Discussion
If you go to the Alps in winter you are OK with a 4x4 with M & S tyres however if you go with 2WD you MUST carry chains with you on the Col roads they do spot checks and if no chains you will be turned back.
Chains do not need to be expensive as you are only going to try out this time get a cheap set (from £25) if you buy before you go in Uk companies like Toys4cars sell them or you could buy them in a garage on the way down they sell them in nearly all the petrol stations supermarkets etc
You will have no problem with your 19in rims and provided you fit them correctly you will not mark the rims.
If you buy in UK I would suggest you do a dry run on fitting them or you will look a bit stupid at the side of the road in a blizzard trying to read the instructions in the dark!!!!
What part of the Alps are you intending to go to?
Cheers
Neil
Chains do not need to be expensive as you are only going to try out this time get a cheap set (from £25) if you buy before you go in Uk companies like Toys4cars sell them or you could buy them in a garage on the way down they sell them in nearly all the petrol stations supermarkets etc
You will have no problem with your 19in rims and provided you fit them correctly you will not mark the rims.
If you buy in UK I would suggest you do a dry run on fitting them or you will look a bit stupid at the side of the road in a blizzard trying to read the instructions in the dark!!!!
What part of the Alps are you intending to go to?
Cheers
Neil
neil-f said:
I have it in good authority that if 4x4 is fitted with M & S tyres no chains are required. We use a Land Rover in the Alps with M & S tyres and no chains and have to date not experienced any problems with the authorities they wave you on at the chain check road blocks
Ah well! I suppose it's useful to have them anyway if it gets really bad
Not all M+S tyres have special low temp properties, some rely solely on tread pattern. If you are serious about driving up mountains you need special winter tyres that stay supple at low temps.
Personally whenever I drive up to the pyrenees in winter I carry as set of snowchains. I figure with a late model RRC with traction control\ABS on BFG AT's and a set of snow chains if I get stuck or stuff it, its probably my fault not the cars.
Personally whenever I drive up to the pyrenees in winter I carry as set of snowchains. I figure with a late model RRC with traction control\ABS on BFG AT's and a set of snow chains if I get stuck or stuff it, its probably my fault not the cars.
Nobbles said:
Ok so this year I am going to venture to the Alps and have a go - what are the snow chain regulations and what are the best ones, trouble is my car has 19 inch wheels and super skinny runflats and I am a tight arsed northerner who doesn't want to damage his wheels....
I got some of these for our GTI - http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/klack_and_go_pro_...They don't touch the alloy itself !
penryar said:
I figure with a late model RRC with traction control\ABS on BFG AT's and a set of snow chains if I get stuck or stuff it, its probably my fault not the cars.
My feeling exactly!How do you find the BFGs? I've got Pirelli Scorpions and whilst I haven't given them a proper workout on snow yet they're good on gravel/muddy tracks.
...and hill descent control?
BFG AT's seem to be pretty capable on both mud and snow, so long as you aren't doing anything too extreme. They have never felt anything other than totally sure-footed to me. They also seem to wear very well. I've had a set on for 2 years now without any noticeable wear, but then again I only do @6000miles a year in the car.
Definitely stick another set on when they wear out (or perish at this rate)
Definitely stick another set on when they wear out (or perish at this rate)
Has anybody tried these?
I have seen them for sale in Chamonix (in the ptrol station on the way out), but cant find anywhere to say they are acceptable as replacemts for chains?
any ideas?
http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/weisssock.htm
(also I have a place in morzine if anyones interested?!)
I have seen them for sale in Chamonix (in the ptrol station on the way out), but cant find anywhere to say they are acceptable as replacemts for chains?
any ideas?
http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/weisssock.htm
(also I have a place in morzine if anyones interested?!)
neil-f said:
How do you find the BFGs? I've got Pirelli Scorpions and whilst I haven't given them a proper workout on snow yet they're good on gravel/muddy tracks.
Pirelli Scorpions on LR they are not showing any signs of wear yet either. ...and hill descent control?
I'll definitely be getting another set, if these ever wear out.
I'm probably gonna be heading down to La Mongie in a couple of weeks for a few days skiing, but using the Q4 instead of the RRC. I dare say the Toyo's won't work as well as the BFG's but the trip to the mountains should be fun.
The Q4 is 4wd but I'm thinking along the lines of snowsocks as well as chains won't fit without fouling the bodywork.
The Q4 is 4wd but I'm thinking along the lines of snowsocks as well as chains won't fit without fouling the bodywork.
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