In my neck of the woods, winter is a bit of a shy beast.

Daily temps through December to February range between 2c and 7c, we may have 2 or 3 snow days each winter, usually less than an inch, and they may not arrive until March if at all!

We get plenty of rain and on a number of days the max temp can get up to 12c.

A climate not unlike Vancouver.

So the question is, are winter tyres worth having?

Now this would be a no brainer...............but, I am driving to St Anton in Austria, skiing in February.

Winter tyres would be of use for that trip, but it is not worth buying some for one trip only. PLus I will have to get chains for that trip anyway.

They only become viable if I use them for 3 months each winter.

So, what are the disadvantages of winter tyres in my situation.

Below 7c they will probably outperform my summer GS-D3's, but when the temp gets up to aropund 10 - 12c will they underperform significantly?

If so I guess they would not be worth the cost and I'll just put up with my Summer tyres + Chains in Austria for a week.

 

I do not see a point why you should get wintertyres for one trip to Austria.

Wintertyre are softer and do not give you the best dry performance.

You could fly down there and rent a car if you must have one.


I would not put chains on my car, they can easilly destroy the fenders?


PS. You should see the weather and road contitions overhere right now,
snow and under it the roads are clear ice...
Wintertyres with studs would now be the best choise but my Conties are great!

 

Driving down through Germany is much more fun and during the school holidays, a lot cheaper than flying.

 

Then you must buy the best wintertyres suited for mid Europe and the alps.

The big brands are the best; Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental.

But the sure to buy the latest version and fresh rubbers!

 

That would be my plan, Blizzaks or Wintercontact.

The cost of buying the tyres will be offset by the fact that my summers will last longer, as they will only get used 9 months of the year.

Winter tyres give better grip when temps are below 7c, and British roads are damp cold and greasy during the winter.

It is whether or not winter tyres will drop off in performance badly once the temp gets above 7c that is causing me to question thier value to me?

 

http://www.tyres-online.co.uk/techinfo/winter.asp

ABC

 

I would never, never, never put chains on my car, especially a BMW. They tear up your wheels and could do severe damage to the wheel wells should they come loose, and they often do. I can't tell you how many times I've heard that familiar "Whack, whack, whack" as a car with one line of transverse links broken comes rumbling through the snow, the driver more concerned about getting somewhere than what it's doing to the car. Unless you get some real knobby snow tires I doubt that you'll see much improvement in traction with a winter compound or tread design worth the investment for one trip. Rent a FWD and save the BMW for better roads.

 

Renting is not an option, to rent on the UK and drive to Austria would be difficult and VERY expensive.

Chains are compulsory in the much of the Alps.

French police will put up checkpoints on mountain roads and refuse to allow you up in snowfall unless you have chains fitted.

I have had to use them more than once on previous cars in the French Alps, getting out of the resort would have been impossible without them.

They are a nessecary evil.