Snow chains - how effective are they? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

RichM · 02-05-2012, 02:33 PM

Hey,

I have recently bought a 2007 E90 320D. It will be replacing my Land Rover Discovery 1 as my daily drive. I am keeping the Land Rover for the winter in case we get any snow here in England.

However, I have considered buying snow chains for my BMW. Question is, how effective are they? It's no secret that RWD cars are disadvantaged in snow, so I'm not quite sure how much snow chains will really help. - Will it still be a battle?

A few years ago, I had an E46 and I recall how hopeless it was even with a slight dusting of snow. No doubt a standard E90 is equally poor in that respect.

Cheers

Bimmer84 · 02-05-2012, 02:58 PM

Are you using snow tires? My E46 drove just fine in the snow without the need of chains, and same goes for my E92 here in Germany.... as long as you have dedicated snow tires it should perform without chains...

Quick6EF · 02-05-2012, 03:06 PM

Wish you weren't in the UK. I'd sell you my set of winter's super cheap - they were only used for 5 months

ideliver · 02-05-2012, 03:07 PM

Chains are usually reserved for extreme mountain passes...winter tires are plenty sufficient

Chewy734 · 02-05-2012, 03:29 PM

umm... you don't need chains. Get a nice set of Blizzak studless winter tires and you're good to go.

E90SoFlo · 02-05-2012, 03:55 PM

I ran summer tires and used chains when I would go to the mountains. Work perfect. Just make sure you know how to use your chains before you're on the side of the road in the snow

RichM · 02-05-2012, 05:54 PM

Hardly anyone in the UK uses winter tyres, myself included. I'm pretty sure most people here don't even know that winter tyres exist because they're that uncommon here. Tyre brands don't even bother to market them. You simply don't hear about them here until you speak to others who live abroad.

Given how little snow we get, it's hard to justify spending out on new rims + winter tyres. Sure, they can still be of benefit even in milder temperature conditions but normally summer tyres work fine until we get the slightest bit of snow, where the country grinds to halt. (we rarely have snow lasting for more than a week per year)

Will snow chains do the job or are they only suitable for moderate to heavy snow conditions?

Bimmer84 · 02-05-2012, 06:03 PM

http://www.ecstuning.com/News/ISSE_T...nowChains_BMW/

Maybe look into those? To answer the new question you posed: Yes, they will do the job even on summer tires, if you don't plan on having snow for long periods of time. They are required by law here in Germany (winter tires), but I would have them anyway.

aussie_kc · 02-07-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quick6EF

Wish you weren't in the UK. I'd sell you my set of winter's super cheap - they were only used for 5 months

What are you selling?

02-05-2012, 02:33 PM	#1
RichM New Member Drives: BMW 320D Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK Posts: 12 iTrader: (0)	Snow chains - how effective are they? Hey, I have recently bought a 2007 E90 320D. It will be replacing my Land Rover Discovery 1 as my daily drive. I am keeping the Land Rover for the winter in case we get any snow here in England. However, I have considered buying snow chains for my BMW. Question is, how effective are they? It's no secret that RWD cars are disadvantaged in snow, so I'm not quite sure how much snow chains will really help. - Will it still be a battle? A few years ago, I had an E46 and I recall how hopeless it was even with a slight dusting of snow. No doubt a standard E90 is equally poor in that respect. Cheers
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02-05-2012, 02:58 PM	#2
Bimmer84 Guardian of the Night Drives: 2010 335i M Sport Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Antonio Posts: 1,798 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 335i E92 [3.75]	Are you using snow tires? My E46 drove just fine in the snow without the need of chains, and same goes for my E92 here in Germany.... as long as you have dedicated snow tires it should perform without chains... __________________ 2010 335i M Sport Coupe -- Black Sapphire Metallic\|Coral Red\|Loaded\|JB4 Stage 3\|BMS DCI\|VRSF DPs\|Camaross 6k AE\|Performance Gloss Black Grilles\|CF Performance Spoiler\|CF Quad Diffuser\|Double Layer Black Chrome Quad Tips\|CF Roundels\|Smoked Reflectors\|Red Cyba Scoops\|193s Painted Lamborghini Metallic Dark Gray

02-05-2012, 03:06 PM	#3
Quick6EF Lieutenant Drives: E92 Space Gray Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Boston Posts: 488 iTrader: (0)	Wish you weren't in the UK. I'd sell you my set of winter's super cheap - they were only used for 5 months __________________

02-05-2012, 03:07 PM	#4
ideliver Major Drives: 08 E60 M5 & 08 Infiniti QX56 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: At the gas station Posts: 1,232 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 MB S430 SOLD [0.00] 2003 E46 M3 [0.00]	Chains are usually reserved for extreme mountain passes...winter tires are plenty sufficient __________________ Cars I've owned '76 Chevelle 350 RIP '82 Monte Carlo 350 RIP '82 Mustang 302 RIP '88 Honda CRX RIP '88 Olds Toronado sold '94 Toyota Tercel sold '99 Acura TL sold 2002 Porsche 911 sold 2003 E46 M3 Blk/gr 2006 MB S430 sold Current: 2008 Infiniti QX56 & 2008 E60 M5

02-05-2012, 03:29 PM	#5
Chewy734 Major General Drives: 2006 BMW 330i ZPP, ZSP Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 6,605 iTrader: (15)	umm... you don't need chains. Get a nice set of Blizzak studless winter tires and you're good to go. __________________ Currently for sale: N/A

02-05-2012, 03:55 PM	#6
E90SoFlo Banned Drives: E90 335i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 2,682 iTrader: (9)	I ran summer tires and used chains when I would go to the mountains. Work perfect. Just make sure you know how to use your chains before you're on the side of the road in the snow

02-05-2012, 05:54 PM	#7
RichM New Member Drives: BMW 320D Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK Posts: 12 iTrader: (0)	Hardly anyone in the UK uses winter tyres, myself included. I'm pretty sure most people here don't even know that winter tyres exist because they're that uncommon here. Tyre brands don't even bother to market them. You simply don't hear about them here until you speak to others who live abroad. Given how little snow we get, it's hard to justify spending out on new rims + winter tyres. Sure, they can still be of benefit even in milder temperature conditions but normally summer tyres work fine until we get the slightest bit of snow, where the country grinds to halt. (we rarely have snow lasting for more than a week per year) Will snow chains do the job or are they only suitable for moderate to heavy snow conditions?

02-05-2012, 06:03 PM	#8
Bimmer84 Guardian of the Night Drives: 2010 335i M Sport Coupe Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: San Antonio Posts: 1,798 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 335i E92 [3.75]	http://www.ecstuning.com/News/ISSE_T...nowChains_BMW/ Maybe look into those? To answer the new question you posed: Yes, they will do the job even on summer tires, if you don't plan on having snow for long periods of time. They are required by law here in Germany (winter tires), but I would have them anyway. __________________ 2010 335i M Sport Coupe -- Black Sapphire Metallic\|Coral Red\|Loaded\|JB4 Stage 3\|BMS DCI\|VRSF DPs\|Camaross 6k AE\|Performance Gloss Black Grilles\|CF Performance Spoiler\|CF Quad Diffuser\|Double Layer Black Chrome Quad Tips\|CF Roundels\|Smoked Reflectors\|Red Cyba Scoops\|193s Painted Lamborghini Metallic Dark Gray

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