Time for a 4 x 4

[Cogcog]

If I get stuck by the snow again over this winter (confined to the house for a week) I have mentally decided I will be in 4x4 by next winter.

I am guessing that high summer just after a fuel price rise and a 'green' budget is the optimum time to look to buy?

[TheD]

I was looking for a 4x4 and it wasn't because of the snow. Just about every single 4x4 around my area has been bought and the ones left are dogs. All going for good money as well. I would wait until the weather turns for the better in a few months (April,May) and pick up one of the thousands that will be put back up for sale.

[y2blade]

grab a cheap Daihatsu thingy for a £1k...abuse it over the winter then shift it on for the same £££'s in spring

winner

edit to add...now would not be the time to buy though for reasons already stated by the post above mine

Edited by y2blade on Wednesday 8th December 11:43

[Maldini35]

I gave in an bought an old Shogun last year.
Not much fun to pilot but it's a great load lugger, is built like a tank and has been awesome in the recent snow.

[Cogcog]

I don't have the space for an extra vehicle so would have to trade in my E class which is a but of a pig in the snow (which is why I have been stuck at the bottom of a hill for a week) awaiting a thaw or a gritter. I would probably look for something newer with a bit of comfort for business travel and Auto.

[Bricol]

You know all those winter tyre threads? ;-)

Set of wheels and tyres must be cheaper than a new car . . .

Bri

[nottyash]

Bricol said:

You know all those winter tyre threads? ;-)

Set of wheels and tyres must be cheaper than a new car . . .

Bri

Not when the cars a BMW. They are st in the snow. My 525 just cant put the power down through one wheel no matter what tyres are on it, it is terrible.
I am certainly getting a 4x4, probably for the same price as a set of wheels and snow tyres.

[dvs_dave]

Bricol said:

You know all those winter tyre threads? ;-)

Set of wheels and tyres must be cheaper than a new car . . .

Bri

+1 and why do you need another set of wheels? Just swap the tyres for even less outlay.

[DKL]

I made this decision this last year and am happy that I did.
Rangie classic bought in May - good machine and very useful/reassuring this time of year.
Next year I shall be buying a spare set of wheels and a set of winter tyres just to be doubly sure.
Then let it snow...

[David911RSR]

Many of the taxi drivers in Finland run 5 series/E & C class and don't seam to have issues getting around in the snow!

[Phunk]

Save the money and buy winter tyres, worked for me on my 330 coupe.

[smifffymoto]

With studded tyres no ammount of snow would be a problem.

[Eggman]

nottyash said:

Not when the cars a BMW. They are st in the snow. My 525 just cant put the power down through one wheel no matter what tyres are on it, it is terrible.
I am certainly getting a 4x4, probably for the same price as a set of wheels and snow tyres.

Much as it galls me to add fuel to yet another winter tyre debate that isn't necessarily so. A friend at work recently plonked a set on his 535d and was getting around no bother at all even with a foot of snow on the ground.

On the other side of the coin, I am considering putting some more snow-propriate tyres on my Defender before we get the next lot. The factory fit Avon Rangemasters simply don't cut it.

[_rubinho_]

nottyash said:

Bricol said:

You know all those winter tyre threads? ;-)

Set of wheels and tyres must be cheaper than a new car . . .

Bri

Not when the cars a BMW. They are st in the snow. My 525 just cant put the power down through one wheel no matter what tyres are on it, it is terrible.
I am certainly getting a 4x4, probably for the same price as a set of wheels and snow tyres.

Plenty of BMWs here in Norway on winter tyres (4th most popular marque). I'd try the tyres and a improved throttle/clutch control. All a 4WD is going to do when you boot it is going to spin up 4 wheels instead of 2...

[juansolo]

Cogcog said:

If I get stuck by the snow again over this winter (confined to the house for a week) I have mentally decided I will be in 4x4 by next winter.

I am guessing that high summer just after a fuel price rise and a 'green' budget is the optimum time to look to buy?

Noooooo, think of the trees, the global warming and the carbon. All that carbon spewing out of your wasteful, planet killing, irrelevant and irresponsible 4x4. You should be buying a Prious or better still ride a push-bike to work.

I do hope all the fking hippies are stuck in the snow somewhere on their electric high horses.

Edited by juansolo on Thursday 9th December 08:34

[A.J.M]

nottyash said:

Bricol said:

You know all those winter tyre threads? ;-)

Set of wheels and tyres must be cheaper than a new car . . .

Bri

Not when the cars a BMW. They are st in the snow. My 525 just cant put the power down through one wheel no matter what tyres are on it, it is terrible.
I am certainly getting a 4x4, probably for the same price as a set of wheels and snow tyres.

Erm, a BMW E class??

Whats your budget OP?
Any make/model you like?

[nottyash]

_rubinho_ said:

nottyash said:

Bricol said:

You know all those winter tyre threads? ;-)

Set of wheels and tyres must be cheaper than a new car . . .

Bri

Not when the cars a BMW. They are st in the snow. My 525 just cant put the power down through one wheel no matter what tyres are on it, it is terrible.
I am certainly getting a 4x4, probably for the same price as a set of wheels and snow tyres.

Plenty of BMWs here in Norway on winter tyres (4th most popular marque). I'd try the tyres and a improved throttle/clutch control. All a 4WD is going to do when you boot it is going to spin up 4 wheels instead of 2...

Thats the thing, it was spinning 1 wheel not 2.
No drive to the other. I tried turning off the stability,Had to dig the snow clear and Ive managed but its a pain in the arse.
For what it costs a cheap 4x4 is a better alternative for me than just some tyres.....or a Subaru WRX maybe

[jonnydrama]

My 400bhp 335i is managing just fine in the current conditions on winter tyres....

nottyash said:

Bricol said:

You know all those winter tyre threads? ;-)

Set of wheels and tyres must be cheaper than a new car . . .

Bri

Not when the cars a BMW. They are st in the snow. My 525 just cant put the power down through one wheel no matter what tyres are on it, it is terrible.
I am certainly getting a 4x4, probably for the same price as a set of wheels and snow tyres.

[GreigM]

buy a £500 ford escort diesel - mine was unstoppable last year on summer ditchfinders - heavy engine over drive wheels, skinny 13" wheels, not enough power to wheelspin EVER......put some winter tyres on that and a set of snow chains/socks in the boot and you will not get stopped!

[nottyash]

jonnydrama said:

My 400bhp 335i is managing just fine in the current conditions on winter tyres....

nottyash said:

Bricol said:

You know all those winter tyre threads? ;-)

Set of wheels and tyres must be cheaper than a new car . . .

Bri

Not when the cars a BMW. They are st in the snow. My 525 just cant put the power down through one wheel no matter what tyres are on it, it is terrible.
I am certainly getting a 4x4, probably for the same price as a set of wheels and snow tyres.

I had an M3 (e46) last year and managed ok, but this years conditions are a lot worse, My street is the problem the rest of the roads are fine.
This 525 (e39) is numb to drive although its controlable I have had enough arsing around and want some grip.

Edited by nottyash on Wednesday 8th December 21:17