Alternative to winter tyres? Chains?
Discussion
I've very recently parted with cash to purchase a new set of rear tyres (255s) on the E46, which I expect to last longer than I intend to keep the car.
Rather than spending another £400-£500 on another set of tyres (or should I be buying a complete set of 4?), what are the recommended alternatives?
I'm guessing chains, but don't these ruin your tyres pretty soon after hitting tarmac? I've seen what I could only describer as 'socks' as well, are these worthwhile?
IB4T: Picture of BMWs with chains on the front.
Rather than spending another £400-£500 on another set of tyres (or should I be buying a complete set of 4?), what are the recommended alternatives?
I'm guessing chains, but don't these ruin your tyres pretty soon after hitting tarmac? I've seen what I could only describer as 'socks' as well, are these worthwhile?
IB4T: Picture of BMWs with chains on the front.
no. i bought chains for my clio. it took me 2 minutes to put them on in the garage. and 10 minutes in the freezing cold when i decided the road was bad enough.
the grip and the braking are vastly improved to a point of disbelief however you cannot go above 30mph. If the road turns back to tarmac youl have to get out and take them off. this involves getting finding a suitable place to stop and seeing as the sides of the road will be snow covered pulling well off the road. you then get soaked getting back in the car to get the wheels to the right point to align the chains for taking them off, hands get frozen or gloves get soaked. back in the car bringing in all the muck you walked through to move forward because the other wheel isn't lined up right. Out again wrestle the chain off put them back in their box. Drive away praying you don't have to put them back on again. Also you have to clean them down when you get home.
the grip and the braking are vastly improved to a point of disbelief however you cannot go above 30mph. If the road turns back to tarmac youl have to get out and take them off. this involves getting finding a suitable place to stop and seeing as the sides of the road will be snow covered pulling well off the road. you then get soaked getting back in the car to get the wheels to the right point to align the chains for taking them off, hands get frozen or gloves get soaked. back in the car bringing in all the muck you walked through to move forward because the other wheel isn't lined up right. Out again wrestle the chain off put them back in their box. Drive away praying you don't have to put them back on again. Also you have to clean them down when you get home.
They're really very different. Snow chains are for use on snow, once the roads don't have snow they'll damage the road and limit your speed. Snow socks are similar, except they're quick to put on and take off, and they won't damage the road they'll just fall apart if you take them on tarmac (even with slush).
All weather tyres (with an M&S symbol or mountain) are good for any weather, and are the best compromise. They're apparently good for all but the worst weather.
Winter tyres are good for proper winter, but will wear quickly when it gets above 10 degrees and will be less safe in the summer.
We have two sets of wheels for my wife's Golf, alloys with summer tyres, steels with winter tyres, and a set of snow socks in case we can't get up our hill in the snow.
All weather tyres (with an M&S symbol or mountain) are good for any weather, and are the best compromise. They're apparently good for all but the worst weather.
Winter tyres are good for proper winter, but will wear quickly when it gets above 10 degrees and will be less safe in the summer.
We have two sets of wheels for my wife's Golf, alloys with summer tyres, steels with winter tyres, and a set of snow socks in case we can't get up our hill in the snow.
-Pete- said:
Snow socks are similar, except they're quick to put on and take off, and they won't damage the road they'll just fall apart if you take them on tarmac (even with slush).
They aren't too bad in that respect, and you will be going pretty slowly anyway. It isn't like tarmac + chains. Whilst I wouldn't want to do over about 30mph on tarmac with Socks on, you don't ruin them instantly.Thanks for the feedback folks, I'll look into the 'easy chains'.
Alternatively, I'll look at purchasing a set of standard front wheels to go on the back (225 width). This should mean cheaper rubber with the option of selling-on when I change vehicle.
The 255 width is really just an aesthetic as many E46 don't have the staggered wheels (255s on the back)
Alternatively, I'll look at purchasing a set of standard front wheels to go on the back (225 width). This should mean cheaper rubber with the option of selling-on when I change vehicle.
The 255 width is really just an aesthetic as many E46 don't have the staggered wheels (255s on the back)
ILoveLamp said:
Thanks for the feedback folks, I'll look into the 'easy chains'.
Alternatively, I'll look at purchasing a set of standard front wheels to go on the back (225 width). This should mean cheaper rubber with the option of selling-on when I change vehicle.
The 255 width is really just an aesthetic as many E46 don't have the staggered wheels (255s on the back)
If you check the handbook you'll probably find a "winter wheel and tyre" size recommendation, which will be something around 205/55/16 all round Alternatively, I'll look at purchasing a set of standard front wheels to go on the back (225 width). This should mean cheaper rubber with the option of selling-on when I change vehicle.
The 255 width is really just an aesthetic as many E46 don't have the staggered wheels (255s on the back)
vSnowsocks are great.
But, I'd be more inclined to use them to get home from work rather than put them on to go to work if you see what I mean.
(depending on just how important it is that you get to work)
If you're not planning to get winter tyres, but you still want a nod in the direction of safety in case you get hit by unexpected heavy weather than buy a pair and leave them in the boot.
If you plan to use them (or chains) then it's worth preparing some combination of overalls, kneepads, gloves, hat, overtrousers, coat in the car – as the chances are you'll be kneeling down in slush trying to fit them or remove them while it's snowing on you.
Also keep a big waterproof bag in the car for them, and the wet clothes, for when you remove them if you don't want to fill the boot with slushy muck.
Chains do work, but on tarmac they can knacker the tyre and make for a horrible drive. With snowsocks you'll just knacker the sock eventually – although I have heard from first hand sources that the socks are pretty damn tough.
But, I'd be more inclined to use them to get home from work rather than put them on to go to work if you see what I mean.
(depending on just how important it is that you get to work)
If you're not planning to get winter tyres, but you still want a nod in the direction of safety in case you get hit by unexpected heavy weather than buy a pair and leave them in the boot.
If you plan to use them (or chains) then it's worth preparing some combination of overalls, kneepads, gloves, hat, overtrousers, coat in the car – as the chances are you'll be kneeling down in slush trying to fit them or remove them while it's snowing on you.
Also keep a big waterproof bag in the car for them, and the wet clothes, for when you remove them if you don't want to fill the boot with slushy muck.
Chains do work, but on tarmac they can knacker the tyre and make for a horrible drive. With snowsocks you'll just knacker the sock eventually – although I have heard from first hand sources that the socks are pretty damn tough.
For the few days last winter when it was properly snowy down on the south coast... one Saab 9-5 Estate plus http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/klack_and_go.htm was pretty much unstoppable, took only a few mins to fit.
The only barrier to progress I found were stricken 4x4s and a build up of snow/ice under the car.
Having said that, I made it back from London (to Eastbourne) on a white and frozen M23/A23/A27 in a diesel Laguna with nothing more than 2mm of tread with little drama... did take the best part of 12hrs however - although snow chains wouldn't have fixed the traffic inside the M25! (Driving god... err, no... did I run the risk of s
tting myself several times on the journey.... yes).
I wouldn't say chains were an alternative to winter tyres at all however, just a useful addition for when you (or others!) are properly stuck, which you can use regardless of whether you're going for winter tyres or not - hopefully that won't set off the winter tyres debate again
The only barrier to progress I found were stricken 4x4s and a build up of snow/ice under the car.
Having said that, I made it back from London (to Eastbourne) on a white and frozen M23/A23/A27 in a diesel Laguna with nothing more than 2mm of tread with little drama... did take the best part of 12hrs however - although snow chains wouldn't have fixed the traffic inside the M25! (Driving god... err, no... did I run the risk of s
tting myself several times on the journey.... yes).I wouldn't say chains were an alternative to winter tyres at all however, just a useful addition for when you (or others!) are properly stuck, which you can use regardless of whether you're going for winter tyres or not - hopefully that won't set off the winter tyres debate again
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