[mjh93sa]

Not much snow about here, but what little we've got (about an inch) was enough to defeat the car tonight.

Managed to battle the traffic home, and even got up the cul-de-sac despite the snow (energy management and keeping rolling). Then came the fun...

The (uphill) driveway had been helpfully cleared for me, but there was as a result a little hump of snow at the end, maybe a couple of inches deep. No problem I thought, back over it, onto the cleared tarmac and we're home and dry. Or I did until the car stopped moving and I sat there with the DSC light flashing. After a couple of attempts to move the car about with much slithering and sliding, backwards, forwards and a lot of sideways I finally got it safely to one side and got out the snow socks.

As others have said, your knuckles will take a beating thanks to the tight clearances within the wheel arches. But a few minutes of slithering and sliding to get them on the car (need winter shoes) and it was a breeze to get on the drive, no fuss, no traction issues, just drive. Though obviously by then I was playing careful and not exploring the limits as brick walls are unforgiving.

So I would definitely recommend them. They might just make that little bit of difference that gets you home.

So if the weather man is right.. could be an enforced day off tomorrow.

[fastloop]

Matt, I could have used a set when I ventured out this morning. Everything was fine until some white van driver was hogging both sides of the road and I had to stop half way into a snow drift. Thanks!!

Stuck - absolutely no grip and going more sideways than anywhere. Some kind bloke in a 4x4 got out his tow rope and dragged me half a mile up the road to the main roads so I could get on my way. On days like this I really miss my 4Motion.

Any suggestions on where to get an Auto Sock that fit a 265/30/R19 tyre?

I have had a look around and it doesn't look like many are doing socks in these sizes? Autosocks site is currently down so I can't check them.

Alternative is to splash out ~ £750 for a set of WinTrac xTreme's. Still considering this, but getting the tyres delivered and fitted any time soon may be a challenge. Sizes needed (235/35/R19 - 265/30/R19)

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by 335rocks

Matt, I could have used a set when I ventured out this morning. Everything was fine until some white van driver was hogging both sides of the road and I had to stop half way into a snow drift. Thanks!!

Stuck - absolutely no grip and going more sideways than anywhere. Some kind bloke in a 4x4 got out his tow rope and dragged me half a mile up the road to the main roads so I could get on my way. On days like this I really miss my 4Motion.

Any suggestions on where to get an Auto Sock that fit a 265/30/R19 tyre?

I have had a look around and it doesn't look like many are doing socks in these sizes? Autosocks site is currently down so I can't check them.

Alternative is to splash out ~ £750 for a set of WinTrac xTreme's. Still considering this, but getting the tyres delivered and fitted any time soon may be a challenge. Sizes needed (235/35/R19 - 265/30/R19)

Perversely the sizes you need are most likely to be the ones that are available, as they're the most uncommon sizes! Try mytyres.co.uk or camskill.co.uk or pneus-online.co.uk for the Vreds

[chris330D]

Got mine (snow socks) from www.snowchains.co.uk. follow the link for weiss sock.

[Halpin13]

1 inch of snow...... try 8 inches in newcastle, totally sick and still having to slide and spin her into work ... snow tyres i thinks at the weekend

[E92Fan]

Originally Posted by Halpin13

1 inch of snow...... try 8 inches in newcastle, totally sick and still having to slide and spin her into work ... snow tyres i thinks at the weekend

Good luck finding a set.

Speaking to some tyre suppliers earlier this afternoon on behalf of other members, it seems that Vreds are almost out of stock now.

The only main brand solutions are the Goodyear Ultragrip (which are still pretty available in 17", 18" and 19" sizes) or the Avon/Cooper range of winter tyres (and that's because Avon/Cooper are made in the UK)

You might be able to get some Pirelli W240 Sottozero, but they'll be expensive!

[Ti Rich]

how far can you drive with these on the car?

[mjh93sa]

Originally Posted by 335rocks

Matt, I could have used a set when I ventured out this morning. Everything was fine until some white van driver was hogging both sides of the road and I had to stop half way into a snow drift. Thanks!!

Stuck - absolutely no grip and going more sideways than anywhere. Some kind bloke in a 4x4 got out his tow rope and dragged me half a mile up the road to the main roads so I could get on my way. On days like this I really miss my 4Motion.

Any suggestions on where to get an Auto Sock that fit a 265/30/R19 tyre?

I have had a look around and it doesn't look like many are doing socks in these sizes? Autosocks site is currently down so I can't check them.

Alternative is to splash out ~ £750 for a set of WinTrac xTreme's. Still considering this, but getting the tyres delivered and fitted any time soon may be a challenge. Sizes needed (235/35/R19 - 265/30/R19)

Those are pretty big sizes and the rears don't show up on the list. Aren't they both about 10mm wider than standard for the wheel size?

The 235/35/19 is listed as a "685"
The 265/30/19 is unlisted. 255/35/18 is listed as "685" as well and would have the same circumference, but might be a bit tight on the width.

Website is back up at the moment, but as you might expect they are warning of low stock and delivery problems.

Originally Posted by Ti Rich

how far can you drive with these on the car?

Originally Posted by AutoSock

Q3: What sort of conditions can I use them in?
A3: They'll improve traction on any snow or ice - even in soft, deep snow, or in wet snow. It's recommended that you take them off when you get back to tarmac, although the reality is that they probably will be driven on tarmac during those intermittent tarmac / snow / tarmac / snow conditions experienced before leaving the snow for good. (The TÜV test included 50 kilometres at 50 kph on dry tarmac. AutoSock passed this "Misuse test", but of course tarmac driving is not recommended as it increases fabric wear very considerably.)

A trick I have found is to use a small piece of wood to assist in getting the top of the sock over the tyre as there is sod all clearance between tyre and arch.

All you do is loop the elasticated inner piece back over the sock and poke it over the top of the tyre. Then you can use your chest to hold it in place whilst you get the rest of the sock wrapped around the tyre before retracting the wood so that the elastic flips into position.

[dxb335d]

How much are these ?

[chris330D]

About £60 depends on wheelsize.

[Silver Shadow]

Showing out of stock now until January 15th... but I will definately consider buying a set of these later this year to throw in the boot for next winter.

[Petem95]

I've decided to get some of these after trying out (or should I say rescued by) a works mates snow socks for his 325i M-Sport, but EVERYWHERE seems to be out of stock of these now!

I've just been looking at the forcast on weather.co.uk and think weather could potentially go on for quite some time.

These were going for £40 on ebay last week, but now you can't get them anywhere!

[snellfish]

thinking of getting some of these for emergency use. Does anyone know where i can get them cheaper than £65 a pair?

[matlough]

Flea Bay - Fix & Go (made by Goodyear)

Just bought a pair for 47 quid

[xenon]

What size wheels do you have?

[matlough]

225/45.

Even the 255/40x18" was the same price.

[xenon]

255/30 19 is listed as "n/a". I just phoned him and he said size G or I would fit but he's going to calculate it and call me back.

[willhollin]

Thought you were getting winter tyres Ian?

[xenon]

Can't seem to find any suitable alloys at a reasonable price, Will.

[willhollin]

Originally Posted by xenon

Can't seem to find any suitable alloys at a reasonable price, Will.

17" or 18"?

[xenon]

Anything! 17" (or even 16") preferred as the tyres are cheaper and easier to get.

[G82Dude]

Take a look on eBay. There are loads of snow socks. Some Goodyear ones too in various sizes about £48.