Summer, Mud and Snow Tyres - the worst of both worlds?

[Emeye]

To me this seems a strange combination - does anyone else have experience of this type of tyre in Winter?

I sent this email to Bravus:

Question, Information: Hi, I have recently had some Barum Bravuris 4x4 tyres fitted to my 2003 XC90 and they are on your website as summer tyres, but they have M+S written on the side of the tyre - I thought M+S meant Mud and Snow, so please can you tell me if these tyres are Summer tyres or winter tyres or All season tyres? I am confused! Thanks

First Name: Emeye
Name: Emeye

Good afternoon Mr. Emeye

Thank you for getting in contact.

The Barum Bravuris 4x4 has a 'summer' type compound therefore, it is classed as a 'summer' type tyre. It also has the M+S (Mud and Snow) symbol denoting the tread pattern and design is enhanced with these conditions in mind.

I hope this helps guide you.

[PhillipM]

Basically, enough tread blocks to help in mud or deep snow. But a rock hard compound that'll see you slithering off the road before you get to either?

[jon-]

M+S marking is simply denoting the land/sea ratio of the tread, and is pretty much worthless.

They will be marginally better than a UHP summer tyre in snow and ice, but way worse than an all season or winter.

[trickywoo]

M+S is apparently only a declaration from the manufacturer that the product operates in mud and snow better than regular models.

Massive pinch of salt in other words.

Unless the tread blocks have their own fine sipes I wouldn't expect them to perform any better on snow and ice.

Thing with winter tyres is unless you are driving when the roads are empty you'll just end up stuck behind someone who doesn't have them or probably know how to drive.

I had Kleber Quadraxers one snowy winter and I was fine (they were really good actually) but had to go along all the back routes to avoid the jams of stuck people. You then possibly run the risk of running out of ground clearance.

[oldaudi]

Slight thread hijack

Which tyres do you normally run on your XC90, Im going to change to the Michelin Crossclimate in a few weeks, are these a good all rounder for a call like this? Ive had them on other cars throughout the year but nothing of this weight and size.

Edited by oldaudi on Monday 10th September 17:19

[Emeye]

When I bought the car off my bro it had the manufacturer recommended continentals. I then bought 4 part worn winter tyres which were a mixture of 2 Bridgestone and 2 continental. They were amazing in the snow last year. We live in a valley on the side of a steep hill and we had no problem getting around.

I did a 1500 round trip trip to france with these Barum 4x4 tyres and I was very happy with them on the motorway, especially considering the price. They do have the fine “splines” between the main treads.

Strangely enough, my £750 minty, 2001, Honda Accord 1.8 turned up with a new set of Michelin Cross Climate tyres that he previous owner had only just added - can’t really say if they are any good as it is my station car and doesn’t go very far or fast.