The Vredestein Wintrac Xtreme receives its clearest owner praise for snow traction, with dry grip, low noise and comfort also generally favoured. Wet grip is more often praised than criticised, but a meaningful minority report poor traction in rain, including one repeat owner whose concern persists across two end-of-life accounts. Some later-life reports support useful tread life, although 53 of 60 reviews lack a stage of use, limiting a general lifespan claim. The 60 reviews come from 54 owners, and repeat contributors do not show one shared ageing pattern. A lone end-of-life report of increasing noise does not establish a recurring change with wear.
What owners mention most counted across 58 reviews
Excellent grip in snow, wet and to an extent on ice as well. Dry grip good, but a bit noisy. Tyres have worn well over this winter, and have given me enormous confidence in the vehicle. Now switched to summers from mid March.
I used these on my car this year through the worst of the winter weather in the UK and the Porsche became our daily car due to the amazing traction and grip from these tyres in the snow and ice. No one could believe when I went out in 8 inches of snow on top of ice. There was absolutely no drama in the 4 weeks of appalling weather. Although I've rated road feedback and progressiveness only middle of the road, I am comparing how my car feels when it was on dedicated performance summer tyres for the Porsche. The tyres are wearing very well and the rears have lost 1mm tread in 1500 miles and less than that on the front. The wear is comparable to summer tyres in the summer months.
Check out how the BEST all seasons tyres perform against premium summer and winter tyres!
These tyres are so good I would be happy to use them all year round, however, I do notice that they are softer than my summmer Continental's when the temperature gets to about +10C and above. In snow they are almost magical - used both here in the UK and the Alps, both in hard pack or fluffy soft snow. Have overtaken 4x4's on hills were they where sliding sideways on their stock M&S tyres in my hilly area many times, much to my amusement - but it is when going downhill on treacherous roads where the safety of these tyres is evident. I can stop easily when others keep going in a slide.
These are just as quiet as my summer tyres, and actually quieter on rough motorway sections. Wear rate so far seems to be excellent - on my second winter on them with trips to the alps and still look like new. If I didn't have a second set of wheels, I would be happy to run them all year round as numerous people that I know already do.
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I managed to pick a pair of these up second hand, but still brand new, so saved a few quid in the process.
As soon as they were fitted I went and found a snow covered side road and could not believe how well I could get traction and brake. I then found a steep hill and again had no problems. Since then I have ran them over one winter season and they are now on the second.
The grip from the tyres is not only excellent in snow they also perform as well as top summer tyres in the wet. All be it in much colder conditions. Dry grip is not compromised either.
The tyres are a sporty design and work admirably on a car with sporty suspension providing good feedback and driver response.
The only thing against them is the cost and the fact that Vredstein are struggling at the moment. Lets hope they managed to make a comeback as they produce some very good tyres.
the best tyre you will find used snowtrac 2 on my first car (renault megane)
put these wintrac xtreme on my 2nd car (Audi a3) thinking well there not a full blowen snow tyre but an all season but boy was i wrong my a3 sits about 7" to 8" of the ground these tyres were pulling me through 15" of snow up a hill the car was acting like a plow. trust me the best investment you'll ever make and i got 14000 miles out of the front set when the original tyres that came with the car (pirelli) lasted 6000 miles for all 4 tyres.
The Wintrac Xtreme is the 'sporty' winter tyre from Dutch manufacturer Vredestein, meaning they are made to perform on dry and wet roads as well, not only on snow.
And yes, they do perform.
First of all, during the pretty extensive snowfall this winter here in The Netherlands they gave me effortless performance on snow. Where everyone was slipping and sliding away (probably summer tyres...), I had no troubles accellerating, breaking and steering. They make such a huge difference on snow compared to summer tyres. I was really really happy with my first set of dedicated winter tyres, especially on a RWD car.
On dry roads they grip, more than I expect from winter tyres. Seems Vredestein delivers on their promise here. Of course, road feedback and turn-in is different from dedicated summer tyres. Everything feels a bit softer. But the main thing is: even with winter tyres, my car is lots of fun to drive in normal conditions.
The good news continues on wet roads. Cornering is excellent, traction great. They outperform the stock Bridgestone RE050a runflat tyres in this area! Comfort is of course massively improved as well compared to the stock runflats. Tramlining is gone as well. Noise levels are very good.
To be short: I have had summer tires that perform far worse in dry/wet conditions than these winter tyres. Plus they deliver on snow performance when you need it. For my and my Z4, the ideal winter tyre. Highly recommended. Would definately buy again.
The first time that I've tried winter tyres - with 300+BHP and RWD, I needed them in the recent snow / ice. In winter conditions these tyres are fantastic - not only for traction but also for braking to a stop. Where I live the road out of our village onto the main road is nicknamed the Cresta Run as your only way to stop on ice / snow is praying. With the Vredesteins on you no longer have a problem. The only stressful part of driving on ice, is whether the guy behind can stop on his summer tyres. The tyres are also quiet, comfortable, and wear well. After 4500 miles I still have 8mm of tread on the front and 7mm on the back. I have now switched back to my summer tyres Goodyear F1 Asymetrics. These do have better straight line stability and turn in, however I would recommend winter tyres to everybody, and the Vredestein's to everybody who drives a car with large diameter wheels and low profile tyres.
I've had these tyres on my car for around 3000 miles and I have to say there very good, great in the wet, slushy, and what little snow they've been through. Crappy weather is were they seem to excel, they really instill you with confidence in lousy weather. Very quiet at motorway + speeds :), can't comment on wear yet, and I'm removing them at the end of march so the summer wheel/tyres can go back on. The grip in the dry is good but you can feel them struggling if pushed hard. Would definitely recommend and buy again.
Thought I would try winter tyres on what is a powerful rear wheel drive car, replacing the Goodyear F1 Asymmetric summer tyres for the recent wintery conditions. Fitted 225/40/18 all round as opposed to 255/35/18 normally on the back. The Vredestein's are surprisingly quiet comfortable with good handling in normal conditions, however they are excellent in snow and ice. I will obviously switch back to the Goodyear's for summer conditions as they are better, however if I still had the original Bridgestone RE050a runflats, I would stick with the Vredestein's all year round - they are that good!
Had these tyres put on my Chrysler People Carrier to go sking in europe. They are amazing drive around the alps fully loaded (6 people and luggage + top box) with great grip even in deep snow. Came back to England and drove all year with them fitted with no problems.I now have them fitted all year round, cannot recomend them enough.
