Spec me something with 4WD

i actually had a low speed bump last year due to the snow and completely inappropriate tyres (i was driving very very carefully, but when trying to slow down from 5mph with 70 yards to do so in, and you still don't stop there's not much more you can do.....talk about feeling like it's all slow motion!!!)

Unless I manage to borrow the Raging Bull (mitsu L200) from work over the winter months I'm going to be completely stuck where I live short of buying some better tyres.
 
Spend a few quid on an old Jeep instead, you'll have a laugh, it'll probably be cheaper than a set of rims and tires, and you'll be able to sell it for what you paid for it come Febuary or March :p
 
Meh, I'm going to buy some part-worn winter tyres - in fact, in the size I've been planning on using I found some decent ones with 5-6mm left for £80. Get them changed when it gets cold, and changed back when it warms up.

You can buy screw in studs for particularly bad situations, but I imagine proper winter tyres with an m&s type tread pattern with be fine.

Stuff all of this second set of wheel business - just find a tyre fitter that doesn't rip you off (I paid £5 a wheel before I started doing them myself at a mates workshop).
 
MikeHiow said:
Meh, I'm going to buy some part-worn winter tyres - in fact, in the size I've been planning on using I found some decent ones with 5-6mm left for £80. Get them changed when it gets cold, and changed back when it warms up.

You can buy screw in studs for particularly bad situations, but I imagine proper winter tyres with an m&s type tread pattern with be fine.

Stuff all of this second set of wheel business - just find a tyre fitter that doesn't rip you off (I paid £5 a wheel before I started doing them myself at a mates workshop).
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Just remember that the wear indicator is at 4mm on a winter tyre.
 
Pyscho_Si said:
Have you been north of the Watford Gap services in the winter months?
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You seem to be under the impression that last winter was a typical winter?

It wasnt, thats why it was such a massive fuss. It was weather that England doesnt get very often - even north of the Watford Gap - hence all the fuss. Everyone was caught out.

If we got it every single winter like clockwork we'd never have the issues we do.

How many winter tyre threads can you find on this forum dated 2008 or earlier?

How many do you find dated 2008 or later?

My point exactly. It doesnt conform to the norm, does it?
 
Moeks said:
I wish we did get 'proper' winters, it'd be nice to have really clearly defined seasons.
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Absolutely. If we did get proper winters it would be great. We'd have a proper fleet of snowplows, we'd have roads designed with snow in mind (Many roads in heavy snow areas have big poles beside them to mark the edge of the tarmac which remain there in summer months), we'd have laws regarding changeover to winter tyres and most of all we'd have motorists who are all experienced in the snow because they get it every year for several months.

Instead we get it once in a blue moon, nobody has a clue what to do, the newspapers go crazy, everyone goes bonkers, everything gets gridlocked and people cry.

The reason it doesnt happen in Norway is not because the UK is inept.

If you think I am wrong and that a normal English winter contains lots of snow then answer me this - why dont you all already have a set of winter wheels and tyres and a rack to keep them in? Why are you only now trying to find out about them? Surely you've used them for your entire driving careers..?
 
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Pick up a Freelander TD4 and put a set of all terrains on it. Take someone with you, if you decide on one, who knows about them. Will do in winter or summer.

Oh and avoid the petrol ones at all costs.
 
[TW]Fox;17502473 said:
You seem to be under the impression that last winter was a typical winter?

It wasnt, thats why it was such a massive fuss. It was weather that England doesnt get very often - even north of the Watford Gap - hence all the fuss. Everyone was caught out.

If we got it every single winter like clockwork we'd never have the issues we do.

How many winter tyre threads can you find on this forum dated 2008 or earlier?

How many do you find dated 2008 or later?

My point exactly. It doesnt conform to the norm, does it?
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I must admit that I only moved back up north last winter after 10 years in London but sub zero temperature in the morning and evening are normal here. I remember a few years back working in Warrington having to scrape the ice of the car when I left the client office at 6pm. Therefore when I am driving, winter tyres would be beneficial.

Also, year before last it took me 5 hours to get from Dover to London due to the bad weather.... that weather shut down London for best part of a week. Same year, I was caught out on the Snake in my BMW driving from Chesterfield to Manchester when it started snowing. Year before I remember getting stuck in a blizzard on the M25 while driving between Aldershot and Solihull. I often find myself driving up the M40 late at night when it is sub zero temperatures.

You are someone who is biblical about not using ditch finders. At what temperature does a high performance summer tyre become a ditch finder? 3 degrees? Zero Degrees? minus 3? Minus 10?

Just because mindsets are changing to the benefits of winter tyres doesn't mean it is the wrong mindset. Additionally I think you get very confused between winter tyres and snow tyres.

As I've said before, I drive about 30,000 miles a year so maybe my requirements are slightly different from most.
 
Cheers for the input so far. I agree about the weather but it is generally bad around here whatever. If I was still on the north east coast, this wouldn't be an issue. Or if we were just going in and out of major towns or cities with no dodgy roads, the 5 series would also be fine. But we're not so it is.

Winter tyres - hmm, I'd rather not as the Eagles I have on have 5mm+ on them and living in a 2nd floor flat means no storage.

I was under the impression the freelander was awful, if not I'll look at these. I personally think a car with 4wd would be the best compomise, but I am open to serious suggestions. Going to have a look at some octavias/forresters etc for now.
 
The instructor/guides I met this summer in Andorra didn't bother with a 4wd for his wife, just a set of snow tyres. If you'd seen some of the drops and he's happy for her to drive a 2wd drive I'd say 4wd might be a bit of a more expensive option over some tyres. Hell if it gets very bad then get chains.
 
Well 4WD doesn't help you stop or steer, it only helps move you forwards. With the right tyres, 2WD should be fine.
 
[TW]Fox;17503246 said:
Errr yea other than the fact they are all 15-17 year old totally ruined Mk1 bangers?
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Bound to be a few good uns left

Iirc they come with si trim not the worst spec 2l zetec and rugged 4x4
And for budget it's perfect get a minter with enough cash left to cover any issues over the winter or perhaps treat the missus to a weekend away? Win
 
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