Winter Tyres in the UK & Europe

[Just]

With winter approaching, I thought this subject deserved its own thread.

Originally Posted by Murphy The Cat

Yes. The CRD is absolutely appalling in the snow !!. Probably a combination of masses of torque, auto gearbox with no 'ice' option and big fat tyres. Last year on some occassions, anything just over a completley flat road defeated it. In the UK, there is only one set of tyres that will fit the 300C (Pirelli P7's, which in my opinion are very very good), but our friends in America/Canada report that they have a much bigger tyre choice and that some of the tyres make the 300C (HEMI not the CRD), very driveable indeed in the snow.

Got to agree completely Murph, mine was worse than useless in the snow last winter - rear end trying to overtake the front etc.

On return from hols, I had received an e-mail from mytyres.co.uk suggesting some winter tyre options for the 300c available in the UK for the standard tyre sizes.

Pirelli W210 Sottozero - £138.70 ea
Conti Winter Contact - £148.20 ea
Vredestein Wintrac Extreme - £151.20 ea

I have previously considered buying a used set of 18" wheels on ebay, and getting a set of winter tyres, but it seems like a lot of cost for 2 or 3 weeks in the year when it is snowy. And then there's the storage of the wheels - they're not small!

Can you use winter tyres on the rear - to give traction - with standard P7s on the front?

With so many of the regular posters being in Scotland & Northern England, and a number of guys in Northern Europe some of whom I think, have to use winter tyres by law, I'd be interested to know what other peoples thoughts are.

Just

[300C-CRD]

In the old days when I were working at a tyre shop, we didn't like to mix different brands of tyres even they were the same size/profile on any cars. Winter tyres helps but don't think it would make much difference with the CRDs in icy/heavy snow situation, CRDs are too heavy and have too much power/torque. It will be interesting to find out Scottish members' comments on this. (I meant Scots live in Scotland of course)

[Derek Mc]

I have been incredibly fortunate with snow for the past five winters as we reall only had one un expected fall in 2003/4 season that was a morning fall that caught the gritters out.
I was driving a BMW with very fat summer rubber and it was, well handfull seems such an under stated word but unlike other countries I cannot justify the expense when we reall seem to be looking at a week or two (going on previous five years stat's) at the end of Jan.

I am also in the position of having a train station near by so usage of the 300C does drop in winter anyway.

[Derek Mc]

An idea for you guys, in Germany winter tyres are legally required, look on ebay.de and you will perhaps pick up a bargain set? some folks used to buy tyres for 7's from their.

[Stefan Tapp]

What is this snow that ye talk about?



Stef

[300C-CRD]

Wonder when production shifted to Canada, will they make CRDs in 4 WD versions as in the States with the petrol versions?