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      11-30-2010, 02:19 PM   #1
kaishang
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Wink Are winter tyres really necessary?

I don't think so



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      11-30-2010, 02:32 PM   #2
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Nor do I!!!

Iv'e managed so far without!
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      11-30-2010, 03:37 PM   #3
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Suppose they're bound to notice some difference if they've been on summer RFT's. I don't remember having problems with my 335d in winter either, but the one winter I had it, wasn't anything like this weather wise. I can only guess at how rock hard and unforgiving they'd be in the weather up here at the mo.

I certainly don't think people should go driving about believing they can stop and drive as normal though 'cos it 'aint going to happen. NO tyre will stop you sliding on black ice or packed snow on top of ice - simple as.
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      11-30-2010, 04:47 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beemerbird View Post
Suppose they're bound to notice some difference if they've been on summer RFT's. I don't remember having problems with my 335d in winter either, but the one winter I had it, wasn't anything like this weather wise. I can only guess at how rock hard and unforgiving they'd be in the weather up here at the mo.

I certainly don't think people should go driving about believing they can stop and drive as normal though 'cos it 'aint going to happen. NO tyre will stop you sliding on black ice or packed snow on top of ice - simple as.
I agree about the ice satement Helen but last year with my 19" wheels my 335d was stuck on the flat with deep snow. As you have seen with the pics the bloody thing seems it would go through anything this year. And keep in mind we have had about 10" up here. Omg I can just see the comments about that 10" satement
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      11-30-2010, 05:03 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by lesfinnie View Post
I agree about the ice satement Helen but last year with my 19" wheels my 335d was stuck on the flat with deep snow. As you have seen with the pics the bloody thing seems it would go through anything this year. And keep in mind we have had about 10" up here. Omg I can just see the comments about that 10" satement
Yep good isn't it - join the club!

You are older though Les and living in Scotland you must have some pretty good experience of driving in winter!

That 10" may well split yer splitter

Don't like the noise though when you're pushing through the snow using the front of the car as a plough. Poor little car.
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      12-01-2010, 12:46 AM   #6
Teutonicdriver
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I know this has been shown before, but just to reinforce the point that the correct tyres WILL allow much safer driving on ICE.
Winters combined with sensible driving, is the best option on any car ( 4x4, rear or front wheel drive)
.
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      12-01-2010, 04:12 AM   #7
beemerbird
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Oh yes for sure it definitely benfitted the BMW cars they used as test vehicles under safe test conditions at very low speeds.

You're right though, driving sensibly is the key and if you've not much ground clearance then leave it to the big 4x4's.
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      12-01-2010, 05:26 AM   #8
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Helen, they will benefit ALL vehicles in ALL poor conditions.

That video proved that even at 10mph on a skating rink, the car is still driveable!
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      12-02-2010, 06:14 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by M3-FAST View Post
Helen, they will benefit ALL vehicles in ALL poor conditions.

That video proved that even at 10mph on a skating rink, the car is still driveable!
Maybe so Paul.......but I'm NOT having any problems driving through the snow and the orange light has come on once in 6 days of driving in this shite. No winter tyre is going to give me loads of ground clearance nor is it going to stop the fact that my engine is running slowly all the time. Fact still remains I only drive if I really NEED to as should anybody else.

What was the point of me getting my car out yesterday on my day off, getting it covered in road salt, slush and shit imbedded underneath, driving at such slow speeds it's mind numbing when he has a Landy that simply laughs at the snow and ice. Steve took me round some of the back roads in our Parish to show me all the cars stuck on the drives, they've simply no chance, the drives are on steep hills and the road is not gritted (not a bus route) and is a foot deep in snow now as no cars are going through. Looked very picturesque but apart form being bounced about his Landy just kept on going.
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      12-02-2010, 07:15 AM   #10
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Them Landys are good !
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      12-02-2010, 07:35 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beemerbird View Post
Maybe so Paul.......but I'm NOT having any problems driving through the snow and the orange light has come on once in 6 days of driving in this shite. No winter tyre is going to give me loads of ground clearance nor is it going to stop the fact that my engine is running slowly all the time. Fact still remains I only drive if I really NEED to as should anybody else.

What was the point of me getting my car out yesterday on my day off, getting it covered in road salt, slush and shit imbedded underneath, driving at such slow speeds it's mind numbing when he has a Landy that simply laughs at the snow and ice. Steve took me round some of the back roads in our Parish to show me all the cars stuck on the drives, they've simply no chance, the drives are on steep hills and the road is not gritted (not a bus route) and is a foot deep in snow now as no cars are going through. Looked very picturesque but apart form being bounced about his Landy just kept on going.
Being a qualified Police response driver, and having driven both my e90 and my wifes TT Quattro during this snowy period I can say quite definately that the E90 with winters is better braking and cornering in the white stuff and ice than the Quattro with standard tyres.
Ive done the 30mile round trip to work and back every day in atrocious conditions and have complete confidence in the E90.
As for 4x4s, again it comes down to knowing how to drive in the conditions and accepting that the only benefit they give is in traction and (for some) ride hieght.
Yet again on TV yesterday two 4x4s, one (a discovery) having to be pulled out of the snow, and another (Range Rover) completely blocking a narrow lane with high banks either side after skidding and turning 90 degrees to the road.
TV seems to show lots of BMWs unable to get any traction, but more 4x4s actually involved in accidents. (Probably cos the BMWs cant actually move far enough to have an accident)
Its not what youve got its how you use it! Though the right rubber does help!
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      12-02-2010, 08:29 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Teutonicdriver View Post
Being a qualified Police response driver, and having driven both my e90 and my wifes TT Quattro during this snowy period I can say quite definately that the E90 with winters is better braking and cornering in the white stuff and ice than the Quattro with standard tyres.
Ive done the 30mile round trip to work and back every day in atrocious conditions and have complete confidence in the E90.
As for 4x4s, again it comes down to knowing how to drive in the conditions and accepting that the only benefit they give is in traction and (for some) ride hieght.
Yet again on TV yesterday two 4x4s, one (a discovery) having to be pulled out of the snow, and another (Range Rover) completely blocking a narrow lane with high banks either side after skidding and turning 90 degrees to the road.
TV seems to show lots of BMWs unable to get any traction, but more 4x4s actually involved in accidents. (Probably cos the BMWs cant actually move far enough to have an accident)
Its not what youve got its how you use it! Though the right rubber does help!
Right so you are now able to drive a RWD car in the snow. I can only state and we believe each other accordingly, that I do not feel any lack of confidence. I do however, only drive when it is necessary. I am fully able bodied and have the use of two limbs called legs that can be used if necessary. So do all the police cars have winter tyres fitted whatever the vehicle? I could walk down to the bottom of my street and ask at the 'Police Box'.

Indeed it is down to knowing how to use it to a degree. I'm an 'older model' and have driven cars through many a bad winter.

So when you lobbying Parliament then for a change to our tyre laws? It would be extremely difficult to get passed I would imagine and based on the very small few on here that are bothering also (probably because they are in RWD cars), it would take some getting through.

Comes down to freedom of choice at the end of the day.

A Merc E Class I saw yesterday had got far enough to have an accident - front end damage......don't know the circumstances so can't assume anything imo.
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      12-02-2010, 08:32 AM   #13
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Down here on the south coast, winter tyres are a waste of money. No, not because they don't work, simply because the roads are inevitably blocked by jacknifed artics and other random vehicles; you can't get anywhere in the first place.

Mike.
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      12-02-2010, 09:02 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by beemerbird View Post
based on the very small few on here that are bothering also (probably because they are in RWD cars)
There is a (no pun!!!) snowball effect in the numbers of winter tyre users Helen.

The part worn specialist next door to me imports about 1700 tyres per month from Germany, and on the last shipment he tried to add as many winter tyres as possible as lots of people are ringing up with enquiries for them. He only managed to get about 50 onto the truck as they were virtually out of stock. The german supplier normally exports about 3,000 per year to the UK (in previous years) - last month they shipped 30,000 into the UK alone through unprecedented demand from our part worn tyre specialists!

Add to that, virtually every online tyre specialist has sold out of the majority of common sizes to me indicates that the message is starting to sink in and they are selling like hot cakes.

BMW, Audi, Merc etc are all promoting them along with major tyre fitters. If this winter carries on like this, many more people will adjust their way of thinking. Doubt it will become law, but common sense must prevail!

I know you don't believe that they make much difference I can tell by your posts and I was sceptical too, but honestly the difference with them fitted is astounding.

4wd helps a lot - I used to drive an Audi Quattro myself so I do know how they drive in the snow - but if the tyres cannot get grip, it just means all four spin instead of two! Yes the diff/ABS/ESP/traction etc does some work, and in a lot of conditions, gets the car moving again but the confidence the winter tyres give is worth their value.

At the end of the day, one slippy visit into a kerb is gonna cost at best a few hundred quid for a new wheel - at worst thousands for suspension damage to be repaired - If that can be avoided by fitting more suitable tyres than surely that's gotta be the more sensible solution? We fit quality tyres in the summer so our cars handle properly, why not follow suit in the winter months?
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      12-02-2010, 09:30 AM   #15
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I was really sceptical until I had tried them but now I'm a convert and will be looking to fit them on the wife car. She spent more on a private plate than I spent on a BMW alloy wheel and tyres package!
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      12-02-2010, 12:22 PM   #16
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So are all police vehicles fitted with winter tyres?
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      12-02-2010, 02:20 PM   #17
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No they aren't. And there's a fair few off the road.
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      12-02-2010, 02:27 PM   #18
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Hmmm the Volvo V70's are still mobile as are the sexy Protons in Hull.

Actually our Community Liason Officer told me they often 'borrow' a Landy or two from North Yorks lot, hence why I've seen it parked in their little car park.
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      12-02-2010, 02:34 PM   #19
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Well forces do occasionally assist each other with vehicles but Humberside do have their own 4x4s
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      12-02-2010, 04:08 PM   #20
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For my circumstances and my car they are necessary and make a huge difference.

I also think they are necessary for the girlfriends car - I need to know I've done everything I can to keep her safe whilst driving in the winter.

Everyone has to make a decision based on their unique circumstances - just don't fing moan about the lack of gritting etc. etc. when you get stuck or crash because you chose to drive in bad weather with unsuitable tyres.

I won't do another winter without them.
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      12-02-2010, 04:11 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by swanny71 View Post
For my circumstances and my car they are necessary and make a huge difference.

I also think they are necessary for the girlfriends car - I need to know I've done everything I can to keep her safe whilst driving in the winter.

Everyone has to make a decision based on their unique circumstances - just don't fing moan about the lack of gritting etc. etc. when you get stuck because you chose to drive in bad weather with unsuitable tyres.

I won't do another winter without them.
No moaning here mate.........not got fucking stuck!!!
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