Also think your wrong on the 4wd front, it makes a huge huge difference summer tyres or not. It's made a difference between being snowed in or getting to work on numerous occasions the last 2 years for me.
No, not wrong. Don't get me wrong, 4WD on summer tyres better than a similar RWD car on summer tyres in snow. Under braking though, not much at all if anything. But what I'm saying is RWD + winter tyres is better than 4WD on summer tyres by quite a margin and is better balanced (when considering the much improved braking abilities winter tyres will give). However, fit winter tyres to the 4WD car then of course things are reversed again.
have to also remember 4wd gives traction improvements, I think going round a bend off the throttle a 4wd car will lose traction easily also with the wrong tyres on and same for braking.
I think (and this is just my opinion),a 4wd car with big wheels and sporty rubber could be more dangerous than a RWD car. At least the rwd car will get stuck, the 4wd car driver with no snow driving experience will believe because their car is 4WD it will be unstopable. So they use the 4wd traction to get moving....... just before they hit the brakes and slide right into the rear of someone or spin off into the kitty litter
. Personally I would not buy a 4wd car just for winter believing witner tyres are not needed. However if I wanted the ultimate grip then sure, I'd get a 4WD car but still fit winter tyres.
And yep, I'm using winter tyres on a RWD 340BHP BMW. Had my first outing Saturday in the snow and was very impressed.