[2ondeck]

Hi first post here so hope its in right place. After any advice with ref to Snow socks, I live on a nice hill which during winter is never gritted. I have never had a RWD car in the snow and have been told that the BMW is as much use as a chocolate fire guard when it comes. My wife has snow socks and a freind said they are great the problem is I have looked on the internet and they say they are a real pain to fit to a MSPORT most say they had to jack car up to get on. I have run flats (hate them) can anyone advise me on options or there fun and games with the socks.
Thanks for any advice
Regards
Dan

[gaza01]

Why not get winter tyres?

[2ondeck]

Have thought about it but cost is lots and was told the Run flats dont like being taken on and off so would have to buy rims as well.

[335d Rocco]

The way I understand it is snowsocks are ok, but the minute you are no longer driving on snow, you have to stop and remove them otherwise they get destroyed on Tarmac. Easiest option is to get a spare set on winter wheels, decent set currently for sale in the classifieds, not me selling them I might add

[SO8]

I have winter tyres now but have used snow socks on a 320d m sport with 18" MV3's ...

They fit without having to jack up the car but there is a knack to getting them on - one you have it you will realise it is possible ! Skinned knuckles are the order of the day until proficient. I read up on here and used a piece of skirting board wood to wedge the top part of the sock over the back of the top of the wheel- where there is no real clearance for hands. I kept it in the boot of the car and fitted them twice this way quite quickly ...

I have since bought winter tyres but can def confirm they fit and got me around in Devon with 8" of snow probably better than winter tyres. As has been mentioned - when the snow is half gone the snow socks wear out on tarmac ... not too quickly but enough you only want to use them in an emergency.... they are made of stuff a bit like old sack material.

[IanS100]

On a RWD car you'll also need socks on all 4 wheels

[SO8]

Originally Posted by IanS100

On a RWD car you'll also need socks on all 4 wheels

I didn't ... and managed fine with them just on the driven wheels.

[IanS100]

You were lucky, no point driving if you can't steer

[AlwynMike]

Originally Posted by 2ondeck

Hi first post here so hope its in right place. After any advice with ref to Snow socks, I live on a nice hill which during winter is never gritted. I have never had a RWD car in the snow and have been told that the BMW is as much use as a chocolate fire guard when it comes. My wife has snow socks and a freind said they are great the problem is I have looked on the internet and they say they are a real pain to fit to a MSPORT most say they had to jack car up to get on. I have run flats (hate them) can anyone advise me on options or there fun and games with the socks.
Thanks for any advice
Regards
Dan

Look on the bright side.
If BMW are bad in the snow (they can be), then Mercedes are a lot worse.
In the bad winter a couple of years ago, on a number of occasions, I was able to get up an icy/snowy hill in my 530 where my brother in his C250 couldn't get near it. Another colleague couldn't even get his Merc out of his drive - and these are guys with a lot of driving experience, and not Newbies on snow.

Mike

[wallsmk2]

They work really well, just get some for the rears. They get you out of trouble, up hills etc but they're not really for driving around on your daily errands. I used them as a stop gap on Dartmoor, very simple to put on and easier to take off. Just do a trial run before you need them.

I think they are also certified for use in the French Alps where you would be required to use snow chains.

[SO8]

Originally Posted by IanS100

You were lucky, no point driving if you can't steer

I could steer - and don't regard it as lucky.

It was in a lot of snow for quite a period. The London Ambulance Service managed with just the driven wheels having snow socks a couple of years ago and only the driven wheels having them is fine. The BMW steered without issue - you are only going really slowly anyway.

[xenon]

I used them just on the rear too but they're such a bloody, messy faff that I've bought a winter wheel set for this year. They do work but stretching them over 275-wide tyres is a nightmare.

[2ondeck]

yep that is what I have heard pain in the rear to get over the wheels I have tried to get my hands between the arc and wheel and no way is it that going to happen. The problem is the cost snow socks cheap but pain winter wheels and tyres great but cost lots. Or try and talk the wife into a cheep 4x4 to trash during the winter months cost less than tyres but additional costs ins and tax bump it up.

[SO8]

Originally Posted by 2ondeck

yep that is what I have heard pain in the rear to get over the wheels I have tried to get my hands between the arc and wheel and no way is it that going to happen.

I use a piece of old 'skirting board' wood - slim and wide ... I use it to wedge the top of the snow sock over the tyre where your hand won't fit. I read it on here I think and it works !!

I have to admit to having moved on to winter tyres though ;-)

[IanS100]

The up front cost of winter tyres is sizable but they don't actually "cost" that much. Given that whilst they are on the car you're not wearing out the summer tyres, the overall additional cost of "tyres" is negligible.

The wheels themselves will have a cost but they still have resale value so again, they're not the expensive luxury people think

The biggest aggravation for me it's storing a full set of wheels & tyres all year round.

[xenon]

Agreed. Plus the cost of sliding into a kerb on M-Sport alloys...

[2ondeck]

when put like that can see the sense in them will have to start looking round.

[SteveC]

BMW's bad reputation in snow is a British thing. No one complains in Germany because the cars are fine when fitted with the proper tyres. Driving any car with summer tyres on snow and ice is the equivalent of wearing a Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandals in January. Inappropriate

[xenon]

Very true Steve but the reputation is founded because of RWD. Virtually all FWD cars are better by virtue of the fact there's a heavy engine over the driven wheels making it easier to survive.

[Russbmw]

I would imagine the Germans have better maintained and cleared roads when it snows as well. My 528 in the snow was like trying to steer a commuter train on an ice rink.

If it snows that badly, I'm not taking the car out - simples. Work at home, eat at the local pub.

[SteveC]

Originally Posted by xenon

Very true Steve but the reputation is founded because of RWD. Virtually all FWD cars are better by virtue of the fact there's a heavy engine over the driven wheels making it easier to survive.

My 330d with winter Contis was far better than my daughter's TT on summer tyres. If both were on summer tyres the Audi would win hands down but the Contis made a huge difference and the RWD BMW turned, stopped and accelerated far better.

[Neilios]

Put our sets of winter tyres on today after the first flutter of snow this morning. Worth the money all day long.