In reply to rubertm:
i've been using Michelin cross climates for 3 years now, i'm on my third set (as of last week), and i do about 25k a year in a mondeo estate.
i like them, i'm absolutely convinced that they are markedly better in every cold condition than any other tyre i've ever used, and i've not had a problem with punctures or them wearing quickly - they last about 10/11 months (20k) and i change the fronts to back after 6 months.
the £500 they cost makes me gasp, i'm not loaded, but i see it as a) only £100 per year or so more than buying much less capable tyres, and b) rather less than the excess i'll have to pay should i have a sliding accident.
i lob them on a cheap credit card and just pay them off at two takeaways a month. which, really, is nothing compared to getting stuck or having an accident with the kids in the car.