Loads of snow on the way, unlucky BMW drivers!

[RichT128]

Picked up my RS4 from the service centre in Birmingham about 5pm yesterday, got 500 yards from the dealer then saw a line of 5 abandoned cars - thought it was odd, there wasn't that much snow. Then realised I was looking at 4 BMWs and a lexis, all made sense!

Went out to ski down the hill near our house this morning using the rs4 as a ski lift but som miserable sod has put salt across (only) a 10ft wide patch in just th wrong place - hoping I get another chance tonight!

[bam_bam]

...but some miserable sod has put salt across (only) a 10ft wide patch in just th wrong place

A BMW or Lexarse driver, I'd expect.

[brn7y]

Edit: The other problem is hardly anyone "south of Edinburgh" knows how to drive in the snow

[PetrolDave]

Dave, could you do us a favour.... at about 10am tomorrow morning, take a photo outside your front door/garden (and post it here).
I reckon that's about the time you'll be getting a good dump in Southampton

Have to admit that this was the 1 time in a 100 that the Met Office got it right - but was that by chance, or because they've stopped using the discredited "hockey stick" climate model?

[F@tBoyF@t]

Generally, the 5-day forecasts are pretty accurate, so I don't think it's fair to say that the Met Office is correct only 1% of the time.
Isn't that's great about living in Britain? Our weather is predictably unpredictable.

I spent 4 weeks in Broome WA during the wet season a few years ago. The only day we saw rain was the day we left and then, boy did it rain.

The roof of Broome airport terminal leaked so badly, you'd have been as well standing outside.

I just got fed up waking at 5am every day to bright sunshine and inevitably crushing heat.

42C was the hottest temperature we saw at Derby a couple of hours north.

[F@tBoyF@t]

Edit: The other problem is hardly anyone "south of Edinburgh" knows how to drive in the snow

Hope you're not including anglos in that sweeping statement....?

What about Richard Burns?

[PetrolDave]

Generally, the 5-day forecasts are pretty accurate, so I don't think it's fair to say that the Met Office is correct only 1% of the time.
Isn't that's great about living in Britain? Our weather is predictably unpredictable.

The thing is that I'm old enough to remember when we used to plan what we did (outdoor painting, days out, etc.) based on the Met Office forecast because you could rely on it to be accurate. But in the last 10+ years as they've become "AGW Warriors" the accuracy of their forecasts has become considerably less - outdoor jobs or trips have to be aborted far more often than they ever did before. OK 1% may be harsh, but they ARE considerably worse than they used to be.

Just think back over the last 5 years to how many times a Council spokesman has said "we didn't grit the roads because the Met Office didn't forecast snow"?

[kiwi_mtm]

Since this is turning into a winter tyre thread.

I've spent the last 4 weeks in Sweden, 3 weeks in central Sweden in a V70 FWD (mostly sub 0c, but some positive daytime +0c causing melting and then morning sheet ice), then 1 week in northern sweden XC70 4WD (always sub 0c).

The V70 had these tyres (note the loss of studs on this tyre! which i had the rental company change).
Overall the V70 FWD car had very acceptable traction during both snow and sheet ice, assuming you drove in a conservative manner.
I would consider the traction levels to me the same as slippery wet weather, after a period of no rain (ie slightly slippery with oil residue build-up on the road over time)


The XC70 had these tyres (conti's), and in lapland conditions driving at 100km speeds on packed ice had excellent traction.
Again, very similar to the V70, except the XC70 had greater acceleration traction and very limited ESP intervention at all.



Overall, I can reiterate prior statements that winter tyres make a massive difference in ice and snow over regular all season tyres.

PS, needed the winter tyres for a few quick stops to avoid these hamburgers patties:

[bam_bam]

I thought we got rid of all the rugby cheats on this forum... PhilT, these filthy Kiwis are like the French coming through that Eurostar tunnel, they're like rats. What are you going to do about it?

[alex020869]

Edit: The other problem is hardly anyone "south of Edinburgh" knows how to drive in the snow

Graeme,
I would just like point out that some of us around Edinburgh CAN drive in the snow. I have had fun today in the car slipping and sliding around the streets in South Queensferry. I will, however be honest and say that it has been in my Punto lol

My wife even commented today that our only 4 wheel drive car is tucked up in bed!! Don't want to get my RS dirty

Alex

[brn7y]

Your North of Edinburgh in SQ.

[F@tBoyF@t]

Your North of Edinburgh in SQ.

Say hello to Iain Banks and Ken Macleod for me.

South Queensferry - fame at last.

[alex020869]

Your North of Edinburgh in SQ.

Sorry Graeme, my geography is terrible lol

Who is Iain Banks and Ken Macloed? Are they famous from South Queensferry? Can't believe we may have cebrities living here l

Alex

[sakimano]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vERHbsm8rLo

[gangstarrrrr]

Finally managed to get the winters swapped over on my S4. Muppets took over 2 hours to do it!! And even the the pressures were wrong! Quick trip to esso sorted that. Have to say they seem solid with decent grip. Being in London, most roads are pretty good but when I got to my destination the car park was fresh untouched snow. Car felt grippy throughout and interesting to see the tyres held no snow in the tread at all, it all seems to release instantly.

Vredestein wintrac extreme 255/35/19. It's a money saver too as they're cheaper than a good summer tyre! 3 from reifen.com and 1 from mytyres (dpd lost 1 tyre on the original order, hence a split order).