed on the road, they handles it without any drama. The way the cars around me were slowing to a crawl, I can only assume that they were having skating lessons.
I've been driving now for well over 35 years. I'm tired, and have been told I should sleep at some point, you wouldn't want my fuel bill, but I've never experienced grip and confidence at the level that these tires give me.
Enough said.