Preparing for Winter!

[TitanTim]

Hi all,

Yes a bit early but with the non summer were getting I'm kinda wondering what the winter will bring for us this year

For those who took delivery of their Zeds in the spring like myself what are you planning do for winter? Options I'm looking at..........

1) Not bother as last winter bought a set of BMW winter wheels for the 1 Series and the weather wasn't too bad. I know winter tyres are not just for snow but work well in temps below 7 deg for grip etc. Did feel I had wasted £1250 though.
2) Going again for BMWs winter wheel package as prefer to stick with runflats and OEM wheels but will be costly, over £1500 for 17s, ideally prefer 18s so most likely nudging 2K. Not keen on aftermarket wheels or non-runflats :| The dealer would be storing the summer wheels as don't have storage space which in itself isn't cheap as last time it cost £95 including labour to swap them.
3) Looked at a 1.3 Suzuki Jimny the other week with 69,000 on the clock in fetching gold great condition for 2K, use it through the winter and flog it again in the spring thats if I could sell it but might get my money back. Quite like this idea and insure it 3rd party to keep costs down. Not sure I like the idea of laying up the Zed costing £300 a month :| from Nov to March.
4) Take a chance and use the push bike/public transport/thumb a lift when snow is forecast

Winter of 2010 was my first with using a BMW in the snow and don't wish to go there again

Tim.

 

[markeg]

For me, its shed with winter boots on. Zed is effectively hibernated during the snowy period, and when the average temperature drops below 7˚C. Thought about winter boots for the zed each year, but am more wary of the numpty's sliding into me when conditions are bad - too many with summer tyres/low tread out there when conditions get bad, so like to keep my P&J out of harm's way.

 

[cjp2k]

Last year was my first with a RWD car in the winter.

When we first got any ice etc, my car was in the dealers, so I had a 3series loan car... that was fun

The Z will be going into storage if we get any snow, will find another car to use from work etc

But I will have a spare set of oem 17s by then..so may invest in some winters just to be safe....

 

[envy]

im going to buy something very soon that will double up as a second car for shopping trips and winter driving

 

[Anonymous]

We purchased an old Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 for when we need to transport large stuff and when the weather turns really bad. It's allowed us to stay mobile when the snow's been bad, where you wouldn't have been able to get anywhere with a normal 2WD. It's not been that much more to run than buying and storing a dedicated set of winter wheels/tyres.

Our Z4 will be staying in the garage when the weahter's bad as there are too many other hapless drivers on the road who don't know how to drive on snow or ice.

 

[Carol M]

I'll be driving my Freelander when the weather is too bad for the zed, otherwise I'll still be driving the zed albeit a little more carefully!

 

[TitanTim]

Thanks for the replies

I've been thinking of selling the Z3 to get a small 4x4 but can't bring myself to do it its only got 23K on the clock and wouldn't get much for it :|

As mentioned you can get the winter tyres fitted only for some idiot on slicks run up your backside. Something like the Jimny is becoming quite appealing, OK its not fast or particularly comfortable but its a proper little 4x4 unlike most for around 2k, means then I have 3 cars :roll:

Looks like a few of you don't use the Zed during winter? The Z3 is never used and garaged but thats more to do with getting salt etc on it.

Tim.

 

[TitanTim]

Think I have found the one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-SJ-410-UNIQUE-PINK-AEROPLANE-SHOW-CONVERSION-/300736288779?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item460547980b

Tim.

 

[Anonymous]

Think I have found the one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUZUKI-SJ-410-UNIQUE-PINK-AEROPLANE-SHOW-CONVERSION-/300736288779?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item460547980b

Tim.

 

[JaEdBa]

i bought a clio off my bro. originally because i had an M3 that was scary in the snow on the roads i had to drive to work on, however, it's actually very useful. i can drive it into town, leave it there overnight and pick it up in the morning, saving a cab fare one way. it's ok for nights out when you're not drinking but in town. and now i have a shorter commute i use it as the parking spaces where i work are miniscule, the z would get dints all over.

howver, now that it stays tucked up and i'm doing less and less miles i am considering an M or something more exotic....

 

[Maniac]

I can't believe yore (get it) all talking about winter, you're damning what chance we have of any summer grr lol fingers firmly in ears!! La la la la la!!!

 

[cjp2k]

This summer has made me so pleased i got a roadster

 

[Stuart Truman]

Please stop talking about winter, summer hasn't been to play yet. It only knocked on the door and thought nobody was in so went home again

 

[TitanTim]

Summers over, another month of rain as were stuck on the wrong side of the jet stream which isn't moving, mid August might get a bit of sun, into September and the Autumn and thats your lot.

Tim.

 

[ronk]

D3 with winter tyres for me! November to March

Its not only the slippy stuff - the roads are thick of salt

 

[a11y]

Always winter tyres for me. Already started the ball rolling for my new car and picked up some OEM 18" alloys, just need to decide on tyres and do a refurb on the alloys and I'll be good to go...

 

[mrlozzer]

We bought an old 4x4 last year for the snow... better than risking either of the RWD BMWs, especially as the roads out our way don't get gritted or cleared. But it's not the cheapest option, when you factor in tax & insurance etc. That said, if you can buy one in the Summer (when they're cheap) and sell on at the tail end of the following winter you might get away without too much of a loss...

 

[Andrew*Debbie]

Even with winter tires, an e89 wouldn't be able to manage to the road out to our new digs. The council doesn't grit the road.

Option 1: Do nothing and try to get into work with the van. Failing that either stay home or walk two miles to the village and take the bus from there.

Option 2: Replace the van with an all wheel drive vehicle. This would work well, but the running costs are insane. http://www.conwy.landrover.co.uk/Approved-Used-Vehicles/Used-Vehicle-Locator?id=8241

 

[ronk]

Always winter tyres for me. Already started the ball rolling for my new car and picked up some OEM 18" alloys, just need to decide on tyres and do a refurb on the alloys and I'll be good to go...

I use Vredestein Wintrac 4 's on my D3 - Cannot speak more highly of them. They never ceased to amaze me on their ability.
If I was to need some winter rubber on another car - They would be my first choice every time.

During the last bad winter there was an identical D3 to mine who couldn't climb a snow and ice covered hill - Mine went up with the traction control light giving the odd flicker! I was so chuffed I went round the block and did it again! The bloke in the other D3 didn't look very happy!!!

(He was at home and not stranded in the wilderness)

 

[Glaikit]

I'll be driving my Freelander when the weather is too bad for the zed, otherwise I'll still be driving the zed albeit a little more carefully!

+1 although Land Rover decided to fit high performance summer tyres as it is an SD4 special edition