Winter Prep - Snow socks???

[Eckchaz]

I own the worst cars ever built for snow, a BMW 3series running 255/35/18 and a light, hard suspensioned new shape Type R on 225/40/18's.. so driving in snow is non existant. :(

So i'm looking at alternatives to keep me going in the constantly worsening winter weather we've been having. I've decided against getting winter tyres as the cars are running expensive Pilot sport 2 and Potenza tyres and cant justify the extra cost to still get stuck. So now i'm down to two options :)

1. Snow chains - but i'm not a fan off this as we dont live in the Alps and half the time is driving on tarmac and I really cant be asked to keep stopping to fit/remove them

2. Snow socks - seems a very cool idea but never came across them before and seems to be 50/50 reviews on them

I'm liking the idea of the socks but has anyone had any experience with them.. I'm wanting some feedback b4 buying some :cheers2:

Extreme you may think but I'm not wanting to be stuck miles away from home again between two hills for 4 hours! :svengo:

Cheers! :cheers2:

[Red3]

hi i work for mercedes-benz i have not used the snow sock myself but i have herd good things about it. i don't run a mere myself but i do know what your on about mine runs 225/45/17 and is crap in the snow.

[ModelGuard.Com]

You should try it in my car lol. It has different width tyres front from back. It feels dead weird cutting new snow front and then again at the back. Rear wheel drive as well as yours and the mercs

[Eckchaz]

Yup, my BMW has a staggered setup too and its just the worst.. wide tired rwd are not for snow!

Red3.. have you only heard good things.. whats the bad?? :)

[Johnda]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Didn't have much of a problem last year with my 330d, I’ve 19” 265 35 on the rears and 235 30’s on the front just turn off the DSC totaly through a couple of bags of gravel in the boot and it went much anywhere, no or very little accelerator and let the torque do the rest.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]The only place I did struggle was getting back on our drive which is on a hill as I reverse up and there you can't get a run up to it.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Not sure if you can get snow scok to fit 18” wheels, i know they don't make them for 19" [/FONT][/COLOR]

[Eckchaz]

[quote=Johnda;567197][COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]Not sure if you can get snow scok to fit 18” wheels, i know they don't make them for 19" [/FONT][/COLOR][/quote]

You can mate.. up to 22's! [url=http://www.snowchains.co.uk/cgi-bin/weisssockindex4.pl]Weissenfels WeissSock Snow Socks[/url]

I still struggled with the DSC turned off.. you do know it cant be turned off fully ;) or are you calling me a crap driver! Jk :) I think its because I aint got a few tons of gravel in the boot! :D

[Johnda]

[quote=Eckchaz;567202]You can mate.. up to 22's! [URL="http://www.snowchains.co.uk/cgi-bin/weisssockindex4.pl"]Weissenfels WeissSock Snow Socks[/URL]

I still struggled with the DSC turned off.. you do know it cant be turned off fully ;) or are you calling me a crap driver! Jk :) I think its because I aint got a few tons of gravel in the boot! :D[/quote]

Nice find, must be new this year.

Hold the button in for 3 seconds or so, it'll turn both the DSC and DTC off

[Red3]

no bad reports at all better to fit than a chain from what i have seen

[Eckchaz]

[quote=Johnda;567206]Nice find, must be new this year.

Hold the button in for 3 seconds or so, it'll turn both the DSC and DTC off[/quote]

I take it you may get some then! and I already know about the stages! ;) :)

[Paulice]

There is only one way and thats winter tires.
Here it's compulsory! mine is also not fun in the snow the winter tires are 215.40.17 and speed is limited to 190 KPH with winter tires.
But winter tires are designed to work in temps from 10C to - whatever... the BM's not a good winter car :(

[Eckchaz]

[quote=Paulice;567235]There is only one way and thats winter tires.
Here it's compulsory! mine is also not fun in the snow the winter tires are 215.40.17 and speed is limited to 190 KPH with winter tires.
But winter tires are designed to work in temps from 10C to - whatever... the BM's not a good winter car :([/quote]

I have already ruled out winter tyres Paul.. I cant jusify the cost when theres alrady £1700+ of rubbers on the cars and I havnt got a second set off rims to use.

They way I looked at it is that I can just leave the BM in the garage and use the FWD Type R.. As I can just change the fronts without upsetting the DSC, DTC, CBC etc on the BM (as I mixed the tyres once and it was not a good idea!) A half decent set of Goodyear winter tyres in 225/45/18 will still set me back £440 for fronts and then pay an extra £50 to change the tyres back and forth from winter to summer. But going Snow socks route is only £140 for both cars and means theres £350 for heli bits! :D

[Paulice]

[quote=Eckchaz;567244]. But going Snow socks route is only £140 for both cars and means theres £350 for heli bits! :D[/quote]

Like that idea :cheers2:
Wish i had the choice....

[Dedcalm]

Buy a landy :) My old mx-5 is fun in the snow - not enough power to be scary LOL. The scoobies are ok, especially the type R as I can lock the centre diff. That helps it haul itself along, dodgy when it comes to corners though... The shogun will be a new experience (if surrey gets any snow this season) but as it has road tyres rather than a hybrid knobbly it is likely to be v. poor. Mind you has plenty of diesel torque. If it gets bad I will work from home, its safer at the end of the day - life's too short to risk it getting to work.

[Eckchaz]

[quote=Paulice;567248]Like that idea :cheers2:
Wish i had the choice....[/quote]

I know Paul.. we aint got the same local laws like you guys over the water! Apparently.. snow socks arn't legal in some places and you have to have snow chains!

[pgkevet]

..last really bad weather some 20yrs ago and I had an old rover SDI v8 automatic.. I stuck 15 x 25kg bags of cat litter in the back... worked a charm:)