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Post by alf on Apr 20, 2018 9:05:11 GMT
Does anyone else go a bit nutty when the summer tyres go back on? For me if often coincides with the first bit of properly warm dry weather, like this week, and the difference is astounding. No more switching the TC half off for every spirited junction or corner exit, and full throttle/revs available once more without fearing the rear will snap round as the revs rise. The level of traction and grip feels simply astounding this week. I was talking to a Swedish colleague in the office yesterday and he said this is very much a "thing" in Sweden when they all put their summer boots back on.
Long may the weather last!
My air con still seems to take 10 mins to start working, my only real criticism of the XFR (no doubt they'll re-gas it again at the next service, as they have every spring I've had it) - I through the new condenser last year had solved that. The C Max is pumping cold air out within a couple of minutes, and none of my cars have ever done that even with a regass! In fact the old Passat V6 was the best air con I've ever had and that was 6 years old with never a regass needed...
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Post by Martin on Apr 20, 2018 9:41:59 GMT
I don’t notice much change to traction as that’s very good on both cars when the winter tyres are on, even when it warms up. The biggest difference is steering feel, especially on the BMW which feels significantly better. However, confidence in grip levels is higher and coupled with the improved steering feel does mean roundabouts are tackled at a higher speed and are a lot more fun.
Lovely drive into work this morning with the roof down and the exhaust on, looking forward to driving home even more than usual!
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Post by alf on Apr 20, 2018 11:03:08 GMT
The steering feel difference is massive isn't it? The steering weight must at least double on the XFR, and it both tramlines more and also provides many times more feedback. It felt like driving with flat front tyres for the first few miles then you just get used to it.
To me winter tyres have decent traction and braking in a straight line, and in wet or damp cool conditions (or even very cold dry conditions) they don't feel much different to summers, which suffer then too. But winter tyres just don't like it when you overlap braking and cornering, or particularly accelerating and corner exit. It's like the difference on the Caterham going from average road tyres (always too hard for such a car) to super soft track tyres, and it's a lovely feeling.
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Post by Martin on Apr 20, 2018 11:21:52 GMT
It is, especially on the BMW as the winter fronts had been on the rear the previous year so weren’t worn evenly meaning they tramlined quite a bit which the summers don’t do.
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Post by chipbutty on Apr 20, 2018 17:42:54 GMT
Totally agree, it's the first chance I've had to really lean on the car and throw it about.
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Post by Big Blue on Apr 20, 2018 19:03:56 GMT
Yes....the bike sticks like it should again. I’ve got about 2k on the front tyre and the rear was new 3 weeks ago thanks to some giant metal clip through its predecessor. About 3mm of chicken strips to eradicate on the new rear.
The Gorilla is due new rears so will get 4 new boots around May to get on to PS4s.
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G R I P
Apr 21, 2018 19:44:15 GMT
via mobile
Post by bryan on Apr 21, 2018 19:44:15 GMT
I have just swapped mine over but yet to drive it on the summers. Looking forward to first drive.
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Post by Roadsterstu on Apr 23, 2018 11:29:36 GMT
I'm definitely enjoying the extra grip and confidence in the V60 since the F1s went back on. I am also still surprised at just how much mid-range wallop it has and how quickly it will reach the next bend!
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Post by Tim on Apr 23, 2018 12:12:54 GMT
Pussies  |
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Post by Boxer6 on Apr 23, 2018 12:37:49 GMT
Pussies Now now!!  |
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Post by Tim on Apr 23, 2018 13:14:54 GMT
Pussies Now now!! Is soft southern sandy drinking p=+%s.
Only joking, I know we've been lucky up here (at least in my part of the world) to have had very little bad weather and I also have the benefit of being able to work from home!
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Post by Roadrunner on Apr 23, 2018 13:41:37 GMT
I got around to changing my wheels over on Saturday, mostly. I had had the front brake pads changed at a local independent in February and they must have had Geoff Capes do up the wheel bolts with the torque wrench set on maximum. I only just managed to get the OSF wheel off, but three bolts on the NSF front wheel would not move at all, even snapping the wheel spanner and then splitting a good quality socket in the process. I phoned the offending garage only to be told that they closed five minutes ago and he couldn't be arsed to stay open for another five minutes while I brought the car to him to sort it out.  This morning I had to drive to work on three summers and one winter. A tyre place near my office did the job for free, also commenting that they had difficulty shifting the bolts. My local independent man will not be seeing my car in his place ever again. |
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Post by grampa on Apr 25, 2018 12:17:20 GMT
I only get about 4 or 5 days a year when I would really feel the benefit of winter tyres even with a winter like the one we've just had - it's much easier and cheaper to leave it on the drive and keep Summer tyres on all year round.
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Post by alf on Apr 26, 2018 14:53:06 GMT
True. I could ride my full suspension mountain bike all year as well, but there is something pleasurable in a (spottery way) about switching to something different, then back to the original one and enjoying the different capabilities.
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