Are mercs better in winter than bmw's?

[anglaslt]

In an ideal world, then yes two sets of rims would be nice. The comment on stretching or damaging the beading on the tyres is perpetuated by MB themselves, however I am in the rubber/Thermoplatics/Fluoropolymer/elastomer industry and can assure you that it would take a considerably higher force than that required during fitting to damage tyres, certainly a score of changes and more. Most winters will last 3-4 seasons so only a few changes which would be extremely unlikely to cause damage.

Interesting what you say John. I'm only repeating from personal experience where a Nokian winter tyre suddenly deflated on a roundabout within a couple of kms of being fitted for its upcoming third or fourth winter season. At that time I was using only one set of rims but I haven't since.

I bow to your (much) greater knowledge on the rubber/thermoplatics/fluoropolymer/elastomer industry so maybe it was badly fitted, damaged on fitting or just plain bad luck. Whatever the reason, the beading had failed so for the cost of a decent set of used rims I will always use two sets of wheels/tyres. Here, where using winter tyres is mandatory from November-March, hardly anyone will change just their tyres, if only for convenience and to preserve their nice summer rims.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Interesting what you say John. I'm only repeating from personal experience where a Nokian winter tyre suddenly deflated on a roundabout within a couple of kms of being fitted for its upcoming third or fourth winter season. At that time I was using only one set of rims but I haven't since.

I bow to your (much) greater knowledge on the rubber/thermoplatics/fluoropolymer/elastomer industry so maybe it was badly fitted, damaged on fitting or just plain bad luck. Whatever the reason, the beading had failed so for the cost of a decent set of used rims I will always use two sets of wheels/tyres. Here, where using winter tyres is mandatory from November-March, hardly anyone will change just their tyres, if only for convenience and to preserve their nice summer rims.

As I said, in an ideal world I’d go with that. The correct thing to do would be to have a set of steels for winter then there’s no alloy corrosion issue to worry about.
That said- I did that on my W203 and hated the look of the car for 5 months of the year and after that decided not to do that again.

 

[Yugguy]

Chaps at what point are winter tyres needed? I live in the Midlands which tends not to get extremes of weather and I got through last winter without feeling like I needed to change my uniroyal summers.

 

[LostKiwi]

Chaps at what point are winter tyres needed? I live in the Midlands which tends not to get extremes of weather and I got through last winter without feeling like I needed to change my uniroyal summers.

When average temperatures in which you drive drop below 7 degrees C then its the time to change to Winters. Up until then summer tyres are fine.
Above 7 degrees summer tyres generally outperform winters and below that winters generally outperform summers.
Last year in the Midlands there were only a few days I was driving where the temp was below 7 degrees.

 

[Yugguy]

Aye, it was pretty mild. I'm interested to see what a proper winter feels like in a RWD car.

 

[keefysher]

however I am in the rubber/Thermoplatics/Fluoropolymer/elastomer industry.

I too am familiar with that space. But as I started paddling before I went to work, where de rigour clothing was rubber shorts, it was the appeal of cold wet clothing that attracted me


The 7 degrees also applies to the caravan fridge vents.

But is that during the day, overnight or when?

 

[LostKiwi]

I too am familiar with that space. But as I started paddling before I went to work, where de rigour clothing was rubber shorts, it was the appeal of cold wet clothing that attracted me


The 7 degrees also applies to the caravan fridge vents.

But is that during the day, overnight or when?

When you are driving most of your miles. If you never drive at night and daytime temps are above 7 then don't bother.
If you drive at night and its -2 when its +7 in the day then its a different matter.

On the rubber thing I used to work for NZ telecom back in the day and one of the guys lived on an island in the Auckland harbour. The distance from where he lived to the city was about 20 miles. He used to regularly canoe to work....

 

[John Laidlaw]

I too am familiar with that space. But as I started paddling before I went to work, where de rigour clothing was rubber shorts, it was the appeal of cold wet clothing that attracted me


The 7 degrees also applies to the caravan fridge vents.

But is that during the day, overnight or when?

Lol, we are too alike! I paddled and sailed (Ski-Ing in winter) as a profession before ‘real’ work. ‘Twas that indeed got me into neoprene (ish) goods then the rest as they say....

 

[keefysher]

Lol, we are too alike! I paddled and sailed (Ski-Ing in winter) as a profession before ‘real’ work. ‘Twas that indeed got me into neoprene (ish) goods then the rest as they say....

Small world. I realised I wouldn't make a living paddling, so went to work and did coaching. Then found skiing. It was the L group Co I went to work for and went skiing around the world too!! I did do the Colorado through the Grand Canyon in 1997 after waiting 25 years after seeing a film about it when starting building Apache kayaks at school.

 

[Rory]

Winter tyres can make the difference between twitchy, no grip ridiculous and almost normal road condition like grip.

Hmmm...I've seen many "night and day" comments so perhaps I was expecting too much, but I wasn't that impressed by the Honda Jazz on full winters (Michelin Alpins) my wife had when we had a sprinking of snow one day. Under-steered dramatically on a low speed turn that I expected would be OK.

And I'd driven that car on its original summer (but clearly very soft as they wore quickly) Dunlop SP2030's through the 2009 & 10 winters with no issues at all, apart from me getting out to help someone and immediately going on my backside and jolting my spine - I'm afraid I won't be doing that again.

 

[Ricardo_e220]

No experience of BMs other than seeing neighbour, barely able to get onto his flat drive! That said Mercs aren't great, and imo (as a skier) not even that great (but much better) even with full winters compared to a fwd car

 

[Blobcat]

Fit winter tyres and it won't matter if you're in a BM or Merce, mine will be going on at the start of next month

 

[daibevan]

Or live somewhere warmer and only need them once in blue moon. Then stay at home, 'cause no one else can drive either.

 

[Wighty]

Or live somewhere warmer and only need them once in blue moon. Then stay at home, 'cause no one else can drive either.

Moving somewhere warmer might cost more than a set of winters

 

[MalcQV]

Never really had any problems with any car I have owned. First three cars were all RWD and the rest (talking daily use cars) have all been Front Wheel Drive. The best I had was a 2002 VW Passat with budget tyres, it seemed to go anywhere on road in all conditions.
I have yet to sample my automatic CLK. A part from weekend cars this is the first time in almost 20 years I have had RWD and the 2nd automatic.

 

[LostKiwi]

Fundamentally if conditions get bad no matter what you drive you go nowhere.
All it takes is one car ill equipped for the conditions and everyone stops.

I used to live in the Peak District and it was a regular occurrence to see cars abandoned in the middle of the road when there was snow. When that happens the road soon gets blocked and even a fully equipped 4x4 won't help.

The best thing for your car for winter is a dose of common sense. Know your limits, know your cars limits and drive (or not) accordingly.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Fundamentally if conditions get bad no matter what you drive you go nowhere.
All it takes is one car ill equipped for the conditions and everyone stops.

I used to live in the Peak District and it was a regular occurrence to see cars abandoned in the middle of the road when there was snow. When that happens the road soon gets blocked and even a fully equipped 4x4 won't help.

The best thing for your car for winter is a dose of common sense. Know your limits, know your cars limits and drive (or not) accordingly.

We’re off to the Peak District this afternoon!
Near Buxton with extended family of 30....
Let the fun begin

 

[LostKiwi]

We’re off to the Peak District this afternoon!
Near Buxton with extended family of 30....
Let the fun begin

Have fun John, Buxton was my local (decent sized) town till 4 years ago. Just prepare for cold - Its well known for being chuffing cold!

 

[John Laidlaw]

Have fun John, Buxton was my local (decent sized) town till 4 years ago. Just prepare for cold - Its well known for being chuffing cold!

Cheers Alastair, the weather is looking dire tomorrow but ok for the Sunday pub lunch walk!

 

[LostKiwi]

Cheers Alastair, the weather is looking dire tomorrow but ok for the Sunday pub lunch walk!

Which pub are you going to?