Snowchains

[Nice Noise]

I will be driving to the French Alps in a couple of weeks and understand that I need to make some provision for snowchains. Having witnessed the lack of traction on my 330D Touring in light snow last year, this is probably a good idea. I have looked at a couple of suppliers websites who recommend Weissenfels chains, but a lot of people who I have asked about this have suggested that I will have problem fitting chains to my alloy wheels due to the size of the wheel and the small space available. I have a 330D M Sport touring with the 18 inch M Wheels. Does anyone have any advice about the potential problem or any other information that I may need regarding the above?
If it is going to be an issue, it might be just the justification that I need to switch back to an X5!

[0836whimper]

I have precisely the same question (and sadly no answers). The tyres are 255/35/ZR18's and according to the manual snow chains cannot be fitted.

I guess most continental drivers have swapped to winter wheels and tyres by now, but there may be other options, like those snow sock things. Not sure if they comply with French law though.

[speed8]

I got some of their Klack and Go for the ZMC. I didn't need to use them last year but I had a trial fit and they went on ok. Tyres are 255/40/17 and it's lowered 20mm so it's a tight space but wasn't bad.

Could you not buy some and try them and if they don't fit send them back??

ETA: I got the 9mm link ones to try and minimise the chance of them hitting the arch on a bumpy road.

Edited by speed8 on Monday 3rd December 17:44

[belleair302]

Buy some winter tyres, better value, better grip in wet and cold weather and will last you a few years too!

[Talkwrench]

Agree completely. Buy a set of winter tyres - preferrably on smaller, narrower wheels than you have. You can get some real bargains on Ebay and the like. Its incredible how far winter tyres will get you in snow. The difference is considerable!

[phelix]

Get yourself some 17" wheels (steel or alloy) and some snows. Chains will give you the ability to gain speed but your front summer tyres will do most of the non-braking and non-steering so you'll just go off the road faster.

[edb49]

I'm in the same situation - going to the Alps in March. I've been looking at this, no idea how effective they are but the marketing spiel is good!

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/autosock/

[StuB]

I thought chains are a legal requirement in the Alps in winter and you will be stopped by the gendarmes if and when the snow falls.

I bought some from a web based company in Scotland if I remember correctly and they were a special fitment for larger alloys, to prevent scratching etc. and they fitted the 18" alloys on our X just fine. Can't recall the name, but I did a trial fit before we left blighty and was happy with their fitment.

Amazing thing was, didn't need them at all as the X drive was unbelievably good right up to Tignes in the middle of a massive dump. Gendarmes waved us through whilst all the cars were pulled into a stopping place. Even saw a RAV4 struggling like buggery, which was quite funny to watch.

Some cretins with 2wd just drove through the stopping place and didn't fit their chains, so just got stuck on the first slight incline, making it dangerous for everyone else to try to get past.

[0836whimper]

http://www.bmwland.co.uk/talker/viewtopic.php?t=63...

Sound effective, until the gendarmes stop you and ask why you haven't got any chains....