Snow Chains

[caprinolaw]

Should we be purchasing them this winter?

If so what is the best deal / best place to buy?

[Shaun]

Are you in the UK ?

[caprinolaw]

Yes I am.

My job is pretty reliant on me being able to drive.

I didn't bother last winter but I only had 15" wheels on my Golf which held the road like a dream.

This is my first winter in a car with low profile tyres.

[Shaun]

Tbh i have never seen a car in the UK with snow chains on, you might want to look at snowsocks but these are meant to get you out of emergency situations to get you free if your stuck, other than that then get some of these

[Ryy]

Yes I am.

My job is pretty reliant on me being able to drive.

I didn't bother last winter but I only had 15" wheels on my Golf which held the road like a dream.

This is my first winter in a car with low profile tyres.

I've just switched from a Fiesta ST that had 17" low profiles. Was totally fine. I have to admit, ofc it is on the driver. Super extra care and just don't speed up if you're worried. 9/10 if your gut says something might be dangerous listen to it! I sped up to 20 on the bypass near me and as I approached an island hit black ice. Thankfully, I turned into it and hit solid tarmac which allowed me to control it.

As long as you have good grip, and aren't stupid, you'll be fine. If it's total snow blizzard, then maybe don't go out in it!!!

[skyblues11]

i am thinking of the winter tyres option, because they work on snow and cold tarmac. they also can be used right up until march when the temp. is around 8-9 celsius.

after, you can swap them over to your original rubber, and store them again until the next winter.

chains and socks are only good if the snow is thick and regular enough like nordic countries.

[stuaz]

I believe Snow Chains and certain "Snow Tyres" are illegal on the UK roads. The small studded ones are fine though.

Been an increase of late I have noticed of people wanting them though, I drove around during last years snow problems in my Focus - 19 inch low profiles, had some grip issues but tbh if you take it slow and steady then you won't have much issue. Did get stuck on a hill in Oxford though - however I don't think snow tyres would of helped then!

[Shaun]

A member of the golf gti forum did this test on a rather Steep hil with winter tyres on, don't get me wrong I won't be moving the rocco if it's bad, but it's nice to think at least I have tried something to help if I do get caught out, also the winter tyres aren't just for snow but for the cold and damp weather too so I am happy with my purchase
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[arkaig]

I notice that there was a VW Germany winter tyre and alloy wheel deal (4 for the price of 3), total inc price c£531, through: http://www.volkswagen-zubehoer.de/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or: http://78.46.90.16/winterbooklet/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Unfortunately that particular deal is now sold out. Why can VW UK not be so proactive and supportive to their customers?

[Shaun]

I notice that there was a VW Germany winter tyre and alloy wheel deal (4 for the price of 3), total inc price c£531, through: http://www.volkswagen-zubehoer.de/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or: http://78.46.90.16/winterbooklet/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Unfortunately that particular deal is now sold out. Why can VW UK not be so proactive and supportive to their customers?

You can get winter wheels shipped ove from Germany for boy £300

[arkaig]

I notice that there was a VW Germany winter tyre and alloy wheel deal (4 for the price of 3), total inc price c£531, through: http://www.volkswagen-zubehoer.de/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or: http://78.46.90.16/winterbooklet/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Unfortunately that particular deal is now sold out. Why can VW UK not be so proactive and supportive to their customers?

You can get winter wheels shipped ove from Germany for boy £300

182_blue, I've sent you a pm requesting more info.

[peter.vw]

Anyone seen what snow chains do to a car body work when a link wears and breaks

[b0rk]

I believe Snow Chains and certain "Snow Tyres" are illegal on the UK roads. The small studded ones are fine though.

Snow chains and spiked snow tyres are illegal on UK roads unless covered in hard packed snow or ice, basically if you can see the blacktop or reach the blacktop using your fingers or heels only summer, all weather or winter tyres are legal.
Much like tracked vehicles can only legally travel on public roads with rubber treaded tracks.

[Shaun]

I notice that there was a VW Germany winter tyre and alloy wheel deal (4 for the price of 3), total inc price c£531, through: http://www.volkswagen-zubehoer.de/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; or: http://78.46.90.16/winterbooklet/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; . Unfortunately that particular deal is now sold out. Why can VW UK not be so proactive and supportive to their customers?

You can get winter wheels shipped ove from Germany for boy £300

182_blue, I've sent you a pm requesting more info.

Hi, can't check to much as I'm on my iPad but here is one seller http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WINTERREIFEN-STAH ... _Komplettr" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;äder&hash=item53df2b55e6#ht_3129wt_860

You need to search through bay Germany, then if you don't speak german bablefish it to see condition etc

[trix]

one to read & consider for you winter tyre fitters http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/to ... nmt=Winter" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Tyres and Insurance the (insurance) world can be a funny funny place

S

[arkaig]

Presumably insurance companies do not regard original VW Scirocco-specific parts that retain the vehicle's warranty as being modifications as such, thus:
Sima Alloy 6,5J x 17, ET 39 Wheel & Pirelli W240 Sottozero 205/50 R17 93V XLTyre - VW Part No: 1K8 073 247 FD 8Z8
Snow Chains (compulsory in some Nordic countries) - VW Part No: 000 091 387 F

[trix]

Presumably insurance companies do not regard original VW Scirocco-specific parts that retain the vehicle's warranty as being modifications as such, thus:
Sima Alloy 6,5J x 17, ET 39 Wheel & Pirelli W240 Sottozero 205/50 R17 93V XLTyre - VW Part No: 1K8 073 247 FD 8Z8
Snow Chains (compulsory in some Nordic countries) - VW Part No: 000 091 387 F

You'd think but clearly you didn't read the example in my link above about someone using all MB approved winter rims & tyres etc for his model of car & still having their insurer argue till they were blue in the face & say it is a modification.

Obviously all insurers are different & stubborn to differing degrees but the point I was making is you know what they are like in terms of trying to wiggle out of all sorts (rightly or wrongly). With all this sort of thing I think the problem arises due to the fact its not a legal requirement in the UK and the monkies manning the phones don't understand the concept of winter tyre use (or the fact its easier to just swap a new set of winter rims with appropriate tyres on rather than the palaver of removing and changing tyres on the standard rims only to change them all over again a few months later).
just worth having in the back of your head.

S

(ah for us all to be blue with several sets of the same alloy... )

[fimael]

Kwik fit are about to start an offer on winter tyres on Monday (apparently!). I'm defo going to get some. I live in the North East and we've currently got 8" of snow and the Roc's pretty much been in hibernation for the past couple of days. Felt quite peed off when I got stuck trying to get onto the estate I live on and watched a 5 series BMW sail past!! (he had winter tyres on!).

[skyblues11]

bugger! i won't be back from isreal until 6th december.

probably be sold out by then. i have been researching the http://www.mytyres.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; website for the last few days and it seems the prices are going up every 2 days! even the cheapo ones from asia are on the up!

lets hope by the time i get back the worst of this cold snap will be over.

[sicinius]

My tyre guy says there are adequate stocks of all models. They do a roaring trade in them once every 9 or 10 years or so then everyone forgets them.

They're not really necessary in the UK as we only get conditions that require them for a few hours every year and then not everywhere. They work by giving you an alternating sipe and throat. The sipe is a sharp edge that bites into the soft stuff and the throat is designed to throw the soft stuff you've picked up away from the wheel.

If there's no soft stuff, they do precisely nothing for you and give you worse grip in the wet and on dry surfaces as there is less rubber in contact with the road.

Chains are a no-no almost everywhere in the UK. They damage the tarmac. Even in Switzerland you are limited to their use. Mountains only and only where marked.