Should I get a set of wheels when I buy winter tyres for my Ford Focus?

I have a new Ford Focus Zetec 2.0i automatic Titanium X. Am I better buying a set of winter tyres or going the whole hog and buying a set of new wheels with appropriate winter tyres?

Asked on 20 November 2010 by DM, via email

Answered by Honest John
Two choices. Permanently switch to 'all weather tyres' (with the mountains symbol) that are almost as good as winter tyres in the winter and not quite as good as standard tyres in the summer. Or switch to a separate set of wheels for the winter fitted with full winter tyres. This also allows you to go for smaller wheels with deeper profile tyres than your car currently has (you could go from 18s or 17s to 16s), making the winter tyres more effective as well as more comfortable. You will need to have somewhere dry and dark to store your summer wheels. Suppliers of wheel and tyre combinations: www.mytyres.cvo.uk Suppliers of tyres only: www.event-tyres.co.uk
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