Snow chains, or snow sock in France

[manc01]

Hi, just wondered if anyone knows of snow chains for 19 wheels on GTD. Will it scratch it...Thinking of snow sock, there's brand which is acceptable in France, any opinions..thx

[SRGTD]

I’ve no experience of using snow chains. Assuming your 19” wheels are the optional diamond cut Santiago or Brescia alloys, I’d have thought there’s an extremely high risk of the chains damaging the diamond cut surface if the chains make contact with / rub against the diamond cut face, and if the diamond cut surface gets damaged there’s then a high likelihood of the onset of white worm corrosion that can only be removed by refurbishing the wheels. A good quality refurb on a 19” diamond cut alloy wheel would cost in the region of £100 plus VAT, plus extra cost of removing/refitting the tyres (Lepsons price; www.lepsons.com).

In your position, if I was going to be driving in winter conditions where 19” summer tyres wouldn’t cope, I’d seriously consider buying a set of either steel wheels or powder coated alloys and winter tyres. To keep the price of the winter tyres reasonable, I think 17” winter wheels will fit the GTD.

[drisser]

Totally agree with the above.

I run 18s on my 330d in the winter and I would have it Over a 4wd car on summer tyres any day.

Plus you don't bend an expensive rim if you kerb it. During the march snow I was out in my bmw literally sailing past front and 4wd cars I used to think they were a gimmick but run them for 3 winters now and they are really night and day.  A Guy Ina defender pulled over to let me past on the Norfolk back roads, good winter tyres really are that good.

I definitely wouldn't do anything else before trying winter tyres on smaller less expensive rims, plus they preserve the life of your summers.  My 330d has just hit 62k miles and only just replaced the original 19 inch summer rear tyres because you save winter wear..

[Guzzle]

I'm guessing OP is going to a place in France where it's mandatory to have snow chains?

[SRGTD]

I'm guessing OP is going to a place in France where it's mandatory to have snow chains?

If that’s the case and you’re required to have them, I’d not want to fit them to 19” diamond cut alloys for the reasons stated in my earlier post.

I’d be looking to get a set of smaller steel wheels and higher profile winter tyres, and fit the snow chains to these. Cheaper and easier to repaint a set of ‘steelies’ if they get scratched by the snow chains - you can do it yourself with a Halfords rattle can. As drisser has said, while you’re using winter wheels and tyres, you’re preserving your summer set, and you can always sell the winters if you no longer need them to recoup some of the cost.

[Guzzle]

Yes I agree, I have a set of winters myself so am familiar with the advantages. 

What I was driving at (excuse the pun), is that winter tyres alone may not be adequate for OP's intended purpose. Ideally you'd put snow chains over winter tyres, but if OP is driving to France, they'd have to either drive all the way there and back on winters, or leave all their luggage at home and fill the boot with 4 wheels and tyres.

I would expect there'd be less chance of damaging your wheels with snow socks than snow chains, but have no experience of running either.

[SRGTD]

I’d have thought that most people who have winter tyres would fit them in November and keep them on until early spring and I’m assuming the OP is travelling to France some time during this period between Nov - March, so no need to carry both sets of wheels - just put winters on before leaving for France.

[mustard]

I bought a set of the snow socks some years ago as where I live I had to get up a steep slope to get to the road. The socks worked well in deepish snow, but once on the main road where there was little snow they rapidly became a nuisance, they slipped and started to wear. Good for emergencies but no good for long term use.

[Guzzle]

Snow chains won't wear obviously, but they can make a hell of a racket as they tear the road to pieces, so be sure to take them off before a member of the local constabulary spots you if driving over bare asphalt.

[manc01]

Thanks for suggestions.. hoping I could get away with no winter wheel option.
I need it as going skiing season, and France need snow chains, but found these snow socks which approved in France, and they wouldn't scratch the alloy... decisions..
There I was hoping it be cheaper to drive... doh

These were the sock company https://www.autosockdirect.co.uk