Do Winter Tyres Actually Work?

[Emeritus]

Hi Guys

I have a BMW 5 series, was wondering if anyone had any experience with Winter Tyres - especially in a rear wheel drive car.

I work from home so normally can just sit out the very bad days however this year I know I will be working and having to venture out: - I have seen there are forecasts of bad weather during November so I am considering my options now so I can be prepared.

I live at the bottom of a hill and usually cannot get my car up at all, I have tried sticking people in the back (wife/mother) also putting weights in the boot and I just cannot get any traction whatsoever.

Thanks in advance!

[Finlandia]

Yes they work.

[Dog Star]

C klass Merc - could not move on a flat, packed snow surface. I could get out of the car, with it still in 'drive', and walk around it while it sat there with the wheels slowly turning.

Set of winters and it could go anywhere, even in snow several inches deep. Really astonishing things.

[trickywoo]

They do make a big difference especially under braking but its not night and day and I think you'll still struggle in a 5 series.

On fresh snow you'd be fine but in town and on busy roads where it gets compacted / icy really quickly I think you'd be better off at home or in a FWD or 4X4.

I had a 5 series for three years (not on winters) and had winters on a small FWD hatch last winter. Either way if it snows I'd rather be staying in.

Its ice that will be the killer - winter tyres or no.

[kambites]

Don't expect them to give you summer levels of grip on sheet ice, but yes they do give you appreciably more grip than "normal" tyres on snow and ice. I've never noticed an appreciable difference on cold dry roads but then I've never really looked for one.

[Dog Star]

trickywoo said:

They do make a big difference especially under braking but its not night and day and I think you'll still struggle in a 5 series.

On fresh snow you'd be fine but in town and on busy roads where it gets compacted / icy really quickly I think you'd be better off at home or in a FWD or 4X4.

I has a 5 series for three years (not on winters) and had winters on a small FWD hatch last winter. Either way if it snows I'd rather be staying in.

Totally disagree. They are like night and day. I'd rather a 5er on winters in snow than a 4x4 that's not using winters.

Funny how all those millions of Germans (with their proper snow) don't bother fitting winter tyres to their RWD Mercs/BMWs and either stay at home or get a small FWD hatch. Oh - hang on......

trickywoo said:

Its ice that will be the killer - winter tyres or no.

There's some tyre tests on Youtube of winter tyres on an ice rink. They appear to work there quite well.

Edited by Dog Star on Monday 14th October 10:24

[McWigglebum4th]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STaximkaQxo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOv2g5qTpvA

They work

Of course someone will be along to say they can get up any incline in any car fitted with slick racing tyres

[g3org3y]

Here's some light reading to bring you up to speed.

[0a]

Following being caught in a snowstorm on the A1 in my merc W124 last winter, and finding the car extremely difficult to keep on the road in a few inches of freshly deposited snow, I fitted winter tyres. They completely change the grip levels of the car.

I wouldn't go looking for snow, but for that time you get caught they are invaluable, and I wouldn't run a RWD car without them.

[Bluebarge]

trickywoo said:

.

Its ice that will be the killer - winter tyres or no.

Not so, they also work on ice, due to the sipes. You will have to take it easy and drive very cautiously, but they do grip on ice.

[Emeritus]

Thanks everyone for the replies, I have had a look at youtube videos and read quite a lot in the past (I will be reading the posts and videos kindly left here too)

I just cannot make up my mind, everyone seems so divided.

My wife had a RR Sport before and to be honest we both hated it in terms of build quality but it was superb for these situations and she is pushing for another 4 x 4 but whatever she won't be getting one this year that's for sure.

[300bhp/ton]

Emeritus said:

Hi Guys

I have a BMW 5 series, was wondering if anyone had any experience with Winter Tyres - especially in a rear wheel drive car.

I work from home so normally can just sit out the very bad days however this year I know I will be working and having to venture out: - I have seen there are forecasts of bad weather during November so I am considering my options now so I can be prepared.

I live at the bottom of a hill and usually cannot get my car up at all, I have tried sticking people in the back (wife/mother) also putting weights in the boot and I just cannot get any traction whatsoever.

Thanks in advance!

Very good. Tyres make all the difference. However if you need a hack to ensure you can get about. Spend some money on a 2nd car such as an early Rav4 or Vitara. Something AWD and with some ground clearance and preferably small rims.

Then put some winter tyres on it (tyres will be cheaper most likely). But such a vehicle will then get you anywhere in the bad weather, and being a beater it won't matter so much if someone prangs it either.

[gwm]

If you are really so concerned with getting around in snow - get chains. Impractical and time consuming, but they definitely work.

[SrMoreno]

Emeritus said:

I just cannot make up my mind, everyone seems so divided.

There is no debate about whether they work- they demonstrably do. The only "debate" is that some people think that they personally don't need them and, based on that, conclude that nobody else does and that they are a waste of money. For obvious reasons these people aren't worth listening to.

[RobM77]

Just to diversify the thread a bit, think about turning and stopping as well as just getting going... Winter tyres make a huge difference to that, regardless of which wheels are driven and where the engine is.

Regarding their effectiveness in the cold, I've got winters for my 3 series and you can also notice a difference in cold (<7 deg C) weather too.

[Stevie750iL]

I've BMW's for years. It's only in the last 3 years that I've fitted winter tyres come end of October. They make a massive difference to grip in the snow. Both my E91 and E46 have Falken HS 439's fitted. Down in the borders of Scotland in January my mates X5 had a very slippy time on big wide (19") summer tyres whilst I ascended and descended with aplomb! I can't recommend them highly enough.

[DoubleSix]

Emeritus said:

Thanks everyone for the replies, I have had a look at youtube videos and read quite a lot in the past (I will be reading the posts and videos kindly left here too)

I just cannot make up my mind, everyone seems so divided.

My wife had a RR Sport before and to be honest we both hated it in terms of build quality but it was superb for these situations and she is pushing for another 4 x 4 but whatever she won't be getting one this year that's for sure.

You mention hills. Bare in mind most people don't see proper hills and assume their own landscape to be like yours.

I live in a village in a valley and my BMW on proper premium snow tyres still couldn't negotiate snowy gradients. So whilst definately better in winter they didn't perform as I had hoped.

In fact had I just parked at the top of the hill the night before the snowfall I'd have been fine on summers.

[markmullen]

SrMoreno said:

Emeritus said:

I just cannot make up my mind, everyone seems so divided.

There is no debate about whether they work- they demonstrably do. The only "debate" is that some people think that they personally don't need them and, based on that, conclude that nobody else does and that they are a waste of money. For obvious reasons these people aren't worth listening to.

This.

I wasn't convinced till I tried them, I was astounded by the difference they made.

A 4x4 on winters is a very good combination.

[anonymous-user]

No they are HOPELESS!

I put on winter tyres last autumn, and it never even snowed..........

[Emeritus]

I think that seals it for me, I'm going to get a set.

I guess the only issue will be the 19's I own won't be the easiest to find winter tyres that fit.

Thanks everyone for your help, it's appreciated