Member Since: 20 Jan 2007
Location: Accrington
Posts: 36
Found myself in the alps, its started snowing!
I'm currently working in the Austrian alps and am staying half way up a mountain. We had our first snow today and its only going to get worse. I'm currently running standard tyres on my 19" HSE and these I don't think will be good enough. Apparently most people put studded tyres on, however I do not want to go down this route, as they are illegal in the UK and I'll be back for christmas. So, what are my options? Will MTR's cut it in the snow? Are there any proper winter tyres without studs that will work on the D3?
7th Nov 2007 8:23 am
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Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
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ISTR that when AndrewS goes to Courcheval he has the MTRs on with no problems. No snow chains required normally unless it's very very severe. Apparently they only let LandRovers through the border without snowchains Other lesser cars have to have them. Bodsys Brake Bible
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7th Nov 2007 8:30 am
Bogblaster
Member Since: 17 Nov 2005
Location: Glawstershire
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I am off to the Czech Republic at Christmas and have ordered some Vredestein Winter 4 Extreme for my HSE, the MTR, although an excellent mud tyre is not rated highly on the Goodyear website for Snow. I have used Winter Tyres before in snowy countries and they have never failed to impress me, I was once in a Skoda Octavia with Winter Tyres on and drove past a Land Cruiser on a snowy hill that was slipping and sliding every which way but forwards! I wouldnt want to drive on them for a long time out of winter as they are a much softer compound.D4 HSE Luxury SDV6,
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A dedicated winter tyre or AT tyre will be better than a MT or normal road tyre on snow. Vredstein (as mentioned above) get rave reviews for their winter tyres. Not aware of any AT tyres for the 19" rim so that looks like the way forward, if you'll pardon the pun I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
7th Nov 2007 10:38 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
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Am I right in assuming that MTRs would be better than road tyres for snow use???
7th Nov 2007 10:40 am
tintenter
Member Since: 29 Sep 2006
Location: Oldham
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i have been using the Vredstein wintrac on my hse since june and as yet are not showing any adverse reaction to tarmac or mud with 4500 miles coverd Tintenter
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7th Nov 2007 11:52 am
martin4x4
Member Since: 23 May 2005
Location: Norfolk, UK
Posts: 362
In many European countries it's normal to change over to Winter Tyres in November and back to Summer ones in March. So almost everyone has two sets of tyres and many two sets of wheels (alloy for summer and steel for winter). If you are still driving on Summer tyres in Winter and get involved in an accident it can invalidate your insurance and a hefty fine imposed. (In Switzerland, at least)
I only every saw one Defender with winter tyres. I never changed mine is three years in Germany and six in Switzerland as they were marked mud and snow I believe they qualified as winter tyres.
The rubber compound for winter tyres is much softer and thus gives much more grip in winter conditions. They also have a limited life of three seasons from what I recall.
A Defender with two sets of chains will go almost anywhere
Studded tyres, AFAIK are only legal in Scandinavian Countries.Discovery 3 XS Auto, Stornaway, Active rear diff.
7th Nov 2007 12:20 pm
retired
Member Since: 18 Feb 2006
Location: Surrey
Posts: 158
I fitted Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow tyes last year for our annual Christmas trip to snowy climes.
Grip in snow much better than standard Pirellis with no noticeable deterioration over standad tyres in ride comfort / noise in non snowy conditions.
They were used for about 4kmiles , quite a lot on dry roads, and wear is not noticeable.
Once temp goes below seven degrees winter tyres perform better than standard tyres so are woth having on even when its cold.
As been mentioned, in some countries not having winter tyres fitted can be considered as a contributory factor in case of an accident.
8th Nov 2007 8:06 am
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
DSL wrote:
Am I right in assuming that MTRs would be better than road tyres for snow use???
I'd have thought that would be the case. MTR's have markings on them don't they? (Car's at the airport so can't go out and check...)Bodsys Brake Bible
Goodyear Wrangler MT/R have M+S marked on them, it is what I have on at the moment
8th Nov 2007 8:46 am
Bogblaster
Member Since: 17 Nov 2005
Location: Glawstershire
Posts: 539
Alicatt wrote:
Goodyear Wrangler MT/R have M+S marked on them, it is what I have on at the moment
Whatever floats your boat Alicatt, but I think you'll find them alot better if you put them on the car rather than yourself
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8th Nov 2007 9:25 am
christyler
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: Cork, Ireland
Posts: 1168
I used Cooper STT's on the crosiere blanch last year, most of the event was on snow chains but they performed really well in the snow without snow chains aswell.
the coopers would have my vote.CLUB "Ah Shor it'll be grand"
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I can vouch for Vredstein wintrac's having used them on lesser vehicles whilst living and winter holidaying in Germany, Austria & Switzerland.
Also, bare in mind that Germany have put legislation in place which could void you insurance or result in you being apportioned the blame for an accident if you do not have M+S speced tyres fitted between November 1st and March 31st. LRs are a fond memory, apart from the maintenance.
9th Nov 2007 2:24 pm
fakesnake
Member Since: 30 Mar 2006
Location: Leicestershire
Posts: 281
Re: Found myself in the alps, its started snowing!
defender wrote:
I'm currently working in the Austrian alps and am staying half way up a mountain. We had our first snow today and its only going to get worse.
Best news I've had all day. Time to wax those skis up for DecemberRichard
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Other lesser cars have to have them. 
