|
|
|
|
|
|
BMW Garage | BMW Meets | Register | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
>
Snow socks - quick review
|
|
12-22-2009, 07:40 AM | #1 |
Major
36
Rep 1,135
Posts |
Snow socks - quick review
I have seen all the threads about people having problems in the snow. This year I tried out 'snow socks' for the first time. I bought a pair of Weissenfels weissSocks. The idea seems pretty good, slip them over your tyres when the going gets tough anf then take them off when you are on clear road.
the good news is they work (sorry no pics). Tried the car with two on the driven wheels and with only one on. With one on the non-covered tyre spun easily whilst the other just gripped. With both on I could easily got to the top of the steep hill I live at the bottom of. Without the socks the car fish tailed like mad and would only get up the hill if very determined. The bad news. Be very careful if you have larger wheels/tyres. Mine has the standard 18" M Sport alloys with 255/35 tyres on. With this combo it is really tricky to pull the 'sock' over the inside edge of the wheel. To fit the sock you have to pull an elasticated edge of the sock over the top of the wheel and behind the inside edge of the tyre from roughly the 10 o'clock to 2 O'clock position. With mine this required scrapped knuckels and lots of swearing. it is tight! I have 18" wheels with standard ride height. Anything more and you would need the thinnest wrists.arms ever to get the sock over. Comes off really easy though. All in all a good idea. It comes flat in its own little bag so takes up little space in the boot but does give you significantly more traction. Just be very careful if you have lowered suspension and/or 19" wheels. Hope this helps, sorry I don't have any pics at the mo'. Chris |
12-22-2009, 08:11 AM | #2 |
Major General
138
Rep 6,912
Posts |
Thanks for the review Chris, was thinking about a set of these, but opted for some Winter tyres instead! Doesn't sound like I'd get them over a set of 265/30/19's.
__________________
E92 M3, Jerez Black, Fox Red Novillo, 19'' M Double Spoke, folding mirrors, lumbar support, front seat heating, PDC, USB, DAB, EDC, Bluetooth, Logic 7, High Gloss Shadowline, big smile
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-22-2009, 11:44 AM | #6 |
Major General
138
Rep 6,912
Posts |
I think that would worry me on a RWD car with traction on the rear and no grip on the fronts?
__________________
E92 M3, Jerez Black, Fox Red Novillo, 19'' M Double Spoke, folding mirrors, lumbar support, front seat heating, PDC, USB, DAB, EDC, Bluetooth, Logic 7, High Gloss Shadowline, big smile
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-22-2009, 11:49 AM | #7 |
Major
36
Rep 1,135
Posts |
Agreed you have to be careful but the idea is it is something small that you keep in the boot and gets you going once stuck. Only really for a short distance back on to a clear road. With my car the issue is the grip at the rear. Front tends to be ok unless you over do it.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-22-2009, 11:50 AM | #8 |
Zummerzet Zyder Drinker!
111
Rep 5,541
Posts
Drives: '06 330D Le Mans Blue
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Somerset
|
Cheers for the info Chris good to hear.
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-22-2009, 03:58 PM | #9 |
Major General
569
Rep 7,519
Posts
Drives: 2009 E90 335i MT
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Vinton, Virginia
|
The one thing that bothers me is that you have to eventually take them off (as with tyre chains). So, you put them on to get out of the snow and onto cleared roads. To take them off you have to pull off of said cleared road onto an uncleared layby and you get stuck again. So you put the socks back on, drive to the next layby and repeat.
OK, I know that is taking it to extremes but it's still plausible.
__________________
2009 E90 335i Montego Blue · Black Leather · Burl Walnut · 6MT · US Spec
SatNav • ZPP • ZCW • 6FL • TPMS • iDrive • PDC • HWS • Xenons • BMW Assist • Power Rear Sunshade • Logic 7 European Taillights • Rear Foglamp • OEM Alarm • PicoTray • DataToys XM-DVR • Multi-view Processor Quaife ATB LSD • Short Shift Knob • Hartge Anti-Roll Bars • AP Racing Front Brakes • 19" Style 269 |
Appreciate
0
|
12-23-2009, 05:09 AM | #10 |
Lieutenant
24
Rep 400
Posts
Drives: F30 LCI 330e M Sport
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Swansea
|
Any chance of link and / or pictures?
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-24-2009, 05:14 PM | #11 | |
Major
46
Rep 1,074
Posts
Drives: 2014 520D SE
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Lincolnshire (sometimes)
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2014 BMW 520D SE [0.00]
2012 Audi A7 [0.00] 2013 Fiat 500 1.2 L ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335D SE To ... [0.00] 2012 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] |
Quote:
Regardless of 17", 18" or 19" rims, surely the whole idea is that the rolling circumference is the same (bigger rims = thinner rubber) to these things should be just as hard or easy to fit regardless of rim size. The only thing that would make it harder is if you have a lower ride. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-28-2009, 02:57 AM | #12 |
Major
36
Rep 1,135
Posts |
No such thing as a stupid question. The reason the wheel size is important is that to fit the 'sock' you must get the elasticated edge over the inside edge of the tyre. This is easy on the smaller sizes as there is room between the wheel arch and the top of the tyre. With mine (18") I had to push the sock through with my hands flat but my knuckles still scrapped on the top of the wheel arch.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-28-2009, 04:06 AM | #13 | |
Major
46
Rep 1,074
Posts
Drives: 2014 520D SE
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Lincolnshire (sometimes)
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2014 BMW 520D SE [0.00]
2012 Audi A7 [0.00] 2013 Fiat 500 1.2 L ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335D SE To ... [0.00] 2012 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-28-2009, 04:35 AM | #14 |
Private First Class
6
Rep 108
Posts |
How can the gap at the top of the wheel arch be the same on 17, 18 and 19" rims? The radius on 19" wheels is longer than on 17s.
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-28-2009, 04:45 AM | #15 | |
Major
46
Rep 1,074
Posts
Drives: 2014 520D SE
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Lincolnshire (sometimes)
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2014 BMW 520D SE [0.00]
2012 Audi A7 [0.00] 2013 Fiat 500 1.2 L ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335D SE To ... [0.00] 2012 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] |
Quote:
If this were not the case then the speedo would not read the same for all rim sizes and I have not seen anybody on here complaining that since they put new rims on, they have been getting loads of speeding tickets because the speedo is way off. The total size from the centre of the wheel to the outside edge of the tyre must always be the same. To maintain this, you have a lower profile tyre on the larger rims. Therefore, as I previously said, regardless of what rim option you have, the rolling circumference remains constant and thus the gap between the edge of the tyre and the wheel arch is the same. This tool http://www.etyres.co.uk/tyre-size-calculator.htm will let you play with the numbers so you can see for yourself. See how as you increase the rim size, the profile gets smaller. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-28-2009, 04:50 AM | #16 |
Private First Class
6
Rep 108
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-28-2009, 06:41 AM | #17 |
Major
46
Rep 1,074
Posts
Drives: 2014 520D SE
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Lincolnshire (sometimes)
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2014 BMW 520D SE [0.00]
2012 Audi A7 [0.00] 2013 Fiat 500 1.2 L ... [0.00] 2008 BMW 335D SE To ... [0.00] 2012 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] |
Of course not everybody gets it
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-31-2011, 03:49 PM | #18 |
Cocktails
5
Rep 145
Posts
Drives: E90 335d M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Herts, UK
|
I had snow socks on my 335d last year, rears only (255/35/18). Getting on was hard but 10 mins only with minor scuffed knuckles.
Difference was stunning in the snow & ice. Taking them off........... OH MY GOD. 40 minutes, 6 knuckles almost to the bone. Only a stanley knife saved me from A & E. This year, Pirelli winters due to be delivered this week. Expensive but money back in the long run as Summers last twice as long!! Simples....... |
Appreciate
0
|
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|