Chains or winter tyres?

sunshinetours

Any wrote: »

Does it make that big difference when driving? When driven in Eastern Europe with winter tyres (quite few years ago that) in past, I don't remember ever worrying about getting stucked. But not sure whether that was because their roads are also properly treated.

What if I put winter tyres just on front wheels?

Yes! But get all 4 as others have said

My car has always been jittery and spins an occassional wheel in winter weather be that wet, frosty,icy or snowy until now.
The recent cold snap on the new winter wheels and tyres has absolutely transformed it and now it feels sure footed and far less "twitchy". I haven't yet tred them in snow but based on what other BMW users have posted further north than myself, I am looking forward to not getting stuck on a 1 in 20 incline again this year and actually be able to get on my drive!

Find a friend with a garage or shed to store them if possible and as others have said don't even think about buying just 2 as you really dont want to find exactly how much grip the fronts have and the rears don't in the mdidle of a bend

flyingscotno1

Any wrote: »

I don't know what do you mean?

Saying I have used All Season and Summer tyres mixed and it was alright. The front had more grip but not too bad to control. With the extra grip of a winter tyre over an all season I'd not be mixing and matching with winter tyres- either full set or nothing.

I'd say you are safer with a full set of summer tyres as opposed to a mixed pair of winter and summer- at least you'd understeer off the road rather than have a tail happy car where the front makes the turn and back doesn't!

Cool_Mint

Winter snow/ice tyres are best for normal Winter conditions but it depends what your car is worth, it's not cheap to buy a set of four tyres that will only be used for 3 months and most tyre-fitters will NOT fit used tyres unless they are from their own shop due to safety and liability issues.

I've got a pair of Weisenfel chains bought on Ebay for £30, secondhand chains can be a risk because you never know if they are still in good condition but good quality chains last far longer than cheap budget ones - beware of cheap chains snapping and damaging your car.

Any

Thanks guys. My OH and I thought that getting at least 2 is better then nothing (will ensure I don't get stucked that easily) but if the back won't be able to cope then I think I can see where you are coming from.. It's not just about the grip to get the car moving.. The back can swing (slide on ice) and take the front with it.. That is what you mean, don't you?

Lum

Inactive wrote: »

I wasn't being " cocky " I was being realistic.

I would be looking for a new boss if I were in your shoes.

Yes, because now is the perfect time to be quitting your job.

That said, my boss was also being a complete front-bottom about this on Friday. Nobody was even doing any work, and even if they were, no-one was doing anything they couldn't do from home, but still he made us stay until 5:30

Took me an hour and a half to get home, normally takes me half an hour. This was mainly due to all the idiots driving stupidly slow because of a few snowflakes, but once I was up into the valleys it did start to actually get dangerous.

warehouse

Can I just ask what on earth "stucked" means?

Any

Lum wrote: »

Yes, because now is the perfect time to be quitting your job.

That said, my boss was also being a complete front-bottom about this on Friday. Nobody was even doing any work, and even if they were, no-one was doing anything they couldn't do from home, but still he made us stay until 5:30

Took me an hour and a half to get home, normally takes me half an hour. This was mainly due to all the idiots driving stupidly slow because of a few snowflakes, but once I was up into the valleys it did start to actually get dangerous.

Perfectly describes me in Feb..

In Feb 2009 I was still driving my old Saab 900 and I was one of 5 cars who made it over the tops home... only because the very last bit of the hill some kind souls who could not get their cars over pushed my bottom for last 10 metres to swing me over the top of the hill!!

Took me 3 hrs if I remember correctly and I remember that I really really needed a toilet for about hour and half of it

The Saab was much better for these conditions.. I loved that car.

Any

warehouse wrote: »

Can I just ask what on earth "stucked" means?

Passive from stuck?

Might be using it wrong. English is not my first language.

sunshinetours

Any wrote: »

Thanks guys. My OH and I thought that getting at least 2 is better then nothing (will ensure I don't get stucked that easily) but if the back won't be able to cope then I think I can see where you are coming from.. It's not just about the grip to get the car moving.. The back can swing (slide on ice) and take the front with it.. That is what you mean, don't you?

Its the steering and braking are the two biggest issues, so yes basically the back swapping with the front under cornering or strong braking

warehouse

Any wrote: »

Passive from stuck?

Might be using it wrong. English is not my first language.

Please accept my apologies Any, I was being a bit of a ****.