Winter tyres vs 4WD ?

[cs2009]

I'm interested in trading in my Golf for one of the new models. Hiowever, as I have recently moved to a village, where many of the roads may not get cleared of snow in Winter, I'm wondering about the relative merits of 2WD + Winter tyres or something with 4WD.

Apparently, there are no plans for a 4motion version of the new Golf for the forseeable future, and the availability of the Quattro version of the new A3 is also not expected until sometime next year. So if I didn't get a Golf, I would probably go for a Q3.

Anyone have any experience of such 4WD SUVs, particularly in snow and ice, and would winter tyres on a 2WD be better or worse ?

[Hex69]

In order of effectiveness in slippery conditions worst to best.

1. RWD summer tyres
2. FWD summer tyres
3. 4WD summer tyres
4. RWD winter Tyres
5. FWD winter tyres
6. 4WD winter tyres

Basically, winter tyres are more effective then 4wd.

[zollaf]

4wd is alsways going to give more grip than 2wd, but when the tyres have no grip, nothing works. a 2wd with snow tyres will beat a 4wd on summer tyres but a 4wd on winters is unstoppable. even a new range rover with all its electronics will end up in the hedge on summers.

[EssexGonzo]

IMHO depends on a couple of factors.

Do you secretly want a high riding bling SUV? If so, own up and get yerself one. ;-)

However, if your only consideration is grip in a standard car, get yer Golf and some winter tyres.

I live on a hill and have an A2 with winter tyres. Last winter, the bloke across the road with the 2009 Rangie and 2012 X6 both on 20+ rims and summer tyres came across to ask me how I was getting up the hill.

Too many people justify their SUV purchase with "I need more grip" rather than "I think it makes me look cool".

Nothing wrong with the latter but with summer tyres it doesn't give you grip in the snow.....

[zollaf]

theres a thread on a landy forum with a chap moaning because his range rover crashed going down a steep snow covered road. he has selected 'snow terrain' and drove down it, and just got faster and faster until he crashed into the wall. all the landy's fault though because 'snow terrain' didn't let him drive very well on his road tyres in snow.

[Brycie]

I live on a hill and have an A2 with winter tyres. Last winter, the bloke across the road with the 2009 Rangie and 2012 X6 both on 20+ rims and summer tyres came across to ask me how I was getting up the hill.

That must have damaged their pride . Did you simply turn round and say "Vorsprung Durch Technique" . Ok, you may look smug sying it but it would have been amusing.

On a serious note though, great question OP.

[johnloaderuk]

Watch this, road tyres doing almost nothing, on a fairly smooth and level field with a very light coating of mud

Who said Range Rovers were good off road!!*- - YouTube

[Eshrules]

You can buy the biggest 4x4 with the grippiest tyres in the world, but if you drive like a moron you'll still come a cropper.

During the winter of 2007 I was that confident in my golf's all terrain capability that I was delivering a double bunkbed I'd sold on eBay - in a snow blizzard.

I know I don't live in Alaska, but I've had small FWDs for the last 10 years and I've not once got stuck - never fitted winter tyres either <smug>

[cs2009]

Thanks for all the replies on this.

I will get the Golf + some winter tyres.
(I really didn't want to have to get a Chelsea tractor !)

[Teflon]

In Norway and Sweden you can't get a driving licence until you've done the winter driving course and proved that you are at least half way competent. It's a pity we don't have that sort of endorsement on licences, the same as for driving tracked vehicles and HGV's. That way, just bar the un-endorsed from the roads whenever the gritters have been out. I've never been stuck in snow, but have had to dump the car more than once because a hill has been blocked by some halfwit with spinning wheels and a lead foot.

Speaking of Scandinavia, it's a pity that studded tyres are banned here. I've driven thousands of miles on them there on everything from snow to compacted ice and they are superb. I'd recommend that the OP gets some snow chains or boots.