Winter Trip 2012, snow chains

[b3robo]

Hi All

I am planning a two week, two resort driving trip to the continent next January for my birthday (big 3-0) and was wondering if anyone here has done it before? I'm going to Meribel in Les Trois Vallees for one week and Engelberg in Switzerland the second week.

I'm trying to make an itinery of things i'll need, such as headlight bend stickers, european breakdown cover, high vis jacket, warning triangle, shovel, spare bulbs, essential fluids, blow up dolls, condoms etc. Anything else i'm missing?

I'll be driving over in my B5 A4 Quattro (1.9 AFN), after a thorough service of course. Its a beaten up high miler with 178k currently on the clock, but has only required fuel and a light service since I bought it early this year, been up to Lancashire and back on one tank of fuel, and has generally been brilliant so far.

Does anyone know any decent cheap suppliers for snow chains that would fit 16 inch Avus alloys? similar to standard S2 rims; 225/50/16. Ones i've found so far are looking near £100 for two pairs.

Or alternatively if someone has or knows of anyone who has used snow tyres that would fit said rims for sale? would save me farting around fitting them then pulling em off all the time; Tis preferable option. Budget is an issue as i'm gonna be forking out a fortune for lift passes and accomodation alone.

Ta
Rob

[4WheelDrifter]

Just got snow tyres and forget the chains. Get another set of wheels to make swapping easier. I carry a tow-rope with me in winter, so I can tow other people out of trouble.

[s2_wot]

Get some 15" steels off a passat / A4 and some 195 / 55 R15 winter tyres, even some part worn items will be so much better than the chains.

Pics of the trip please?

[djh]

Get some 15" steels off a passat / A4 and some 195 / 55 R15 winter tyres, even some part worn items will be so much better than the chains.

Pics of the trip please?

and a route map would be nice

[s2driveruk]

having done it lots of times in the a6....winter tyres are much more preferable to chains, though if you end up getting some, then i would go for a low profile chain (9mm) to ensure clearance behind the wheel as some audis (a6 definately) struggles with strut clearance. Weissenfel Clack and go or any diamond pattern will do (dont get ribbed they are sh&te on ice/packed snow as the chains are not always on the tarmac).

plenty of cheap ones here...TUV approved would be my preference

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=snow+chains+16&_sacat=0&_dmpt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&_odkw=clack+and+go&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313

If you do get chains....practice with them BEFORE you need them, when it chucking it down with snow, wet and ice cold hands and instructions on a roadside and possibly in fading light is not a good combination Something quite satisfying about hopping out, having them on the wheels in a few mins and leaving others behind while they work out what to do

Enjoy the trip, will be epic

[DeanG]

Nokian WR G2 Snow Tyres

Got a spare set of wheels and bought the Nokian WR G2 tyres for our A4 (B6) Audi Quattro last year. I did loads of research and I have been very pleased with the choice. They provide excellent grip in snow and muddy conditions and are also ok for dry conditions.
I bought the tyres on line from Delticom Tyres Ltd.

[b3robo]

Thanks for the quick replies guys!



Its a 1700 mile round trip according to google, i've only put around that on my car since buying it in April hope it stays together.

I updated my trusty garmin nuvi sat nav with maps of europe and will buy a road atlas en-route.

Thanks s2_wot, I'll have a looksie for some steel rims, is a good idea actually and come to think of it, always remember seeing lots of nice cars with sh*t steelies on over there last time I went.

Thanks for the link s2driveuk, lots of choice there.

Also is it worth sourcing a new undertray for my engine? as the one on the car seems to have ejected itself a long time ago. Might be worth it to deflect slush/big-*** pieces of ice?

Can't wait to go now, just waiting for the damn summer to end. Oh god HURRY UP!

[4WheelDrifter]

Good advice from David.

I have never used snow chains, as I have never found the need.



And no. My car is not stuck in the photo, just stopped outside a friend's house. It pulled away fine from there.

If you have to drive in deep snow, make sure you radiator stays clear, and I've had trouble with the wheels filling up with snow, melting, then freezing again causing a wheel imbalance.


There are a few discussions on winter tyres on the forum.

Here is an ADAC tyre test result from a year or two back, which I have already posted in another thread:



I've got Continental WinterContact TS830's for my A3 and love them. I run skinnier 195's though.
Tyres is one thing I do not skimp on.

I would also say that having winter tyres on spare wheels is essential. I have a friend that changes my tyres, but one year he was busy and I ended up driving on a set of winter tyres when it warmed up in Spring, ruining a set.
Now I have spare wheels for the cars, I can swap them when the weather changes.


1700 miles round trip should be no problem. I'm planning another trip to Norway this winter that is double that, in a VW Lupo.

[Sonic]

I ran a set of the Nokian WRG2's last year (just in the UK) and they were superb.

I got a complete set of steels + tyres from mytyres. 195/65 R15 seem to be a good match for your 16" - Linky

Does your A4 have a switch to move the beam alignment like the S2? So you don't need the bulb stickers.

[s2_wot]

I got a complete set of steels + tyres from mytyres. 195/65 R15 seem to be a good match for your 16" - Linky

Sonic, you're correct. The tyre size I posted was a typo.

[veneto rs2]

I ran a set of the Nokian WRG2's last year (just in the UK) and they were superb.

I agree!

Get yourself 4 narrow Nokians and just go.

Stefano

[s2driveruk]

the WR's are fantastic and wear really well, the haka sipes work really well and there is also a nice wear indicator on the centre rib. I ended up having to go for something different last season when I replaced mine (forget what they were now ) but were pretty good too. You could just swap for the summer size if you wanted to (i have just because of the rim size i had), however they will be even better with a narrower tyre.
nice pic Stu

In terms of an under tray, dont under-estimate the pain of one if you get snow on top of the tray as it sags and then rips off (BTDT) I woulnt worry, snowploughs are much more effective abroad and dont leave death cookies in a pile down the centre of a road (though be prepared to get out of the way of them cos they dont like to slow down for you

One tip, if the snow is not 'dry' then be sure to check periodically for how much is packing the arches, years back nr St Gervais in th French Alps on a road with no barriers, my old 306 rear wheels locked up because of snow packed into the arches providing a very hairy moment! Since then i will get out in heavy snow around freezing point and just kick the corners to make it drop out....I do not want to have to catch a tail happy car from going off the side of a mountain again in a hurry

[andy10v]

One tip, if the snow is not 'dry' then be sure to check periodically for how much is packing the arches, years back nr St Gervais in th French Alps on a road with no barriers, my old 306 rear wheels locked up because of snow packed into the arches providing a very hairy moment! Since then i will get out in heavy snow around freezing point and just kick the corners to make it drop out....I do not want to have to catch a tail happy car from going off the side of a mountain again in a hurry

Or if you drive straight for a while and then find you can't steer as the front arches are packed!

[b3robo]

Or if you drive straight for a while and then find you can't steer as the front arches are packed!

Remember going on a snowboard holiday to Lake Louise in Canada, never seen so much snow before, a taxi stopped outside our hotel, driver got out and started kicking the s**t outta the rear arch, lump of ice fell out the size of a large baby!

Righty found these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-2255516-...&_qi=RTM742988

my aspect ratio at the mo is 50 and these are 55, but as my car's not lowered it shouldn't be much of a problem? readin a few reviews online and they sound like a good tyre. Reckon they're worth it? tis a good price IMO

[tscheel]

Remember going on a snowboard holiday to Lake Louise in Canada, never seen so much snow before, a taxi stopped outside our hotel, driver got out and started kicking the s**t outta the rear arch, lump of ice fell out the size of a large baby!

Righty found these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-2255516-...&_qi=RTM742988

my aspect ratio at the mo is 50 and these are 55, but as my car's not lowered it shouldn't be much of a problem? readin a few reviews online and they sound like a good tyre. Reckon they're worth it? tis a good price IMO

In my opinion, they are almost worn out. Winter needs patten. My other concern is the age is not stated - old wintertires are worthless. When the softening chemicals leave the rubber, the grip disappears in the cold.

I wouldn't.