Snow chains - V90 CC - any advice?

[KurtWallander]

So, we are thinking of driving to the Austrian alps next winter for a skiing holiday. Before anyone helpfully chips in, I know about the winter tyres legal requirement in Austria and will likely to go for a set of all seasons e.g. Cross Climates when they are next due for replacement. Yes, I know they are not perfect in winter or summer but will tick that box without needing a whole new separate set of winter tyres.

However, I know I will also be needing snow chains (probably won't need them but murphy's law and all that...).

With the combination of the V90 CC's big-ish wheels (235/55/18) and zero clearance behind the wheel, the options are both limited and expensive (esp. for a single trip...): Thule/Konig K-Summits from Volvo at £325 (actually a pretty good price compared with elsewhere), Spikes Spiders - around £350-400, Wiessenfels Quattro, Polaires - all similar ball-park price to above.

I have tried a couple of UK based hire places but they don't seem to offer anything that will fit. Any advice from forum members? Have you managed to hire these higher end chains anywhere in the UK? We will probably be travelling overnight so I won't be wanting to do anything locally once we are on the continent.

[jgforrest]

Keep an eye on eBay, thats where I got mine.

[Typolee]

Got some RUD chains off ebay second hand for my XC90 which has 19" wheels. Had to use them in mega deep snow in the mountains Italy at Christmas and they were brill. Although my Nankang winter tyres were simply unbelievable. The car was unstoppable in 2 - 3 feet deep snow!! I was gobsmacked how tyres make such a difference.

[xco]

Check out the snow socks instead they may be a better option if space a restriction behind wheel.

[KurtWallander]

Originally Posted by xco

Check out the snow socks instead they may be a better option if space a restriction behind wheel.

I may be wrong but I don't believe socks are considered adequate by the police in Austria should you be unfortunate enough to be stopped (or stuck). I think it depends on the country though.

[Haldex]

Originally Posted by KurtWallander

Before anyone helpfully chips in, I know about the winter tyres legal requirement in Austria and will likely to go for a set of all seasons e.g. Cross Climates when they are next due for replacement. Yes, I know they are not perfect in winter or summer but will tick that box without needing a whole new separate set of winter tyres.

And I brought popcorn & came here only to enjoy another "winter vs. all-seasons" neverending argument..

On a more serious note- I've recommended these on an earlier thread on snow chains- super easy to fit/remove, they're light and take next to no space in your trunk, as good in deep snow as metal snow chains yet provide much better grip on ice- and you can drive with these on even on dry tarmac, with almost no vibration..

https://fr.michelin-lifestyle.com/fr...grip-evolution

[KurtWallander]

Originally Posted by Haldex

And I brought popcorn & came here only to enjoy another "winter vs. all-seasons" neverending argument..

On a more serious note- I've recommended these on an earlier thread on snow chains- super easy to fit/remove, they're light and take next to no space in your trunk, as good in deep snow as metal snow chains yet provide much better grip on ice- and you can drive with these on even on dry tarmac, with almost no vibration..

https://fr.michelin-lifestyle.com/fr...grip-evolution

Thanks Haldex! No popcorn required!

Re: the Michelin Easy Grips, I think the same issue as for snow socks in that they are not approved for use in Germany or Austria. Seems the only options are the expensive ones...

[Haldex]

They are officially homologated in France, Italy and Switzerland- but I think you're right- not in Germany and Austria. I have used them on several occasions in Austria though.. when the going gets tough- no one will be checking.. plus it's not like I drive on them for hours..

[Haldex]

Actually I stand corrected- they seem to be both German TÜV-PFG 858 and the Austrian Ö-Norm V 5121 homologated- so they are perfectly legal in D and A. What's unclear though is if they meet the legal requirement for having snow chains on, where required- which, in F, I, and CH they do.

[KurtWallander]

Originally Posted by Haldex

Actually I stand corrected- they seem to be both German TÜV-PFG 858 and the Austrian Ö-Norm V 5121 homologated- so they are perfectly legal in D and A. What's unclear though is if they meet the legal requirement for having snow chains on, where required- which, in F, I, and CH they do.

Still not entirely sure these meet the 'no clearance' requirement for the V90 CC? They seem to indicate they need 9mm? And none of the websites selling them seem to have them as a recommended option if you state the specific vehicle type? Anyway, I will try to have a peek behind the wheel later to see how tight it is.