Winter tyres or all-weather tyres for rear-drive cars?

My daughter would like either a BMW or Mercedes-Benz but is very nervous about rear wheel drive in the snow & ice. I know from your excellent articles that you have enthusiastic views on winter tyres. This option is out (cost and practicality). What about "all weather tyres?"

If r/w drive is pretty useless in snow but 100% better with winter tyres, what % better are cars with all "weather tyres?" I think you likened a car with winter tyres as good as a 4 wheel drive vehicle.

Are they readily available for most sizes of tyre?

Asked on 6 December 2012 by sg&p

Answered by Honest John

The advantage of all weather tyres is you can leave them on the car all year round. The disadvantage is that the best of them are only about 50% as effective as the best winter tyres. But, the best of them are probably more effective than the worst winter tyres. Vredestein Qadtrac and Bridgestone A001s seem to get the best results in tests.

Tags: buying wheels and tyres rear wheel drive winter tyres

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