Chains and winter tyres

Post by **gangstarrrrr** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:30 pm

I know this topic has been done to death but I wanted some advice from a slightly different perspective.

I recently got a FL B8 S4 with 19s as standard. Now, I am planning a trip to the alps in march driving up to 1850m. I've done the trip many times in hire cars and only needed chains about 5% of the time. But as I am transporting the family I don't fancy chancing it on summer tyres ( car came with conti sportcontact3).

I've been exploring a few different options but am having trouble deciding.

1. Stick with the contis and buy some snow chains that don't encompass the whole wheel so minimising damage to the alloys and mechanics. Found these, would be around 260 for a pair. http://www.snowchains.co.uk/snowchains/ ... +and+Vans/
What wheels to attach them to, the back?

2. Buy winter tyres and maybe get the above chains closer to the time. Vredesteins are 800 notes for 4 for 19s. Not exactly cheap bit doable. I'd have to figure out how to store the contis over winter. Do tyres fatigue over time or if they're kept outside (thinking constant temperature changes). No chance of keeping them indoors or in a garage.

3. Leave current wheels/tyres and chance it. Likely would be ok unless there is a serious snowfall.

I am not keen on new wheels as I don't have much space for storage and don't really wish to pay up to have them stored. But just out of curiosity, what size wheels could I get (17s?) if I did this? Don't fancy having pants 17s for 4 months of the year.

My concern with winter tyres is that they wear quicker above 7deg. Based in London, the temp through winter often will be above 7deg, even with this cold spell so the tyres may wear quickly.

Eventually I aim to use all seasons once the contis need replacing. Will be going to the alps twice or thrice a year in the S4. All advice appreciated!

Post by **adsgreen** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:44 pm

Many euro countries have rules and laws saying in certain months winter tyres must be fitted - and for good reason!

I would have a look at snow socks - the proper branded ones are approved as a replacement chains and work great.
I can't stress how well they work.

Post by **gangstarrrrr** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:05 pm

adsgreen wrote:Many euro countries have rules and laws saying in certain months winter tyres must be fitted - and for good reason!

I would have a look at snow socks - the proper branded ones are approved as a replacement chains and work great.
I can't stress how well they work.

Agreed, some resorts will stop you driving up to resort if you don't have 4WD/winter tyres/chains or combinations of this.

I had a particularly treacherous ascent to les Deux Alpes in a hire car at 2am with temps at -16 and solid snow. Car started losing traction so we tried putting chains on. Couldn't get them on so abandoned the car near resort and blagged a lift. It was a scary ascent.

Wary of snow socks as I've read very mixed reviews. A lot of them saying they wear out very quickly. Again, chances of the road up to Courchevel needing chain/socks are minimal but with the nipper in tow I can't be taking any chances.

Post by **DeanG** » Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:19 pm

Snow socks will only get you out of trouble. Been running nokian wrg2 tyres on my wife's s4 for a few winters. I put them on in November and take them off in march. Tyre wear is not much worse than normal summer tyres, as long you don't run them in the summer.

Post by **adsgreen** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 7:44 am

Totally agree re snow socks - they are chain substitute only and really best used in conjunction with winter tyres.

Post by **gangstarrrrr** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 9:54 am

I'm erring towards winter tyres. Reifen.com have the vredesteins for around 650gbp which compares very favourably against 840 on uk websites. Think I will probably ship some in. Any users of these tyres?

Post by **adsgreen** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:08 am

The good thing about winter tyres is that they don't really cost you anything as you'll be saving your summer tyres. It all works out in the end just the hassle of swapping over.
They only start to wear more than summer tyres over about 12c IIRC and so not a big problem until march really.
I'd still say for 50quid a pair it's worth getting a set of snow socks - winter tyres are good on snow but if you encounter any big flurries then you really need something with a bit more extra kick to keep you moving. I've used them now (ok, on summer tyres - I'm lazy) and they are really great. For example, I encountered a very steep hill that hand't been cleared so was about 6 inches deep in snow. I stopped to ask two farmers who had got their landrover defender stuck if they needed any help. They said "no thanks" and then had to witness the most blinged up girly fwd mini (swmbo's) pull smoothly away and charge up the hill they couldn't make it up in their 4x4.

Post by **Ian_C** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:34 pm

17s do not fit the B8 S4 as the forum member I bought a set of 17 B8 winter wheels from had found out when he moved from a B8 3.0 TDi to a B8 S4.

I'd very much recommend a set of 18s if you are debating snow chains - a legal requirement to be carried in some regions. I wouldn't personally want 19s wrapped in snow chains on the car. If you are lucky you might even be able to find a set of the 18" S4 alloys for a decent price as a lot of people upgrade to 19s.

Post by **adsgreen** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 1:41 pm

Snow socks are approved as snow chains and satisfy the legal requirements

Post by **535dboy** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:36 pm

I couldn't find any snow socks big enough for the boxster 20s

Post by **adsgreen** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 3:47 pm

535dboy wrote:I couldn't find any snow socks big enough for the boxster 20s

Most sizes covered - http://www.autosockdirect.co.uk/products/size-guide.php

Post by **535dboy** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 4:32 pm

adsgreen wrote:
535dboy wrote:I couldn't find any snow socks big enough for the boxster 20s
Most sizes covered - http://www.autosockdirect.co.uk/products/size-guide.php

Except mine!!!!

Post by **adsgreen** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:00 pm

535dboy wrote:
adsgreen wrote:
535dboy wrote:I couldn't find any snow socks big enough for the boxster 20s
Most sizes covered - http://www.autosockdirect.co.uk/products/size-guide.php

Except mine!!!!

Doh! What size are they?

Post by **gangstarrrrr** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:17 pm

Have placed an order for winter tyres. £680 for 19s from Germany.

As for chains I have decided to go for 1 pair of these:
http://www.snowchains.co.uk/snowchains/ ... +and+Vans/
They don't require anything to go round the back of the tyre and are easy to put on.

Any thoughts on if they should be on the back or front?

Post by **535dboy** » Tue Dec 11, 2012 5:29 pm

adsgreen wrote:
Doh! What size are they?

235 35 20 and 265 35 20

RS246.com Forum :: The World's #1 Audi R, S and RS Enthusiast Community